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
In a market where hype often eclipses substance, Taurus has taken a quieter approach — methodically building one of the world’s most trusted infrastructures for digital assets. The Swiss-headquartered firm, regulated by FINMA, powers the digital asset operations of global financial institutions including Deutsche Bank, Santander, State Street, and in the UAE, Zand Bank. On November 2023, Taurus announced the opening of its Dubai office at the Dubai International Financial…
Read More »Institutional custody platform Ceffu has received a full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The license, granted to its subsidiary Ceffu Custody FZE, authorizes the company to provide regulated institutional custody services in and from Dubai. The development follows Ceffu’s in-principle approval (IPA) from VARA on 22 May 2025, as previously reported by Unlock Blockchain. Incubated within the Binance ecosystem, Ceffu now functions…
Read More »When the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) approved the region’s first pilot for retail crypto derivatives in the UAE, launched in partnership with OKX, it marked a turning point in the country’s digital asset journey. For the first time, everyday traders in Dubai gained regulated access to futures and perpetuals — instruments long confined to institutional desks or offshore exchanges. But while the milestone attracted attention, it also raised…
Read More »Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the first free zone in the UAE to embrace crypto back in 2017–2018 and the only destination for digital asset companies at the time, has announced a strategic partnership with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to accelerate global infrastructure for tokenized commodities. The agreement represents a pivotal milestone in Dubai’s digital asset journey, combining DMCC’s commodities expertise and expansive member network with VARA’s…
Read More »For years, many firms in the digital asset industry have marketed themselves as headquartered in Dubai or actively operating from the emirate — even when they lacked the licenses required by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Some carried licenses from other jurisdictions and entered Dubai only to promote their services — an act still considered unlawful under VARA’s framework. Others were established directly in Dubai’s free zones but never…
Read More »Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has intensified its enforcement measures, announcing penalties against 19 unlicensed firms operating in the emirate’s virtual asset sector. The announcement, published on October 7, 2025, reinforces VARA’s role as the sole regulator of virtual assets in Dubai, excluding entities registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The regulator said the action comes after a series of investigations uncovered violations ranging from unlicensed activity…
Read More »Emerge FZCO today announced its official launch as a founder-first ecosystem enabler designed to position Dubai as the ultimate base for global tech entrepreneurs. Emerge goes beyond company setup, providing startups and scale-ups with programs, licensing support, and a connected ecosystem that empowers founders to establish and grow with confidence from Dubai. Located in the Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone Emerge is based within the Dubai World Trade Centre…
Read More »Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, has officially announced the launch of The Blockchain 100, an annual awards program designed to honor the most influential creators shaping blockchain education, innovation, and community engagement. The initiative will spotlight 100 creators across seven categories, highlighting their impact on blockchain adoption and Web3 development. The categories include: Industry Advocate – Founders, entrepreneurs, and content creators championing Web3. Independent…
Read More »The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has released Consultation Paper No. 168 (CP 168), seeking public feedback on proposed enhancements to its regulatory framework governing crypto tokens within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The consultation aims to refine and strengthen the existing regime, addressing evolving market dynamics and aligning with global regulatory developments. Key Proposals in CP 168 The consultation paper outlines several significant proposals: Incorporation Requirements: The DFSA…
Read More »CPX Holding, a leading provider of cyber and physical security solutions, has unveiled its Crypto Defense Solution, a comprehensive cybersecurity offering designed to protect the rapidly growing digital asset ecosystem. The enterprise-grade solution targets crypto exchanges, custodians, and financial institutions, providing end-to-end protection across the crypto security lifecycle—from wallet architecture reviews to real-time blockchain transaction monitoring. Strengthening Crypto Security in the UAE As the UAE positions itself as a global…
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