In brief
At Dubai Future Finance Week, Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures announced the creation of more than ten AI‑centric fintech ventures in the UAE in under three years, a record for the firm globally. Payten and Avaloq praised the country’s supportive regulatory environment, integrated digital infrastructure, and focus on cybersecurity, underscoring the UAE’s emerging prominence in the digital banking and wealth‑management space.
In a keynote address during Dubai Future Finance Week on 3 November 2026, executives from Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures, Payten and Avaloq highlighted the United Arab Emirates’ rapid ascent as a hub for artificial‑intelligence‑driven financial services, pointing to the nation’s advanced regulatory framework, integrated digital infrastructure and robust cybersecurity posture as the key enablers.
SC Ventures, the innovation and venture‑building arm of Standard Chartered, disclosed that it has launched more than ten new fintech companies headquartered in the UAE in roughly two and a half years, a milestone that the firm says has not been duplicated in any of its other global markets. Out of more than thirty‑three ventures created worldwide, the UAE accounts for a disproportionately large share of SC Ventures’ output.
Mohamed Fairooz, Middle East Lead at SC Ventures, explained that the country’s strong talent base, clear regulatory frameworks and strategic vision have made the UAE a “launchpad for expanding across borders into regional markets.” He added that SC Ventures combines venture building with strategic investments, enabling the rapid deployment of innovative solutions that enhance the competitiveness of the local fintech ecosystem.
During his remarks, Fairooz underscored that the UAE’s fintech ecosystem is “creating new opportunities for investment and international partnerships while accelerating the use of artificial intelligence in banking, instant payments and wealth management.” He highlighted that sectors such as digital banking, digital assets, support for small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) and financial inclusion are central to the ventures launched in the region.
Payten’s global CEO, Saad Karim, noted that the company holds four main licences in the UAE, positioning it to deliver a full suite of payment solutions across the country. While Karim did not detail each licence type, he emphasized the regulatory support that has facilitated the company’s expansion into the UAE market.
Both Payten and Avaloq reiterated that the UAE’s commitment to a supportive regulatory environment, integrated digital infrastructure and a focus on cybersecurity is what distinguishes it from other regional fintech hubs. These elements, according to the executives, contribute to sustained growth and ensure customer confidence in an increasingly digital financial landscape.
Addressing the broader implications, the executives reflected that the UAE’s rapid fintech expansion is not just about quantity but also quality: AI-powered solutions that enable instant payments, digital banking and sophisticated wealth‑management tools are reshaping the way financial services are delivered. The combination of regulatory clarity and technological readiness is allowing the country to serve as a testbed for new financial products that can then be scaled across the Middle East and North Africa.
In conclusion, the visit of SC Ventures, Payten and Avaloq to Dubai Future Finance Week underscored the UAE’s emergence as a key player in AI‑driven financial innovation. The country’s integrated digital infrastructure, stringent cybersecurity measures, and clear regulatory frameworks have turned it into a launchpad for innovative fintech ventures, positioning the UAE to influence the next wave of global financial services.
