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- Kalshi Integrates Nasdaq Surveillance; Abu Dhabi Exchange Attracts AED1.4B Net Inflows; Saudi Arabia Advances Defense Talks With Ukraine
Kalshi Integrates Nasdaq Surveillance; Abu Dhabi Exchange Attracts AED1.4B Net Inflows; Saudi Arabia Advances Defense Talks With Ukraine
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Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Regulatory standards, international equity inflows, and bilateral security partnerships are driving key corporate and diplomatic developments across regional markets. Prediction market platform Kalshi partnered with Nasdaq to deploy real-time trade surveillance tools, reinforcing market oversight amid a potential $36 billion lawsuit. In capital markets, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) recorded AED 1.4 billion ($381 million) in foreign net inflows during H1 2026, with international traders generating 48% of total trading value. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to expand joint drone manufacturing frameworks and agricultural supply programs.
Markets
EGX30 | 54,608.25 | 0.49% |
DFMGI | 5,901.08 | 0.73% |
ADX | 10,011.71 | 0.72% |
Tadawul | 10,868.30 | 0.21% |
Kalshi Deploys Nasdaq Trade Surveillance Infrastructure to Combat Market Abuse
What Is It About
Prediction market venue Kalshi signed a multi-year agreement to integrate Nasdaq Market Surveillance software across its event contracts and perpetual futures platforms. According to Head of Enforcement Robert Denault, the phased rollout introduces real-time cross-asset monitoring designed to detect insider trading and market manipulation. The compliance upgrade comes as the platform manages a $36 billion legal challenge filed by the State of New York, following a $1 billion funding round led by Coatue Management that valued the firm at $22 billion.
Deploying Institutional Oversight: The software integrates real-time cross-market detection tools matching systems used by major global stock exchanges.
Managing State Legal Claims: The compliance rollout addresses elevated regulatory pressure and an ongoing $36 billion state lawsuit.
Evaluating Listing Plans: Chief Executive Officer Tarek Mansour confirmed the firm is considering an eventual public listing, though an IPO will not occur in 2026.
Why It Matters
Adopting Wall Street-grade surveillance technology gives institutional investors greater confidence to trade event-based financial derivatives. Adding automated tracking tools simplifies reporting compliance for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), helping the company differentiate itself from offshore, unregulated prediction markets. Showing strong compliance oversight is essential for protecting the platform's $22 billion private valuation as regulators increase scrutiny over prediction markets.
What’s Next
Technical teams will roll out the 1st phase of the Nasdaq surveillance software across high-volume event markets over the coming weeks. Legal representatives will continue pre-trial proceedings to address the State of New York's pending civil claims.
Completing Technical Integration: Software engineers will complete system testing on live trading feeds across perpetual derivative contracts.
Filing Federal Compliance Updates: Compliance officers will submit updated trade monitoring workflows to CFTC oversight boards.
Blu Dot surpasses 2,000% ROAS with self-serve CTV ads
Home furniture brand Blu Dot blew up on CTV with help from Roku Ads Manager. Here’s how:
After a test campaign reached 211,000 households and achieved 1,010% ROAS, the brand went all in to promote its annual sales event. It removed age and income constraints to expand reach and shifted budget to custom audiences and retargeting, where intent was strongest.
The results speak for themselves. As Blu Dot increased their investment by 10x, ROAS jumped to 2,308% and more page-view conversions surpassed 50,000.
“For CTV campaigns, Roku has been a top performer,” said Claire Folkestad, Paid Media Strategist, Blu Dot. “Comping to our other platforms, we have seen really strong ROAS… and highly efficient CPMs, lower than any other CTV partner we've worked with.”
Using Roku Ads Manager, the campaign moved from a pilot to a permanent performance engine for the brand.
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Captures Foreign Inflows Supported by International Registrations
What Is It About
Data from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) shows international traders accounted for 48% of total trading value in the 1st half of 2026. Net foreign investment inflows reached AED 1.4 billion ($381 million), marking a 13.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The exchange onboarded over 30,000 new trading accounts, with foreign individuals and overseas institutions representing 77% of all new registrations.
Rising Daily Trading Volumes: Average daily trading volume expanded 9% year-on-year to reach 423 million shares.
Expanding Market Capitalization: Total market value of listed equities on the ADX reached AED 2.8 trillion ($762 billion).
Why It Matters
Sustained foreign capital inflows highlight international institutional confidence in Abu Dhabi’s financial markets despite broader regional uncertainty. Growing international participation deepens market liquidity, allowing listed companies to raise capital at lower borrowing costs. A high proportion of foreign registrations shows that international asset managers view the UAE as a secure, long-term destination for institutional capital.
What’s Next
Exchange executives will expand direct market access programs to connect additional international brokerage firms. Product managers plan to list new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to broaden investment choices for incoming international funds.
Saudi Arabia and Ukraine Deepen Defense Collaboration and Agricultural Trade Pacts
What Is It About
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to advance bilateral defense manufacturing and food security initiatives. The talks build on a military cooperation agreement signed in March, focusing on counter-drone systems and unmanned aerial vehicle development. Discussions also covered long-term agricultural supply lines to secure grain exports to Saudi Arabia.
Why It Matters
Partnering with Ukraine gives Saudi Arabia access to combat-tested counter-drone technology, strengthening its air defense capabilities against low-altitude threats. Direct cooperation helps the Kingdom build out its domestic defense manufacturing sector under Vision 2030 targets. For Ukraine, deepening trade ties with Saudi Arabia secures vital food export revenues while expanding diplomatic partnerships outside Europe.
What’s Next
Military technical delegations from both countries will meet to establish joint testing protocols for unmanned systems. Trade officials will review shipping routes to ensure agricultural exports arrive on schedule at Saudi Red Sea terminals.
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👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
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🦄 World of Startups
ChatFeatured, Canada-based AI startup, raised $2M in a pre-seed funding round from BY Venture Partners (UAE/Lebanon) and other global investors
Doctorbook, Syria-based healthtech platform, raised $16K in a pre-seed funding round from a group of angel investors, valuing the startup at $200K
Carbar, Australia-based car subscription platform, is merging with Carasti, UAE-based car subscription business operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Singapore, at a combined pre-raise valuation of $74M
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