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Checkout.com Gains Acquiring License From UAE Central Bank
The direct acquiring license allows Checkout.com to unlock the full potential of its platform in the UAE while offering cost savings and improved performance for merchants.
The United Arab Emirates Central Bank has granted Global payment service provider Checkout.com a Retail Payment Services license. The recent press release by the platform notes that Checkout.com is “the first global payments provider to be granted an acquiring license in the country”, and the announcement strengthens its position as a leader across the MENA region.
Now that Checkout.com has secured an acquiring license, the company can unlock its full proposition for UAE merchants, including card acquiring, payment aggregation, and cross-border fund transfers. Most importantly, Checkout.com’s new acquiring license gives the company greater control over the entire payment processing mechanism and enables best-in-class payment acceptance rates for merchants.
“Our thanks to the Central Bank of the UAE for their approval. The issuance of this license shows the level of trust, commitment, and strength of the relationship we continue to have in serving both domestic and international brands to expand in the UAE. We’re proud of the small part we’ve played to increase the trust in digital payments and allow businesses in the digital economy to thrive,” says CEO and Founder of Checkout.com, Guillaume Pousaz.
Also Read: Paymob Gets Official Certification To Operate In Saudi Arabia
The UAE has recently witnessed an explosive eCommerce growth trajectory. It is forecast to reach a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11%, increasing the eCommerce market size to $17Bn by 2025. 91% of consumers in the UAE now favor making their purchases online, and Checkout.com already supports some of the country’s top brand names, including Cafu, Washmen, Shahid, Qlub, Carrefour, Namshi, Mamo, MakeMyTrip, and The Entertainer.
News
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
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