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UK metaverse company Luminous Group raises $1.2 million and sets up presence in the Middle East

UK metaverse company Luminous Group raises $1.2 million and sets up presence in the Middle East

UK headquartered Luminous Group, which provides immersive training programs, using metaverse technologies has raised $1.2 million from North East venture fund, and Mercia as its sets up a presence in the Middle East.

As per the release, the funding will enable the Luminous Group to roll its technology out to a wider audience and create 10 new jobs in the year ahead. It comes as the company is set to open a third office in the Middle East to support its growing client base in the region.

Luminous has already won a major contract from a leading Middle East energy company and recently opened an international office in Bahrain. It plans to open an office in Saudi Arabia later this year, and launch a global marketing campaign. The funding will also enable it to further enhance its platform to make it fully ‘self service’, enabling companies to create their own training programmes, and to launch a new marketplace where training providers can sell their own content.

The Luminous XR (extended reality) platform – which incorporates augmented, mixed and virtual reality – enables users to create training programs quickly and efficiently and track students’ progress. The system, which is ideal for energy companies and manufacturers, can recreate real-life situations including hazardous environments in a safe and repeatable way.

Luminous is run by Ben Bennett, CEO, and Nigel Hope.. Mercia Ventures first invested in 2017 to help it develop the platform. The latest round is the third to date and brings the total received by the company to over £1.9m, which includes funding from the NEVF and Mercia’s EIS funds.

Ben Bennett said: “While it is still early days for the ‘metaverse’, VR and XR technologies have matured significantly and the launch of Apple’s first mixed-reality headset next year is expected to boost awareness and drive global demand. The funding received from Mercia puts Luminous in a strong position to capitalize on that.”

Chris McCourt of Mercia Ventures said: “Current training techniques used in industry are expensive and outdated. Immersive training in a virtual environment could significantly improve performance but creating such programs has been challenging until now. The Luminous XR platform is enabling much wider adoption. This latest investment will enable the company to scale its business and become a global leader in XR training.”

Standard Chartered and SBI to launch $100 million digital asset venture company in UAE

Standard Chartered and SBI to launch $100 million digital asset venture company in UAE

Standard Chartered’s , venture arm SC Ventures, an innovation and fintech investment arm has partnered with Japanese SBI Holdings to establish a Digital Asset Joint Venture investment company in UAE. The parties intend to capitalize the vehicle with $100 million. The company will invest in DeFi, tokenization, consumer payments and metaverse.

The Digital Asset Joint Venture plans to make investments ranging from seed to Series C funding with a focus on investing globally.

Alex Manson, CEO, SC Ventures stated in the press release, “The region is fast becoming a hub for fintechs in the digital asset space due to its strengthening infrastructure and talent. The Digital Asset Joint Venture will be an important vehicle to explore the emerging digital asset ecosystem opportunities globally. The Joint Venture will leverage SC Ventures’ experience in digital assets through our ventures such as Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, and through our investments in FinTech like Ripple and Metaco.”

In May 2023, Standard Chartered signed an MOU with the Dubai International Financial Centre to collaborate in the digital asset space, including digital asset custody. That same month, SC Ventures exited its stake in Metaco SA, a Swiss-based tech firm offering critical software infrastructure that enables institutions to issue, secure, manage and trade digital assets. U.S. crypto firm Ripple acquired Metaco for US$250 million in its first major acquisition. Ripple is a SC Ventures portfolio company.

“Our Digital Asset Joint Venture plans to make strategic and minority investments in areas such as market infrastructure, risk management and compliance tools, DeFi, tokenization, consumer payments, and the Metaverse. This is one of several strategic initiatives and we will continue to invest and expand our footprint in the region as well as across the digital assets ecosystem,” Manson added.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership to establish a Digital Asset Joint Venture in UAE together with SC Ventures and bring to bear the collective capabilities of both our organisations in the digital asset space,” said Yoshitaka Kitao, SBI Holdings, Inc. Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO. “This initiative further solidifies the strategic relationship between SBI Holdings and SC Ventures following our investment forays into SC Ventures’ portfolio companies including Solv, Zodia Custody and myZoi.”

“We congratulate SC Ventures and SBI Holdings on their drive to help shape the future of finance as they forge ahead with their first Digital Asset Joint Venture in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). In a world where the conversation around digital assets has rapidly evolved from ‘why’ to an eagerly anticipated ‘when,’ DIFC stands at the forefront of regulation, having meticulously tailored its ecosystem to foster an environment that nurtures investment, fuels exponential growth, and drives innovation,” said Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer, DIFC.

OKX now has a General Manager for MENA based out of Dubai UAE

OKX now has a General Manager for MENA based out of Dubai UAE

OKX crypto exchange, with more than 50 million users, seeking a license in the UAE, has announced that it has appointed a General Manager for MENA region based out of Dubai.

Rifad Mahasneh, in his role as General Manager will be responsible for leading OKX’s operations and regulatory approach, and growing the company’s user base and market share in the region.

OKX President Hong Fang said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Rifad as OKX’s leader in MENA. With his extensive background in digital assets, finance and growth, and years of local leadership in the region, Rifad is a key strong addition to the team. With MENA being one of the fastest growing markets globally for digital assets and Web3 adoption, this appointment is a testament to our commitment to drive sustainable growth in this region.”

OKX MENA General Manager Rifad Mahasneh said: “I’m excited to join OKX and lead its MENA business – it’s a privilege to be a part of such a forward-thinking and innovative company. I look forward to contributing to the development of OKX in the UAE and across the MENA region, and to playing a role in helping to onboard the next billion users to Web3.”

Rifad has extensive experience in digital assets, strategy, and public policy in the UAE and is a board member of the Dubai Digital Asset Association (D2A2). Prior to joining OKX, Rifad held the position of Vice President with Rain, leading business and licensing efforts in the UAE. His earlier roles included leading Uber’s ride hailing business in the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Levant regions.

Dubai virtual asset regulator calls on more than 1,000 firms to finalize applications in ten days

Dubai virtual asset regulator calls on more than 1,000 firms to finalize applications in ten days

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) announced that while more than 1,000 legacy firms have filed applications to register under Dubai’s unique regulatory framework, underscoring the city’s commitment to fostering a transparent and resilient virtual asset environment, these firms need to complete their applications in ten days, by November 17th 2023.

As per the press release, following the inception of the Authority by Law No. 4 of 2022 and the issuance of VARA regulations in February 2023, Dubai’s Virtual Assets sector, which includes specialist Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and traditional businesses involved in Virtual Asset activities, became a part of a regulated sector requiring all such legacy operators in the Emirate of Dubai to obtain licenses or registrations under VARA

Further to substantive outreach efforts facilitated in collaboration with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Free Zone Council (DFZC) through 2023, VARA’s dedicated licensing team have successfully rolled out an accelerated domestic outreach program.

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) is advancing its engagement with the virtual asset market to evaluate compliance with its set regulations, emphasizing the obligatory licensing for all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the Emirate. Firms lagging in their application processes have until 17th November 2023 before enforcement mechanisms are due to be triggered by default.

As such VARA is calling on VASPs that have yet to submit the applications, have missed the notifications from their commercial licensing authorities, or have submitted incomplete forms to proactively get in touch, to avoid unintended regulatory consequences.

In recent months VARA has been issuing various market alerts. In its most recent alert it called to attention the media coverage regarding Bitay’s supposed entry into the UAE market, showcasing that unless they have secured approval or regulated by VARA or any other regulatory authority in the UAE. Prior to that it issued a notice with regards to Islamic Coin.

As per VARA, according to Cabinet Resolution No. 111/2022 advises the market to not engage with unregulated VASPs. VARA reaffirmed that Bitay is not regulated by VARA and has not sought to otherwise be registered with VARA.

This latest announcement by VARA comes after the UAE  National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee (NAMLCFTC), in collaboration with UAE supervisors, has issued guidance on combating the use of unlicensed virtual asset service providers, which is prepared by the supervisory subcommittee.

The guidance, which aims to educate licensed financial institutions (LFIs) and the wider public sector on the risks associated with unlicensed virtual asset service providers, has been issued pursuant to the Decree Federal Law No.20 of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Illegal organizations. It aligns with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) publication on updated guidance for a risk-based approach to virtual assets and virtual asset service providers.

The guidance provides the reporting entities, including LFIs, Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), and Licenced Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), with a comprehensive roadmap to enhancing their governance and operational processes. It also highlights how to identify and address governance challenges and emerging risks, underlining the importance of compliance with regulatory obligations under AML legislation and the regulations, instructions, guidelines, notices, and rules issued by the Supervisory Authorities.

The guidance directs the reporting entities to consult the FATF Report on Red Flag Indicators of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing regarding Virtual Assets. It specifically requires them to remain vigilant of the various fraudulent methods unlicensed VASPs adopt; continue to manage money laundering, financing of terrorism, and proliferation financing risks effectively; ensure emerging risks are factored into their business and customer risk assessments; and ensure due diligence is conducted to identify instances of forged documents and sanctions evasion.

As per the guidance, VASPs operating in the UAE without a valid license will be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including, but not limited to, financial sanctions against the entity, owners, and senior managers. Furthermore, reporting entities that demonstrate willful blindness in their dealings with unlicensed VASPs and have weak AML/CFT and Counter Proliferation Financing controls may be subject to enforcement action.

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE and Chairman of the NAMLCFTC, said, “The new guidance on combating the use of unlicensed virtual asset service providers comes at a time when virtual assets become more accessible through digital channels. As our digital economy matures, our work on combating all kinds of financial crimes intensifies through raising awareness of their risks and emphasising the importance of compliance with relevant regulations and legislation to ensure the integrity of the UAE’s financial system.”

Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy signs agreement for Blockchain use cases and Conference

Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy signs agreement for Blockchain use cases and Conference

The Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with DigiWeb LLC, a technology and Web3 company Choueh Law Firm, and the Lebanese Association for Digital transformation to introduce Blockchain training courses, develop Blockchain use cases and launch the upcoming Blockchain conference, “Blockchaining Lebanon Conference”

This MOU establishes collaboration between DigiWeb LLC, its partners, including the Lebanese Association for Digital Transformation (LADT) and   Choueh Law Firm, and the Ministry of Economy to support the Ministry’s digital transformation process.

The primary objective of the MOU is to provide training on Blockchain, and AI from various perspectives and organize a nationwide conference in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, with the honorable presence of Minister Amin Salam.

Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, H.E. Mr. Amin Salam, commented, “This MOU is an important step towards the digitization efforts of the Lebanese government. We seek to advance Lebanon’s digital future utilizing Blockchain technology. One of the vital steps towards this is the education of our employees on technologies such as Blockchain, AI, and others. The culmination of our efforts will be with the use cases and the Blockchaining Lebanon Conference.”

Fady Al Sayah, Founder & CEO of Digi Web LLC stated, “We are proud to be supporting the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and trade with their digital transformation process encompassing technologies such as AI and Blockchain. We look forward to working on Blockchain and AI use cases that benefit Lebanese citizens and streamline government services in a transparent and trustworthy manner.”

Mrs. Randa Al-Rifai, Head of Lebanese Association for Digital Transformation (LADT) added, “By training government employees on the concepts of Blockchain, and artificial intelligence we are not only up skilling the skill sets of these employees but preparing them for Web3 digitization services.” 

In terms of the event, Choueh Law Firm, represented by lawyer Mr. Charbel Choueh noted, “The conference will set Lebanon on the course to embrace the latest internet technologies, fostering innovation and progress as well as open doors to fresh investment opportunities within the burgeoning Third Generation Internet sector.”

Technologies such as Blockchain, AI, will encourage Lebanese youth and enterprises to transition into the Third Generation of the Internet, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

UAE Phoenix crypto mining Group and M2 partner for crypto yield product

UAE Phoenix crypto mining Group and M2 partner for crypto yield product

UAE based M2 crypto exchange and investment platform has partnered with UAE crypto mining Group Phoenix, to offer crypt investors with Bitcoin and Ethereum yields that reach up to 10.5%.

The alliance brings together the innovative UAE based entities and will reduce the level of counter party risk and in turn minimize volatility for investors wanting to gain exposure to cryptocurrency.

Stefan Kimmel, M2, CEO, said: “The industry leading collaboration between M2 and Phoenix Group has allowed us to design a product that utilizes Bitcoin mining to offer genuine returns for investors. Most investment platforms that offer yield returns on crypto provide it through one of two routes. The first route is proof of stake, which can result in some modest returns, alternatively the mechanic involves lending it out, and this incurs a considerable amount of counter-party risk. In our case, we are generating our returns predominantly with Bitcoin mining, which underpins the M2 Earn product.”

M2’s financial protocols are capable of reconciling client and M2 funds in near time, providing the highest levels of transparency to regulators and ensuring liquidity remains in place at all times.

The partnership with Phoenix Group empowers M2 to offer investors the assurance of investment yields based on real returns, which are generated via a 725MW Bitcoin mining operation. Founded in 2017 by Bijan Alizadeh and Munaf Ali. Phoenix aims to be the first privately owned crypto and blockchain entity to be listed on a Middle East stock market.

Bijan Alizadeh, Phoenix Group, Co – Founder and Group CEO M2, Founder and Managing Director “Phoenix vision was to set up and build an established UAE Crypto exchange, with full services for both retail and institutional investors and seeing this come to fruition is a very proud moment for us. With this strategic partnership we are in a position to provide unparalleled returns backed by the worlds largest bitcoin mining operations. We are delighted to announce this partnership which further cements the M2 and Phoenix proposition towards a collective vision, building the future of finance on secure and regulated investment products for all investors.”

“M2 has obtained a Bahamas License issued by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB), which enables it to offer the M2 Earn product to a global audience. M2 is also actively pursuing licenses in several European countries and navigating the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licensing process.

M2 Group’s  commitment to the UAE is further showcased by our two other entities: M2 Limited and M2 Custody Limited (M2 ADGM). Both are headquartered in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

M2 is also working towards obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to allow UAE residents to onboard, in addition to M2, with M2 ADGM which will be regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM. M2 ADGM will be going live at a later date with their ADGM license.

Latham Watkins advisors for UAE’s ADGM DLT Foundations regulations

Latham Watkins advisors for UAE’s ADGM DLT Foundations regulations

Latham Watkins announced that it advised UAE’s Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), financial free zone in the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations regulations, which aims to further build the digital assets hub.

UAE’s Abu Dhabi Global Market after announcing its DLT token issuance consultation paper in April 2023 has now officially launched its new regulation that will allow DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) Foundations, DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) to issue tokens.

This means that DLT Foundations of Layer 1 or Layer 2 protocol Foundations can receive licenses from ADGM and offer tokenized assets, or digital assets, or possibly established organizations wishing to use DLT and issue tokens.

This new regulation could encourage global blockchain DLT protocol Foundations such as Ethereum, Cardano, Hedera, and others to enter the UAE. UAE based Venom Foundation, a Layer1 blockchain protocol could also benefit. The Foundation recently announced a partnership with the UAE Government to establish the National Carbon Credit System can also utilize the new regulation.

The DLT Foundation regulation came as a response to interest from foundations being used for DLT purposes that require issuance of governance tokens.

According to Latham Watkins press release, “The regulations, published on November 1, 2023, present a worlds-first purpose-built legislative framework for establishing and operating DLT foundations for the use, deployment, development, facilitation, or support of DLT or issuance of tokens. They aim to provide market players with ample governance flexibility within DLT foundations recognizing new realities in decentralization.”

The Latham team was led by Dubai/Riyadh partner Brian Meenagh and London partners Stuart Davis and Andrew Moyle, with Dubai associate Ksenia Koroleva, Riyadh associate Matthew Rodwell, and London associate Sam Maxson leading on benchmarking and drafting. Advice was also provided by New York partner Stephen Wink, Hong Kong associate Zoe Wang, Singapore associate Gen Tan, and San Francisco associate Adam Zuckerman.

Stuart Davis, Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Digital Assets & Web3 Practice, commented: “This bespoke regime for DLT foundations, catering to a vast spectrum of blockchain and web3 use cases and decentralized business models, significantly advances the industry, reinforcing ADGM’s position as a leading market for blockchain innovation.”

As per the ADGM press release, “The new regime is set to enable positive transformation across the blockchain and Web3 landscape, fostering a more transparent and efficient future. Issued by the Registration Authority (RA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations Regulations 2023 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of digital assets regulatory frameworks across the region and at an international level. It aims to provide a comprehensive framework for DLT Foundations and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), enabling them to operate and issue tokens recognizing the unique needs of the Blockchain industry.”

According to the regulation document, a DLT Foundation is a legal entity established to use, deploy, develop, facilitate or support DLT or to issue tokens.

Looking into the regulation rulebook, when it comes to token issuance, DLT Foundations will have to provide information about the operation of the relevant smart contracts, vesting schedules and overall token supply over time; and  provisions, if applicable, on pre-emption and buy-back rights (and circumstances in which those will apply), as well as provisions regarding token economics;  any restrictions on transferability or technological lock-ups; types of Tokens that the DLT Foundation can issue or limitations on types of Tokens that the DLT Foundation can issue and blockchain protocols used for issuance; as well as the  purposes and intended use of Tokens.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, stated, “Abu Dhabi is rapidly emerging as the destination of choice for global players at the forefront of digital asset development. The introduction of the DLT Foundations Regime marks a revolutionary step forward, reinforcing ADGM’s commitment to a proactive approach rooted in extensive cross-industry dialogue and collaboration with various stakeholders. The new regime serves as a driving force for positive change in the digital assets sector. By transforming the blockchain and Web3 landscape, we are moving towards a future characterized by setting global benchmarks with enhanced transparency and efficiency.”

TON and XRP tokens join Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin in DIFC recognized crypto regime

TON and XRP tokens join Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin in DIFC recognized crypto regime

Two new crypto tokens TonCoin (TON), and Ripple’s XRP have joined Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum, and Litecoin as recognized crypto tokens by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the financial regulatory agency of the special economic zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

One year since the launch of DFSA the crypto token regime and five crypto tokens can now be utilized by virtual asset firms within the DIFC. License firms will be able to incorporate XRP and TON into their virtual asset services. XRP and TON will be available for use by institutions located in the DIFC to accelerate faster, more efficient global value exchange.

Commenting on the acceptance of XRP in DIFC crypto token regime, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple,  “Dubai continues to demonstrate global leadership when it comes to the regulation of virtual assets and nurturing innovation. It’s refreshing to see the DFSA encourage the adoption and use of digital assets such as XRP to position Dubai as a leading financial services hub intent on attracting foreign investment and accelerating economic growth. Ripple will continue to double down on its presence in Dubai and we look forward to continuing to work closely with regulators to realize crypto’s full potential.”

The recognition of TON comes a few days after TON set a world record for network speed. The TON team conducted a public test of blockchain speed. The developers reported that in 12 minutes of the experiment about 42 million transactions were performed, and the maximum speed amounted to 108,409 transactions per second.

Under the regime, firms in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) can apply for and obtain a license to provide financial services with Crypto Tokens in or from the DIFC. The DFSA’s regulatory regime is largely technology-neutral, allowing firms to provide a wide range of financial services with Crypto Tokens.

The framework is designed to accommodate firms who want to operate a Crypto Token market, provide custodial services, manage clients’ assets, establish or manage funds, or provide other financial services. The rules cover a wide range of risks relating to financial crime, technology, governance, custody, disclosure, market abuse and fraud.

Since its inception the crypto token regime has received enquiries from 100+ firms have inquired regarding operating a Crypto Token business, 5 Crypto Token variations were issued (a mix of funds and trading business). In addition one license to offer Investment Tokens was issued (to tokenize units of a fund);  and five crypto tokens have now been recognized.

DFSA will be launching its next set of proposals that will focus on custody; financial Crime; Staking for Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms; and Fund Management

Dubai Freezone Oraseya Capital launches $136 million fund for tech startups

Dubai Freezone Oraseya Capital launches $136 million fund for tech startups

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Oraseya Capital, launched from the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) will fund high technology startups from initial seed investment to Series B. The $136 million fund is aligned with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 which aims to develop SMEs. Their investment tickets go up to $3 million but startups have to have some form of presence in Dubai, UAE.

The fund will serve as a strategic partner for startups, providing guidance, support, and the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of growth and innovation. Oraseya Capital is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of technology startups, contributing to the sustainable development and progress of Dubai’s economy.

This launch comes days after Saeed Al Darkmaki, a UAE national well known in the crypto, blockchain and DeFi circles as an entrepreneur and investor joined BoCG, a Venture firm focused on an Arabian Peninsula Fund in MENA region, to oversee the growth of blockchain-based venture portfolios seeking the next stage of growth through their Venture Operating Model (VOM).

In early October, Deus X Capital with offices in the UAE launched with $1 billion in assets according to an article published in CoinDesk. As per the article the family office backed investment firm launched on October 2nd with Tim Grant as CEO.

UAE Gold tokenization pioneers applaud HSBC gold tokenization initiative furthering growth

UAE Gold tokenization pioneers applaud HSBC gold tokenization initiative furthering growth

Recently HSBC announced that it would be tokenizing physical gold using Blockchain technology. The tokenized gold stored in HSBC London Bank vaults, will offer tokens that represent 0.001 troy ounce traded on HSBC Evolve platform to institutional investors, with UAE Gold tokenization pioneers applauding this effort and believe this will grow the precious metal tokenization sector further.

Mark Williamson, global head of FX and commodities partnerships and propositions, confirmed the launch of the platform in a Bloomberg interview.

Gold has become a safe haven for many investors and this has also been pushed by the demand for real world tokenization solutions.

The advanced platform creates a ‘digital twin’ representing loco London gold, which facilitates trade through the HSBC Evolve platform or an API. This innovation generates a permissioned digital representation of clients’ physical gold holdings, which is integrated into HSBC’s operational infrastructure. The system enables efficient tracking of allocated and unallocated gold positions corresponding with physical holdings.

Richard Bibbey, HSBC’s Global Head of FX, EM rates and Commodities, said: “As one of the earliest adopters of DLT, we are pleased to reinforce our leadership position in the gold market by tokenizing physical gold. We continue to pave the way for improving the post-trade market infrastructure of capital markets.”

Apart from facilitating potential fractionalization of loco London gold bars and direct retail investor participation, the platform also allows clients to view their tokenized gold trades.

John O’Neill, Global Head of Digital Assets Strategy, Markets and Securities Services, HSBC, said: “Tokenising physical gold represents a further advance in HSBC’s overall digital assets strategy. In addition to demand for native digital assets, we are seeing appetite for tokenisation solutions that can maintain a link to specific real-world use cases, such as gold. Our approach to gold tokenisation complements HSBC Orion, and is part of our commitment to creating a world-leading set of digital asset capabilities to best serve the needs of our clients.”

While the tokenized gold market is primarily dominated by Tether Gold (AUT) and PAX Gold (PAXG), both having market capitalizations around $490 million and $480 million, respectively, there are several companies based out of UAE who are also offering gold tokenization solutions.

LaraontheBlock spoke with tokenized gold experts in UAE to view how this will help tokenization of precious metals and their thoughts on this.

Navin Dsouza Co-Founder & CEO at UAE based Comtech Gold told LaraontheBlock, “This is really good news for the Gold Tokenization industry. With Global Banks like HSBC offering Tokenized Gold it reemphasizes the importance of blockchain and digitalization in Gold along with the need for De-Dollarization in the current era of high inflation.”

He adds,” Comtech has the complete infrastructure along with the Governance framework with DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Center) to offer Gold Tokenization product to any financial institutions who want to offer Tokenized Gold to its customers in a form of Comtech white labeled solution. We will see many players and banks joining the Tokenization race because of the strong use case benefit to the Industry.”

Ahmed Bin Sulayem Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC explained, “As a long-standing advocate for gold tokenization, HSBC’s entry to blockchain will not only support much-needed transparency, but provide greater accessibility and security for investors. Having launched our own tokenization mechanism in November 2022 in partnership with Comtech Gold Bullion, backed by our internal DMCC Tradeflow platform, we’ve already tokenized 144kgs of gold for investors, while providing a value-added service that has the capacity to expand into other precious metals in the near term.”

Mark Gesterkamp, Business Development Director at Aurus Gold headquartered in UAE commented, “We applaud the step HSBC is taking by joining gold tokenization as gold has an important role in the transition to on-chain finance. It is no surprise they have done so, as it will surely open up the market through smaller traded denominations and improve liquidity and tradability.

He explained how already Aurus’ Tokenization-as-a-Service allows for any financial institution to use its technology by minting a digital representation of its bullion from gold, silver to platinum. This entails banks and family offices looking to join the digital space and finding new distribution channels.  He adds, “The decentralized nature of gold tokenization is key here, whilst being a supplying partner of the Aurus ecosystem it allows clients to benefit from trading transactions.”

UAE was one of the first countries globally to begin tokenization of gold and other precious metals. Startups from the region and globally are setting up in the country as gold-backed tokens witness a growth surpassing that of cryptocurrencies. The market cap of gold-backed tokens has exceeded $1 billion — a far cry from $100 million in 2020.

Most of the entities developing gold tokens have chosen the UAE because of its positive crypto stance, its regulations, its gold hub, and the region’s affinity to Shariah compliant commodities. With this new announcement by HSBC, the UAE is poised to become a more formidable hub for tokenization of precious metals.