This is an opinion piece reflecting the author’s personal views.
As we see the first banks go live on Al Tareq, many fintech founders are asking: “Should we wait until the ecosystem matures before investing in Open Finance integration?”
My answer is a resounding no.
The Case for Early Engagement
1. Learning Curve is Real
Open Finance APIs are not plug-and-play. The consent flows, token management, and bank-specific variations require significant development effort. Starting now means being ready when customer demand arrives.
2. First Mover Advantage
The fintechs who establish relationships with banks during this phase will have advantages when production rollouts expand.
3. Influence the Standards
Early participants have a voice in shaping how the ecosystem evolves. Your feedback matters.
Practical Steps
- Register on the Al Tareq portal
- Review the API documentation
- Build a proof of concept
- Join the community discussions
The ecosystem is being built now. Don’t be a spectator.
Mohammed Al-Fahim is a fintech founder and Open Finance advocate. The views expressed are his own.