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du Considers Adding Crypto & Investment Tools To New Service
The company plans to bridge gaps in one of the financial market’s most underserved demographics, according to its CEO.
The Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, better known as Dubai-based du, is contemplating incorporating cryptocurrency and investment tools into its recently launched financial technology platform, according to CEO Nicolas Levi.
According to Levi, the potential enhancements would enable improved portfolio management for investors. The new tools and features would be realized through future partnerships while continuing to adhere to strict UAE regulations.
“Cryptocurrencies are being used as an investment. Will we have an investment product one day potentially? I’m not saying no to that. Will we use crypto for our own transactions? There are some plans with the [UAE] central bank to work on that,” Levi said in a recent interview.
The UAE Central Bank does not currently recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender. However, the regulator began implementing its own form of digital currency back in March 2023, known as Digital Dirham. Additionally, the UAE Central Bank’s endorsement of legitimate crypto enterprises for banking services underscores the Emirates’ commitment to addressing real-world financial needs.
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du Pay, the company’s inaugural venture into the FinTech sector, had a soft launch earlier this month after UAE Central Bank authorization. Offering an array of financial services like domestic and international transfers, bill payments, recharges, and salary receipts through a unique IBAN, du Pay marks a significant strategic move by the telecom firm into the digital finance space.
The rising trend of mobile-based financial services in the UAE, including digital wallets and online payments, mirrors global trends. Statista projects the digital payments market to balloon to $16.7 trillion by 2028, at a CAGR exceeding 9.5% from 2024’s estimated $11.53 trillion.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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