the first and largest regulated open banking platform in the MENA region, today announced the acquisition of London-based Vyne, a real-time account-to-account (A2A) payments platform for online businesses. This strategic acquisition, which has been approved by both the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), bolsters Tarabut’s ability to deliver faster, more accessible, and more interconnected financial services, both across the region and globally.
The deal closed officially on August 1st, positioning Tarabut to lead the way as new regulations for Payment Initiation Services in Saudi Arabia and Open Finance in the UAE come into effect. The integration of Vyne’s advanced technology into Tarabut’s operations will bring cutting-edge A2A payment capabilities to the Middle East, starting with Bahrain, where the first customer is expected to go live by the end of the year, and expanding to Saudi Arabia and the UAE as Open Banking regulations evolve. Vyne, established in 2019, has quickly become a leading player in the UK, processing billions of
dollars through an existing client and partner portfolio with hundreds of businesses in the retail,
financial services, and automotive sectors. Using Vyne technology, customers can move money
in real-time, paying directly from their bank account in seconds, bypassing expensive and slow
traditional methods. This integration will enable instant, bank account-linked payments, offering
unparalleled service to businesses in the retail, automotive, and SME sectors.
As the region braces for the new financial regulations, Tarabut is poised to lead with its
compliance-first approach and advanced technology offerings. Tarabut’s existing tech stack of
data and compliance products coupled with Vyne’s payment expertise opens new doors for
seamless, cardless, account-to-account payment and streamlined operational processes, such as
enhanced real-time reporting and reconciliation.
Abdulla Almoayed, CEO of Tarabut said: “We are excited to welcome Vyne into the Tarabut
family. This acquisition is a pivotal step in our long-term growth strategy, allowing us to bring
mature, tried and tested payment products to the region, and providing solutions for the everyday
issues that merchants and consumers face when taking or making payments. With Vyne’s
technology, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities for innovation, market
penetration, and sustainable growth. This is a significant milestone in Tarabut’s mission to
seamlessly connect financial ecosystems in the Middle East.”
Karl MacGregor, CEO and Co-Founder of Vyne, added: “The Middle East is experiencing
exponential growth and transformation in the financial services sector, and as regulations catch
up, our technology can simultaneously ensure compliance and convenience. Merchants and
consumers want speedy, secure, and convenient customised payment experiences. Open banking
solutions can deliver on this demand. We believe the future of payments is digital and they need
to be frictionless, contactless, and fair. Becoming part of the Tarabut family allows us to bring
our innovative payment solutions to one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.”
The acquisition not only strengthens Tarabut’s technological infrastructure but also extends its
operational footprint to the UK, solidifying its position as a global leader in Open Banking.
Existing customers will benefit from enhanced services, while new customers, will have access
to best-in-class A2A payment solutions as the regulations roll out across the region.
Tarabut’s acquisition of Vyne is the latest in a series of key investments designed to maintain
and expand on its market dominance in the MENA region. These moves include the company’s
$32 million Series A investment announcement in May 2023, and recent partnership
announcements with major banks across Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
