Tag: Bahrain

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's non-oil sectors now represent approximately 85 per cent of GDP — with financial services alone at 17 per cent — making the Kingdom the GCC's most structurally diversified economy by this measure, built on the foundations of Vision 2030, a unified financial regulator, and early-mover regulatory innovation.

UAE infrastructure faces 90,000 to 200,000 cyber breach attempts daily in 2026, with 128 confirmed incidents recorded year-to-date. The Government Cybersecurity Summit, held at Conrad Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi on June 9, brought 400-plus leaders together to coordinate the GCC's digital defence response.

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.

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.