Source: Insights from my continued engagement with financial regulators in the GCC and a 2025 report from the Carnegie Endowment on GCC FinTech regulation.
In September 2025, the relationship between FinTech innovators and central banks is no longer adversarial. The GCC has successfully established a model of collaborative regulation, where regulators act as enablers rather than gatekeepers. The focus has shifted from managing risk to enabling responsible innovation.
My approach to regulatory engagement has always been to treat regulators as partners in a shared mission: to build a safe, secure, and innovative financial system. In 2025, this means proactively working with them to navigate complex areas like AI governance, Open Finance protocols, and the ethical use of customer data.
Here’s my updated guide for FinTech compliance:
- Embrace Regulatory Sandboxes: These are no longer just for startups. Use them to test new products and technologies in a controlled environment.
- Prioritize Cybersecurity: The latest regulatory guidelines are centered on robust cybersecurity frameworks. Invest in AI-powered fraud detection and continuous monitoring to stay ahead of new threats.
- Be a Transparent Partner: Be prepared to provide full transparency on your technology, data, and operational processes. Open and honest dialogue builds the trust that is the foundation of any successful regulatory relationship.
Compliance is not an afterthought; it’s a core component of your product. By embedding it into your design from day one, you transform a potential obstacle into a powerful competitive advantage.