Virtually Everything | Series 3, Episode 7 | BNPL regulatory considerations

In this episode of Virtually Everything, hosts Lucy Nash and Vyasna Mahadevey are joined by Tommaso Pace, General Counsel at Tabby – one of the Middle East’s leading fintech companies transforming how consumers shop, pay and manage their finances. Founded in 2019, Tabby has grown from a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider into a broader financial services platform with operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Throughout the episode, Tommaso shares how Tabby’s journey reflects the region’s fast-evolving fintech landscape, explaining how the company’s expansion into credit, payments and digital wallet solutions aligns with the growing regulatory sophistication of markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He breaks down how BNPL is regulated across these jurisdictions, the challenges fintechs face navigating multiple regulatory regimes, and how local regulators are balancing innovation with consumer protection.

The discussion also explores what differentiates Tabby from global BNPL players, including its ability to deliver a fully Shariah-compliant solution in Saudi Arabia, and how products like the Tabby Card are redefining in-store payments and financial accessibility. Tommaso also shares his perspective on promoting financial inclusion, the importance of collaboration with regulators, and what’s next for Tabby as it moves toward becoming a complete “money app” for the region.

Tune in for practical insights into the regulatory environment shaping the Middle East’s fintech ecosystem and an inside look at how one of its most dynamic companies is redefining the future of consumer finance.

This podcast forms part of the Virtually Everything podcast series. To find out more about the topics discussed in the series, please visit our dedicated Digital Assets and Blockchain page.