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Tuesday, 25 August 2026
The Gulf Money

Money guides for expats in the Gulf - UAE / KSA / Qatar / Bahrain / Kuwait / Oman

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Money guides for expats in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman

The Gulf Money Digest · 23 August 2026

Gulf finance digest for 23 August 2026

The big picture

Saudi Arabia flags UAE-bound bank transfers as high-risk, squeezing cross-border payments between the Gulf's two biggest economies.

Why it matters

Expats sending money or moving business funds between Saudi Arabia and the UAE face delays, returns, or outright blocks. Companies report live disruptions — and there is no clear timeline for resolution.

What to watch

GCC-China high-level talks concluded in Riyadh on 23 August — watch for any joint investment or trade announcements that could shift Gulf capital flows.

Read the full digest ->

Top stories, straight to the source

  1. Reuters

    SAMA tightens: Saudi central bank flags UAE-bound transfers under high-risk AML scrutiny. Saudi Arabia has placed UAE-destined bank transfers under the same regulatory oversight reserved for jurisdictions considered high-risk for illicit money flows, sources told Reuters.

    Read at Reuters ->

  2. EnterpriseAM

    Payments blocked: Saudi-UAE transfer disruptions confirmed since at least May, banking sources say. A banking source confirmed to EnterpriseAM that payments from Saudi banks to UAE accounts have been delayed, returned, or blocked since at least May, corroborating earlier FT and Bloomberg reports.

    Read at EnterpriseAM ->

  3. Crypto Briefing

    Iran threatens: Iran warns Gulf neighbours: back US sanctions and risk Strait of Hormuz closure. Iran's top security official told Gulf states on 22 August that supporting US economic pressure on Tehran would be treated as an act of war, renewing threats to shut the Strait of Hormuz to all oil exports.

    Read at Crypto Briefing ->

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