Industry News

Saudi Arabia Postpones 10th Future Investment Initiative Summit to 2027

Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative Institute has postponed the 10th edition of its flagship investment summit, originally scheduled for October 26–29, 2026, in Riyadh, until 2027. FII Institute CEO Princess Dr. Maha Bint Mishari Al Saud said the decision aims to ensure the milestone event delivers its full scale and international impact. The institute confirmed that existing registrations and partnerships remain valid, with revised dates to be announced soon.

Policy & Legal Updates

Legal Advocacy Group Warns Tech Entrepreneurs Over UAE Virtual Asset Regulations

Legal advocacy group Detained in Dubai has highlighted regulatory and legal risks under the UAE's expanded 2026 Virtual Assets Framework and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2025. The legislation broadens regulated virtual asset activities from three to eight categories and introduces criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment and fines reaching AED 250 million for unlicensed financial activities. The organization warned that commercial disputes could expose founders, executives, and advisers to prosecution and asset confiscation.

Policy & Legal Updates

Google Updates UAE Advertising Rules for Crypto, CFDs, and Forex

Google is updating its financial advertising policy for campaigns targeting users in the United Arab Emirates starting 21 October. Advertisers promoting crypto exchanges, software wallets, contracts for difference, and rolling spot forex must hold recognised UAE regulatory licences and obtain separate Google certification. The update broadens recognised crypto regulators to include the Capital Market Authority and Dubai Financial Services Authority, while updating forex rules to reflect the Capital Market Authority as successor to the Securities and Commodities Authority.

Industry News

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and UAE Partner to Study Central Asia-South Asia Railway Corridor

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding on September 30, 2026, to study the feasibility of the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) railway corridor to Pakistani ports. The planned route crosses Afghanistan to reach Karachi and Gwadar, with Kazakhstan projecting up to 10 million tons of annual cargo capacity. The agreement establishes a joint working group, though no binding construction timetable, total project cost, or confirmed UAE financing figure has been determined.