Paysend Secures UAE Central Bank Approval to Launch Middle East Payments Hub - FF News

Paysend has received approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to establish a payments hub in the country, according to FF News. The move gives the UK-based fintech a regulated base from which to serve customers across the Middle East, a region where cross-border payment flows have grown steadily alongside remittance demand and expanding digital adoption.

For market observers, the approval is notable on two fronts. First, it signals continued openness among Gulf regulators to licensing non-bank payment providers, which could intensify competition in a space long dominated by banks and established money transfer operators. Second, it adds another node to the infrastructure that moves money between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia—corridors that matter for both consumer remittances and business payments.

What to watch: how quickly Paysend builds out local partnerships and which corridors it prioritizes first. Licensing is a milestone, not an outcome; execution, pricing, and settlement speed will determine whether the hub gains meaningful share.