Dubai and the wider GCC ended the week with major shifts across real estate, finance, mobility and lifestyle. From crowdfunded property in Abu Dhabi to a nationwide move toward monthly rent payments, the region’s housing market is rapidly evolving.
Governments also advanced landmark digital and travel initiatives, including the UAE’s first Digital Dirham transaction and the GCC’s new one-stop border system. Meanwhile, Dubai continued to set the pace—with fresh transport megaprojects, surging sports-sector ambitions and a buoyant luxury property market.
Catch up with 10 of the biggest stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors.
Abu Dhabi launches first crowdfunded real estate investment with $327,000 Yas Island studio
Abu Dhabi has made history by launching the UAE capital’s first-ever crowdfunded property, a milestone that opens a new chapter for investors seeking diversified opportunities beyond Dubai.
The property, a premium studio valued at AED1.2m ($327,000) on Yas Island, features canal and pool views and has been listed by SmartCrowd, the region’s first regulated real estate crowdfunding platform.
The launch marks SmartCrowd’s expansion into Abu Dhabi, a move that allows investors to participate in the emirate’s dynamic and fast-evolving real estate market through fractional ownership.
UAE set for major rental shift as Property Finder integrates monthly rent payments through Keyper
The feature will go live on Property Finder’s app and website in the first half of 2026. The move represents a significant modernisation of the UAE’s rental ecosystem, which has historically relied on one to four large upfront cheques.
By enabling card or direct-debit monthly payments, the partnership aims to ease financial pressure on residents, support agents in closing deals faster, and give landlords more reliable, digitally-managed income streams.
Oman announces 4-day holiday
Oman has announced an official holiday for public and private sectors to mark National Day 2025.
At the behest of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, it has been decided that November 26 and 27, will be an official holiday for employees in units of the State’s Administrative Apparatus, other legal entities and private sector establishments on the occasion of the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman.
According to state-run news agency ONA, employers may agree with employees to continue working during the above-mentioned two days, if deemed necessary, provided the workers be compensated for that.
REVEALED: Mid-income, smaller home buyers now powering Dubai’s real estate boom – report
The latest Property Finder Market Performance Highlights indicate that although activity cooled slightly following the summer vacation period, the market’s fundamentals remain robust, supported by strong mortgage activity and healthy demand in key communities such as Al Yelayiss 1, Nad Al Sheba First, Al Barsha South Fourth, and Burj Khalifa.
In the primary market, sales declined 8 per cent in value and 6 per cent in volume compared to October 2024. Despite this dip, the first 10 months of 2025 recorded a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, reaching 103,939 transactions.
REVEALED: UK millionaire exodus to Dubai accelerates – report
According to a recent report by international property consultancy Astons, the trend is driven by sweeping tax hikes specifically targeted towards the rich including increases to capital gains tax, inheritance tax and reforms to the non-dom regime.
The highest proportion of millionaires is currently held by the US, China, France, Japan, and Germany at 39.7 per cent, 10.5 per cent. 4.8 per cent, 4.6 per cent, and 4.5 per cent, respectively. Six countries have seen a decline in its millionaire population – Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Germany. However, the UK saw the largest drop at 14.3 per cent.
Dubai real estate: fäm Properties launches AED3bn ultra-luxury collection in the emirate
Dubai’s ultra-luxury property market is entering a new phase with the launch of an AED3 billion collection of ready-built homes developed by Nordic by fäm, a division of fäm Properties. The portfolio spans two of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods and represents a break from the industry’s traditional reliance on off-plan sales.
The company’s approach focuses on constructing each property before putting it on the market, giving potential buyers the opportunity to experience the completed homes first-hand. The development also embraces a Scandinavian-inspired philosophy of simplicity and craftsmanship, in contrast to the opulence typically associated with Dubai’s luxury real estate.
The move comes as data from DXBinteract shows that more than AED140 billion worth of ultra-luxury homes have been launched in Dubai over the past five years. Sales of villas priced above AED40 million have surged from 27 transactions in 2020 to 242 in 2024, with total transaction value rising from AED0.89 billion to nearly AED16 billion.
UAE makes history with first government transaction using Digital Dirham
The transaction, executed jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Dubai Finance (DOF) in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE, represents a key step toward the broader adoption of the national digital currency across government and private sector operations.
The initiative reaffirms the UAE’s role as a pioneer in next-generation financial technologies. This achievement forms part of the pilot phase of the Digital Dirham project, initiated by the Central Bank of the UAE under the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme in coordination with local financial authorities.
GCC approves ‘one-stop’ travel system; UAE and Bahrain to pilot historic scheme in 2025
The new system was announced by GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi following the 42nd meeting of the Ministers of Interior of GCC countries, held in Kuwait on Wednesday, November 12.
The “one-stop” travel system will allow citizens of the six GCC countries to complete all travel requirements – including immigration, security checks and customs – at a single checkpoint when travelling around the bloc. It will reduce the number of travel inspections, enhance efficiency and cut processing time at international airports.
Dubai unveils aerial taxis, expanded metro, and Future Loop in new transport master plan
The projects were reviewed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, during a meeting with Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said that Dubai’s continued investment in infrastructure represents an investment in its people and its future, in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
He noted that these projects reflect a forward-looking strategy to create a connected, sustainable city powered by innovation, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Sheikh Hamdan added that Dubai’s approach to urban development is based on long-term planning, agility, and sustainability, integrating technology into every aspect of infrastructure to set new global benchmarks for smart and resilient city design.
Dubai targets $5bn sport economy by 2033 as participation grows to 2.6m and event attendance hits 4.1m
Dubai has set out one of its most ambitious long-term sector plans to date, unveiling a strategy to double the sports sector’s economic contribution to AED18.3bn ($5bn) annually by 2033.
The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 targets expanding the number of residents actively engaged in sport from 1.6m to 2.6m, while increasing annual attendance at major sporting events to 4.1 million, more than doubling current levels.
The plan forms a major pillar of Dubai’s long-term agenda to elevate quality of life, community wellbeing and global competitiveness.
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