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Dubai’s red-hot property market hit AED 151.8B in sales in H1 2025, up 46% YoY, according to Betterhomes. Meanwhile, Saudi PIF-backed Lucid is partnering with Uber and Nuro to roll out 20,000 autonomous robotaxis starting 2026 — a bold move in the global AV race. And in football, sixth-tier English side Salisbury FC has been snapped up by Kuwaiti investor Ali Alhamad, joining a growing list of Gulf-backed clubs betting on Wrexham-style success.

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Dubai Property Market Surges to AED 151.8 Billion in H1 2025: BetterHomes Report

🔹 What Is It About

Dubai’s residential real estate market hit AED 151.8 billion in sales in the first half of 2025—a 46% year-on-year jump—according to Betterhomes’ Q2 report. Transaction volumes climbed 25% to over 50,000 units, with prime segment sales more than doubling. Prices rose 6% since H2 2024, averaging AED 1,582 per square foot. Investor appetite drove the market, with 58% of deals led by buyers seeking strong rental yields and capital gains.

🔹 Why It Matters

Dubai’s property boom reflects growing global confidence in the city’s stability, investor-friendly policies, and luxury appeal. Ultra-high-net-worth buyers are reshaping demand, with cash transactions surpassing mortgages for the first time in years. New supply is ramping up, yet demand continues to absorb fresh launches, particularly in apartments and ready villas. The UK has overtaken India as the top buyer group, marking a shift in global investor sentiment toward Dubai.

🔹 What’s Next

Over 70,000 units are expected to be delivered by year-end, with an additional 200,000 in the pipeline through 2027. With rising prices, robust investor demand, and strong supply momentum, the second half of 2025 is forecast to maintain the city’s record-breaking pace. Betterhomes anticipates continued growth supported by end-user demand, rising rental yields, and an expanding population. The market's evolving buyer mix hints at an increasingly international and cash-rich base.

Binance Launches World’s First Sharia-Compliant Multi-Token Staking

Binance has introduced Sharia Earn — a groundbreaking, Sharia-certified staking product built for the global Muslim community. Developed in partnership with Amanie Advisors, this new platform allows users to earn passive income on BNB, ETH, and SOL while staying fully aligned with Islamic finance principles.

It’s a major step toward financial inclusion, bridging halal investing with cutting-edge blockchain technology. Sharia Earn empowers faith-based investors with a transparent, values-driven way to participate in the crypto revolution. Now available in 30+ countries across the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa, with more countries set to be added soon! 

Learn more and start staking the halal way.

Markets

From Wiltshire to the Gulf: Salisbury FC Joins the Growing Ranks of Middle East-Owned English Clubs

🔹 What Is It About

Salisbury FC, a sixth-tier English football club, has been acquired by Kuwaiti entrepreneur Ali Alhamad via his UK-registered company Proleague Ltd. Alhamad, who has interests in real estate and blockchain, is injecting fresh equity into the club with a cautious long-term plan focused on sustainability over flashy spending.

🔹 Why It Matters

Salisbury joins a growing list of English lower-league clubs attracting Gulf investment, riding the wave of global attention sparked by Wrexham’s Hollywood revival. For investors like Alhamad, the appeal lies in untapped value, potential returns, and the prestige of owning a UK club — especially in the context of growing Gulf influence in global football, he told AGBI.

🔹 What’s Next

The deal awaits FA and National League approval, but plans are already underway to rebuild the squad and stabilize the club. While Alhamad isn’t promising rapid promotions, industry insiders suggest significant upside if the club climbs into the Football League—potentially returning 7x the original investment.

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Saudi PIF-backed Lucid, Nuro, Uber Team Up To Deploy 20,000 Premium Robotaxis Starting 2026

🔹 What Is It About

Uber is joining forces with Saudi PIF-backed Lucid Motors and autonomous tech company Nuro to roll out 20,000 robotaxis over the next six years. The service, built exclusively for Uber’s platform, will integrate Lucid’s EV design, Nuro’s Level 4 autonomy system, and Uber’s global network—launching first in a major U.S. city in 2026. A prototype is already being tested in Las Vegas, and the investment is worth $300 million.

🔹 Why It Matters

This marks a major leap in Uber’s autonomous strategy and a high-profile validation of Lucid’s EV tech. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Lucid gains access to the multibillion-dollar robotaxi market. Uber is also investing hundreds of millions into both Lucid and Nuro, underlining a long-term bet on premium, scalable driverless mobility. It’s a direct challenge to Tesla’s Cybercab and Alphabet’s Waymo.

🔹 What’s Next

The Lucid-Nuro robotaxis will gradually be integrated into Uber’s fleet across U.S. cities, with broader international expansion expected. As the U.S. eases AV regulations, Uber is rapidly expanding its partnerships—doubling down on May Mobility, Waymo, and China’s WeRide—to secure dominance in autonomous ride-hailing before full-scale deployment begins in 2026.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Dreamers: From War Refugee to Real Estate Powerhouse: The Story of Mirwais Azizi

• Saudi Tech CEO Goes Viral After Calling Himself an “Idiot” Over Food Delivery Choice

• Smashi Business Exclusive: House of Pops Eyes European Expansion

• From inventing Dubai Chocolate to sharing his journey from Burj Al Arab to TEDx, Chef Noel Catiz joined the Lovin Dubai Show to talk desserts, ideas, and his deep love for Kanafa Nabulsi

🔍In other news…

• BlackRock-led consortium to invest $10bn in Aramco’s Jafurah gas project infrastructure

• Egypt Launches Campaign To Attract 1M Arab Tourists By 2026

• Jordan’s tourism revenue hits $3.7bn in first half of 2025 

• UAE to Sugary Drink Makers - cut the sweet and pay less tax

• How Trump’s 200% pharma tariffs could benefit the Middle East

🏦Crypto Corner

• Crypto Market Value Tops $4 Trillion as Stablecoin Bill Passes

• Ripple Partners Ctrl Alt to Tokenize Dubai Real Estate on XRP Ledger

• You can soon use crypto when paying at Dubai Duty Free and when flying Emirates in new landmark deal

• UAE authority clarifies no Golden Visa issuance for crypto investors

• Dubai Land Department teams up with Crypto.com on digital real estate investment plan

• Bitcoin Miner Tied to Trump Sons Plans Dubai Crypto Trading Team

Follow Smashi Crypto to find out what’s news in the world of digital assets.

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