Bitcoin loses momentum, as more players enter NFT space: Market wrap

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Updated 31 August 2021
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Bitcoin loses momentum, as more players enter NFT space: Market wrap

  • Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, traded lower on Monday, falling by 0.91 percent to $47,857.75

RIYADH: Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency in trading internationally, traded lower on Tuesday, falling by 1.57  percent to $47,115.50 at 9:16 a.m Riyadh time. Ether, the second most traded cryptocurrency, traded at $3,237.88, up by 2.51 percent, according to data from CoinDesk.

Despite losing momentum after weeks long rally; the cryptocurrencies are fast gaining acceptability with different financial players announcing plans to adopt different digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin announced that it registered more than 2 million new users in the second quarter, an increase of 1,144 percent over the previous quarter and 709 percent more than Q2 of 2020.

It said that the average daily transaction volume for KuCoin grew by 791 percent to $4.3 billion, with more than half of traders using its mobile app.

Although the number puts it below Binance, Coinbase, Huobi Global, and FTX, it is still among the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.

In view of meeting the increasing demand, KuCoin launched local services in the region. Latin America saw the largest growth in new users at 172 percent compared to Q1 followed by Africa 130 percent, and Asia 67 percent.

Standard Chartered International Banking Group (SC) and Hong Kong-listed fintech services company Linklogis Inc. are creating Olia, a blockchain-based trade finance platform.

The Olea platform will focus on connecting institutional investors to businesses that require supply chain financing by leveraging blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, according to a press release issued on Monday.

The platform also aims to give investors access to investment options to obtain returns in line with their risk profiles and seeks to be operational by the end of 2021 as it awaits regulatory approval.

Nasdaq-listed crypto miner The9 has announced that it is entering the NFT space, with a “trading and community platform” to launch in Q4.

The Shanghai-based company said in a press release that the platform, dubbed NFTSTAR, will display artworks by international celebrities in sports, entertainment, the arts and other industries.

According to the owners of Dolle Mol cafe and bar in central Brussels, they have started accepting cryptocurrency as a payment option.


Closing Bell: Saudi equity markets end year in green at 10,491 

Updated 31 December 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi equity markets end year in green at 10,491 

RIYADH: Saudi equities ended Wednesday’s session higher, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 109.18 points, or 1.05 percent, to close at 10,490.69, supported by broad-based buying across the main market.  

Gains were mirrored in the blue-chip MT30 index, which added 9.31 points, or 0.68 percent, to finish at 1,387.31. The Nomu Parallel Market also advanced, climbing 255.5 points, or 1.11 percent, to close at 23,296.29.   

Market breadth was firmly positive, with 249 gainers versus just 12 losers on the main market, with SR3.2 billion ($854.2 million) in trade value.  

Among the top gainers, United Cooperative Assurance Co. surged 9.73 percent to close at SR3.72, while Saudi Industrial Export Co. rose 9.18 percent to SR2.26.  

Al Gassim Investment Holding Co. advanced 8.25 percent to SR16.40, and Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. gained 7.73 percent to end at SR46.  

Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Co. also posted strong gains, closing up 7.67 percent at SR3.93.  

On the downside, Naseej International Trading Co. led the declines, falling 5.87 percent to SR35.30.   

SEDCO Capital REIT Fund edged down 1.03 percent to SR6.70, while Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co. slipped 0.78 percent to SR140.30.   

Banque Saudi Fransi declined 0.77 percent to SR16.82, and Saudi Co. for Hardware closed 0.76 percent lower at SR25.96.  

On the corporate front, Catrion Catering Holding Co. said it signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire a 55 percent stake in Al Khaleejah Catering Co., with an option to buy an additional 15 percent within three years.  

The transaction values the acquisition at up to SR 40.86 million, comprising an initial cash payment of SR315.21 million and performance-based earn-out payments of up to SR125.65 million, subject to the achievement of specified financial targets.   

The acquisition will be financed through internal funding sources and Shariah-compliant banking facilities and is expected to support Catrion’s expansion strategy in the aviation and catering services sector, with a positive financial impact anticipated by the end of the second quarter of 2026.  

Catrion Catering Holding Co. closed Wednesday’s session at SR80.35, up SR3.35, representing a 4.35 percent gain  

Purity for Information Technology Co. announced the signing of a contract with the Social Development Bank to provide managed cloud system services.   

The contract is valued at SR6.92 million, including VAT, and will run for a duration of 36 months.   

Under the agreement, Purity will deliver managed cloud services aimed at enhancing system reliability, service availability, and overall operational continuity.   

The financial impact of the contract is expected to be reflected in the company’s financial results for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.  

Purity for Information Technology Co. ended the session at SR20.99, rising SR0.54, or 2.64 percent.