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- MARKETS
Bitcoin drops below US$82,000 amid risk aversion and Middle East tension
Bitcoin fell as much as 4% to around US$81,700, tracking weaker global equities as Brent crude rose above US$112 a barrel. Ether, Solana and XRP also declined.
FINTECHAjman Bank centralises CBUAE regulatory reporting on new RegTech platform
Ajman Bank has deployed a RegTech system built with 4most and Reporting Center to consolidate its reporting to the Central Bank of the UAE into one auditable, reconfigurable workflow.
NEWSRobinhood secures Dubai licence for crypto and stock trading from 2027
Robinhood has won DFSA authorisation to offer retail trading and custody across ten asset classes, including bitcoin, equities and investment tokens, from a DIFC hub in 2027.
MARKETSIndian rupee snaps eight-day rally as oil climbs to highest since May
The rupee closed down 0.4% at 94.8175 per dollar as Brent oil climbed to its highest since May on Middle East conflict worries, with observers split on how firmly the RBI should defend the currency.
NEWSIMF projects MENAP growth of 6.6 percent in 2027 after 2026 contraction
The IMF expects the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region to rebound 6.6 percent in 2027 after a projected 1.3 percent contraction in 2026, assuming the conflict eases early next year.
NEWSIMF sees 1.3 percent contraction for Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan in 2026
The IMF projects a 1.3 percent output contraction across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan in 2026, driven by conflict-related disruption, with a 6.6 percent rebound expected in 2027.
POLICY AND REGULATIONSThe future of money, AI and the state
The article, “The Future of Money, AI and the State” by Bilal Bin Saqib, argues that Pakistan’s economic future depends on integrating financial innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and strong state institutions. It highlights the potential of asset tokenization, digital bonds and sukuk to improve capital markets, while stressing that enforceable ownership rights, effective regulation, cybersecurity, and investor protection must come first. The article also advocates using blockchain to improve transparency in public spending and AI to strengthen regulatory oversight, while cautioning that technology alone cannot eliminate fraud, corruption, or economic weaknesses. For Pakistan, the priority should be practical, locally relevant AI applications, credible digital-asset use cases, and collaboration among regulators and financial institutions rather than simply acquiring new technology. Ultimately, technology should strengthen public trust, mobilize investment, improve institutional performance, and create economic value—not replace sound governance and accountability.
POLICY & REGULATIONPVARA takes tokenisation pitch to World Bank, IFC meetings
Pakistan's virtual assets regulator discussed tokenised bonds, sukuk and digital market infrastructure with World Bank Group and IFC officials at the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.
NEWSStandard Chartered launches bitcoin trading for wealthy UAE clients
Standard Chartered has launched a bitcoin trading service for affluent clients in the UAE, the first such offering by an international bank there, with custody and settlement handled in-house.
MARKETSKSE-100 ends week down 0.6% despite IMF staff-level agreement
The KSE-100 Index fell 1,066 points, or 0.6%, to 167,089 as foreign selling and Middle East tensions offset Pakistan's staff-level agreement with the IMF.
MARKETSPSX: stocks surge, KSE-100 up 600 points in early trade
Benchmark index up 0.36% at 168,043.33 in early trade after US President Donald Trump said the US will not launch an attack on Iran before November's midterm elections. Thursday's session closed 1,138.50 points lower.
- MARKETS
Oil slips as Middle East exports rise and G7 releases reserves
Brent fell 0.65% to $101.59 a barrel as rising Middle East crude exports and a G7 plan to release 100 million barrels from emergency reserves eased supply concerns.
MARKETSKSE-100 settles 481.36 points lower as US sends more troops to Middle East
The benchmark index settled at 168,155.49, down 481.36 points or 0.29%, after a volatile session. Brokers cited elevated crude prices and a lack of fresh triggers.
- MARKETS
PSX extends losses as Middle East caution lingers
The benchmark was down 0.42% at 167,933.14 when the Pakistan Stock Exchange paused for the Friday prayers break, extending Thursday's 1,332.47-point fall amid caution over the Middle East and oil.
- MARKETS
KSE-100 slips 340.52 points in early trade as Middle East buildup weighs
The KSE-100 was at 168,296.33 at 10am, down 340.52 points or 0.20%, with selling in banks, cement, oil and gas and power. Thursday closed 0.78% lower at 168,636.85.
POLICY & REGULATIONPakistan's finance update shows mixed picture as economists dispute debt claims
The Finance Division's September Update and Outlook credits IMF-led reforms for a narrower current account deficit, but independent economists dispute its debt and tax claims as Middle East conflict drives inflation.
- POLICY & REGULATION
Pakistan tells IMF Middle East conflict no longer drags on its outlook
Pakistan told the IMF the Middle East conflict will no longer affect its outlook, projecting 7.5% inflation and a stable external account, while the Fund pressed for policy adjustments.
REIT & PROPTECHDubai's VARA Publishes Revised Rulebook for Tokenised Real Assets
The emirate consolidates a fragmented set of guidance into a single instrument covering issuance and secondary trading.
