OakNorth Banks on Regulatory Expertise with Appointment of Adair Turner as Chairman

Adair Turner, former head of the Financial Services Authority, has been appointed chairman of OakNorth, a UK business bank backed by SoftBank. With his experience during the global financial crisis, Turner is expected to contribute to OakNorth’s strategic growth plans and business product diversification. The move follows the departure of Cyrus Ardalan, the current chairman, who adheres to Britain’s Corporate Governance Code. OakNorth, founded in 2015, aims to leverage Turner’s insights for scaling and achieving ambitious sustainability goals, targeting net-zero emissions by 2035. Turner’s regulatory expertise signals OakNorth’s commitment to navigating evolving financial landscapes.
Philippines Paving the Way for a Financial Renaissance, Unfolding Digital Banking Epoch

In the dynamic landscape of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is gearing up for a financial renaissance, with digital banking leading the charge. McKinsey’s insights reveal a staggering potential, as the country’s banking revenue pools are anticipated to triple by 2030. However, the challenge lies in the fact that nearly half of the bankable population remains unbanked, creating the perfect storm for a digital banking revolution. Guided by the visionary regulatory approach of the central monetary authority Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippines is witnessing a surge in traditional banks’ market value and the rapid ascent of fintech firms. As the BSP standardizes QR payments and encourages new players, the fintech landscape, exemplified by firms like Salmon, is becoming a catalyst for financial inclusion, transforming the Philippines into a digital banking powerhouse.
Duqm Economic Forum-Unveiling Oman’s Green Economic Revolution and Investment Potential

The First Duqm Economic Forum has concluded, leaving a remarkable impact on Oman’s economic vision. It highlighted the pivotal role of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) in fostering renewable energy, green manufacturing, and global trade. Duqm is pioneering the nation’s journey toward a green economy by utilizing solar and wind-generated energy. The forum showcased Oman’s potential as a future renewable energy superpower, with a special focus on a green steel industry cluster. Young entrepreneurs also took center stage, reflecting the nation’s innovative spirit and ambition. This forum marks a significant step towards Oman’s sustainable and prosperous future.
Kraken’s Strategic Move; Expanding Reach Through BCM Acquisition

Kraken, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency exchange arena, has unveiled plans to bolster its European presence by acquiring Coin Meester BV (BCM) in the Netherlands. Founded in 2017, BCM has become a respected Dutch crypto broker, offering services for staking, buying, and selling over 170 cryptocurrencies with robust local funding rails.
This strategic move will provide BCM clients with access to Kraken’s extensive product offerings, 24/7 live support, top-tier security, and market-leading liquidity. Kraken aims to tap into the Netherlands’ advanced crypto adoption and innovation culture, strengthening its foothold in Europe. While the financial details remain undisclosed, this acquisition has stirred enthusiasm within the Dutch crypto community, anticipating positive developments in the crypto landscape.
Kraken’s Strategic Move; Expanding Reach Through BCM Acquisition

Kraken, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency exchange arena, has unveiled plans to bolster its European presence by acquiring Coin Meester BV (BCM) in the Netherlands. Founded in 2017, BCM has become a respected Dutch crypto broker, offering services for staking, buying, and selling over 170 cryptocurrencies with robust local funding rails.
This strategic move will provide BCM clients with access to Kraken’s extensive product offerings, 24/7 live support, top-tier security, and market-leading liquidity. Kraken aims to tap into the Netherlands’ advanced crypto adoption and innovation culture, strengthening its foothold in Europe. While the financial details remain undisclosed, this acquisition has stirred enthusiasm within the Dutch crypto community, anticipating positive developments in the crypto landscape.
NPCI Expands UPI Services to Gulf Countries:Paving the Way for Seamless Cross-Border Remittances

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is set to revolutionize cross-border remittances with its plans to extend the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services to Gulf countries. This strategic move aims to simplify transferring funds between bank accounts across borders. With discussions in the early stages, NPCI has garnered significant interest from Gulf nations, showcasing the potential for seamless payment solutions. By leveraging UPI’s capabilities and collaborating with central banks and mission offices, NPCI aims to create a secure and efficient platform for cross-border transactions. As India’s UPI transactions surge, experts predict a milestone of 1 billion transactions per day by 2026-27, positioning UPI as the dominant player in the retail digital payments landscape. This expansion strengthens India’s global presence and highlights its commitment to fostering economic cooperation and financial inclusion in the digital era.
Annual Investment Meeting witnesses the launch of UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2023

James Zhan, Executive Director, UNCTAD World Investment Forum, announced the launch of ‘UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2023’ at the 12th edition of the Annual Investment Meeting at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre. Taking place under the theme ‘Investing in sustainable development’, the forum, which will be held in October will bring together government leaders, global CEOs and other investment stakeholders.
Annual Investment Meeting launch Arab China Unicorn Investment Conclave

The 12th edition of The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) hosted the China Top 50 Unicorns. The event took place at the Innovation and Technology Track located at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and brought together investors, startups, and innovators from the UAE and China.
Annual Investment Meeting brings to focus the opportunities and challenges of investing in distressed assets and non-performing loans (NPLs)

Investment experts from around the world discussed the opportunities and challenges of investing in distressed assets and non-performing loans (NPLs) at the 12th edition of the The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), which took place at the Future Room located at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Exclusive: South Korea aims to join AI race as startup Rebellions launches new chip

South Korean startup Rebellions Inc launches an artificial intelligence (AI) chip on Monday, racing to win government contracts as Seoul seeks a place for local companies in the exploding AI industry.