On 12 – 13 May, fintech experts from across the globe convened in Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai, for the third edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025. With the summit focusing on the importance of ‘Fintech for All’, we share some of our highlights from the two-day event.
With over 9,000 business leaders, 1,000 investors, and decision-makers from 120 countries in attendance, this year’s Dubai FinTech Summit built on 2024’s success as speakers shared insights on innovation, inclusion, impact, investment and integration across four dynamic stages, three plenary arenas and two innovation platforms.
Day one kicked off with a bang, with engaging sessions and a packed exhibition floor, in which attendees got the opportunity to engage in live demos and connect with pioneering brands. Some of the biggest takeaways for us included:
Fireside chats, roundtables and panels
There was a huge variety of interactive conversations taking place during day one, focusing on different topics within fintech. In addition to media roundtables, the summit saw a number of fireside chats take place too.
H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, joined Lenah Hassaballah, editor, CNN Business Arabic to explore the intersection of sustainability, policy, and economic growth and why aligning financial systems, while urgent, was also a huge opportunity for the industry.
Regional deep-dives also took place as Sundararaman Ramamurthy, MD and CEO of the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited (BSE), sat down with Jane Witherspoon of Euronews to reflect on India’s 150-year financial legacy—and its fast-evolving global role. The conversation highlighted why India is going to be a key player in the next era of global finance, spotlighting areas like regulatory reform and digital innovation.
Day one also saw invite-only discussions bring together top executives and policymakers for high-level exchanges shaping the financial landscape.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), an Islamic financial institution, showcased its commitment to redefining ethical finance through digital innovation, AI, and Sharia-compliant fintech at the summit through its Diamond sponsorship.
As part of its presence at the summit, ADIB contributed to two strategic panel discussions that highlighted its leadership in digital banking and applied technology.
Company announcements
A number of companies seized the moment, came forward and announced their latest partnerships at Dubai FinTech Summit.
Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, announced strategic partnerships with LuLu Financial Holdings, a UAE-based financial services company and Ant Digital Technologies. These collaborations underscored Alibaba Cloud’s ongoing commitment to supporting the region’s digital transformation by equipping businesses with tools and infrastructure to thrive in an AI-powered world.
Day 2
Day two capitalised on day one’s momentum and saw more visionary speakers, disruptive ideas, and transformative discussions drive forward-thinking conversations on the future of finance. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organised by DIFC, day two set the stage for high-impact dialogue, innovation, and real-world financial transformation.
In a similar vein to the Exhibition Zone on day one, day two saw the Main Arena and Ignyte Arena buzz with innovation, connecting fintech pioneers with cutting-edge solutions and live demos.
The FinTech World Cup
The FinTech World Cup Grand Finale – organised by Trescon and powered by Ignyte – took place on day two on the Innovation Stage 2, as start-ups from around the world pitched groundbreaking solutions, competing for investment, global recognition, and direct access to leading investors.
After a close competition, IPID was announced as the winner with its approach to insurtech. Alain Raes, founding partner and chief commercial officer at IPID said: “This is an amazing recognition for all of us at IPID but also and more importantly a recognition of the solution we are bringing to a massive payment issue that the industry is facing.”
Announced at Dubai FinTech Summit
Even more companies took the opportunity to share their latest milestones at the summit on day two.
Astra Tech, the consumer technology holding group behind Botim, announced a strategic partnership with 7X, the investment holding group in trade, transport, and logistics to set the stage for an integrated digital ecosystem that combines financial services, logistics, and last-mile delivery, advancing the UAE’s vision for a connected, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy.
In addition to this partnership, Astra Tech also announced the launch of the ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ (SNPL) feature within its Botim Ultra App. This feature enables users to instantly remit up to AED 5,000 to over 200 countries, offering them the flexibility to repay over a period of six months.
Blue Remit Limited, a subsidiary of Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC, the digital remittance firm, has partnered with Saad Exchange, a cross-border remittance provider in the UAE. This alliance aims to expand access to secure, seamless, and compliant cross-border digital payment solutions through a wide variety of accessible channels for customers.
Ant Digital Technologies, a pioneer in emerging technologies, made its global showcase of its AI for fintech product suite at the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025. The debut featured the unveiling of its AI platform Agentar, alongside the company’s flagship solutions ZOLOZ and mPaaS.
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