JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) will implement a pilot project to issue a virtual/digital currency that will be traded exclusively among banks to avoid any economic impact, SAMA Governor Ahmed Al-Khulaifi has revealed.
SAMA will also study the positive aspects of the practice and consider whether or not it will continue.
Al-Khulaifi ruled out any plan to issue a digital currency for trading between individuals and companies, adding that the Saudi banknotes currency will be dispensed with the coins.
Quoted by Al-Hayat daily, Al-Khulaifi said in a press conference at SAMA headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday that "The Saudi Riyals banknotes currency will be dispensed and one Riyal category will be issued into coins instead in the next stage."
He also confirmed that SAMA "provided all equipment needed for the issuance and circulation of the Riyal coins as it will be available at the headquarters of the agency, its branches and the entire banking sector."
Al-Khulaifi was surprised by the decline experienced by the Saudi riyals in futures exchange. He said he sees no reason for that as he described liquidity in the banking system as good.
He pointed out that "private consumption expenditure exceeded trillion riyals last year, an increase of 5 percent compared to 2015, while government consumption expenditure amounted to SAR16 billion."
He also disclosed that the average per capita private consumption amounted to SAR33,000 last year.
He described SAMA's reserve assets as "still good, it amounted to SAR1.8 trillion in August. They cover more than 30 months of Saudi imports of goods and services and account for more than 70 percent of GDP."
SAMA to launch virtual riyal for banks
SAMA to launch virtual riyal for banks
Islamic banks’ market share in Turkiye rises to 9.2%: Fitch Ratings
RIYADH: Islamic banks in Turkiye lifted their asset market share to 9.2 percent in 2025 from 8.1 percent a year earlier, as financing and deposits outpaced the broader banking sector, a new analysis showed.
In its latest report, Fitch Ratings said financing and deposit market shares rose to 7.9 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively, by the end of 2025, compared with 7.3 percent and 9.4 percent in 2024.
The agency noted that new digital Islamic banks are emerging in the country, with investment from Gulf Cooperation Council countries expected to continue.
Turkiye’s strong ties with Islamic countries across the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East support the development of its Islamic banking sector, attracting investors and contributing to the industry’s growth.
In its latest report, Fitch stated: “Three recently established private Islamic banks (two digital) grew rapidly in the first nine months of 2025. Investment in digital participation banking from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries underscores the potential for further investment from the region.”
It added: “Planned establishment of new participation banks, and rapid growth of recently established banks – albeit from small bases – means that the segment landscape may be reshaped in 2026.”
Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC’s investment in digital bank TOM underscores the potential for further GCC investment.
Turkish regulators have approved the establishment of Halk Katilim Bankasi A.S. and Adil Katilim Bankasi A.S. (digital), while BIM Birlesik Magazalar A.S.’s application is pending.
Fitch added that state-owned participation banks may merge or pursue initial public offerings, potentially reshaping the banking landscape.
The report predicts Islamic banks’ market share will rise further in 2026, supported by strong internal capital generation and growth appetite. However, the non-performing financing ratio may increase moderately due to high inflows.
“The segment’s non-performing financings ratio deteriorated to 2 percent at end-2025 compared to 1.2 percent in 2024 but remained below the sector average of 2.5 percent,” said Fitch.
It added: “We expect pressure to persist given still-high financing rates, high but declining inflation, and the sensitivity of unsecured retail (lower share than conventional banks) and SME segments to economic cycles. We forecast a moderate increase in the segment NPF ratio in 2026.”
