MENA News
Discover the latest blockchain and crypto news from the MENA region, including updates from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, covering trends, regulations, and developments shaping the industry
Iran’s cryptocurrency ecosystem grew significantly in 2025, reaching an estimated $7.78 billion in on‑chain activity, according to a new analysis by blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis. The report links this increase to a combination of geopolitical tensions, internal unrest, and economic instability, illustrating how digital assets are increasingly intertwined with real‑world events within the country. Crypto Activity Rises Amid Economic and Political Pressures Iranian crypto activity accelerated compared with the prior…
Read More »Dubai’s Ignyte programme, the region’s premier digital start-up ecosystem, has successfully wrapped up key initiatives with a landmark Demo Day at the Museum of the Future. Selected start-ups showcased their innovative solutions to a panel of industry leaders, investors, and global partners, highlighting the UAE’s growing role as a hub for Web3 and blockchain innovation. The challenge tracks were executed in collaboration with du Business, Solana, TON Foundation, and Avalanche,…
Read More »The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is participating in discussions on digital assets and tokenization at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, highlighting Dubai’s ongoing focus on blockchain and Web3 development. Industry participants, policymakers, and institutional investors are examining the practical integration of digital finance with traditional markets. A recent LinkedIn post by DMCC Crypto Centre highlighted the organization’s involvement in panels and discussions on tokenization, regulation, and the…
Read More »Emirates NBD has issued AED 1 billion in 3-year fixed-rate Digitally Native Notes (DNNs) — the first-ever AED-denominated digital bond and the largest public digital bond issuance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Listed on Nasdaq Dubai, the issuance highlights the bank’s leadership in digital assets and reinforces the UAE’s position as a hub for digital capital markets innovation. A Fully Digital Bond Issued on Distributed Ledger…
Read More »With the rapid expansion of digital asset use, the dual challenge of fast growth and the need to strengthen cybersecurity and corporate governance is becoming increasingly evident. In a global landscape where the digital asset sector has often been exposed only to dry or cautionary regulatory language, Dubai has chosen a different path. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has released a short video series titled “VA Tales: What Went…
Read More »DKK Digital has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) License for Virtual Asset Advisory Services by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), strengthening its position within the UAE’s regulated digital asset ecosystem. The new license authorizes DKK Digital to provide regulated virtual asset advisory services in and from Dubai, expanding its scope of operations under one of the world’s most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets. The approval builds…
Read More »Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Binance Bahrain, the regulated subsidiary of Binance, marking a regional first for bank-led crypto integration in the Gulf. Subject to final approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the agreement positions BBK as the first bank in the GCC to join the Binance Link Program, reinforcing Bahrain’s role as a regulated hub for digital finance.…
Read More »Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by users and trading volume, sponsored the Economy Stage at this year’s 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai. Taken place from January 9 to 11, 2026, the three-day summit is the world’s largest gathering of content creators, digital platforms, brands, and media leaders. The event, which hosted over 15,000 content creators and over 420 speakers, serves as a global platform for dialogue, collaboration, and…
Read More »Fuze has appointed Serena Sebastiani, formerly PwC Middle East’s virtual assets consulting lead, as its new Group Chief Strategy and Venture Officer, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it scales its financial infrastructure across the Middle East, Turkey, and beyond. Sebastiani joins Fuze at a time when the region’s digital assets sector is moving from early experimentation toward institutional-scale deployment. Her appointment is intended to reinforce the company’s strategic direction…
Read More »The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has implemented a revised regulatory framework for Crypto Tokens in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a major update to its digital assets regime as the market continues to mature. The new rules, which came into force on January 12, 2026, are designed to strengthen market integrity, improve regulatory clarity, and support the responsible development of digital assets within the DIFC. They follow a…
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