Rasmal Ventures Backs Yuno to Reshape Digital Payments in the Gulf

The digital payments sector in the Gulf is entering a new phase, driven by increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and a growing variety of payment methods and markets. This trend has led Rasmal Ventures to invest in Yuno as part of a $45 million Series B funding round, a move that highlights the rising interest in the region's digital payment infrastructure.

Global PayTech Ventures is leading the round, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Tiger Global, QuantumLight Capital, Monashees, Kaszek, and Endeavor Catalyst. Rasmal joins as a strategic regional investor, alongside GrowthX Capital and Further Ventures.

Rasmal's investment in Yuno isn't just about providing capital; it's tied to the firm's model of helping tech companies establish a real presence in GCC markets before investing in them.

Yuno has chosen Qatar as its regional headquarters and a platform for expansion in the region. Before closing this funding round, the company successfully achieved several important regulatory and commercial milestones.

In April 2026, Yuno Payments Arabia secured a payment technical service provider license from the Saudi Central Bank. It also partnered with Tap Payments to offer local payment channels, including Mada, KNET, and NAPS, across GCC countries.

Additionally, a partnership with the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Tabby has given Yuno access to over 25 million shoppers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

These steps provide Yuno with a strong operational base in the region before further expansion, enhancing its investment appeal amid the growth of digital and instant payments in the Gulf.

Why is Rasmal Betting on Yuno?

Rasmal believes Yuno's key advantage lies in its ability to tackle one of the most complex challenges in the payments sector: adapting infrastructure to local market requirements while maintaining a global operating platform.

Sumaya Ben Biya Dridje, Partner at Rasmal Ventures, stated that Yuno has successfully established a genuine local presence in its operating markets, all while maintaining global ambitions and financial discipline.

She added that the Gulf represents one of the fastest-growing payment markets, and the infrastructure Yuno is developing can serve new trade corridors between the Gulf and Asian markets.

Yuno relies on a single API that allows companies to access over 1,000 payment methods and more than 460 integrations in over 190 countries.

The platform offers a suite of tools, including smart transaction routing, one-click payments, AI-powered fraud detection, and customer and business identity verification services.

Last year, the company reported that it recovered over $5 billion in transaction value that was at risk of failure for merchants, increased transaction approval rates by about 5%, and saved its clients over $500 million in processing costs.

The platform is used by global brands such as McDonald's, NetEase Games, GoFundMe, inDrive, and Rappi.

Funding Round to Approach Profitability

Juan Pablo Ortega, Co-founder and CEO of Yuno, said that the company doesn't intend to use the Series B funding to simply buy growth, but rather to keep pace with its customers' expansion and increase the value it provides to them.

He noted that the company aims to achieve a clear path to profitability within the next year, as its global operations expand and its presence in Gulf markets solidifies.

Hamad Al-Hajri, founder of GrowthX Capital, shared that his previous experience with Juan Pablo, who co-founded Rappi, led him to believe that Yuno has the potential to build a company worth over a billion dollars, but this time starting from the GCC, with Qatar as its regional hub.

Rasmal: An Investment Gateway Between the Gulf and Global Markets

The investment in Yuno is part of Rasmal Ventures' strategy to build investment channels connecting Gulf markets with global innovation, focusing on the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Asia.

Rasmal identifies itself as Qatar's first institutionally backed investment firm, trusted by sovereign wealth funds, including the Qatar Investment Authority.

The company invests in businesses with opportunities for expansion in Gulf markets, working to test their readiness to enter these markets before injecting capital.

Rasmal's partners have previously invested in companies such as Snoonu and Careem, aligning with its goal of building a portfolio that combines regional companies with global tech opportunities.

For Yuno, this new investment provides additional capital to expand its payment infrastructure, while Rasmal's presence serves as a strategic factor in solidifying its position within the Gulf and establishing Qatar as a launchpad for its regional operations.