Authors & Contributors

Walid is the founder of Unlock Blockchain, the MENA region's leading bilingual platform for blockchain and cryptocurrency news. With over two decades in media and communications, he has become a key voice in shaping the dialogue around digital assets, regulation, and Web3 adoption across the region. Since 2017, Walid has positioned Unlock as both a trusted news source and a strategic platform bridging regulators, global institutions, and local innovators. Widely recognized as one of the region's leading opinion influencers in blockchain and crypto, he is a frequent moderator of high-level panels at major industry events, connecting global perspectives with regional opportunities.

Ola is a seasoned events strategist with over 14 years of experience designing and executing high-profile regional events in economics and finance. She brings extensive expertise in operational management, business development, and partnership growth, driving programs that connect C-level executives and industry leaders. Since joining Unlock in 2024, Ola has focused on expanding the platform's reach and enhancing its physical events, including closed executive roundtables and events. She builds regional and global partnerships that deepen engagement and create new opportunities across the WEB3 ecosystem.

Anna K. is a Senior English Editor at UNLOCK Blockchain, where she explores digital assets, blockchain infrastructure, and the evolving intersection of finance, regulation, and technology, with a focus on the MENA region. Driven by a deep interest in how crypto is reshaping financial systems, she focuses on bringing clarity, context, and nuance to complex blockchain narratives. With a background in translation, copywriting, content writing, and editing, Anna has worked with institutions including the ICC, UNDP, ESCWA, STL, and An-Nahar Newspaper. She combines her editorial and language expertise to shape accessible, high-impact blockchain content.

Chantal Assi is a journalist with experience in economy, politics, and technology reporting for reputable publications in Lebanon. Since 2022, she has focused on Web3 and blockchain, writing news and in-depth articles in Arabic for Unlock Blockchain, translating complex developments into accessible insights for the Middle East audience.

Salma is an academic researcher with 10+ years of expertise in finance, economics, and data analysis. She holds a BA in Finance and an MBA from Notre Dame University - Louaize and have made valuable contributions to research at AUB's Olayan School of Business. As a freelance researcher, she offers expert research services on various business topics. Her expertise spans across research fields, including economics, finance, financial and managerial accounting, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility. She also has keen interest in emerging trends in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, and is currently a Senior Editor and a Content Writer at Unlock Blockchain.

Lucas Schweiger is the Digital Asset Ecosystem Research Lead at Sygnum Bank. With several years of experience, he specialises in researching and writing about institutional crypto market trends. His primary areas of interest are Layer 1 protocols, real-world asset tokenization, DeFi and on-chain capital markets.

Max is a Legal Director in Al Tamimi & Co.’s international dispute resolution team, with over 16 years’ experience in complex fraud litigation, asset recovery and arbitration. He leads the firm’s digital assets disputes practice and has played a key role in landmark cryptocurrency recovery cases before the DIFC Courts. He is also a founding member of the Middle East Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery network and a regular speaker on digital asset disputes.

Mayur Kamat is a global product and technology leader and former Chief Product Officer at N26, where he oversaw product, design, data and research. Previously, he served as Global Head of Product and Design at Binance, helping scale its user base from 80 million to over 150 million. He has also built and led products at Google, Microsoft and Agoda.

Meera Judge is currently global head of policy and regulatory affairs at Elliptic, and has worked in the financial services industry for just over 15 years. She also spent approximately four years with Binance, most recently as director of regulatory licensing and policy.

Melissa Wehbe is Regional Counsel at Zurich Insurance and a qualified lawyer with experience across corporate, commercial and technology law. Previously an Associate at KARM Legal, she advised on Web3, AI, digital assets, regulatory compliance and legal structuring. Her broader experience includes civil law, real estate and dispute resolution.

Rachel Pether is Head of MENA at 3iQ, a global digital asset investment manager. Before joining 3iQ, she spent nearly a decade with the Capital Markets and Treasury team at Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala. She also previously served as a Senior Adviser at SkyBridge Capital.

Richard Crook has 25+ years of investment banking technology experience, specializing in crypto and digital assets. He has held leadership roles at UBS, RBS, LAB577 and BCB Group, delivering client-focused technology solutions and financial services innovation.

Saqr advises governments and major institutions on fintech, blockchain and digital transformation. He has helped shape legislation in more than four countries, contributed to official government blockchain strategies, and developed and implemented digital strategies for public and private sector organizations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.