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Etihad Rail and Abu Dhabi authorities have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at aligning rail infrastructure planning with the emirate’s broader development goals. The initiative centres on coordinated knowledge exchange around studies, designs, engineering, and strategic development, supporting the integration of Etihad Rail’s projects into Abu Dhabi’s urban and economic landscape.

The agreement, endorsed by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, underscores the importance of a fully integrated transport ecosystem. Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, confirmed that the collaboration spans infrastructure studies, engineering tender layouts and development planning to ensure rail projects dovetail seamlessly with Abu Dhabi’s urban expansion.

This forms part of a broader wave of recent MoUs signed by Etihad Rail during the Global Rail 2024 conference. Memorandums were inked with a range of international entities—from transport‑focused to tech innovators—to enrich its projects. These include partnerships with Presight AI for AI-driven operational insights; RITES Ltd and South Korea’s KNR/KORAIL on engineering and construction expertise; Austria’s WKÖ for planning cooperation; L&T Technology Services for establishing a national mobility innovation centre; as well as technical alliances with IronLev, Nevomo, Hitachi and Singapore’s SBS Transit.

One high‑profile partnership saw Etihad Rail team up with COSCO’s CSP Abu Dhabi CFS—a key freight terminal operator—under an MoU to bolster multimodal connectivity, enhance logistics flows via rail, and reduce CO₂ emissions, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s Net Zero by 2050 target.

The newly reinforced Abu Dhabi alignment focuses on future passenger services and urban sprawl. While Etihad Rail Stage One and Stage Two freight operations stretch more than 900 km across the UAE, passenger services are under preparation. The Abu Dhabi–Dubai high‑speed link, capable of up to 350 km/h journeys in as little as 30 minutes, has moved through tendering and design finalisation phases. Six passenger stations—including Reem, Saadiyat and Yas Islands plus two in Dubai—are to be integrated with metro and bus networks.

Experts highlight the economic uplift from such rail integration. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer, noted that the Abu Dhabi–Dubai high‑speed route could add AED 145 billion to GDP over fifty years, enhancing social cohesion and sustainable mobility.

The collaboration also intersects with major sustainability initiatives. The Ghuweifat freight terminal, which handles cargo from the Saudi border, has been solarised in partnership with Masdar and EDF’s Emerge JV—a project designed to cover 85 % of its power needs, saving over 8 500 tons of CO₂. Rail freight services aim to cut emissions in road transport by 21 % annually by 2050—roughly 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.

On the regional integration front, Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala launched Hafeet Rail—a 300 km link through Al Ain to the port of Sohar. With a US $3 billion contract signed in April 2024, trains are expected to run at 200 km/h and connect Abu Dhabi to Omani ports in just over 100 minutes.

Etihad Rail’s development timeline follows a phased rollout. Stage One became fully operational for freight in January 2016. Stage Two launched freight services in February 2023, completing a 900 km network. Passenger services are yet to be scheduled publicly, though station planning and tendering details are advancing rapidly.

Engineer analysts suggest this partnership framework marks a pivotal shift. By embedding knowledge exchange—covering everything from preliminary studies and engineering specifications to strategic transit modelling—Etihad Rail looks to avoid siloed project delivery. Instead, it positions rail development as core to Abu Dhabi’s urban vision, supported by a holistic transport network and sustainable infrastructure policy.

Public sector observers note the involvement of ADQ, through Etihad Rail, aligns with Emirate-level economic strategies such as Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and broader UAE Vision 2021. The rail strategy supports logistics, tourism growth, environmental goals, and inter-emirate connectivity. It is built to support freight services now and evolve into passenger transport, high-speed travel, and international rail links.

An Abu Dhabi infrastructure planner stated: “This marks a meaningful move from planning rail as a standalone corridor to delivering integrated mobility that ties directly into the emirate’s urban, economic and environmental objectives.”

Rail specialists emphasise digital and technical partnerships as vital. Collaborations with AI, mobility-as-a-service, maglev and autonomous rail firms reflect Etihad Rail’s push toward a technology-driven, future-ready rail network.

Strategy, the publicly traded firm led by Michael Saylor, increased its Bitcoin reserve, purchasing 245 BTC for US $26 million during the week ending 22 June, at an average price of US $105,856 per coin. This augments the company’s holdings to 592,345 BTC, acquired at a cumulative cost of approximately US $41.87 billion and an average cost of US $70,681 per coin. Year‑to‑date, the firm has realised a yield of 19.2% on its Bitcoin portfolio.

Buying at the tail end of a dip—from highs near US $108,900 down to lows just below US $99,000—Strategy appeared undeterred by broader macroeconomic anxieties weighing on crypto markets. The timing underscores a deep conviction in Bitcoin’s long‑term trajectory, reinforced by Saylor’s forecast that the asset could reach US $21 million within 21 years, presented on 21 June.

This additional acquisition keeps Strategy on track with its 2025 target of a 25% annual yield, recently raised from an earlier goal of 15%. As of this purchase, the return-on-holding stands at 19.2%, offering a clear path toward the revised objective.

Despite a broad sentiment shift toward caution in the crypto space—manifest in an estimated US $5.5 billion inflow into institutional products in the three weeks through early May—the decision by Strategy to double down highlights a contrasting stance. Institutional inflows have been largely concentrated in Bitcoin, accounting for US $1.8 billion of the total amid a surge in interest.

Crypto analysts suggest that volatility triggered by geopolitical risks and shifting macroeconomic dynamics, including trade tensions and Federal Reserve policy, is creating opportunities for long‑term players. AInvest noted a “volatility window” in mid‑2025 that may set the stage for a fresh bull run towards US $200,000, drawing in investors anticipating US foreign‑trade and rate‑cut shifts.

Blockchain data firm Glassnode reports that on‑chain accumulation continues steadily, with long‑term holders increasing their reserves despite price swings. This suggests ongoing confidence among institutional and retail actors alike.

Strategy’s accumulation strategy exemplifies a bet on mean reversion and broader adoption of Bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement and inflation. Saylor has consistently argued that Bitcoin is “hard money” with inherent scarcity, likening it to digital gold—an argument echoed in institutional flows and strategic investor behavior.

Private kindergarten pupils across the UAE will now receive 40 minutes of Arabic instruction each school day under a fresh directive from the Ministry of Education. The policy, effective from the 2025–2026 academic year, establishes a foundation aimed at fostering national identity and language proficiency from the earliest stages of education.

The requirement entails 200 minutes of weekly Arabic lessons—one period per day—from September this year, set to increase to 300 minutes per week by the 2027–2028 school year. Qualified early‑childhood educators will deliver lessons tailored for both native and non‑native speakers using approved resources and age‑appropriate methodologies.

Alongside Arabic, Islamic education will feature for Muslim children in kindergarten, with 90 minutes per week allocated, divided into two 45‑minute sessions or three 30‑minute lessons. Social studies will be incorporated to introduce concepts of family, UAE geography, environmental awareness and broader community values through a mix of classroom and outdoor play-based learning.

Beyond academic scheduling, the Ministry emphasises the move as a cultural cornerstone aimed at nurturing young learners who are confident, rooted in identity and proficient in their mother tongue. Advisory visits to private schools are set before term begins, with compliance inspections commencing in the 2026–2027 academic year.

This initiative forms part of a wider UAE‑wide agenda. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge introduced a similar policy this academic year, mandating 240 minutes of weekly Arabic instruction in nurseries and kindergartens—rising to 300 minutes in 2026–2027. ADEK highlighted that early childhood is a critical period for language acquisition and stressed the significance of nurturing both native and non‑native Arabic speakers with customised learning pathways.

ADEK executive‑director for early education, Mariam Al Hallami, described the directive as delivering children “the gift of language, identity, and connection starting from day one,” and underscored the use of interactive methods such as storytelling, song and play to engage learners.

These regional policies echo growing sentiments from education officials across the Emirates. In Abu Dhabi, the ADEK strategy parallels curricula in Dubai and Sharjah, which have recently rated private schools on their success in embedding Arabic language and culture. Sharjah’s ruler has previously urged educators to innovate Arabic teaching and revamp pedagogical approaches.

Analysis of early education studies supports the Ministry’s stance. Research indicates that consistent, immersive instruction during foundational years boosts linguistic fluency and cognitive development. Tailored tracks for different proficiency levels also align with global best practices for inclusive early foreign‑language programmes.

Private schools are now working to revamp their curriculums. Administrators across the Emirates are preparing to integrate the additional lessons while ensuring instructional quality. Schools will receive curriculum frameworks and educator training ahead of implementation.

Some teaching professionals caution that the rollout must be carefully managed. A teacher at a leading international school in Dubai, speaking anonymously, noted that maintaining engagement for non‑native pupils requires smaller class sizes and specialised support. Equally, curriculum directors warn against overloading learners with too many structured subjects, advocating balance with play.

Parents have shown mixed reactions. Many expatriate families express strong support for their children learning Arabic early to aid cultural integration, while others voice concerns about the impact on existing literacy or numeracy time. School councils are expected to discuss timetables and resource allocations in the coming weeks.

Home‑school collaboration will be key. The UAE Ministry and ADEK are encouraging schools to involve families with take‑home materials, workshops and community events dedicated to Arabic language and culture. Experts say that parental engagement significantly strengthens children’s retention and enthusiasm for language learning.

OKX is considering a US initial public offering following its April relaunch in America, which came after the exchange paid a total of $505 million to settle Department of Justice charges for operating without a money-transmitting licence. The settlement comprised an $84 million fine and the forfeiture of $421 million in earnings, predominantly drawn from institutional activity.

The Seychelles-based platform formally pleaded guilty to US anti‑money‑laundering and Know Your Customer deficiencies, marking a significant compliance turnaround. Its re-entry strategy included appointing Roshan Robert, former Barclays director, as its US CEO and establishing a regional headquarters in San Jose, California. The focus is on a phased rollout of a centralised exchange and the OKX Wallet, which supports 130 blockchains and a DEX aggregator with access to more than 10 million tokens.

Insiders suggest that buoyed by regained US compliance and growing user demand, OKX is now assessing an IPO as early as the first quarter of 2026. Such a move would mark its shift from a privately held crypto entity to a publicly accountable company, increasing transparency and potentially assuring investors and regulators alike of its commitment to best practice.

Industry observers note that OKX’s ambition aligns with broader trends in the crypto space. Rivals such as Coinbase underwent similar transitions, leveraging IPOs to enhance visibility and unlock capital for product development. OKX’s path, however, is distinguished by its heavier regulatory baggage and the scale of its US re-entry, which could either strengthen its credibility or raise fresh scrutiny.

Market analysts highlight several factors that could influence the success of an IPO. These include OKX’s ability to sustain compliance upgrades, the performance of its US exchange and wallet division, and the overall sentiment in financial markets towards regulated crypto firms. The firm’s leadership anticipates that demonstrating stringent compliance and deep liquidity will be pivotal in securing investor confidence.

According to statements from OKX’s Star Xu, the exchange aspires to become “the gold standard of global compliance at scale,” an ambition underscored by its decision to engage a compliance consultant post‑settlement.

The timing of the potential IPO is crucial. Market conditions in early 2026 will determine valuation and investor appetite, particularly if macroeconomic headwinds or equity market volatility persist. OKX will also compete for attention with other crypto entrants, including those preparing to go public or seeking regulatory approval for spot Bitcoin ETFs.

OKX insiders stress that success hinges on execution in several areas: maintaining licence approvals in multiple jurisdictions, expanding US user adoption, and integrating fiat ramps to bolster accessibility. The San Jose hub is positioned as a central node for regulatory engagement, staff expansion, and innovation, with the US team reportedly growing aggressively since April.

Should OKX proceed with an IPO, it will signal a full-circle moment—from prosecution and penalties to listing on a major US exchange. The move would also put it in direct competition with publicly traded peers, raising expectations for quarterly reporting, rigorous audits, and adherence to US securities law.

Regulators will likely scrutinise OKX’s filings, probing its past compliance gaps and evaluating its new internal controls. Investors and analysts will examine user metrics, trading volumes, fee structures, and the viability of the wallet service as revenue drivers. The success or failure of OKX’s US debut could shape the narrative for other non-US crypto exchanges contemplating public listings.

ArabyAds has secured the prestigious Snapchat Advanced Partner badge, marking a significant milestone that positions the UAE-based ad-tech firm at the forefront of digital innovation across the Middle East and North Africa. The designation grants the company exclusive access to Snapchat’s latest tools, data analytics, and strategic support, enabling clients and creators in the region to harness full‑funnel campaign opportunities on the platform.

This recognition underlines ArabyAds’ deliberate investment in human capital and know‑how, rather than simply technical capability. As part of the Snapchat Advanced Partner programme, the company gains access to private training sessions, expert enablement, account‑management backing and early‑stage features like Snap’s Creator Discovery API and Snap Creator Marketplace Beta. The badge also comes with visibility and credibility as Snapchat builds its ecosystem through trusted agency partnerships.

ArabyAds Vice‑President of Digital, Ayah Reyad, emphasised that working with Snapchat has been instrumental in expanding market share and inspiring creativity, and that the advanced partner status will deepen relationships with clients and unlock new possibilities in digital storytelling. The move adds another layer to ArabyAds’ portfolio of regional achievements, which include being named Marketing Platform of the Year 2023 by MMA Smarties MENA and the prior launch of their AI‑powered Household Graph for cross‑platform audience reach.

Snapchat states that over 67% of users follow creators to see real, everyday moments, underlining the emphasis on authentic connection. The platform reports that 97% of users are open to brand‑sponsored creator content, and 59% have made purchases following exposure to such campaigns. This context sets the stage for ArabyAds to broker more effective creator partnerships on behalf of brands, using bespoke targeting informed by data and platform insight.

The Advanced Partner badge places ArabyAds among an elite selection of regional agencies, including Publicis Groupe‑Content Practice, Creo, InHype and The Goat Agency MENA. Snap’s pilot cohort benefits from direct collaboration opportunities with Snapchat teams, hands‑on enablement events and tailored access to analytics and certification from Snap Focus. A Partner Enablement Day in Dubai offered immediate immersion into platform tools and strategic best practice, reinforcing the parent company’s goal to build a vibrant creator economy across the MENA region.

Senior figures from other agencies in the cohort echoed Snap’s confidence in ArabyAds. Timothée Desormeaux, Managing Partner and Co‑founder of Acquisit, noted that Snap values their data‑driven and measurement‑focused approach, which has helped solve complex client challenges in the region.

Snap’s head of agency relations in the region, Rasha El‑Ghoussaini, described the partner initiative as part of a broader strategy to support agencies amid rapid transformation across digital markets.

For ArabyAds’ clients, the benefits are multifaceted. The Creator Discovery API enables mapping and analysis of over 100,000 MENA creators, enabling data‑led influencer alignment. End‑to‑end ROI tracking, combined with advancement in AR and creative strategy, allows brands to build measurable campaigns that drive deeper engagement and conversions.

ArabyAds is now well placed to offer clients a full‑stack solution on Snapchat: from creator identification and certification through Snap Focus, to influencer campaign activation using the Creator Marketplace, and ongoing optimisation via account management and platform insights. The firm’s trajectory signals intention not only to maintain growth, but to shape what high‑impact creator collaboration looks like in the region.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted Senate Bill 21, empowering the creation of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, making it the third US state to legislate a formal Bitcoin reserve following Arizona and New Hampshire. For the first time among its peers, Texas will finance this dedicated fund with public money, distinguishing it from Arizona’s and New Hampshire’s models.

Under the terms of SB 21, the reserve will operate independently of Texas’s treasury and be managed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, guided by an advisory committee of crypto investment professionals. Only assets with an average market capitalisation exceeding US $500 billion over two years qualify for inclusion—Bitcoin currently stands alone in meeting that benchmark. The fund’s flexibility extends to growth through forks, airdrops, investment returns and public donations, with biennial public disclosures required.

Companion legislation, House Bill 4488, shields the reserve from routine transfer into the general revenue fund and ensures its legal continuity regardless of whether it holds Bitcoin by summer 2025. The Senate passed SB 21 by 25 votes to 5, and the House by 9 to 4; the law will take effect on 1 September 2025.

Proponents frame the reserve as a strategic hedge against inflation and economic volatility, aligning with Texas’s broader approach to diversify its assets. Senator Charles Schwertner, the bill’s author, observed that if the state can invest in gold or land, it should also have the option to invest in Bitcoin—“the best-performing asset of the last 10 years”.

Governor Abbott has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency integration, remarking last year that Texas was already home to crypto mining and “should become the crypto capital”. The inclusion of a state fund aligns with his pro-crypto stance and the passage of HB 4488, which he signed shortly after, enhances the law’s stability.

Texas’s approach diverges notably from Arizona and New Hampshire. Arizona’s law permits establishment of a reserve but prohibits spending public funds on asset purchases, whereas New Hampshire enables investment through the treasury—but neither allocates separate, publicly funded funds. By committing public funds and creating a segregated structure, Texas establishes a more robust and intentional framework.

Financial analysts and policymakers have reacted with a mixture of cautious interest and concern. While some view the move as a progressive diversification strategy, sceptics warn of Bitcoin’s price volatility and uncertain long-term value. Reports from the European Central Bank and ECB president have criticised similar shifts by US governments, saying they could undermine monetary sovereignty and disrupt digital euro initiatives. Meanwhile, a February 2025 University of Chicago economist survey found no consensus that borrowing to fund a crypto reserve would be beneficial.

Globally, the action has prompted varied governmental responses. Belarus has emphasised crypto mining; South Korea and Switzerland have explicitly rejected adding Bitcoin to central reserves, citing volatility; India has announced it is reassessing its crypto stance in light of global shifts.

The legislative milestone occurs amid mounting institutional interest in Bitcoin. Public companies such as MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital and Tesla continue to invest heavily, contributing to a surge in corporate holdings—more than 819,000 BTC held across 223 firms, representing nearly 3.9 per cent of total supply. Notable large-scale investments have included Paris-listed The Blockchain Group’s purchase of 182 BTC for US $19.6 million, and Nakamoto Holdings securing US $51.5 million via PIPE funding for further Bitcoin acquisitions.

The United Arab Emirates will integrate its National Artificial Intelligence System into the highest levels of government from January 2026. The system will serve as an advisory member of the Council of Ministers, the Ministerial Development Council, and the boards of all federal entities and government-owned companies. Its mandate includes supporting decision-making, providing real-time analysis, offering technical advice, and enhancing policy efficiency across every sector.

Dubai’s ruler and UAE Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, made the announcement on 20 June, emphasising that the world is undergoing “comprehensive transformation—scientifically, economically and socially.” He underscored that the move is intended to prepare the country for future challenges and to “ensure continued prosperity and a dignified life for future generations”.

This development builds upon the UAE’s decade‑long focus on artificial intelligence, which began with the appointment of Omar Sultan Al Olama as the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in October 2017. In early 2019, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 was launched, setting the ambition to position the UAE as a global AI leader by 2031. Subsequent milestones include the founding of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019 and Abu Dhabi’s Digital Strategy 2025‑2027, which aims to establish a fully AI‑powered government by 2027.

Analysts suggest that embedding the AI system at ministerial and federal‑company levels could accelerate data‑driven governance, reduce bureaucratic lag, and foster greater inter‑departmental cohesion. One Gulf Business commentator noted that the AI system would “enhance the efficiency of government policies adopted… across all sectors”. However, questions remain over oversight and transparency mechanisms, especially as the system begins analysis in real time.

International observers view the UAE’s strategy as part of a wider push by governments to use AI in public administration. Examples include Japan’s smart city prototype “Woven City” and various national AI offices globally. Still, no other nation has yet placed an AI inside its cabinet with ministerial‑level access.

Experts highlight both promise and peril. Proponents argue the system’s analytical speed can help identify emerging economic, environmental, and public health challenges before they escalate. Critics, however, caution that AI must be complemented by human judgment to avoid embedding algorithmic bias or over‑reliance on model outputs. Ethical guidelines—such as transparency, accountability, and fairness—will need to be codified and enforced to mitigate these risks.

Practical implementation looms as another challenge. Seamless integration into federal bodies and government companies will require significant investment in digital infrastructure, staff training, and inter‑agency coordination. These tasks fall within the remit of the Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Omar Sultan Al Olama, who has spearheaded the country’s AI strategy since 2017.

As part of a broader governance overhaul, Sheikh Mohammed also announced the launch of a dedicated Ministry of Foreign Trade, led by Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi—and the renaming of the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism under Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri.

The government asserts that the AI system will augment human capacity without replacing it, and that final decisions on strategy and policy will remain with elected or appointed officials. Mechanisms to monitor AI‑led inputs and outcomes are expected to be announced before the system’s January 2026 launch, according to insiders.

The University of Dubai and the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting have unveiled the Arab AI Researchers initiative, marking the first pan‑Arab programme dedicated to training academics in artificial intelligence for research and teaching. The launch aligns with efforts to implement the Arab Index for Artificial Intelligence in Universities, announced in May 2024, and formalised at the 5th Artificial Intelligence Journalism World Forum in Sharjah earlier this year.

President of the University of Dubai, Dr Eesa Al Bastaki, explained that AAIR responds to a growing call for universities in Arab states to embed AI into scholarly work and curricula. He noted that the programme reflects the aim of the AIU, which benchmarks integration across six domains: curriculum design, faculty capabilities, smart laboratory infrastructure, student proficiency, research output, and global partnerships.

Dr Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director of the Centre for Futures Studies and President of the AIU, emphasised the initiative’s breadth. “AAIR offers specialised training to integrate AI across all academic tiers,” he said, underscoring the programme’s ambition to reach a wide academic audience across the Arab world. That ambition gains momentum in tandem with AIJRF’s global training portfolio of more than 120 courses and over 20 active AI initiatives, which includes the annual AIJWF and the GAIJI index.

Under the leadership of AIJRF’s CEO Dr Mohamed Abdulzaher, AAIR will offer a free, accredited training programme conducted thrice yearly. Each session will involve four days of intensive instruction—totalising 15 practical hours—for approximately 150 participants. Graduates, upon submission of a project, will receive certification jointly from AIJRF, the University of Dubai and cooperating institutions. Dr Abdulzaher emphasised the programme’s dual focus: practical AI tool use in research and instruction that covers emerging pedagogical approaches such as smart classrooms, automated assignments and AI‑generated project frameworks, underpinned by ethical guidelines.

Experts highlight the significance of AAIR against a backdrop of evolving demand for localised AI capacity in the region’s higher education sector. Gulf News records that the Arab Index for AIU initially pioneered this area by evaluating Arab universities on their strategic integration of AI into humanities and theoretical sciences, spanning institutions from Morocco to Qatar. This quantitative benchmarking now finds practical implementation through AAIR.

The initiative affords multiple strategic gains. It aims to develop an Arab‑centred community of practice in AI, offer Arabic‑language curricular resources, and foster collaborations among universities, research centres and technology providers. Policy experts suggest that by nurturing such ecosystems, the region can more accurately reflect its socio‑cultural context in AI tools and methodologies.

AAIR also responds to economic and educational drivers. UAE government-backed surveys estimate the Arab educational sector will expand rapidly alongside digital acceleration, yet critical gaps remain in Arabic‑language AI content and smart infrastructure. By empowering faculty and students alike, AAIR seeks to deepen the region’s AI talent pool and sustainability.

Formative metrics indicate uptake: AIJRF announced an AAIR target of training 500 academics during the first phase, with enrollment details shared via LinkedIn and public briefings. Dr Abdulzaher credits the partnership between University of Dubai, AIJRF, and other institutional collaborators for enabling broad access to the programme.

Still, the initiative faces challenges inherent to regional adoption. Previous AI integration efforts highlight logistical barriers—such as uneven access to AI‑equipped labs, variable levels of faculty digital literacy, and limited Arabic AI datasets. AAIR’s focus on standardisation and community‑based learning aims to alleviate such bottlenecks.

Industry observers are tracking AAIR’s impact on research and higher education closely. Stakeholders expect ripple effects, including: greater academic publication in AI‑focused journals; the emergence of Arab‑context AI pedagogies; enhanced employability of STEM graduates with real‑world AI experience; and institutional impetus to invest in smart infrastructure.

The AAIR launch also complements AIJWF’s wider initiatives, including the Human Talents vs Gen‑AI Challenge introduced at the 5th edition in April at American University of Sharjah. Collectively, these initiatives contribute to a regional strategy to navigate the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, with emphasis on generative AI and its socio‑economic consequences.

The Saudi Central Bank has introduced sweeping reforms in the rules governing credit-card issuance and operation, aiming to reduce consumer costs, bolster transparency and align with global standards. The changes include mandatory fee notifications, reduced cash withdrawal charges, capped international transaction fees and improved disclosures.

SAMA will implement these updates within 30 to 90 days. Key changes include a requirement for issuers to send SMS alerts before any fee or term modification, allowing cardholders a 14-day window to cancel agreements without penalty under the updated terms. E-wallet top-ups using credit cards will now incur no charges, a move intended to incentivise digital payments.

Cash withdrawals of SR2,500 or less will carry a maximum fee of 3% of the transaction value; those of SR2,500 or more are capped at SR75. Previously, cash advance fees applied sharply until SR5,000 with a flat SR75, and beyond that 3%, up to SR300—making the new cap notably more favourable for larger withdrawals. International purchases will now attract a clear 2% fee of the transaction amount.

A notable enhancement allows customers to deposit amounts beyond their credit limit and withdraw them at any point without additional charges, enhancing flexibility and consumer agency. Account statements must now be issued via SMS at least 25 days before payment, detailing balances, due dates and fees. Immediate notifications must follow any credit-card transaction, including details such as merchant, amount and remaining limit. Issuers are also required to provide pre‑transaction tools for estimating international charges and reward benefits.

Repayment provisions maintain consumer safeguards: a 25-day minimum grace period is mandated before term costs apply. The rules prohibit levying additional fees for full balance payments and outlining clear terms for minimum payments and their implications.

These reforms are underpinned by standardised disclosure templates for fees and benefits, inclusive of promotional terms—a step towards consistency across the market. Issuers must emphasise APR, term costs and expiration timelines for rewards or promotions, with SMS reminders 14 days in advance.

SAMA’s emphasis on mandatory due diligence and creditworthiness checks prior to card issuance is reinforced under the new framework. Criteria now include explicit customer consent via authenticated channels, formal credit record assessments and eligibility conditions aligned with industry best practices.

Procedures for supplementary cards, default reporting and dispute resolution have also been clarified. For example, the minimum repayment remains 5% of the due balance, and any default procedures must include consumer advisory services before legal or collection measures begin.

SMS has been designated the primary channel for disclosures, with issuers obliged to inform customers of account activity, fee changes and promotional developments. Financial institutions must adhere to SAMA‑specified notification templates to promote uniformity and clarity.

According to a senior official within SAMA, the goal is to “establish minimum requirements to promote disclosure, transparency and fair practices, as well as to limit credit risk.” Industry reaction has been generally positive. Analysts from regional banks suggest the rules will “enhance consumer protection while supporting digital payment growth.” Critics, however, note potential implementation challenges—particularly in updating existing systems to align with stricter notification and compliance requirements.

The timing reflects SAMA’s broader strategy to modernise the financial sector and accelerate digital payments as part of Saudi Vision 2030. A 2020 directive mandated real‑time notifications for debit card and e-wallet transactions, laying foundational infrastructure for today’s enhanced SMS regime. Collaboration with global payment networks—such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express—has helped shape caps on international and cash advance fees.

Banks and fintech firms are now preparing compliance roadmaps. One major lender has initiated system-wide updates to include the new SMS templates, fee calculators and balance‑flexibility features. Industry trade bodies are urging transparency in implementation timelines to ensure consumers are well informed ahead of the rollout.

As SAMA positions Saudi Arabia’s credit‑card framework at par with international best practice, key areas to monitor include transparency in third‑party charges, enforcement mechanisms for non-compliant issuers, and feedback from consumer‑protection advocates.

ImFact today unveiled its “Blockchain Anywhere” infrastructure, enabling 6.8 billion devices—from smartphones to IoT hardware—to operate individual blockchain instances. Dubbed Personal Blockchain and On‑Device Blockchain, the rollout promises cryptographic data verification embedded directly within devices, marking a pivotal shift in trust architecture for artificial intelligence applications. The launch was showcased through Korea’s DaeguChain deployment across Daegu city and supported by a global testnet.

Personal Blockchain runs as a standalone blockchain on smartphones via mobile apps such as MyChain and Fact Stamp, allowing users to verify image authenticity, certify legal documents and complete offline transactions. In parallel, On‑Device Blockchain embeds blockchain functionality into internet-connected hardware—security cameras, autonomous vehicles, industrial sensors—assuring tamper-evident data creation at the source. Together, they integrate with ImFact’s Layer‑1 mainnet through a proprietary Station protocol.

These innovations build on six years of development and have undergone trials within DaeguChain, the civic blockchain network of Daegu city—South Korea’s fourth largest—with a population of 2.5 million. ImFact confirmed the system has proven reliable at enterprise scale. A dual‑track Testnet 2.0 currently supports more than 50,000 users across 97 countries, with participants incentivised via device mining rewards and verification incentives. The team aims to launch the Layer‑1 mainnet in Q4 2025.

Driving ImFact’s initiative is a leadership team comprising Professor Minkyu Je from KAIST—previously with Samsung—as head of hardware blockchain integration; Professor Yasin Ceran of San Jose State University and Stanford Medical School, focusing on privacy-sensitive health data verification on-device; and David Woong Jin Yoon, ex‑CEO of Gravity, steering strategic market deployment. Senior Ecosystem Builder San Jun described the development as the group’s solution to embedding blockchain functionality wherever computing power exists.

The announcement arrives against a backdrop of broader technological investment in South Korea. The government has pledged 16.1 trillion KRW over five years to boost artificial intelligence infrastructure, including data centres and GPU capacity, as outlined in a policy paper presented to the Presidential Policy Planning Committee on 18 June 2025. Key objectives include constructing AI data centres and offering open‑model development to citizens.

Industry analysts suggest that while South Korea’s blockchain strategy originated in controlled, closed networks, the growth of AI demands public and verifiable data systems. Infrastructure such as ImFact’s aligns with this strategic shift, seamlessly enabling decentralised trust within traditionally siloed environments.

ImFact positions its infrastructure as DePIN, distinct from existing offerings that rely on external validation. Instead, their data integrity is assured at the point of generation—whether it be a camera capturing footage or a sensor logging readings—with cryptographic proof to prevent tampering. The embedded nature enhances security and auditability, crucial for sectors like healthcare, autonomous vehicles, legal systems, and industrial monitoring.

While ImFact’s public roadmap outlines the L1 mainnet launch in late 2025, it is already actively engaging early adopters through Testnet 2.0. Users are deploying personal blockchain nodes on smartphones and integrating on-device blockchain chips in IoT hardware, generating token rewards and engaging in verifiable proof tasks. These early-stage validators are cultivating a nascent ecosystem that could mature rapidly ahead of commercial stage.

South Korea’s public sector stance and investment in AI and related infrastructure create a favourable landscape for projects like ImFact. The 16.1 trillion KRW policy emphasises open‑source AI models and GPU availability—initiatives that align with ImFact’s objective to offload cryptographic verification tasks to the edge of the network. The convergence of national policy and device-level trust architecture underscores an ecosystem designed to support AI at scale.

ImFact’s strategy hinges on the deployment and interoperability of three layers: personal blockchains for users, on-device blockchains for hardware, and an L1 mainnet offering global anchoring. Success depends on adoption rates of its mobile apps and IoT kits, regulatory acceptance of on-device verification for legal and medical use cases, and demonstration of clear ROI for participants in device mining.