Global

China–UAE News

ForkLog Details Expanding China-UAE Trade Settlements via mBridge and Digital Yuan Rails

A report by ForkLog details how central bank digital currencies and digital rails are transforming cross-border trade settlements between China and the UAE. According to cited Atlantic Council data, the multilateral mBridge platform has processed over 4,000 transactions totaling $55.5 billion, with roughly 95% settled in e-CNY. Furthermore, CNPC and Bank of China established a Macau-UAE settlement corridor, and China's CBETS cross-border system connected participants across the UAE and Qatar.

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE Updates Golden Visa Criteria and Hosts SuperReturn Middle East Summit

An updated advisory outlines that UAE 10-year Golden Visa eligibility requires a minimum Dh2 million investment, excluding standalone cryptocurrency holdings. Simultaneously, Dubai is hosting over 500 global investment leaders at the SuperReturn Middle East conference to discuss cross-border capital reallocation and Asian corridors. Additional recent federal measures include a Dh292.5 billion three-year budget and industrial property fee exemptions.

Industry News

US-China crude tanker shipping rates ease after reaching record highs

The benchmark TD22 supertanker freight rate for shipping crude oil from the US to China slipped to $634,974 per day after hitting an all-time peak of $637,675 on October 8. Elevated chartering costs have prompted Chinese refiners to turn to Middle Eastern and Latin American suppliers for crude supplies.

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.