admin

Total Post: 379

Turkey saw highest crypto gains in MENA for 2023

Turkey saw highest crypto gains in MENA for 2023

Built on investor interactions with centralized exchanges, Chainalysis has come out with their crypto gains by country research. Interestingly Turkey took top place in the MENA region with gains reach close to $1billion followed by Saudi Arabia at $350 million.

As per Chainalysis, overall crypto investors achieved total gains of $37.6 billion in 2023 much lower than gains made in 2021 which reached $159.7 billion but better than 2022 which witnessed losses of $127.1 billion.

The United States led the way in cryptocurrency gains by a wide margin in 2023 at an estimated $9.36 billion. The UK placed second with an estimated $1.39 billion in crypto gains.

Then in Asia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and India all hit over $1 billion in estimated gains placing top six for all countries.

Interestingly in MENA, Turkey saw gains of $950 million, while Saudi Arabia saw gains of $350 million. The only other MENA and GCC country on the list for top gains was UAE, which witnessed $204 million.

The findings from Turkey come at a time when more investments in the crypto space are being carried out in the country. Aquanow Türkiye, a subsidiary of Aquanow, received a strategic investment from two of Turkey’s leading portfolio management companies, Oyak Portföy and Finberg. As per the news, the investment was considered the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on developing innovative digital asset solutions for the Turkish market. Reports have indicated that Turkey is moving towards clarity around crypto regulation, with new rules expected in 2024. In December, the Turkish regulatory authority made technical appointments with experience in crypto assets and blockchain technology to the central bank’s rate-setting committee, according to a Bloomberg report.

On the contrary while Saudi Arabia saw the second biggest crypto gains in MENA region, it has yet to regulate crypto, while rumors are around that it and Qatar might be investing in Bitcoin soon.

So far, the positive trends of 2023 have carried over into 2024, with notable crypto assets like Bitcoin achieving all-time highs in the wake of Bitcoin ETF approvals and increased institutional adoption. If these trends continue, we may see gains more in line with those we saw in 2021. As of March 13, Bitcoin is up 65.4% and Ether is up 70.2% in 2024.

In the fourth annual Chainalysis Global crypto adoption index, identifying countries where the most people are putting the greatest share of their wealth into cryptocurrency, once again Morocco took lead and is listed as one of the top 20 countries placing an Arab country on the map, while Turkey placed first in the MENA region.

It seems with the bull market in full blast, the 2024 report will look even more promising.

Blockchain Life Forum making most of Bull run

Blockchain Life Forum making most of Bull run

The highly anticipated Blockchain Life Forum 2024 is set to take place in the vibrant city of Dubai on April 15-16. Welcoming industry professionals and crypto enthusiasts from around the world, this legendary event promises to be an unforgettable experience.

This time the central topic of the forum will be making money on Bull Run, which has already begun. Forum speakers and attendees will share analytics and experience: which coins to buy and sell, which coins are worth investing in now, and which are better not to invest in.

More than 8,000 people from more than 120 countries take part in the grand event.

Learn more and buy a ticket: Use the promo code laraontheblock10

So far Blockchain Life has confirmed the following speakers which include top figures in the global crypto market such as:

  • Justin Sun (Founder of TRON, Member of the HTX Global Advisory Board)
  • Sergei Khitrov (Founder of Listing.Help, Jets.Capital and Blockchain Life)  
  • Rachel Conlan (CMO of Binance)
  • Paolo Ardoino (CEO of Tether, CTO of Bitfinex)
  • Stephan Lutz (CEO and CFO of BitMEX)
  • Yat Siu (Co-Founder of Animoca Brands)
  • Dominic Williams (Founder and Chief Scientist of DFINITY (ICP))
  • Ben Goertzel (CEO of SingularityNET)
  • Xinxi Wang (Co-Founder of Litecoin Foundation)
  • Andrei Grachev (Managing partner of DWF Labs)
    and over 100 other speakers


For a grand conclusion of the event, VIP ticket holders and forum speakers will have the exclusive opportunity to attend the main crypto party of 2024 – the legendary Blockchain Life AfterParty.


The special guest at the AfterParty is the globally renowned hitmaker, Alan Walker, who will be performing an amazing live concert.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. On April 13-21, the crypto community can immerse themselves in a fantastic Blockchain Life Week, filled with exciting parties and events organized by various industry companies.

A VIP ticket to Blockchain Life 2024 allows for free access to some of those events in order to achieve a new level of networking experience.

Egypt to recycle waste using blockchain application

Egypt to recycle waste using blockchain application

Egyptian based GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ which works in Egypt on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). to support the Egyptian Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) has partnered with SIG, a leading packaging solutions provider and Egyptian based Plastic Bank on a blockchain enabled project for recycling waste.

Egypt generates more than 95 million tons of waste annually and currently only 60% of this waste is collected, with less than 20% of that being properly disposed of or recycled.

The partnership between SIG, GIZ Egypt, and the social enterprise Egyptian Plastic Bank aims to address this pressing issue and achieve positive change.

In a three-year initiative, the partners are on a mission to collect 700 metric tons of beverage cartons, while also aiming to improve the livelihood for around 1,000 local waste collection members via blockchain.

The PlasticBank app, backed by the social enterprise’s proprietary blockchain-secured platform, provides traceability and transparency in waste collection, empowering waste collectors to convert every piece of discarded material into a source of revenue.

Waste collection members will be able to log each collected product via the app to earn incentives deposited directly into their digital wallets and gain access to social benefits, including health, work and life insurance, digital connectivity, grocery vouchers, school supplies, and more. Furthermore, the waste collection members will undergo training and receive personal safety equipment for their well-being at work.

By streamlining and tracking the collection and recycling of waste, including used beverage cartons, this project also takes a broader role for laying the groundwork for an extended producer responsibility (EPR) model in Egypt. It aligns closely with the Egypt Waste Management Regulatory Authority to weave recycling into the legislative framework and underscores the important role of packaging manufacturers in environmental stewardship.

Abdelghany Eladib, President & General Manager India, Middle East and Africa at SIG stated, “Our new partnership goes one step further in accelerating our progress towards a circular economy. Extending social waste collection and recycling programs like this one in Egypt will help to achieve our goals and is a blueprint for future programs. By establishing a recycling system for beverage cartons in the Greater Cairo area and beyond, SIG is focused on reducing the environmental impact und creating a market for recycled paper.”

This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funding program “develoPPP” and its special initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”.

Layer1 Blockchain MANTRA applies for license in UAE

Layer1 Blockchain MANTRA applies for license in UAE

Layer 1 blockchain, MANTRA has announced that it has applied for a license in both the UAE and HongKong as it aims towards making real world asset tokenization mainstream.

MANTRA’s layer1 blockchain, known as MANTRA Chain, is designed to facilitate the issuance and trading of tokenized RWAs. MANTRA is on a mission to onboard financial organizations and other commercial enterprises that seek to tap into the many benefits tokenized RWAs have to offer.

As per the press release, by obtaining its first financial licenses in the UAE, MANTRA aims to position itself at the forefront of the rapidly evolving RWA sector throughout the Middle East and Asia.  MANTRA’s 2024 goal is to tokenize a diverse portfolio of assets including real estate, private market funds, private equity, art, and treasuries.

MANTRA CEO John Patrick Mullin stated, “Our vision is to spearhead the tokenization of Real-World Assets and set a global standard for security, compliance, and innovation. This will create a sustainable ecosystem for developers and institutions. By securing our foothold in strategic, crypto-friendly markets like Asia and the UAE, we’re not just navigating the future but actively building it. MANTRA will bridge the longstanding divide between traditional financial systems and the blockchain space, democratizing access to wealth and opportunity on a scale never seen before.”

In recent weeks, MANTRA has made headway in decentralizing its network, securing worldwide validator support. The imminent launch of the final MANTRA testnet, known as Hongbai, symbolizes a synergistic blend of Hong Kong and Dubai influences. Its deployment will be a pivotal step towards MANTRA Chain becoming the first RWA layer 1 on Cosmos.

The UAE is set to witness the launch of a large scale real estate blockchain tokenization project called Desert Pearl. Dubai based tokenization consultancy company, DDX, which is involved in both real estate and gold tokenization projects announced Desert Pearl.

Animoca brands makes strategic investment in UAE Blockchain gaming startup

Animoca brands makes strategic investment in UAE Blockchain gaming startup

Animoca brands, which offers digital property rights for games and open metaverse, continues to invest in gaming and Web3 start-ups in the MENA region. Its latest investment is with UAE based Param Labs, a blockchain enabled gaming infrastructure provider.

As per the press release, the investment will strengthen the two companies’ existing partnership to accelerate the development of Param Labs’ scalable blockchain enabled Web3 infrastructure and expand its ecosystem, which boasts over 50 IP partnerships with notable brands such as GameStop, Pudgy Penguins, Mocaverse, and more.

Param Labs is focused on developing video games and infrastructure to power the next generation of gaming. Kiraverse, the flagship Web3 multiplayer third-person shooter game developed by Param Labs, offers players the opportunity to compete, earn, and trade digital assets like characters and skins. Kiraverse is designed to promote digital ownership and user-generated value, leveraging Param Labs’ innovative technology.

Param Labs is also actively constructing technology to equip developers with the necessary tools they need to effortlessly elevate their users’ blockchain based experiences, ensuring seamless interaction for gamers across the globe. Additionally, its Pixel-to-Poly service enables users to transform 2D images into 3D playable in-game characters, compatible with Kiraverse as well as popular Web2 titles including Grand Theft Auto V and Fortnite.

With a strong focus on esports, Param Labs has also partnered with major esports organisations worldwide to promote Web3 ecosystem growth around gaming, and is gearing up for a token launch that will serve as an ecosystem token for its upcoming games and infrastructure.

Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, said, “We’re excited to invest in and partner with Param Labs to drive Web3 development in MENA and advance the cause of digital property rights in the open metaverse. Both Animoca Brands and Param Labs share a vision to redefine the gaming landscape and the open metaverse by leveraging the power of shared network effects.”

Anthony Anderson, founder and CEO of Param Labs and Kiraverse, emphasized the importance of the strategic investment and partnership with Animoca Brands: “This investment marks a significant milestone for Param Labs’ ecosystem development and the broader Web3 gaming landscape. Our vision is aligned with that of Animoca Brands and we’re thrilled to collaborate on the creation of valuable products at the forefront of gaming’s innovative shift to digital ownership. With our new funding, we’ll continue to invest in building out and scaling our current products while also advancing our ecosystem initiatives and fostering community involvement.”

This announcement comes after Animoca Brands just signed an agreement with KACST in Saudi Arabia to grow Web3 development in the country.

Institutional investors lead all time high in crypto volumes at CoinMENA

Institutional investors lead all time high in crypto volumes at CoinMENA

In a recent LinkedIn post, Talal Tabbaa, Co-Founder and CEO at CoinMENA, a regulated crypto broker in both UAE and Bahrain noted that the crypto exchange witnessed all-time high in crypto trading volume in February 2024.

As he stated, “CoinMENA hit an all-time high in trading volume this February, surpassing January by 80%. January itself set a record with a 64% increase from December.”

Interestingly he added that the majority of this volume came from institutions, family offices, and high net worth individuals. He adds, “The majority of this volume came from institutions, family offices, and high-net worth individuals. Retail is picking up, but nowhere near 2021 levels. Google Trends and Coinbase App Store ranking confirm similar trends. 2024 could be the biggest year in bitcoin yet because this is unprecedented in the history of finance.”

His comments on increased institutional interest is backed up by Philippe Bekhazi, CEO of XBTO global who recently told Fastcompany ME media platform that there’s a clear uptake in institutional investments in the international and UAE cryptocurrency markets, with 64% of institutions planning to increase their digital asset allocations in the next three years.

“This maturing market environment influences institutional investors by offering a diversified and technologically advanced investment landscape, enabled by the entry of specialized and regulated digital asset players in the UAE ecosystem,” says Philippe Bekhazi, CEO at XBTO Global.

Tabbaa believes that for the first time, increasing demand is meeting fixed supply. He gives example of ETFs which are alone purchasing over 11,000 BTC, while the daily issuance of Bitcoin is 900 BTC. So there is an obvious shortage.  

This is not just happening in the MENA region, rising bitcoin (BTC) prices have revived a crypto trading frenzy in South Korea, with volumes on local exchanges crossing those in the local stock market. Local media reported that trading volumes on South Korea-based crypto exchanges totalled a record 11.8 trillion won (KRW) on Sunday, or $9 billion at the going USD-KRW exchange rate. These topped Friday’s South Korean stock trading volume of 11.47 trillion won, or $8.7 billion.

CC Data noted that In February, the combined spot and derivatives trading volume on centralized exchanges rose 2.28% to $4.73tn as trading activity remains at a heightened level with Bitcoin nearing new all-time highs.

Tabbaa explains, “ETFs are buying up 12x the daily supply of bitcoin. The halving coming up in April will cut the daily issuance to 450 BTC. Bitcoin price is 9% away from an all-time high. Eventually, everyone will want access to the best-performing asset class in the world.”

He believes that given that Bitcoin price is at an all-time high, and the halving is 36 days away, increasing demand will meet decreasing supply.

With Bitcoin at $73,000 it seems he just might be right!

Blockchain forces in Qatar and South Korea to spur Vision 2030

Blockchain forces in Qatar and South Korea to spur Vision 2030

The homegrown Qatar Blockchain startup, Genesis Technologies has partnered with South Korean Blockchain company CP Labs.

Genesis Technologies and CPLabs are set to play a role in realizing Qatar’s Vision 2030 for a digital economy. The collaboration aims to deliver unparalleled security and resilience against cyber threats, underscoring the importance of robust blockchain solutions in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Doha, Richard Yun, the head of the business division at CPLabs, highlighted the company’s extensive experience and leadership in the blockchain domain. Yun stated, “As Korea’s first blockchain technology company, CPLabs has been at the forefront of commercializing blockchain based on the experience and expertise accumulated since the early days of blockchain technology in 2013. Furthermore, we aim to drive future changes in digital assets, which are essential elements of digital transformation, through blockchain technology. With 327 blockchain-related patents held worldwide, we have established ourselves as a complete IT solutions provider and are growing into a successful provider of solutions for government and institutional blockchain adoption.”

Yun further emphasized CPLabs’ commitment to navigating the challenges of the GCC market stating, “The GCC market presents another challenge for CPLabs. Being the only local blockchain company in Qatar, our partnership agreement with Genesis Technology, a startup at QU, holds great promise for both parties to enter the local government agencies and markets jointly. We got attracted to collaborate with Genesis Technologies because they share an innovative mindset as we do. Furthermore, we are committed to providing unlimited support and playing a leading role in contributing to the development of blockchain technology in Qatar.”

Mazen Al-Masri, the CEO of Genesis Technologies, echoed similar sentiments, expressing excitement about joining forces with CPLabs. “We are thrilled to collaborate with a well-established and innovative company like CPLabs that is a pioneer in the world of blockchain. Both companies share a similar vision to enable the digital transformation of business, government, and society, leading to a more secure, intelligent, and high-performing world. We will join efforts to produce best-of-breed solutions that respect local regulations and serve the local context effectively.”

This comes soon after Genesis Technologies unveiled two innovative software as a service offerings during their participation at the Web Summit in Qatar in February 2024.

UAE Infinity Capital acquires stablecoin security infrastructure provider for seven figures

UAE Infinity Capital acquires stablecoin security infrastructure provider for seven figures

UAE based blockchain validation provider Infinity Capital has acquired Andro, a security infrastructure for crypto and stablecoin management on financial institutions. As per the press release, the undisclosed seven-figure acquisition by the UAE-based firm aims to enhance its services with the blockchain product built by the Colombian startup.

The announcement adds that with this acquisition, the product’s capabilities will be improved, seeking to exceed one billion dollars in transacted volume by the end of the year.

Andro’s innovative platform empowers clients to manage their digital assets securely and efficiently. In their current version, clients can connect their personal custody wallets, such as MetaMask or Ledger, to Andro’s system.

Smart contracts diversify their holdings across various types of stablecoins to mitigate parity loss risks while continuously monitoring market prices. This system enables swift decision-making and asset exchange in the face of volatility, exemplified by incidents like the UST (Terra Luna) debacle, the FTX collapse, or the Silicon Valley Bank crisis affecting USDC’s value.

The advent of new stablecoins and traditional banks like Societé Generale and HSBC venturing into tokenized assets and deposits on the blockchain further illustrates the dynamic evolution of the financial landscape. Andro’s role in this ecosystem is crucial, offering a robust and responsive platform for navigating the complexities of digital currency investments.

Jose Pino, Andro’s founder, is a renowned figure in cybersecurity, credited with identifying vulnerabilities in the security protocols of over 30 major institutions, including Microsoft, Yahoo!, PayPal, and Harvard University. His work in developing open-source tools like Trape, aimed at combating terrorism and criminal activities, and Temcrypt, a multi-layer information encryption mechanism resistant to common brute-force attacks, has set new standards in the field of ethical hacking and cybersecurity.

The founding team consists of Jaime Varela, also founder of Zulu, an international business payments startup that successfully secured US$5 million in venture capital funding; Carlos Villarreal, the strategic mind and designer responsible for the seamless user experience; and Daniel Esposito, the leader of the development team. Their combined efforts have been pivotal to Andro’s development and triumph.

Jose Pino, Founder of Andro states, “We are confident that under Infinity Capital’s ownership, Andro will not only see enhanced capabilities but will also greatly contribute to Infinity Capital’s value. While I step into a new chapter focusing on AI-powered cybersecurity, I am excited to see Andro thrive in its next phase of growth.”

Bitcoin Magazine to hold its first Bitcoin MENA conference in UAE

Bitcoin Magazine to hold its first Bitcoin MENA conference in UAE

UAE based ADNEC Group, an events management company, will be holding the first Bitcoin MENA Conference in partnership with Bitcoin Magazine and Capital events. The Bitcoin MENA Conference 2024 is set to take place December 9-10th in the heart of Abu Dhabi at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

The event will be co-organized by Capital Events, the event management arm of ADNEC Group, and BTC Inc., the parent company of Bitcoin Magazine and the Bitcoin 2024 conference. The seminal partnership was cemented by a high-profile signing ceremony between Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, MD and Group CEO of ADNEC Group and David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. The launch of this event marks a significant milestone in the world’s largest Bitcoin conference’s expansion into the investment-friendly, dynamic, and rapidly growing MENA region.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group said: “Organizing this conference in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi reinforces its status as a regional and global epicenter for cryptocurrencies. It provides the region with a crucial platform for dialogue, discourse, and the sharing of knowledge and insights in this domain, contributing to shaping the sector’s regional trajectory for the future. The strategic collaboration with BTC Inc. to host the inaugural Bitcoin MENA Conference underscores the increasing global interest in investing in decentralized digital currencies in recent years. This partnership reflects our anticipation of future growth trends within this leading investment field.”

The Bitcoin Conference, produced by BTC Inc., is the world’s largest and most globally recognized conference brand dedicated to advancing the understanding and adoption of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. With a mission to foster collaboration and innovation, the conference brand brings together key stakeholders from across the global Bitcoin ecosystem to shape the future of Bitcoin and exhibit the latest developments, technology, and services.

Throughout this two-day event, participants will delve into the potential, challenges, and innovations within the developing Bitcoin ecosystem. Showcasing an impressive roster of expert speakers and influencers in the Bitcoin space, Bitcoin MENA is set to present a dynamic agenda complete with engaging keynote sessions, interactive discussions, and insightful workshops on key industry topics. These include the emergence of a new wave of banking and finance within the Bitcoin space, the dynamics of Mining, and the competition for energy dominance, along with insights into open-source initiatives tailored for the technical minds in the Bitcoin community.

Additionally, Bitcoin MENA 2024 will offer a variety of networking opportunities, fostering meaningful international and regional connections among participants whilst also providing a platform to showcase cutting-edge innovations and the latest developments in Bitcoin technology and services.

David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. noted, “Across our ecosystem, we have seen a significant upsurge in interest to enter the MENA region. When visiting Abu Dhabi, it became clear that it had all the right ingredients – infrastructure, investment, bold vision, and global access – to provide a perfect home for the international Bitcoin community to tap into the boundless opportunities this vibrant region has to offer. Capital Events and ADNEC Group are the ideal partners to collaborate with us on this journey as they bring world-class infrastructure and deep connections within the region to help supercharge growth and quickly establish Bitcoin MENA as the region’s go-to event.”

Darren Johnson, CEO of Capital Events added, “We are extremely excited to be partnering with BTC Inc. on this vital launch of Bitcoin MENA. Abu Dhabi’s increasing adoption of blockchain technology and friendly progressive regulatory environment have resulted in several high-profile industry licenses being awarded, thereby firmly positioning Abu Dhabi as the optimal hub for the flourishing adoption of Bitcoin in the region. It was clear early on in our discussions with BTC Inc. that we shared the same vision of creating an exceptional world-class event that would serve as a cornerstone in the region’s thriving Bitcoin landscape. We are confident that their deep specialist experience and global industry connections, coupled with our multi-sectoral experience and regional footprint, will make for a memorable launch and long-term growth.”

UAE based Crypto Oasis Ventures invests in bootstrapping layer for DeFi

UAE based Crypto Oasis Ventures invests in bootstrapping layer for DeFi

UAE based Crypto Oasis Ventures is one of the investors in Kaskade Finance, cross-chain liquidity bootstrapping layer for DeFi protocols and networks. The oversubscribed seed round had participation from over 40 investors, some of which include Marshland, NxGen.xyz, Artemis Capital, Andromeda Capital, Hercules Ventures, 369 Capital, Crypto Oasis Ventures, as well as influencers, including VirtualBacon, Brian D Evans, CryptoJack and more.

 Nathan Lenga, CEO of Kaskade, tabled the MVP to go live in August, and to continue to build a world-class team that will make certain Kaskade Finance is the premier liquidity incentivization layer for all of DeFi.

Kaskade already has a shortlist of protocols asking to collaborate in order to leverage its incentivization mechanism to bootstrap volume and liquidity; the first of which being Redacted Finance.

Lenga added, “We founded Kaskade to flip the incentive model on its head; rather than focusing on bootstrapping liquidity first, we strive to drive additional volume in the ecosystem. Our team fundamentally believes that the industry must incentivize volume, which represents demand, to create sustainable flywheels, given demand inevitably results in supply, liquidity.”

The first campaign will launch mid-March, in collaboration with Redacted Finance, with up to $30,000 USD in $BTRFLY rewards available for all participants. Not only is there a large rewards pool, but also a gas rebates program that frequent traders can avail themselves of.

Protocols with live tokens can create campaigns through the Kaskade application, engaging their users to increase trading volume and accordingly liquidity. These protocols will put up rewards in any token to incentivize their users to trade more frequently, with users being able to claim these rewards at the end of the week.