- Ebury to enhance its offering to SMEs in the UAE and wider region as a regulated money services provider in the DIFC
- First license issued by the Dubai Financial Services Authority for providing Money Services since introduction of the Money Services regulations earlier this year
- Robust show of commitment from Ebury to the Dubai International Financial Centre and its mission to make Dubai the centre of innovation and a global future of finance hub
Dubai, UAE, 8th December 2020: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, announced that Ebury, a leading global FinTech backed by Santander Bank offering cross-border financial services and risk management, has been granted a Financial Services licence to carry out the regulated activity of providing Money Services from the Centre.
Ebury, which has 22 people based out of the UAE already, has become the first company to be granted such a licence to engage in money services under the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s (DFSA) comprehensive Money Services Regime.
The licence will allow Ebury to enhance the services it offers SMEs in the region, and to do it in or from the DIFC. It will allow Ebury to provide money services and arrange credit enabling activities such as booking transactions, giving advice and onboarding clients from its DIFC office.
The announcement demonstrates Ebury’s firm commitment to Dubai and reflects the deepening strategic partnership between Ebury and DIFC, the leading and comprehensive financial ecosystem in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
In the 2019/20 Financial Year, Ebury processed £18.7bn of payments for over 49,000 companies, a 34% increase from the previous year. In April 2020, Banco Santander completed its £350m investment in Ebury giving it the capability to accelerate the expansion of the business internationally and enter new markets.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said: “The DIFC Money Services Regime is the most comprehensive in the region and represents Dubai and the DIFC’s commitment to further developing the financial ecosystem and driving the future of finance. Congratulations to Ebury for becoming the first company in our ecosystem to be granted a licence to provide Money Services. We look forward to transforming the money services landscape together across the region.”
Juan Lobato, CEO at Ebury, commented: “Ebury continues to go from strength to strength. We are market-leading in our ability to service the international payment needs of SMEs and being the first company to obtain a licence to provide Money Services in or from the DIFC is further validation of our investment in local operations across the world.”
About Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and a nominal GDP of USD 7.7 trillion.
With a 16-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe and the Americas through Dubai.
DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of more than 25,000 professionals working across over 2,500 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region.
The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance. Today, it offers one of the region’s most comprehensive FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups.
Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations.
For further information, please visit our website: difc.ae, or follow us on Twitter @DIFC.