Research

Industry News

UAE Online Payments Reach 55% Domestic Share as App Delivery Surges

Online and in-app payments accounted for 55% of domestic Visa payment volume in the UAE in 2026, up from 35% in 2019, according to Visa Business and Economic Insights. Payment card activity on food delivery applications climbed from approximately 2% in 2018 to nearly 30% in 2026, driven primarily by everyday spenders. In addition, 25.7% of active UAE Visa cards logged at least 10 digital transactions monthly, compared to 4.5% in 2018.

Policy & Legal Updates

Dentons Outlines Contractual Safeguards for Managing Sanctions and AML Risks in UAE

Global law firm Dentons published legal analysis warning companies that standard compliance language stating an obligation to comply with applicable laws is often insufficient to address changing sanctions and financial crime risks. The firm highlighted risks faced by UAE entities when counterparties become subject to foreign sanctions regimes not mirrored in local law. Dentons recommended drafting explicit contractual rights permitting information audits, performance suspensions, and contract terminations.

Industry News

Gulf Conflict Strains Petrodollar Foundations as Trade Ties Tilt Toward Asia

A commentary by Reuters columnist Mike Dolan examines how regional conflict and shifting trade patterns are testing the traditional petrodollar system. According to U.S. Treasury data cited in the analysis, Saudi Arabia and the UAE hold nearly $250 billion in U.S. Treasuries, while Deutsche Bank notes Saudi oil exports to China are now four times larger than those to the United States. The piece highlights growing scrutiny over non-dollar settlements, including the petroyuan, and the evolving economic alignment between Gulf producers and Asian markets.

Policy & Legal Updates

Global Wealth Mobility Shifts Toward Diversification as UAE Inquiries Rise

High-net-worth individuals are increasingly establishing cross-border residence portfolios rather than fully relocating their primary homes, according to an analysis in CEOWORLD magazine. Data from Henley & Partners recorded a 41% rise in inquiries from UAE-based clients between late 2025 and early 2026 as residents seek multi-jurisdiction optionality. The investment migration firm has also moved away from headline millionaire migration forecasts to focus on sovereign residency diversification.