Institutional investors in Saudi Arabia just got a new digital tool to negotiate large-scale trades behind closed doors. Alkhabeer Capital and AWRAAQ Digital have teamed up to launch a private Block Trade Negotiation System designed to keep major deals discreet and efficient.
The platform, announced in Riyadh on August 7, 2025, creates virtual “negotiation rooms” where high-net-worth and institutional players can securely hash out terms for big-ticket trades without shaking the market. It’s a bold move, signaling how quickly Saudi’s financial sector is embracing bespoke fintech tools.
A Confidential Boost for High-Volume Investors
When you’re moving millions—or billions—on the Saudi stock exchange, discretion is worth its weight in gold. Large trades tend to ripple through the markets, pushing prices up or down before deals are even done. That’s what Alkhabeer Capital’s new tool aims to fix.
The new block trade system offers a digital backroom of sorts. Investors can now:
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Set up secure one-on-one negotiations
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Finalize terms without triggering premature price shifts
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Reduce slippage and improve trade execution quality
For Saudi Arabia’s growing pool of institutional investors, that’s a big deal.
Alkhabeer’s Digital Transformation Is Getting Real
Alkhabeer Capital isn’t new to fintech. But this latest partnership takes their transformation playbook to a deeper level. CEO Ahmad Saud Ghouth called the launch a “qualitative leap” for trade execution standards—and he’s not wrong.
Over the past two years, the firm has been gradually modernizing its Sharia-compliant investment services. But this latest tool suggests they’re doubling down on tech infrastructure, not just service innovation.
“This system represents a qualitative leap in the execution quality of block trade negotiations and reinforces our position as a leading provider of advanced trading solutions,” Ghouth said in the statement.
That last part—“advanced trading solutions”—hints at where Alkhabeer is headed: from being a financial institution to becoming a fintech-forward brokerage house.
A Quiet Platform for Loud Transactions
The system may be discreet, but its benefits are loud and clear. Here’s what makes it different:
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Confidentiality: The tool minimizes leaks and speculation by keeping negotiation invisible to the broader market.
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Efficiency: Trades are executed faster thanks to streamlined negotiation protocols.
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Compliance: The system is built with CMA regulatory expectations in mind.
In short, this isn’t a trading app for everyone. It’s built specifically for the big players who don’t want to rock the boat while making moves.
How the Saudi Market Is Changing
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange has been buzzing in 2025. New IPOs, foreign inflows, and tech-savvy retail traders are reshaping the Tadawul in real time.
A few numbers paint the picture:
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (YTD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total market cap (SAR) | 9.8 trillion | 10.4 trillion | 11.2 trillion |
| Average daily trading volume | SAR 6.1B | SAR 7.3B | SAR 8.0B |
| Number of IPOs | 21 | 24 | 17 (YTD) |
| Foreign investor participation | 12.3% | 14.6% | 15.9% |
The message? The market is maturing fast. And with maturity comes complexity. Big trades need more sophisticated tools—like the one just launched by Alkhabeer and AWRAAQ.
AWRAAQ’s Big Moment
For AWRAAQ Digital, this partnership isn’t just business. It’s a statement.
The Saudi fintech firm has been flying under the radar, mostly providing backend systems and data services. Now, with this collaboration, it’s stepping into the spotlight as a builder of “market infrastructure.”
Khalid Alruwaili, AWRAAQ’s CEO, was candid in his remarks: “We are proud to align our platform with Alkhabeer Capital’s systems, paving the way for a unique technical solution.”
For a fintech player, getting plugged into a major financial institution’s ecosystem is no small feat. It means trust, security, and scale—all three are hard to earn in the Gulf’s heavily regulated finance sector.
Why It Matters for the Broader Economy
Saudi Arabia isn’t just chasing digital tools for the sake of tech. This block trading system plugs directly into the country’s Vision 2030 goals—particularly the push to become a regional financial hub.
Institutional efficiency, regulatory trust, and innovation-friendly platforms? They’re part of the checklist if Riyadh wants to compete with Dubai, London, and Singapore.
Plus, large investors—from sovereign funds to foreign institutions—are always hunting for quieter, cleaner ways to execute deals. The fewer headlines, the better.
This system doesn’t eliminate market transparency, but it does give professionals space to move without creating chaos.
And that? That’s a long-term win.
