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
Dubai’s ambition to tokenize real estate ownership has taken a bold step forward with a live deployment under the Dubai Land Department’s Innovation Incubator. Involving Ctrl Alt, PRYPCO, Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure (XRP Ledger), and several prominent ecosystem players, the initiative reflects a growing appetite to redefine property ownership through digital means. According to Ctrl Alt, the Dubai Land Department Real Estate Tokenization Project is now live, open to UAE residents…
Read More »In the fast-evolving digital asset industry, freedom often comes at a cost. Over the past year, several high-profile crypto founders—individuals with deep networks and proven success—chose to leave senior roles to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions. Their stories began with optimism, strong ideas, and a desire to build solutions in a space they helped shape. But many of these journeys hit an invisible barrier: the funding wall. In a recent private roundtable…
Read More »In a sweeping regulatory update released in May 2025, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) unveiled a revised suite of rulebooks designed to enhance oversight and market integrity across the virtual asset sector. Among the most impactful changes is the introduction of the Sponsored VASP model—a pioneering framework that enables smaller players to operate under the umbrella of licensed entities, without the cost or complexity of full VARA authorization. This…
Read More »Ceffu, the institutional custody platform formerly branded as Binance Custody, has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) — a move that strengthens Binance’s regulatory presence in the UAE and sheds light on the corporate structure behind its operations. The approval allows Ceffu to offer custody services to Qualified Investors in and from Dubai, subject to final licensing requirements. It also represents Binance’s growing commitment to…
Read More »Bitcoin Suisse, a leading Swiss crypto financial services provider, proudly announces that its subsidiary, BTCS (Middle East) Ltd., has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM. This marks a significant milestone in Bitcoin Suisse’s strategic expansion, highlighting its dedication to regulatory compliance, financial innovation, and global growth. With this approval, Bitcoin Suisse is poised to enter the Middle Eastern market, offering a client-focused approach…
Read More »Saudi Arabia has officially cemented its status as the largest digital economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with its digital market reaching a valuation of over SAR 495 billion ($131.9 billion) in 2024. The milestone, representing 15% of the Kingdom’s GDP, was announced by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The achievement marks a major moment in Saudi Arabia’s…
Read More »In a new development toward reinforcing investor protection and market stability, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has released Version 2.0 of its activity-based Rulebooks. The updated framework highlights Dubai’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a secure and forward-looking regulatory environment for the virtual asset (VA) sector. The revised Rulebooks introduce a series of enhanced supervisory measures across seven regulated VA activities, including: Advisory services Broker-dealer services Custody services Exchange services…
Read More »In a development that could reshape perceptions of institutional crypto adoption, the Saudi Central Bank has revealed its ownership of shares in MicroStrategy, the U.S. firm renowned for holding more Bitcoin than any other publicly traded company. The disclosure suggests a calculated step toward Bitcoin exposure—without directly purchasing the digital asset. MicroStrategy, under the leadership of executive chairman Michael Saylor, currently holds over 200,000 BTC on its balance sheet. By…
Read More »As Web3 ventures navigate a post-hype reality, the conversation is shifting from speculation to substance. Juliet Su, Partner at NewTribe Capital, has been at the center of this transition. From her vantage point in the UAE—now a critical node in the global digital asset ecosystem—Juliet is watching the market mature, founders evolve, and regulators catch up. In a candid conversation with Unlock Blockchain, she unpacks what’s changed, what’s still missing,…
Read More »Bitgrit, a pioneering AI startup originally founded in Japan, has launched the BGR Network—the world’s first blockchain-based platform for AI assets—under the regulatory framework of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This initiative aims to democratize AI ownership, monetization, and innovation by leveraging blockchain technology. Empowering a Global AI Community Bitgrit has cultivated a vibrant community of over 37,000 AI developers spanning 62 countries. The platform facilitates AI competitions and…
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