Visa

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.

Industry News

Standard Chartered, Mashreq, and LuLu Launch Hal SME Platform in UAE

Standard Chartered, Mashreq, and LuLu Financial Holdings have launched Hal, a new digital B2B marketplace for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UAE. Unveiled at Investopia Bridge 2026, the platform connects SMEs with buyers, suppliers, and essential financial, tech, and logistics partners. Ecosystem partners including Beehive, Microsoft, Visa, and Aramex have signed initial cooperation agreements.

Industry News

Stablecoins Reshape Cross-Border Settlement Across Middle East-Asia Financial Corridor

Financial institutions and payment networks are increasingly testing stablecoins to streamline cross-border payments and corporate treasury operations across the Middle East and Asia. Speakers at the FAB Middle East-Asia Summit in Singapore highlighted that early digital-asset regulations in the UAE and Singapore provide strong testing grounds for connecting regional financial systems. Industry leaders noted that digital currencies are evolving alongside conventional banks rather than replacing traditional financial infrastructure.