Analysis

Saudi Arabia fastest growing crypto economy globally amid regional drive

The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday.

By Salim A. Essaid

UAE places technology at top of COP28 agenda in Dubai

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Space Agency and COP28 signed an agreement in July to coordinate on technology-focused sustainable solutions ahead of the major climate change conference in Dubai later this year.

United Arab Emirates

China’s Huawei opens cloud data center in Riyadh to grow MENA footprint

The Chinese telecoms giant said in February it would invest $400 million in Saudi Arabia's cloud region over the next five years.

Saudi Arabia

US denies it had 'blocked' AI chip sales to some Middle Eastern countries

The US Commerce Department was quick to distance itself from the reports — but it did not directly address imposing license restrictions on certain types of chips.

Legacy: Gulf

Middle East offers strong market for AI content dubbing

The region is ripe for translated content as Arabic is widely spoken and there is a strong appetite for digital media due to a young population.

Saudi Arabia

US-China tech rivalry hits Israel as Intel cancels Tower Semiconductor deal

The companies canceled the deal after failing to obtain regulatory approval from China.

Israel

Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block

Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq.

Iraq

Japan’s Nomura subsidiary receives crypto license in UAE

The crypto sector is booming in the United Arab Emirates thanks to clear regulations on virtual assets.

Legacy: Gulf

Amid internal crisis, Israel fights to retain hi-tech industry with tax benefits

The Israeli government has issued a new law to encourage investment in tech startups as firms consider fleeing the country on the back of the judicial overhaul.

Israel

Bahraini cryptocurrency firm Rain to operate in UAE

Cryptocurrency is growing in both the UAE and Bahrain amid regulatory challenges and market downturn.

Legacy: Gulf

Kuwait prohibits all cryptocurrency use in new virtual assets ban

Users of cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets in Kuwait would be subject to Kuwait’s 2013 money laundering and terrorist financing laws.

Kuwait

Israeli tech at risk of not joining global industry recovery

Israeli tech shares are sharply underperforming their US peers.

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech