Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum leverages its oversubscribed USD 90m Series B to expand internationally into Abu Dhabi’s high-growth crypto-hub. The bank “has received an in-principle approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”), tapping into increasing demand for cryptocurrencies in the region. Sygnum’s new Middle-East hub will serve the local market with a […]
Banking & Finance
Saudi Arabia
Transport
Neom invests USD 175M in Urban Air Mobility Company Volocopter
Neom, the smart and sustainable regional development project in northwest Saudi Arabia, has made a USD 175 million Series E investment in Volocopter, the pioneer of Urban Air Mobility. Neom will take a significant equity stake
Baraka, a commission-free online brokerage platform based in the Middle East, has raised USD20 million in a Series A funding round, led by Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures with participation from global investment firm Knollwood. &
Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (“Freshfields”) has advised Sohar International Bank (Sohar International) on its merger with HSBC Bank Oman (HSBC Oman), whereby all assets and liabilities of HSBC Oman will be transferred to
Banking & Finance
Deal & transactions
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Global Market signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Islamic
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (“ADIB”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), the international financial centre of the UAE capital, collaborating to support the growth needs of the financial community
Banking & Finance
Deal & transactions
United Arab Emirates
Al Khayyat Investments acquires Growthcap’s distribution business
Regional conglomerate Al Khayyat Investments (“AKI”) has completed the acquisition of Growthcap Investments’s distribution business in the UAE in respect of over 30 brands including Tippys, Natures Kitchen, Enviro Guard, Resona Organics and Huy Fong.&
Saudi-based Retail enablement company Zid has raised USD50 million in Series B funding round (~188 million SAR). The round was led by IMPACT46 with participation from investors including Aramco venture capital arm (Waed Ventures) and Endeavour
Banking & Finance
Deal & transactions
Other
Trowers & Hamlins advises on the establishment of Venture Studio
Trowers & Hamlins has successfully advised on the establishment of the MENA region’s first FinTech Venture Studio (the “Venture Studio”). The Venture Studio is a joint venture project between the firm’s client Al
Banking & Finance
Capital Markets
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co. issues SAR3 B guaranteed sukuk
Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (“SRC”), the wholly-owned Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has increased its programme limit from SAR 10 billion to SAR 20 billion and issuance of SAR 3 billion (USD798 million)
Banking & Finance
United Arab Emirates
National Bonds Introduces its Golden Pension Scheme for UAE residents
National Bonds Corporation, the UAE based Shari’a-compliant savings and investment company owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, has launched its Golden Pension Scheme in the UAE in a move to ramp up its
