Inside the Middle East’s payments transformation

Our new FinTech Pulse mini-series features leading market participants, regulators and industry specialists exploring the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the Middle East payments sector. In the first episode, Dubai-based Senior Associate Ratul Roshan is joined by Mohamed Helmy, Compliance Director – EMEA at XTransfer, the world's largest and China's No.1 B2B cross-border trade payment platform.With more than 16 years' experience across banking, FinTech and payments, Mohamed shares his perspectives on the regulatory and commercial developments driving growth in the UAE and the wider Middle East, including the evolving role of compliance, the future of cross-border payments and the opportunities emerging for FinTech innovators. The conversation explores:
• The growth of XTransfer and its role in the regional payments ecosystem
• Payments products expected to see the strongest demand over the coming years
• Regulatory expectations and licensing considerations in the UAE
• The Central Bank of the UAE's evolving payments framework and supervisory approach
• The potential impact of payment tokens on the future of payments
• Areas where greater innovation and competition are needed
• Why the UAE has become a leading global fintech hubFrom the front lines of compliance, regulation and payments innovation, this episode explores the realities of operating in a rapidly evolving payments ecosystem.