# On the Sidelines of Gateway Gulf 2026: Mumtalakat and ARP Group partner to establish an AI native wholesale bank in Bahrain

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/on-the-sidelines-of-gateway-gulf-2026-mumtalakat-and-arp-group-partner-to-establish-an-ai-native-wholesale-bank-in-bahrain
- Published: 2026-11-02T01:12:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

Proposed bank to support institutional clients with regional and international banking
needs

MANAMA, Bahrain, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (
Mumtalakat), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and ARP Group 
have partnered to establish an AI-native and blockchain enabled wholesale bank headquartered
in Bahrain. ARP Group is the holding company of ARP Global Capital and ARP Digital,
the latter co-founded by Yusuf Alireza alongside Abdulla and Abdulaziz Kanoo. The
venture has received in-principle approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain and 
will commence regulated activities only after obtaining final authorisation.

 [⌊Mumtalakat and ARP Group partner to establish an AI native wholesale bank in Bahrain⌉](https://mmx.prnasia.com/media/MS2025012/Mumtalakat-and-ARP-Group-partner-to-establish-an-AI-native-wholesale-bank-in-Bahrain.jpg?id=OA3051315&p=medium600)

Mumtalakat and ARP Group partner to establish an AI native wholesale bank in Bahrain

The partnership combines Mumtalakat’s long-term investment approach with ARP’s experience
in institutional finance and digital financial infrastructure.

The proposed bank is intended to serve regulated financial institutions, payment
companies and businesses with cross-border operations. It aims to simplify banking
for clients whose needs span multiple markets and currencies, using technology to
reduce the complexity and cost of serving them.

The bank is being designed to use artificial intelligence across its operations 
and offer programmable services that connect directly with clients’ systems through
APIs, supported by appropriate human oversight, governance and risk controls. Products
and services would be introduced in phases, informed by engagement with prospective
clients.

His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of
Mumtalakat, said: "Financial services have long been a cornerstone of Bahrain’s 
economy, and as the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom, our role is to invest 
in opportunities that strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and support its continued
evolution. Through this partnership, we are bringing together an experienced institutional
team with Bahrain’s well-established regulatory and business environment, further
reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading regional financial hub.

"This investment reflects our commitment to creating long-term value for Bahrain
by supporting strategic sectors, creating high-quality opportunities for Bahraini
talent, and generating sustainable returns that contribute to the Kingdom’s economic
growth and prosperity."

Yusuf Alireza, Chairman of ARP Group, said: "Institutional clients with complex 
cross-border needs still face fragmented banking services. We see an opportunity
to combine a regulated bank’s balance sheet and institutional relationships with
blockchain enabled technology and AI designed into its operating model from the 
outset, making these clients more efficient to serve.

"Bahrain’s established financial sector and regulatory experience provide a strong
foundation for this venture. Together with Mumtalakat, we aim to build a bank that
supports clients across the Gulf and international markets."

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