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Technology & Digital Economy

Software, telecommunications and digital infrastructure

Industry News
Source: Arabian Business

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
Source: Gulf News

UAE Scraps E-Invoicing Pre-Approval Under New Ministry of Finance Decision

The UAE Ministry of Finance has eliminated the preliminary approval stage for electronic invoicing service providers, requiring them to secure direct accreditation before offering services. Issued under Ministerial Decision No. 168 of 2026, the updated framework took effect on October 1, 2026, ahead of the October 30 deadline for large businesses to appoint an accredited provider. Service providers that previously held preliminary approval have 30 days from October 1 to complete the necessary assessments and testing.

Policy & Legal Updates
Source: CryptoRank

Kraken Parent Payward Wins Full Dubai Crypto License from VARA

Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has granted Full Market Approval to Payward FZCO, the parent company entity of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. The license authorizes Payward to provide broker-dealer, management, and investment services to retail, professional, and institutional clients. Kraken plans to launch UAE services in the coming weeks, featuring UAE dirham trading pairs and direct AED funding.

Policy & Legal Updates
Source: https://www.thetraveler.org/

Dubai Police Arrest Group for Coordinated Fake Google Reviews Targeting Company

Dubai Police have arrested a group accused of deliberately posting fake negative reviews on a company's Google Maps page to harm its reputation and cause financial losses. Investigators found individuals linked to commercial establishments coordinated the false reviews following a complaint from the victim firm. The suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution under UAE cybercrime regulations.

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