In the global race to harness computing power, energy has emerged as the defining factor. Nations and organizations alike are accelerating energy infrastructure development to meet the surging demand fueled by data-driven economies. Yet, the path to this energy transformation is fraught with complexities—from securing resources to deploying infrastructure, and finally, commercializing compute capacities for applications such as bitcoin mining and AI workloads. In this context, energy is not just the enabler but the ultimate determinant of success. This is why UAE’s XRG (xrg.com) could be a global game changer.

The Decentralization Dilemma

Can we achieve truly decentralized, sovereign digital economies with global reach when the game is so heavily reliant on power? While the technology exists to enable such an ambitious vision, the question remains whether capital can be directed toward achieving it at scale. With an estimated $1 trillion expected to be invested in energy innovation, there’s an opportunity to build global distributed energy infrastructure using modular and remote compute technologies.

By focusing on underdeveloped and marginalized regions, private capital can drive global connectivity while bypassing the bureaucratic barriers that often stifle innovation. This could foster wealth creation in areas historically disadvantaged by geopolitical agendas.

The UAE’s Digital Energy Vision

A shining example of forward-thinking energy strategy is the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite global economic turbulence, the UAE has proven its resilience, emerging stronger post-COVID and in the midst of regional turmoil in surrounding countries, taking a leadership position in the regional virtual asset ecosystem. From Web3 advancements to Bitcoin miningand now AI, the UAE has embraced technology to fuel economic growth.

However, rapid technological progress also brings challenges—particularly the rising energy consumption associated with AI and deep tech. Addressing this requires bold and forward-looking investments. Enter XRG , a revolutionary international energy investment company launched by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar.

Global Energy Demand in the AI Era

As Dr. Al Jaber highlighted, global energy demand is set to rise dramatically, increasing from 9,000 GW to 15,000 GW by 2035 and potentially reaching 35,000 GW by 2050—a staggering 250% increase. The rise of AI applications like ChatGPT, which consumes ten times the energy of a single Google search, is accelerating this trajectory.

Without diversified energy solutions, meeting this demand sustainably will be nearly impossible. XRG addresses this by optimizing energy production and usage across the spectrum—from traditional fuels to low-carbon alternatives and advanced infrastructure.

The essence of this challenge lies in the economic implications of insufficient energy infrastructure to power AI deployments. Nations that fail to establish sovereign compute capabilities could face economic stagnation. In the next five years, such nations may struggle to compete globally, reinforcing the urgency of energy-centric national policies.

The following graphs illustrate electricity demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and digital asset mining worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2026, by scenario.

XRG: A Blueprint for the Future

XRG’s innovative structure embodies efficiency and adaptability. Dr. Al Jaber’s vision is rooted in maximizing every energy unit, spark, and joule—a philosophy that aligns with PermianChain’s mantra of “creating wealth from every watt.” By investing in diverse energy technologies, XRG offers a scalable model for nations to secure economic prosperity in the digital age.

At PermianChain, similar principles drive our efforts. Through our global digital energy market, we’ve aggregated over 500 MW of distributed alternative energy projects to serve underserved markets. This approach exemplifies how modern energy investments can transform underdeveloped regions by accelerating digital transformation and fostering exponential growth.

The Role of Innovation in Efficiency

Innovation is not just about finding new energy sources but about optimizing existing systems. For instance, NEXGEN, one of our companies, aligns closely with EXERGY’s strategy by adopting cutting-edge technologies to maximize energy efficiency. As global energy demand rises, such approaches will be critical, particularly in energy-intensive sectors like AI computing.

Equity in Energy Access

Equity in energy access is essential for global progress. With over 1.7 billion people living off-grid or without reliable utility connectivity, vast populations are excluded from the potential of digital economies. Distributed energy solutions offer a pathway to bridge this gap, enabling marginalized communities to participate in and benefit from the global digital revolution.

The Path Forward

By embracing a diversified and efficiency-driven approach will require collaboration, innovation, and a relentless commitment to sustainability from industry stakeholders and global public and private capital markets.

As Dr. Al Jaber rightly emphasized, reliance on a single energy source is not a viable solution. Instead, a comprehensive strategy combining traditional and emerging technologies is imperative. Only by taking this holistic approach can we meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world while preserving the planet for future generations.

Conclusion

The launch of XRG is more than an investment in energy; it’s an investment in the future. By championing distributed, efficient, and inclusive energy systems, the UAE is leading the charge in creating a sustainable digital economy. As nations navigate the complexities of energy transformation, the new digital energy frontier offers a powerful blueprint for aligning innovation with equity and sustainability.

In a world where energy is the key to unlocking economic growth, it’s time for global leaders to prioritize bold and forward-thinking strategies. Only then can we truly harness the potential of the digital age while ensuring prosperity for all.

Written by Mohamed El Masri, Founder of PermianChain and originally published in his blog.


Tune in to my podcast at Drilling into Crypto to explore the world of finance, energy and modern technologies.

Oman based Gulfdox, a provider of physical storage, data digitization, and storage software solutions, has collaborated with Serenity, a blockchain-based secured digital storage and biometric access solution provider.

As per the press release, the partnership marks a historic milestone as the first collaboration of its kind in Oman, positioning the nation at the forefront of advanced technological innovation in line with Oman Vision 2040. Gulfdox will integrate Serenity’s cutting-edge blockchain technology into its service portfolio, offering clients a robust, secure, and future-ready digital storage solution.

Leveraging Serenity’s expertise, Gulfdox will provide on-chain storage with biometric access, ensuring unparalleled security and efficiency for its esteemed clients, which include Government entities and leading corporates in different sectors across the GCC.

This partnership reflects Oman’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies that align with Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification and digital transformation. Gulfdox is introducing blockchain-powered solutions for secure data management.

Faris Al Balushi, Executive Director of GulfDox, stated, “We are proud to lead the way in Oman by bringing blockchain technology into the realm of data storage. This collaboration with Serenity enables us to offer solutions that are not only secure and efficient but also aligned with the future needs of our clients. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for innovation in the region.”

Venket Naga, CEO of Serenity, added, “Our mission has always been to provide secure, scalable, and accessible blockchain solutions for Data storage. Partnering with Gulfdox allows us to bring this vision to Oman and the GCC which are extremely important markets for Serenity, using this Partnership we are enabling institutions to safeguard their data with the most advanced technologies available today. And reinforces Serenity’s position in the B2B enterprise segment. This Partnership, by combining GulfDox’s trusted expertise and local presence with Serenity’s state-of-the-art blockchain capabilities, will redefine secure data management for years to come. and will help Serenity to continue our journey towards creating innovative technologies for mass adoption.”

Sreekumar. P, Country Manager, GulfDox Stated that GulfDox is Oman’s a leading and dynamic provider of physical and digital storage solutions, it mainly serves B2G and B2B segment, with client’s portfolio of Government, Semi-Government and Corporates in Oman and across the GCC. With a focus on innovation and reliability, GulfDox is a trusted partner in secure data management.

UAE’s first regulated stablecoin by the Central Bank of UAE, AEcoin has announced the sponsorship of the Qatar UAE SuperCup. The Qatar-UAE Super Cup football Cup, will have distinct competitions that are set to ignite the passion of football fans from January 16 to 19. The event will bring together 8 elite teams to compete in intense matches across the Challenge Shield, Super Cup, Super Shield, and Challenge Cup categories.

On Thursday, January 16, the opening match kicked off in Doha, pitting Al Rayyan, runner-up in the Ooredoo Stars League, against Shabab Al Ahli, the ADNOC Professional League runner-up.
On Friday, January 17, in Dubai, Qatar SC, the Amir Cup runner-up, will go head-to-head with Al Nasr, the UAE President’s Cup runner-up.
Reigning Ooredoo Stars League champions Al Sadd will take on Al Wasl, winners of the ADNOC Professional League on January 18 in Doha.
The grand finale is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on the 19th, with Al Wakrah, the Qatar Cup champions battling it out with Al Wahda, the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup champions.

AECoin joins the ranks of Visit Qatar and RedBull as one of the many sponsors. The AE Coin promises an instant, secure, stable, innovative, low-cost, and efficient payment experience that will reshape the future of the digital economy.

Mbank was the first bank to be offering the AE Coin licensed stablecoin available on its AEC Wallet. Through AEC Wallet, powered by Mbank, customers will be able to purchase AE Coin and make secure, stable virtual financial transactions. In line with the Central Bank of the UAE’s digital payment token services framework and the government’s future-oriented vision.

UAE regulated digital asset service provider and custodian, Komainu, licensed by VARA Dubai, and backed by Laser Digital, a Nomura company, has raised $75 million in strategic investment from Blockstream Capital Partners (“Blockstream”) in Bitcoin. The raise is subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

As per the press release, the funding enables the company to accelerate its international strategic growth plans whilst adopting and integrating class-leading technologies developed by Blockstream Corporation Inc (“Blockstream Corp”), to maximize efficiencies and enhance client services in collateral management and tokenization.

The funding transaction itself is funded in Bitcoin with appropriate hedging and risk management and Komainu establishing its own Bitcoin Treasury to manage the Bitcoin provided by Blockstream.

Blockstream Corp’s Liquid Network will enable Komainu to dramatically cut the time for its off-exchange margining & settlement solution, Komainu Connect, from hours to minutes, becoming class-leading in the process. Blockstream Corp’s AMP technology will enable Komainu to automate its regulated asset support for tokenization and develop trustless trading solutions. The company will also integrate other technologies and services developed by Blockstream Corp, including its enterprise HSM wallet, in order to provide institutional clients with a broader range of bank-grade digital asset services.

To solidify the strategic partnership between the two entities, Adam Back, PeterPaul Pardi and Nicolas Brand will join Komainu’s board of directors.

Adam Back, CEO Blockstream Corp, commented “We are delighted that Komainu is adopting Blockstream’s various technology streams to enhance its institutional service offering. This is testament to the fundamental veracity of Bitcoin-related technologies and applications and marks the first time that these have entered the institutional arena. I am confident this will be the first of many such use cases as the institutional community wakes up to the power of the Lightning and Liquid Networks.”

Paul Frost-Smith, Co-CEO at Komainu, and who also joins Komainu’s board of directors, said, “At Komainu, our mission is to empower the digital asset ecosystem by offering secure, compliant, and innovative digital asset services. This partnership with Blockstream will transform the services we are able to offer and enhance our customer experience on many levels. Having a closely-aligned technology partner like Blockstream, one of the original visionaries in the digital assets ecosystem, is testament to our determination to become the go-to provider of digital asset services for Bitcoin and the institutional market, as well as increasing institutional adoption.”

PeterPaul Pardi, Director, Blockstream Corp, commented “This partnership with Komainu, backed by Nomura’s Laser Digital, is a landmark moment for the adoption of Bitcoin-related technology by a bank-built, regulated financial services business. It showcases the institutional use-cases for Bitcoin as demand reaches new highs. We are delighted that Komainu has chosen to implement Blockstream’s technology and we anticipate even wider uses for it in the institutional investor community over coming months”

Robert Johnson, Co-CEO & CTO at Komainu, said, “Integrating Blockstream’s technologies will significantly enhance and diversify our underlying core technology stacks. At Komainu we believe in offering our clients a wide choice of technology options and this partnership with Blockstream will maximize efficiencies and lower latencies across the various services that we offer. “

Backed by Abu Dhabi’s Further Ventures, Soter Insure, a digital assets insurance provider has received a full operating license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA). This significant achievement enables Soter Insure to offer a comprehensive suite of insurance products specifically designed for institutions in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors.‍

The company had received a preliminary approval from BMA back in September of 2024.

Soter Insure’s product offerings include Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance, Asset Loss coverage, and Smart Contract insurance. Uniquely, these policies are denominated in U.S. dollars, Bitcoin, and Ethereum, effectively addressing the asset-liability mismatch commonly associated with insuring digital assets. This approach ensures that policyholders are indemnified in the same currency as their insured assets, providing seamless and efficient coverage.‍

“This licensing milestone underscores Soter Insure’s commitment to redefining insurance for the Web3 economy,” said Henson Orser, CEO of Soter Insure. “Our innovative approach ensures digital asset institutions can operate with confidence, knowing they are protected by tailored insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of their businesses.”‍

Mohamed Hamdy, Chairman of Soter Holdings Limited and Managing Partner at Abu Dhabi based Further Ventures, added: “Achieving full licensing from the BMA marks a pivotal moment for Soter Insure. It underscores our commitment to delivering innovative, compliant, and effective insurance solutions for the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.”‍

Tokinvest, a marketplace for real-world asset investing, recently received a full market license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) showcasing the growing role tokenization is playing in the UAE and globally. Founder Scott Thiel noted that tokenization will play a critical role in shaping the UAE’s digital assets and blockchain ecosystem, while VARA’s CEO believes this is the year of tokenization.

The company founded by Scott Thiel and Matt Blom aims to break down barriers to exclusive investments. The aim is to offer fractionalized investments in premium assets accessible to everyone – in a safe, secure and regulated platform leveraging blockchain technology.

Speaking to Lara on the Block, Thiel noted, “We believe tokenization will play a critical role in shaping the UAE’s digital assets and blockchain ecosystem. Dubai, through VARA, has positioned itself as a global leader with its innovative and forward-thinking regulatory framework. Tokenization of RWAs represents the next evolution in web3 and delivers on blockchain’s promise to make investments more accessible, transparent and liquid.”

Thiel adds that their thesis is to bring the best and most desirable investment products to the market making them accessible and cost effective.

The main industries that Tokinvest will be entering are funds, real estate and commodities. He explains, ” These sectors contain some of the most prestigious and traditionally exclusive assets. Their high value and limited accessibility make them ideal for fractionalization, unlocking opportunities for a much wider pool of investors.”

Thiel confirms as well that in the next months the focus will be on the UAE market, while not ruling out future expansions into other markets. He explains, ” Our current priority is delivering on our commitment to building a robust and secure ecosystem under VARA’s regulatory framework. Receiving the VARA license validates our innovative approach to fractional investing and positions us as a trusted partner in the evolving financial landscape. We believe that offering fractional investments of the most prestigious assets will democratize access and make it easier for individuals and institutions alike to unlock the value and create liquidity for real-world assets.”

Tokinvest has secured a pipeline of elite assets from leading real estate developers, fund managers and commodities trading venues and will be bringing these tokenised assets to market in the coming weeks and months. The company is dedicated to fostering a robust ecosystem, facilitating broader access to the best products in the world while prioritising investor protection.

The full market license allows Tokinvest to operate as a Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer; and to serve retail, qualified, and institutional investors in and from Dubai, further enhancing the accessibility and appeal of fractionalised investments.

Belal Jassoma, Director of Ecosystems, DMCC said: “Tokinvest’s achievement reflects the leading ecosystem we have established for Web3 businesses and supports our vision to grow web3 adoption and RWA. This milestone demonstrates Dubai’s standing as a pioneering market in the crypto space, with a clear and progressive regulatory framework that enables companies to innovate and operate securely. We are proud to support Tokinvest and all of our members scale up and tap into global markets across DMCC’s international business district.”

DAMAC $1 billion tokenization deal

It would seem that Thiel is not the only one who believes that tokenization will play a critical role in UAE. The Tokinvest license comes days after DAMAC and Mantra, an RWA focused Layer 1 blockchain announced a deal to tokenize $1 billion worth of assets.

Even Zand Bank PJSC, the digital bank licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, and MANTRA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline the process of real-world asset tokenization, including the identification, listing and distribution of RWAs.

VARA CEO Mathew White notes 2025 year of tokenization

Meanwhile, Mathew White, CEO of Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) this week also noted in a LinkedIn post that he believes 2025 is the year of tokenization of real-world assets. He stated, ” Tokenized RWAs are on-chain representations of ownership in, or rights and obligations related to, assets like real estate, debt, equity, and other traditionally more illiquid financial assets. Tokenization can make them globally accessible and tradable, while also opening investment opportunities to individuals previously excluded from these asset markets.”

Given that over $50 billion RWAs have already been tokenized, and predictions that this number may reach $500 billion in 2025, White believes that it is clear that tokenization is no longer a buzzword. He states, “It is reshaping industries and redefining how assets are owned, valued, and exchanged.”

Investor preferences are evolving, leading to further adoption and capital inflows into tokenized assets, including over $30 billion in real estate ownership, according to the piece. He also notes that the $500 billion RWA tokenization figure does not include stablecoins.

In his concluding remarks he believes that the vision is also reflected in Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA]’s objectives, as well as the UAE’s strategy to promote sustainable growth and development within the finance sector. He states, “Consider the scale of the opportunity in Islamic finance alone: the market is valued at around $4 trillion globally and is expected to soar to some $6 trillion by 2026. The potential for the tokenization of Shariah-compliant RWAs is significant.”

As the UAE solidifies itself as a crypt hub globally, crypto is towering to new heights as DMCC and REIT Development, announced the launch of the landmark ‘Crypto Tower’ in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) which will be completed in October 2027.

This 17-storey project will support DMCC’s rapidly expanding community of blockchain, DeFi and Web3 companies. Complementing the DMCC Crypto Centre’s existing headquarters in Uptown Tower, the new tower will add to DMCC’s ecosystem with an advanced space fostering innovation, collaboration and business growth.

The Crypto Tower will feature cutting-edge infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, seamlessly integrated with advanced AI solutions powered by Chatoshi.ai. With over 150,000 square feet of leasable space, the tower will feature nine floors of advanced offices tailored for crypto startups and established businesses. Three additional floors will support blockchain incubators, venture capital firms and investment companies, while a dedicated floor will cater to artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, powered by Chatoshi.ai.

Blockchain technology will be used to streamline tenant interactions and transactions through the use of on-chain voting mechanisms, shared resources, smart contracts and other automated services. In doing so, the tower will build greater trust and transparency and reduce administrative load, setting a new standard in community decision-making and management.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said, “The Crypto Tower is a pioneering development that sits at the interface of blockchain, Web3 and real estate. With over 150,000 square feet of leasable space, including nine office floors, three dedicated floors for blockchain incubators, an AI innovation floor, a crypto club, gold bullion shop and vault storage area, the tower will provide a range of cutting-edge facilities and services for the benefit of our members. The launch of Crypto Tower is both a real-world demonstration of the future of Web3, where transparency and ownership are ensured by blockchain technology, as well as a statement of our intent as we continue to consolidate Dubai’s position as the world’s leading innovation hub.”

The development will feature a 10,000-square-foot indoor event space, complemented by a 3,500-square-foot outdoor area for crypto and blockchain events. The top three floors will house an exclusive 30,000-square-foot crypto club, providing premium networking and leisure amenities, designed to foster high-level collaboration and networking within the blockchain community.

In addition to the core facilities on offer, the Crypto Tower will include high-end features such as an NFT art gallery, a gold bullion shop, an exotic car dealership and a dedicated vault storage area offering 5,000 square feet of secure space for valuables including gold, cash and cold wallets. This multifunctional development will set a new standard for integrating technology, finance and lifestyle into one space, creating a seamless and secure environment for the world’s leading crypto players.

Brenda Stratton, Communications Director, REIT Development, added: “By combining blockchain technology with real-world construction in Dubai’s DMCC, we’re creating a physical tower that serves as a central hub for the crypto community. Every expense is on-chain, setting a new standard for transparency in the industry.”

The much-anticipated DavosWeb3 Roundtable brings together the 100 brightest minds in Web3 on January 22, 2025 in the heart of Davos, Switzerland. This premier gathering is a crucible for visionary discussions, groundbreaking insights, and strategic networking opportunities within the decentralized technology space.

The DavosWeb3 Roundtable unites thought leaders, innovators, investors, and industry insiders. Attendees delve into the transformative potential of decentralized technologies, addressing pressing topics such as blockchain scalability, interoperability, tokenomics, decentralized finance (DeFi), and the evolving role of Web3 in reshaping economies worldwide.

“The Web3 revolution is here, and the DavosWeb3 Roundtable is where influential voices collaborate to chart its course. This is not an event; it’s a movement.” said Ajeet Khurana, founding member of DavosWeb3.

A Stellar Lineup of Sponsors

The DavosWeb3 Roundtable is powered by leading organizations shaping the future of Web3. Sponsors include: Antier, Aptos, DroomDroom, Ecotrader, Flex Ecosystem, Internet Computer (ICP), Kandola Network, OmniFlix, Paycio, Pertin-ant, Quranium, Reflexical, RhinoSpider, Social888, Surge, Syscoin, Unstoppable Domains, Xade, Xai Games.

These organizations exemplify innovation, and are at the forefront of driving advancements in blockchain and decentralized ecosystems.

Ajeet Khurana drives the Flex Ecosystem, an integrated blockchain-powered network connecting enterprises and users. Flex Ecosystem works with Web3 projects that create pathbreaking technology that creates value and scales adoption.

Ankur Vaid leads Reflexical, a powerhouse driving innovation by empowering founders to scale, grow, and thrive in the rapidly evolving Web3 ecosystem.

Avery Ching drives the Aptos, a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain engineered for unmatched speed and robust security. Leveraging the Move programming language, Aptos empowers scalable, user-centric decentralized applications.

Bibin Babu redefinings crypto payments with Paycio, a gateway that facilitates frictionless, secure transactions. Connecting merchants and users, Paycio delivers a streamlined, future-ready financial experience.

Dayakar Reddy bridges creators, fans, and communities with OmniFlix, a multi-chain media platform. Unlocking innovative opportunities for monetization and fan engagement in a unified ecosystem.

Javier Arroyo Ferrer, leads ICP HUB Canada & US, and Quantum Leap Labs, are at the forefront of transformative initiatives for the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP). DFINITY Foundation, founded by Dominic Williams, is the major contributor to ICP, a revolutionary decentralized computing platform that extends the public internet with native cloud functionality, enabling the creation of tamperproof, autonomous, and scalable software applications.

Harshal Madnani is one of the youngest Web3 founders and spearheads Xade, an innovative DeFi and trading platform designed to unify trading, staking, and wealth management. Xade’s advanced features make it a comprehensive, user-focused financial solution.

Itay Azaraty leads Ecotrader, a platform dedicated to sustainable and ethical investment solutions. With a focus on green portfolios, Ecotrader empowers investors to achieve financial growth while contributing to a responsible future.

Jagdeep Sidhu drives Syscoin, a groundbreaking dual-layer blockchain that seamlessly integrates Bitcoin’s security with Ethereum’s versatility. The platform delivers secure, scalable solutions for DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts within a single network. Joining him at the DavosWeb3 Roundtable are Patrick Breaux, Marketing and PR Manager for Sys Labs, known for his expertise in blockchain storytelling and strategic collaborations, and Jaskanwar Singh, co-founder of UnoRe and a recognized innovator in decentralized systems.

John Shipman is at the helm of Xai Games, where blockchain technology and immersive gaming converge. The platform offers true asset ownership, player-driven worlds, and decentralized economies for next-level gaming experiences.

Kapil Dhiman leads Quranium, a quantum-proof Layer 1 DLT that’s uncrackable, lightning-fast, and solves the Blockchain Trilemma with advanced Post Quantum Cryptography. Its hybrid infrastructure sets a new standard against quantum threats, offering a future-ready, decentralized system for builders and users alike.

Ronak Shah revolutionizes the media landscape with DroomDroom, a platform dedicated to the Web3 and crypto ecosystem. DroomDroom offers insightful content, market trends, and community-driven resources to empower enthusiasts and businesses alike.

Sandy Carter champions Unstoppable Domains, an NFT-powered domain platform that liberates digital identities from traditional constraints. Simplifying crypto transactions, it enables seamless integration across the metaverse.

Siddharth Banerjee transforms decentralized applications with Kandola Network, a real-time data protocol. Kandola accelerates dApp performance through seamless connectivity backed by analytics.

Vikram R Singh shapes the future of blockchain technology through Antier, a global consultancy delivering tailored solutions for industries worldwide. From tokenization to DeFi, Antier redefines ecosystems with innovation at its core.

Yash Belavadi and Punith B M lead Surge, a composable Metalayer on Bitcoin built to provide a secure network for launching Rollups, dApps and metaprotocols to scale Bitcoin innovation. Surge emphasizes zk-aggregation, decentralized verification, and an integrated signing and indexing architecture to unlock Bitcoin liquidity while expanding its scalability.

DavosWeb3 Roundtable: Where Web3 Takes Center Stage

As the pulse of the Web3 movement beats stronger, the roundtable will serve as the launchpad for initiatives that redefine the digital and economic landscapes. The DavosWeb3 Roundtable will create a dynamic environment where Web3 will thrive.

Unparalleled Think Tank

When participants were asked about their primary motivation to attend the roundtable, the overwhelming majority focused on the value of being in the same room as global investors, innovators, and decision-makers. From informal meet-and-greets to structured networking sessions, participants will forge meaningful connections and take the Web3 industry forward.

Whitepaper Development

Founding members of the DavosWeb3 roundtable are coauthoring a visionary whitepaper titled “Ushering a New Billion into the Global System: The Next Frontier.” This whitepaper outlines actionable strategies to drive global inclusion using Web3 technologies. This whitepaper will be distributed to media outlets, universities, trade bodies, and industry associations worldwide. If you would like to request a copy of the whitepaper, please send an email to contact@davosweb3.com

Davos Declaration

At the Roundtable Web3 world leaders will sign the Davos Declaration, a pledge and a charter that sets the vision and direction for the Web3 industry. This historic moment will underscore the shared vision of the global Web3 community to foster innovation, inclusion, and sustainability. And all of this done with integrity and purpose.

Why Davos?

Davos has long been synonymous with leadership and global collaboration. As the epicenter of transformative discussions, it provides the perfect backdrop for a gathering of this magnitude. The DavosWeb3 Roundtable will harness this spirit to inspire actionable change in Web3.

Join the Movement

As the Web3 revolution accelerates, the DavosWeb3 Roundtable is poised to become a transformative cornerstone gathering in the decentralized technology calendar. Want to be part of it? Email: contact@davosweb3.com

BNB Chain, the community-driven blockchain ecosystem that includes the world’s largest smart contract blockchain by daily transactions, launched its BNB Executive TVL Incentive Program #5, offering up to 5% of incremental staked BNB as delegation support to the top five protocols, with a total of up to 50,000 BNB.

Combined with the $40M Ecosystem Fund from KernelDAO, a top restaking protocol with $2 billion in assets, this represents a commitment to advancing decentralized finance and restaking technology on BNB Chain.


BNB Chain’s TVL Incentive Program #5 opens for registration on January 15, 2025, and will run from January 21, 2025, to February 21, 2025. The campaign is designed to incentivize projects integrating BNB staking, liquid staking, and restaking. The campaign commits delegation staking support equivalent to up to 5% of incremental Total Value Locked (TVL) growth in staked BNB achieved during the campaign. Each protocol can receive up to 20,000 BNB with a total pool of 50,000 BNB allocated. Rewards will be distributed to the top five performing protocols that drive innovation and adoption within the ecosystem.


“Through the TVL Incentive campaign, we aim to empower projects to achieve their full potential, while rewarding those who stake and help secure the expanding ecosystem. By locking in TVL and supporting their growth, we are not only advancing our mission of onboarding the next billion Web3 users but also positioning BNB Chain as a network of networks,” said Marwan Kawadri, Head of EMEA at BNB Chain.


Simultaneously, KernelDAO has unveiled its $40 million Ecosystem Fund to accelerate development across restaking and shared security to support projects building on its network within the BNB Chain ecosystem.

Supported by leading investors like Laser Digital, SCB Limited, Hypersphere Ventures, Cypher Capital, ArkStream, and Levitate Labs, this fund aims to empower developers to build middleware and applications on BNB Chain. Additionally, KernelDAO will allocate 5% of its token supply as ecosystem development grants for developers and partners building and working with the KernelDAO ecosystem. With the support of over 20 prominent middleware and applications including top AI players like Mira, and Zero-Knowledge proof networks like Electron, Kernel is set to expand its ecosystem by adding over 45 strategic partners through the Ecosystem Fund.


“The launch of the Ecosystem Fund is a significant step towards increasing our efforts to build the restaking and DeFi landscape on the BNB Chain. By empowering developers to build projects on Kernel, we aim to boost innovation across middleware, applications leveraging restaking,” said Amitej Gajjala, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of KernelDAO.

Further Ventures, a private equity fund in Abu Dhabi UAE, has led a $16 million investment Series A round in French digital asset wallet and custodian developer, DFNS, DFNS, which was launched in 2020, and has operations both in Paris and New York aims to compete against FireBlocks and Ledger.

Using the funds raised both in 2022, $12 million and that raises now $16 million, the startup plans to accelerate its development to meet requirements of financial institutions.

This deal was led by Further Ventures, which is a private equity fund based in Abu Dhabi. Other historical investors, such as White Star Capital, Hashed, Semantic, Techstars and Bpifrance also participated in the round.

“This deal validates both our product and our focus on fintechs and financial players,” explains Clarisse Hagège, co-founder and CEO of DFNS, which claims more than 130 customers including Fidelity, Zodia Custody (Standard Chartered’s crypto subsidiary) and Stripe, which has just acquired Bridge.

DFNS developed a wallet creation solution based on MPC (Multi-Party Computation) technology. This MPC technology breaks down the access keys to the digital wallet into fragments; these are then distributed across different secure universes. Using an API system, the startup allows developers to take bricks and create their own wallet system.

“We allow our customers to deploy their own instances on public clouds like AWS, private clouds, and connect their Thales or IBM HSMs to our blockchain transaction management system,” explains Clarisse Hagège

Als in terms of pricing , while not all offers are the same, the startup offers a billing system based on usage and not on volumes under management.

UAE Future Ventures has already invested in several digital asset service providers including Soter Insure, a provider of insurance products tailored to the digital asset economy licensed by VARA in the UAE, as well as QCP, a global digital asset trading firm, Fuze, a digital assets infrastructure provider, TwinStake, Tungsten, Kemet trading, and others.