Bahrain FinTech Bay 2026: How the Kingdom Built the GCC’s Most Advanced Fintech Ecosystem
Bahrain FinTech Bay has evolved into the GCC's most advanced fintech ecosystem, built on the region's first regulatory sandbox (2017), first open banking framework (2018), and a unified Central Bank of Bahrain that has consistently moved faster than larger Gulf counterparts on emerging financial technology regulation.
Bahrain Economy 2026: Non-Oil GDP at 85%, Fintech Hub Status and Why Global Firms Are Taking Notice
Bahrain's economy in 2026 has achieved a milestone that few Gulf states can claim: non-oil sectors now account for 85 per cent of GDP, with financial services contributing 17 per cent and a fintech ecosystem that has evolved from a regulatory sandbox into a system-building powerhouse.
GCC Fintech Enters New Era as Saudi Arabia Issues First Open Banking Licences and Blockchain Payments Go Live
Saudi Arabia's SAMA has issued its first live open banking licences, transitioning from sandbox to full commercial operations, while Riyad Bank and Bahrain have completed live blockchain payment pilots — marking a turning point for GCC financial services innovation.
Bahrain FinTech Bay Records 180 Active Fintech Companies — Targets Arab World’s Largest Hub by 2028
Bahrain FinTech Bay — the Kingdom's flagship fintech incubator co-managed by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and major Bahraini financial institutions — has...
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Riyal CBDC Pilot Expands to 20 Banks as Cross-Border Testing Begins
Saudi Arabia's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) programme — the Digital Saudi Riyal — has expanded its domestic pilot from 6 to 20 participating...
