Saudi SAMA issues regulations for debt crowdfunding activities

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued regulations of the debt crowdfunding activities. (AFP)
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Updated 11 January 2021
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Saudi SAMA issues regulations for debt crowdfunding activities

  • The central bank also seeks to attract a new category of investors

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued regulations of the debt crowdfunding activities, which aim to regulate the licensing provisions for the companies in this field, in line with the Finance Companies Control Law.

These regulations came in line with SAMA’s efforts to ensure financial stability as well as the Kingdom’s ongoing economic development in the light of Saudi Vision 2030.

The central bank also seeks to attract a new category of investors and the owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while ensuring their adherence to the requirements of information security, corporate governance, internal regulation, risk and compliance, and internal auditing, in addition to the introduction of top-notch financing products that meet the investor aspirations.

According to these regulations, the entity which applies for licensing, should have a minimum paid-up capital of SR5 million ($), while the central bank has the right to raise or reduce the minimum capital according to market conditions.


No Saudi acquisition offers: FC Barcelona tells Al-Eqtisadiah

Updated 16 December 2025
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No Saudi acquisition offers: FC Barcelona tells Al-Eqtisadiah

CAIRO: FC Barcelona has not received any offers, whether from Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, to acquire the club, according to an official source who spoke to Al-Eqtisadiah.

According to the source, the circulating news regarding the possibility of finalizing a deal to acquire the club in the coming period is a mere rumor.

Recent Spanish reports had indicated the possibility of a Saudi acquisition of Barcelona shares for around €10 billion ($11.7 billion), a move considered capable of saving the club from its financial crises if it were to happen, especially as it suffers from debts estimated at around €2.5 billion.

Sale not in management’s hands

Joan Gaspart, the former president of the club, confirmed that the current board of directors, chaired by Joan Laporta, does not have the right to dispose of the club’s ownership.

He added: “FC Barcelona is owned by about 150,000 members, and selling the club is something the owners will not accept. FC Barcelona possesses something no other club in the world has; money is very important, and so is passion, but the sentiment of the members today is to continue what the club has been for 125 years.”

High market value

Despite the financial crisis the club has been going through in recent years, FC Barcelona ranks sixth on the list of the world’s highest market value clubs, with an estimated value of €1.12 billion, according to Transfermarkt. Meanwhile, its rival Real Madrid tops the list with a market value of €1.38 billion.