Author: Emirates Insight

Red meat analysis and verification platform MEQ Solutions has raised US$15 million (A$23m) in a Series A from New York software VC Insight Partners. The agtech startup began life in Adelaide in 2016, with its first product, MEQ Probe, going on to raise $500,000 in late 2018 for industry trials. MEQ has built the world’s only integrated hardware and AI software system to measure red-meat quality and yield, digitising a process that up until now has been done manually subjective visual grading. The $1.5 trillion a year global red meat market is one of the few international supply chains still…

Dubai Humanitarian, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD/WFP), has wrapped up the Second Conference of Countries Hosting the World’s Humanitarian Hubs in Brindisi, Italy, marking a significant step toward strengthening the global emergency response architecture. The gathering brought 7 host countries of the world’s humanitarian hubs into one forum, creating a platform for frank exchanges, practical collaboration, and forward-looking commitments. Over the course of the meeting, high-level delegates from Australia, Ghana, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, agreed on the urgency to…

Kuwait has issued four new ministerial decisions aimed at combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances while strengthening the country’s addiction treatment and rehabilitation framework, according to the Ministry of Health. The measures, announced by Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, form part of the state’s broader approach to building an integrated legislative system that protects society and enhances health security. The Ministry of Health said the first decision designates the AlSulaibiya Youth Centre building as a specialised facility for the rehabilitation and treatment of addiction patients. The centre will operate under the name “Addiction Rehabilitation Centre”, in implementation of the…

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has registered its 100th hedge fund, reflecting its dominance in the sector and successful journey to becoming a top five global hub for the industry. The number of hedge fund managers doubled from 50 at the start of 2024 and 81 are billion-dollar AUM managers. During 2025, new arrivals include Baron Capital Management, BlueCrest Capital, Naya Capital Management, Nine Masts Capital, North Rock Capital, Pearl Diver Capital, Select Equity Group, Strategic Investment Group, Silver Point Capital, Squarepoint Capital and Welwing…

Bitcoin trades near $89.8K as Peter Brandt warns of a possible 80% drop. Analysts highlight bearish signals and macro uncertainty ahead. Bitcoin is trading near $89,800 following a week of mild losses. The asset is down slightly in the past 24 hours and 2% over the last 7 days. While the price action remains above the $89,000 mark, technical analysts are raising caution as long-term indicators begin to shift. Among them, veteran trader Peter Brandt has warned that Bitcoin may be at risk of an extended decline if historical patterns repeat. Parabolic Breakdown Signals Deeper Correction Peter Brandt has…

Australians and the world have been left horrified and reeling after at least 16 people were killed, with another 40 injured following a mass shooting involving two gunmen at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. NSW police declared the incident a terrorist attack, which began at about 6.40pm on December 14. Alongside a typically busy beach on a warm Sunday evening, hundreds of families gathered at Bondi Beach Park for the free annual Chanukah by the Sea, organised by the Chabad of Bondi, to celebrate the start of the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights”. Police say 14 people died at…

Nasdaq Dubai has welcomed the listing of a USD 500 million Sukuk issued by (MAF Sukuk Ltd.), as the company expands its engagement with Dubai’s international debt capital markets. Guaranteed by Majid Al Futtaim Holding LLC, the Sukuk reinforces the Group’s commitment to accessing diverse pools of global investors through Dubai’s internationally aligned market infrastructure. The Sukuk, maturing on 22 October 2035 with a profit rate of 4.875%, attracted robust investor demand, with an order book exceeding USD 2 billion. Rated ‘BBB’ by both S&P and Fitch, the issuance will support Majid Al Futtaim’s general corporate purposes and refinancing plans.…

In a landmark move for the UAE’s financial and precious-metal market, Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region, has unveiled the ‘Emirates NBD Gold’, in presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates NBD Group and senior officials from the Group. ‘Emirates NBD Gold’ represents the first bank-branded gold bar in the UAE designed for savers and investors as it marks a significant milestone for Dubai’s growth in the Gold sector.   The launch strengthens Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for gold trading and investment…

MO Group has announced an aggressive expansion strategy for 2026 that includes doubling exports, entering new production sectors, significantly increasing manufacturing capacity and advancing preparations for an initial public offering. The plan positions the company for accelerated regional and global growth as it seeks to strengthen its presence in both international and domestic confectionery markets. The strategy also includes more than $10m in new production investments. MO Group revealed that its 2026 expansion plan includes doubling exports to $12m, expanding its geographic footprint from 45 to 80 countries, entering the biscuits and chocolate production sectors for the first time, and…

A16z has predicted a major 2026 pivot as stablecoins surge, AI agents multiply, and on-chain finance challenges outdated banking infrastructure. A16z crypto, a venture capital fund of Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), said it expects several crypto-related themes to gain prominence in 2026, while citing developments across stablecoins, real-world-asset tokenization, banking infrastructure, AI agent authentication, privacy technologies, and prediction markets. In its latest post, the firm said stablecoins processed an estimated $46 trillion in transaction volume last year, and even surpassing major payment networks. But connecting digital dollars to existing financial rails remains an unresolved issue. Major Crypto Themes For 2026…