Digital Assets & Payments: Standard Chartered and Circle launched bank-led USDC minting and redemption for eligible institutional clients via DIFC, aiming to simplify onboarding and expand access beyond direct Circle accounts. Healthcare Finance & Infrastructure: Abu Dhabi Biobank and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute will establish the Middle East’s first eye bank in Abu Dhabi, boosting corneal transplant capacity across the UAE and region. SME Insurance Digitisation: Mashreq and Sukoon embedded SME insurance into MashreqBiz, letting businesses buy workmen’s compensation and third-party liability coverage digitally. Capital Markets: Bank of Cyprus won two EMEA Finance awards for its €300m Tier 2 bond issue, highlighting strong institutional demand. Regional Investment Flows: Saudi Venture Capital Company said foreign private-market inflows hit SR20bn in 2025, with international investors increasingly treating Saudi as a standalone destination. Oil, Liquidity & Sanctions Watch: Iran’s oil stockpile at sea is growing as buyers remain cautious ahead of the US 60-day window, while oil prices slid toward $70 as US-Iran indirect talks showed “positive progress” but no lasting peace. Iraq FX Controls: US reportedly resumed some dollar transfers to Iraq after earlier suspensions tied to pressure over Iran-backed militias. Middle East FinTech Angle: Franklin Templeton is expanding in Qatar via a QFC entity to deepen Doha’s asset-management role.