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 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…
Read More »InvoiceMate has been announced as the winner of the ADIB Ventures Digital Assets Innovation Challenge, organized in partnership with the DIFC Innovation Hub. The award sets the stage for a potential collaboration with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) to explore blockchain-based, stablecoin-backed lending solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. Bringing Blockchain to the Bank As part of the award, InvoiceMate will now launch a Proof of Concept (POC) with ADIB…
Read More »HODL 2025, organised by Trescon, the world’s longest-running Web3 event, officially opened today at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi). The prestigious two-day event follows the Dubai FinTech Summit that commenced on 12th May. During the Summit’s opening ceremony, His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced the launch of the inaugural Dubai Future Finance Week,…
Read More »BitOasis, the leading virtual asset trading platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has officially launched its operations in Bahrain, further establishing itself as the region’s most trusted and locally embedded broker-dealer. Operating under a Crypto-Asset Services License issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain, BitOasis Bahrain will provide compliant, secure, and advanced crypto trading services tailored for retail, corporate, and institutional clients. The platform’s user-friendly interface caters…
Read More »In a move towards digital financial transformation, Dubai’s Department of Finance (DOF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com, a leading global cryptocurrency platform, to enable the payment of government service fees using cryptocurrencies. Under this partnership, Dubai Finance and Crypto.com will collaborate to integrate cryptocurrency payment solutions into government service portals. Residents and businesses will soon be able to pay for public services using stable digital currencies,…
Read More »The Dubai Digital Assets Association (D2A2) has announced a strategic partnership with CoinMENA, a VARA-licensed digital asset brokerage, in a joint effort to advance education, collaboration, and innovation within the Middle East’s digital asset landscape. This collaboration represents is a new step toward creating a more connected and compliant ecosystem for digital assets across the MENA region. By joining forces, D2A2 and CoinMENA aim to expand access to digital assets,…
Read More »HashKey Group, a prominent digital asset financial services provider in Asia Pacific, has officially entered the UAE market after receiving a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This approval, granted to HashKey MENA FZE, authorizes the firm to offer both virtual asset exchange and broker-dealer services in Dubai and beyond. With Dubai rapidly emerging as a regional crypto hub, HashKey Global MENA aims…
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