Central Banks Strengthen Cybersecurity and Fintech Cooperation Across the Gulf

Central banks across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are stepping up regional cooperation on cybersecurity, payment systems and fintech as financial services across the Gulf become increasingly digital.

A preparatory committee of GCC central bank governors reviewed cooperation in payment systems, banking supervision, financial technology and cybersecurity during its sixth meeting, held virtually under Bahrain’s presidency of the 46th session of the GCC.

The meeting brought together representatives from GCC member states and the GCC General Secretariat, with discussions focused on strengthening coordination and improving the resilience of regional financial systems.

GCC Central Banks Focus on Cybersecurity and Financial Resilience

The committee highlighted the importance of sharing expertise and developing policies that can strengthen the resilience of financial systems across GCC markets.

A key area of discussion was the exchange of cybersecurity information within the banking sector. Greater information sharing can help regulators and financial institutions respond more effectively to emerging cyber threats, particularly as banks and fintech companies expand digital payment services and interconnected platforms.

The discussions also covered efforts by GCC member states to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, reinforcing the need for stronger coordination between financial regulators and institutions.

Fintech and Payment Systems Gain Regional Priority

Payment systems and financial technology were among the areas reviewed by the committee, reflecting the GCC’s broader push toward digital financial infrastructure.

As real-time payments, digital banking, fintech platforms and cross-border financial services expand, closer regulatory coordination can help GCC countries address common risks while supporting innovation. The World Bank similarly identifies fast-payment services, e-money, CBDCs, open banking and tokenisation as key areas where fintech is reshaping payment systems and regulatory policy.

For Gulf financial institutions, regional cooperation could provide a stronger framework for sharing cyber-threat intelligence, coordinating supervisory approaches and improving protection against financial crime.

The initiative also highlights the growing importance of collective cybersecurity standards as GCC economies accelerate digital transformation. Greater cooperation among central banks could help the region balance fintech innovation with financial stability, consumer protection and secure payment infrastructure.