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
Abu Dhabi’s Deputy Ruler and UAE National Security Adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recently met with David Sacks, a leading White House adviser on cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, to explore new avenues for strengthening AI cooperation between the UAE and the United States. The high-level meeting, which took place during Mr. Sacks’ visit to the UAE, highlights the growing partnership between the two nations in advanced technologies. Both…
Read More »Abu Dhabi is embarking on a pioneering journey to build a sovereign, quantum-resistant blockchain infrastructure, marking a major step towards fortifying its digital economy and cementing its role as a global technology leader. Agile Dynamics, a leading consulting firm, was entrusted with architecting this visionary program, which aspires to fortify the emirate’s digital future by unlocking the transformative potential of quantum technologies. By doing so, Abu Dhabi seeks to not…
Read More »This was the central theme of a closed-door roundtable hosted before the TOP 20 Performing CEO event in Dubai on April 29th. Held under Chatham House rules, the gathering brought together a cross-section of participants from the banking sector, stablecoin issuers, tokenization firms, legal experts, and licensed crypto exchanges. While discussions covered a range of topics from regulatory frameworks to stablecoins, real-world asset tokenization, and trade finance, a key question…
Read More »Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat), the UAE’s federal fuel retailer, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Crypto.com, a Dubai-licensed and regulated cryptocurrency exchange under VARA, to launch crypto payment options at fuel stations—marking a regional first for the Middle East and North Africa. Initially available at 10 fuel stations across Dubai, the feature allows customers to pay for fuel directly at the pump using Bitcoin and other digital assets. The…
Read More »Abu Dhabi-based AltNovel, a private markets platform regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), has partnered with global digital asset investment firm 3iQ to launch the AltNovel Digital Access Portfolio (ADAP)—the first digital asset multi-strategy fund in the Middle East. ADAP will invest across a range of alpha-focused digital asset hedge funds, aiming to deliver strong absolute returns while maintaining low correlation with traditional markets and hedge fund strategies.…
Read More »Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is expanding its international footprint, with senior officials visiting the UAE last week to engage in regulatory discussions on virtual assets. According to a May 6 announcement, Executive Director of Licensing and Fintech Christopher Yip and Head of Fintech Elizabeth Wong met with key UAE regulators, including the Securities and Commodities Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Abu Dhabi), and the Dubai Financial…
Read More »The UAE Public Prosecution has announced a bold digital transformation of its legal processes, integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging technologies like the metaverse to revolutionize criminal case handling. Unveiled at the Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit in Abu Dhabi, this initiative is a key part of the Public Prosecution’s 2045 long-term roadmap. The strategy aims to reduce case processing times by up to 100 percent, while improving accuracy, transparency,…
Read More »The Middle East’s crypto evolution is accelerating. BurjX, a UAE-based digital asset brokerage, has announced it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a key step toward becoming a fully licensed digital asset trading and custody platform. The IPA marks a major regulatory milestone as BurjX advances toward securing its Financial Services Permission (FSP). Once finalized, this would authorize…
Read More »Capital Investment Holding Ltd. and Fasset, in collaboration with Zand Bank, have launched ForteXchain, a blockchain-based platform designed to transform global real estate investment through tokenization. The UAE, with its advanced regulatory framework and dynamic property sector, provides the ideal launchpad. ForteXchain lowers the barriers to real estate investing by enabling fractional ownership starting at just $1. Leveraging blockchain technology, the platform aims to simplify regulatory processes, attract both retail…
Read More »In a landmark move to future-proof its education system, the United Arab Emirates has announced the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a core subject across all public schools—starting from the 2025–2026 academic year. The initiative will span every grade level, from kindergarten through grade 12, making the UAE one of the first countries globally to embed AI comprehensively into its national curriculum. The UAE Ministry of Education emphasized that…
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