Mumtalakat and ARP Group to Launch AI-Powered Wholesale Bank in Bahrain
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and ARP Group have received preliminary approval to establish a technology-focused wholesale bank for institutional clients.
Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, has partnered with ARP Group to create an AI-native and blockchain-enabled wholesale bank. The venture has secured in-principle approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain, with full regulatory authorization pending.
The bank aims to serve financial institutions, payment companies, and businesses with cross-border operations. By utilizing AI and API-integrated services, the founders plan to address inefficiencies in current banking models, reducing the complexity and costs associated with serving clients across multiple international markets.
Mumtalakat CEO Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa stated that the initiative is designed to bolster Bahrain’s position as a regional financial hub. Yusuf Alireza, chairman of ARP Group, noted that the bank intends to combine a regulated balance sheet with digital infrastructure to offer more efficient services to institutional clients.
Operations are expected to roll out in phases. The development follows a trend of increasing investment into Bahrain’s financial sector, as discussed during the Gateway Gulf 2026 forum.