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 move signaling a major leap in industrial blockchain adoption, Changer.ae, a regulated UAE-based crypto custodian, has partnered with smart mobility and manufacturing company NWTN to deploy the region’s first stablecoin-based infrastructure for the mobility and manufacturing sectors. This strategic alliance not only showcases the maturing digital asset ecosystem under Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) oversight but also positions Changer.ae at the heart of a real-world use case transformation—where…
Read More »In a strategic move to enhance investor protection and market stability, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has implemented sweeping amendments to its Virtual Asset Regulatory Framework, effective June 10, 2025. These reforms, following Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2024, reflect ADGM’s alignment with international best practices and its growing reputation as a regulated hub for digital asset innovation. The analysis below is based on a comprehensive summary shared with…
Read More »The UAE has taken a major step toward unified crypto regulation as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) announce a strategic partnership to create a streamlined and globally competitive regulatory framework for virtual assets. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to harmonize policies, enhance supervisory oversight, and eliminate regulatory duplication across the country’s crypto and blockchain ecosystem—signaling a unified national approach to digital asset governance.…
Read More »The MANTRA Inveniam partnership marks a dramatic turn in the RWA tokenization space, as Layer-1 blockchain MANTRA secures a $20 million strategic investment from U.S.-based Inveniam Capital Partners to expand its regulated infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Announced on August 5, 2025, the deal represents a shift in momentum for MANTRA following its recent token crisis. The new capital will power the integration of Inveniam’s data operations and AI…
Read More »At the heart of the MENA region’s digital finance transformation, Qatar has taken another step forward. The inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable, held in Doha and co-hosted by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Global Stratalogues, brought together top global regulators, innovators, and policymakers to chart a pragmatic and inclusive course for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Strategically aligned with the Qatar Economic Forum, the closed-door event showcased Qatar’s ambition to…
Read More »The University of Sharjah has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Binance Academy, the educational arm of the global blockchain and cryptocurrency infrastructure leader, Binance. The new agreement is a new milestone in fostering long-term collaboration in blockchain research, education, talent development, and innovation. Under the agreement, both institutions will jointly pursue a series of strategic initiatives. These include the development of specialized academic programs, joint research projects,…
Read More »Figment, one of the world’s largest independent providers of institutional staking infrastructure, has taken a decisive step into the Middle East, appointing Christoph Richter as its first Head of Business Development for the region. In an exclusive interview with Unlock Blockchain, Richter shared why the UAE was chosen as Figment’s entry point, how a new partnership with Tungsten will shape their growth, and why staking could become an integral part…
Read More »When Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX disclosed a $44 million hack in July 2025, the market’s reaction was swift. Within days, reports surfaced claiming that Coinbase was in “advanced talks” to acquire CoinDCX for less than $1 billion—a figure far below its $2.2 billion peak valuation during the last bull run. CoinDCX’s leadership was quick to respond. CEO Sumit Gupta went public to shut down the speculation, stating clearly that CoinDCX…
Read More »The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has published a comprehensive report detailing the progress, design principles, and policy framework behind its upcoming central bank digital currency, the Digital Dirham. The report consolidates key achievements in the development of the Digital Dirham, signaling that the UAE’s CBDC is now entering the final stages before an official launch. Functional Details Beyond reaffirming its role as part of the Financial Infrastructure Transformation…
Read More »Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has issued a fresh reminder to Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and market participants on the mandatory licensing requirements for entities engaged in Virtual Asset (VA) Proprietary Trading. Established under Law No. (4) of 2022, VARA continues to enforce its mandate to maintain a secure, transparent, and compliant virtual asset market in line with global best practices. Mandatory Licensing for VA Proprietary Trading Under…
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