Article Series: The Benefits and Challenges of Fintech in the Financial Sector: A Focus on the UAE

The ADGM Academy Research Centre brings together the ecosystems of academia, industry, government and technology to collaboratively explore solutions and bring insights to the challenges facing the financial sector in the UAE and beyond. We do this through research focused on five key topics: digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, fintech and cyber security. In this article series we provide an overview of each of these topics and their relevance to the financial sector. Here we look at fintech.

The financial technology (fintech) sector has been a driving force behind the transformation of the global financial industry. In the UAE, fintech is revolutionising how financial services are delivered, offering significant benefits while also presenting notable challenges.

The UAE has rapidly become a regional hub for fintech innovation, supported by its strategic vision, advanced infrastructure, and proactive regulatory environment. Government initiatives such as the We the UAE 2031 vision emphasise the importance of digital transformation and innovation, including in the financial sector. This supportive landscape has encouraged both startups and established financial institutions to embrace fintech solutions.