Tabby, the Dubai-based fintech company disrupting the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) space, has just landed the No. 1 spot on Forbes Middle East’s Fintech 50 list for 2025—and its founders aren’t shy about celebrating. In a cheeky social media post, they summed it up simply: “2 founders, $10 billion in sales, #1 on Forbes, 0 days in jail.”
Founded in 2019 by Hosam Arab, former Namshi co-founder, and Daniil Barkalov, Tabby began to make shopping more accessible through interest-free installment payments. What started as a regional experiment quickly exploded into a powerhouse. Today, Tabby boasts 15 million active users, partnerships with over 40,000 global and local brands, and a fresh $3.3 billion valuation following a $160 million Series E funding round.
The company’s rapid rise is rooted in its seamless user experience and sharp execution—qualities that earned it the trust of both customers and major investors like PayPal Ventures and Sequoia Capital India. More than just a BNPL provider, Tabby is also innovating in financial services with its Tabby Card and expanding across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond.
But what sets the founders apart is their clean, controversy-free track record something they’re proud of in a sector often plagued with scrutiny. With zero legal troubles and a trail of milestones behind them, Tabby’s founders are proving that fintech success in the Middle East can be bold, fast—and clean.
