Author: Emirates Insight

PayPal is getting ready to launch a new feature called Pay With Crypto, and it’s coming to U.S. merchants in the next few weeks. Businesses will be able to accept over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and Solana. Once a customer pays, the crypto is automatically converted into U.S. dollars or PayPal’s stablecoin PYUSD. Merchants get settled instantly, without needing to touch the crypto themselves. Why Merchants Are Paying Attention This isn’t just a tech upgrade. For merchants, especially those selling across borders, the savings could be substantial. PayPal is offering a discounted transaction fee of 0.99 percent through…

Dubai Land Department has partnered with Second Century Ventures to launch REACH Middle East, a real estate technology accelerator designed to transform the sector across the region. Officially opening applications for its first cohort in 2025, the program is inviting startups from all industries to apply. The initiative is led by PropTech (Property Technology) pioneers Siddiq Farid and Karim Helal, and marks a significant step in aligning the region’s property market with global advancements in digital technology. REACH Middle East is structured as an eight-month, high-impact accelerator program that will select up to 10 promising startups. Chosen participants will gain…

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved in-kind redemptions for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products. This means ETF issuers and authorized participants can now deliver or receive actual Bitcoin or Ether when creating or redeeming shares. Until now, they had to use cash. This rule change brings crypto ETFs closer to how commodity ETFs like gold are handled. Why In-Kind Matters for Institutions For institutional traders, this update simplifies the process. Instead of selling crypto for cash or converting fiat into tokens during each ETF transaction, they can deal directly with the assets themselves. That saves time, reduces…

Private debt is often viewed as the nimble entrepreneur’s shortcut to capital. However, its growing popularity reflects fundamental changes in how businesses access financing, particularly as traditional lenders pull back. Since the 2008 financial crash, banks have been steadily retreating from small business lending. Even with reforms in place, risk-averse behavior still dominates, pushing banks toward larger, more stable clients. Here are some key points this article will address as it explores the topic of private debt: Traditional lending is tightening due to inflation and interest rate pressures Private debt offers speed and flexibility but at higher costs Pros include…

Real-feel temperatures soar as the UAE weather alert continues, with residents bracing for one of the hottest stretches of summerIf it feels like you’re walking through a hairdryer, you’re not imagining it. As the UAE weather alert remains in effect, the country is firmly in the grip of peak summer heat, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi seeing temperatures climb well above 40°C.In Dubai, today’s forecast predicts a high of 41°C under sunny skies, with a slight drop to 33°C tonight though conditions will stay hot and dry. The real-feel is hovering around 37°C, making even short outdoor trips feel…

Abu Dhabi’s office market recorded sharp rental and occupancy growth in the second quarter of 2025 as demand for Grade A space outpaced supply. According to Savills’ latest Market in Minutes report, the emirate’s non-oil economy grew by 6.1 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, contributing more than 56 per cent of total GDP. Abu Dhabi office market booms The Central Business District (CBD) saw a 42 per cent year-on-year increase in rental rates, while Outer CBD rents rose 18 per cent. City Gate Tower and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) recorded annual rental uplifts of 43…

For when you want a night out with real instrumentsThere’s a reason jazz and bars have been a thing for nearly a century. It’s a pairing that’s outlasted trends, scenes, and shifts in taste – warm lighting, a low hum of conversation, a perfectly made martini, and somewhere in the corner, a saxophone player letting loose without saying a word. Jazz bars first took off in the early 1920s – mostly underground, often packed, and always alive. They were smoky and loud spaces where culture, sound, and rhythm came together. Back then, it wasn’t about background music – it was…

Strategy (previously MicroStrategy) just raised another monstrous $2.52 billion through its “Stretch” IPO to stack another 21,021 BTC. That’s now a total of 628,791 BTC sitting on its corporate books. The STRC preferred shares start trading on Nasdaq today, and it’s the biggest U.S. IPO of 2025. Monthly 9% diidents, BTC ▼-1.12% accumulation, and Michael Saylor is still going max leverage. This might just redefine how corporate treasury is done. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.34T24h7d30d1yAll time Strategy Monster Play and BTC is the Endgame Let’s not sugarcoat this, Strategy just pulled a monster move. The “Stretch” IPO was originally pegged for $500 million…

Step into the wizarding world with this immersive Harry Potter experience in Abu DhabiWands up. Abu Dhabi is about to get a little more magical. Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Abu Dhabi opens on July 31 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, bringing the magic of Hogwarts to life in this immersive experience. The timing isn’t random, July 31, also happens to be Harry Potter’s birthday.This fully immersive experience goes beyond props in glass boxes. Visitors can get up close to authentic costumes and film sets, brew potions, cast spells, and test their Quidditch reflexes. From curious kids to lifelong fans, this…

Starting a business is an exciting adventure. But it still brings its fair share of financial hurdles. You’ll need to balance your budget, find the right funding, and navigate risks carefully. A misstep in any of these areas could set you back. But with a strategic financial plan, you can position your startup for sustainable growth and a strong future. Let’s take a closer look at how to tackle these key financial areas so you can confidently grow your new business. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or…