Fintech investments exceed SAR 30 billion across 371 active firms
Cumulative investments in Saudi Arabia's fintech sector exceeded SAR 30 billion by mid-2026, with active fintech firms reaching 371. Electronic payments accounted for 85 percent of all retail transactions in 2025, according to a keynote address at Money 20/20 Middle East in Riyadh.
From sandbox testing to commercial scale
The domestic fintech landscape expanded to 371 operating companies by August 2026, supported by regulatory initiatives under Vision 2030.
Cumulative funding surpassed SAR 30 billion by the end of June 2026 across venture capital and strategic investments.
Electronic payments represented 85 percent of total retail payments in 2025.
Meanwhile, open banking frameworks moved beyond regulatory sandboxes to commercial licensing, generating over 337,000 connected accounts.
Regulators highlighted that shared infrastructure, structured licensing pathways, and modern supervisory tools have lowered market entry barriers while safeguarding systemic financial stability across payment systems.
Supervising artificial intelligence and stablecoins
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) is expanding its international regulatory cooperation to address risks in virtual assets and stablecoins.
SAMA is also preparing oversight frameworks for technological shifts involving artificial intelligence agents, real-time financial data, and automated cross-border transactions.
Regulatory priorities focus on modernizing common market infrastructure, reducing time-to-market for new financial products, and preserving balance sheet resilience across digital channels.
Scale brings structural tests
Saudi Arabia’s rapid fintech buildout demonstrates clear administrative momentum under Vision 2030.
Yet integrating AI-driven systems and stablecoins creates cross-border risks that infrastructure alone cannot resolve.
Long-term success hinges on strict risk containment rather than headline volume growth.
Source: Keynote speech - Money20/20 Middle East
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