QCB widens fintech supervision as non-bank segment grows
A sharp surge in retail payment processing, digital-first merchant onboarding, and alternative consumer credit models is accelerating the expansion of Qatar’s non-bank financial services market, accor...
The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has expanded its supervision of the fintech sector due to the rapid growth in non-bank financial services, particularly in areas like retail payment processing, digital onboarding of merchants, and alternative consumer credit models. As of the end of 2025, 14 licensed fintech companies will be under direct regulatory oversight.
Merchant acquiring platforms dominate this segment, with nine licensed entities operating within it. Additionally, three e-money issuers and two Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platforms have also been licensed. The QCB has strengthened its supervisory framework to address the emerging risks associated with these innovative financial services, including the issuance of the Data Handling and Protection Regulation to ensure data confidentiality and operational security.
The regulator has also intensified its direct oversight through targeted inspections and the development of supervisory tools. Despite these regulatory measures, the QCB has seen a strong demand for new licensing applications, reflecting the market's appetite for fintech solutions.
Brief written by urgent.news from Gulf Times Business's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
