News

Digital Banking App Pyypl Is Now A Visa Principal Member

The fast-growing fintech is now officially able to issue prepaid Visa cards from its UAE base, paving the way for further international expansion.

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2024

Nour Nasir

Pyypl

UAE-based personal finance app Pyypl (pronounced “people”) has announced a Principal License Membership and Strategic Framework Agreement with international card issuer Visa. The license enables the fintech company to directly issue prepaid Visa cards, paving the way for further expansion across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

Pyypl is already one of the fastest-growing MEA fintechs and is on a mission to become the region’s leading “one-stop fintech ecosystem”. Powered by 100% in-house-built technology, the company’s app offers banking and payment services to hundreds of thousands of financially underserved users across Africa and the Middle East.

Pyypl’s Strategic Framework Agreement with Visa is significant, as it recognizes the license approval process in other markets that the fintech company plans to enter. With support from local regulators, Pyypl can now offer internationally accepted virtual and physical prepaid cards, as well as instant user-to-user transfers and remittances to 80 countries.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

Antti Arponen, CEO and co-founder of Pyypl commented: “We are excited to announce our partnership with Visa. Our payments ecosystem has multiple benefits for Visa and will accelerate the provision of financial services to the vast population of underserved digital natives in the region. Working closely with Visa and local regulators in new markets, we are focused on growing Pyypl’s presence and contributing to advancing financial inclusion across the region”.

“We are delighted to welcome Pyypl to our mission of advancing financial inclusion,” says Hasan Kazmi, VP, head of strategic partnerships and ventures – CEMEA, Visa. “We believe in empowering underbanked consumers by providing them with innovative, secure payment solutions. This not only gives them access to the digital economy but also helps them thrive in this increasingly digital age”.

News

New Disney+ Streaming App Has Officially Launched In The UAE

The app’s recommendations now factor in what’s popular in the UAE, and a dedicated Junior Mode gives kids their own corner of Disney+.

Published

23 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Dana Saadeh

Disney

A new Disney+ app has officially launched in the UAE, and subscribers can now keep watching their favorite titles when they travel. Disney+ says access extends across supported markets in Europe, the United States and beyond.

The app is built around a dynamic homepage and simpler navigation, with recommendations drawn from each customer’s viewing habits and what’s popular in the UAE. Content from Hulu and ESPN is now easier to find alongside Disney+’s own library, the company says. Audio and subtitles come in up to 25 languages, and supported devices get high-quality video and sound.

For families, the app includes Junior Mode, a dedicated, simplified version of Disney+ for younger viewers, built around age-appropriate shows and movies. It sits alongside existing controls such as PIN-protected profiles, customizable content ratings and account notifications when a profile is changed.

The catalog still spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hulu and FX. Returning series include Season 8 of “The Kardashians,” Season 23 of “Grey’s Anatomy” and Season 38 of “The Simpsons”. Also on the service are the second season of International Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series “Rivals,” comedy “Only Murders in the Building,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootropolis 2” and 20th Century Studios’ “Send Help”.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

Marvel Television’s “VisionQuest” is on the way, and Disney’s live-action “Moana” is due later this autumn. Beyond Hollywood, the Turkish title “Halef” is coming to the platform alongside a lineup of Korean entertainment: Korean-Japanese romantic comedy “Merry Berry Love” is streaming now, and “The Remarried Empress” arrives November 4.

Existing subscribers will be prompted to download the new app and sign in with their current credentials, with on-screen steps covering account confirmation and profile setup. Subscriptions start at AED 49.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.

For UAE subscribers planning to travel, the update will likely be well received, but Disney has left one question open. It confirms Europe and the United States as supported markets but doesn’t yet say which others fall under and beyond.