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LIV Bank in UAE launches first crypto trading campaign

LIV Bank in UAE launches first crypto trading campaign

Liv Bank, the first digital bank in UAE, and a subsidiary of Emirates NBD on its website, has launched its first crypto trading campaign in the UAE, spurring the first outright competition between UAE banking sector and crypto exchanges.

While Liv Bank announced their foray into the crypto trading arena back in March 2025, it is only now that they outrightly showcased it on their website and announced their first campaign.

Utilizing services of both Aquanow crypto exchange in the UAE, as well as Zodia Custody services, UAE Liv Bank have showcased themselves as a trusted partner to invest in crypto. UAE Liv Bank, explains how users in the UAE can trade securely with the Liv app for fees as low as 0.5% with guided modules and the security that Emirates NBD Bank brings.

In its crypto trading campaign, Liv Bank is offering every trade placed of order value USD 50 or more one entry into each of the draws. As they noted, “The more the trades, the better your chances to win! Offering prizes of 100,000 AED during the months of May and June 2025.

Users will be able to trade crypto assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Ripple and others.

According to Liv Bank they have simplified the crypto trading process. There are no seed phrases or downloading digital wallets, all users need to to is use the Liv app, As they note, “With Liv, you can begin with small denominations, learning and growing as you go through guided modules that are designed to help you make informed decisions.”

All users have to do is sign up or log in to the Liv X app, Click on the Wealth tab then simply click Apply on the Crypto tile, and fill out the requested details, and submit. Then users can start accessing all their crypto investments.

In March 2025, Liv digital bank a part of Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region, announced the launch of their cryptocurrency offering within its mobile banking app – Liv X allowing users to buy sell custody and trade cryptocurrencies in partnership with Aquanow, a UAE regulated crypto asset exchange and Zodia Custody also regulated in the UAE.

At the time Liv digital bank noted that it was committed to introducing innovative products to its customers and this new cryptocurrency offering, with crypto infrastructure operated by Aquanow and custody services performed by Zodia Custody.

UAE Digital Bank implements Infosys Finacle on Microsoft Azure to integrate TradFi and DeFi

UAE Digital Bank implements Infosys Finacle on Microsoft Azure to integrate TradFi and DeFi

Infosys an Indian multinational technology company that offers business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services, utilizing its Finacle product offering on Microsoft Azure has provided the first digital bank in UAE (they did not name the bank), which could be Liv Bank, a subsidiary of Emirates NBD, given it has publicized itself as being the first digital bank in the UAE, with Finacle on Cloud, a cloud-native solution that accelerates cloud adoption which works to toward digital banking, integrate decentralized finance (DeFi) into their operations.

As per a Microsoft blog post, the first licensed digital bank in the UAE, aimed to tap into the power of advanced data capabilities to simplify and upgrade the customer experience and provide secure, reliable, and innovative solutions through blockchain and AI technologies. After evaluating various technology platforms, looking for capabilities that would help them successfully integrate traditional finance (TradFi) and DeFi. Their ultimate goal being to redefine the banking landscape by streamlining financial services and integrating AI and blockchain technologies into their operations. To accomplish this, they were seeking a composable architectural design and event-driven API on a cloud-native platform that offered agility and security.

The blog adds, ” Ultimately, after comparing many solutions, they decided they wanted to go beyond the traditionally defined core systems so many financial institutions rely on, and they instead adopted Finacle on Microsoft Azure, thanks to its functional richness, market-specific experience, long-term viability, operational performance, total cost of ownership (TCO), and flexibility.”

“A customer-centric revolution is reshaping corporate banking,” said Sriranga N. Sampathkumar, VP and GM – Middle East and Africa, at Infosys. “This bank is spearheading this change with AI, actively shaping the future of banking through innovation and the strategic integration of digital assets.”


Sampathkumar explained, “The bank’s swift evolution from a digital to an AI-driven bank was made possible by the seamless deployment of the Finacle on Azure.”

Using Finacle the bank can process a vast amount of data and perform sophisticated analytics—all resulting in the ability to innovate and integrate emergent technologies like AI, blockchain, and digital asset management and sit at the forefront of the digital banking evolution.

They also report that Microsoft Azure has been a crucial part of their solution; choosing Azure has reportedly provided them with a high-performing, scalable, and secure foundation upon which to build the bank of the future. The bank has active connectivity and immediate recovery from one site to another, due to the cloud footprint offered by Azure, including Microsoft datacenters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“By using the combined strength of Finacle’s innovative solution suite and Microsoft Azure’s robust cloud platform, this digital bank delivers a distinct, world-class experience, showcasing the essential agility, flexibility, and resilience needed to transform banking,” Sampathkumar said.

This comes as the UAE Bank Federation showcases how UAE banks are moving into the smart banking era with AI and Blockchain technologies among others.

UAE Bank Federation showcases how smart banking will help UAE GDP reach 20% by 2031

UAE Bank Federation showcases how smart banking will help UAE GDP reach 20% by 2031

The UAE Banks Federation (UBF), during the 14th edition of the AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of continuing initiatives and efforts to advance smart banking services to build a digital economy characterized by prosperity, resilience, financial inclusion, transparency, diversification, and sustainability where UAE GDP will reach 20% by 2031. They also noted that UAE Banks are continuing to invest in technologies such as AI, Blockchain, data analytics and cloud computing.

The AIM Investment Summit, taking place from April 7 to 9, 2025, under the theme “The New Wave of a Globalized Investment Landscape: Towards a New Balanced World Structure,” hosts heads of state, more than 60 ministers and central bank governors, 30 city mayors, 1,250 speakers, 16 heads of stock markets, 600 exhibitors, and over 20,000 participants from 180 countries—highlighting its status as a leading global investment platform.

In his keynote speech at the “Future of Finance” session, which featured senior officials and experts from the banking, finance, and technology sectors, Mr. Jamal Saleh, Director General of UBF, said, “The banking sector is distinguished by its progressive approach in adopting and developing advanced technologies to deliver seamless and secure banking services to customers. The proactive role of the Central Bank of the UAE fosters innovation to meet the evolving needs of diverse customer segments and keep pace with rapid advancements in fintech, while ensuring optimal conditions for protecting digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.”

He added: “Guided by the visionary leadership of the UAE, the country is redefining innovation and ambition across various fields, spearheading digital transformation and smart services. The UAE Digital Strategy aims to double the digital economy’s contribution to the GDP, from 9.7% to over 20% by 2031, underscoring the commitment to strengthening its leading status as a global center for finance, investment, and trade.”

He noted that UAE bank investments in technology infrastructure and digital channels has increased the adoption of digital services with now more than 95% of all transactions conducted digitally.

He also added that UAE banking sector is at the forefront of these efforts by deploying blockchain, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing to provide better services, enhance operational excellence, and improve risk management and regulatory compliance.

Bybit crypto exchange supports SuiHub AUS hackathon

Bybit crypto exchange supports SuiHub AUS hackathon

Present in the UAE, and already holding an in-principle license approval, Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, will be supporting SuiHub-AUS ( American University of Sharjah) program entitled Blockathon 2025: AI for Decentralized Autonomy ,a nationwide hackathon designed to empower students to lead the next wave of AI and blockchain innovation through Agent2Agent technologies. Additional ecosystem partners include Ghaf Capital.

As per the press release, applications are now open to all full-time university students across the UAE, offering a unique opportunity to explore how AI-powered Agent2Agent transactions can enable seamless, autonomous interactions within decentralized systems and real-world environments.

The initiative features two expert-led workshops, technical mentoring, and culminates in a live pitch competition at Basecamp Dubai. Participants will gain hands-on experience in blockchain development, go-to-market strategies, and direct access to industry leaders and tools shaping the future of Web3.

Teams will compete to build creative, original solutions. All registered participants will attend a series of workshops, with top shortlisted teams advancing to deliver final pitches at Sui Basecamp.

Hackathon Schedule:

April 11, 2025: Workshop 1 – Introduction to the Move Language
April 16, 2025: Workshop 2 – Go-to-Market Strategy
April 17, 2025: Hackathon Kick-off
May 2, 2025: Final Demo Day (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Participants will benefit from:

The program will also offer internship opportunities at Bybit, SuiHub, and Ghaf Capital which will include mentorship and technical support as well as access to SuiHub blockchain tools and developer infrastructure and exposure to VC and startup ecosystems in the UAE.
“The 2025 Blockathon marks a pivotal step in preparing the next generation for the era of decentralized autonomy. In collaboration with SuiHub, and with Bybit and Ghaf Labs as ecosystem partners, AUS is proud to create a launchpad where students gain hands-on experience in AI and blockchain innovation that truly matters,” commented Dr. Imran Zualkernan, Professor and Head of Computer Science and Engineering at the AUS.

Abu Dhabi Finstreet subsidiary of IHC Group signs MOU with Ninety One investment manager to integrate blockchain technology

Abu Dhabi Finstreet subsidiary of IHC Group signs MOU with Ninety One investment manager to integrate blockchain technology

Finstreet Limited, a subsidiary of IHC Group through Sirius International Holding a regulated subsidiary in Abu Dhabi ADGM, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ninety One, a global active investment manager with US$163 billion in assets under management (as of 31st December 2024) to explore innovative collaborations using blockchain technology.

Finstreet Global Markets Limited is, subject to final regulatory approval licensed for the Regulated Activity of Operating a Multilateral Trading Facility; at ADGM as well as subject to final regulatory approval, licensed for the Regulated Activity of Providing Custody, as a Digital Settlement Facility and Central Securities Depository; and is licensed for the Regulated Activities of Operating a Private Financing Platform, Managing a Collective Investment Fund, Advising on Investments or Credit, Arranging Deals in Investments, and Arranging Custody.

This strategic agreement aims to explore innovative collaborations in the development of structured and exchange-traded products, as part of Finstreet’s vision to redefine financial market access by integrating blockchain technology with traditional financial infrastructure platforms.

As per the press release, by combining Ninety One’s global experience with Finstreet’s infrastructure, the collaboration aims to drive growth and innovation in the financial sector, while meeting rising investor demand for private debt instruments.

The partnership will focus on creating and trading structured products and private debt instruments on Finstreet Global Markets, addressing growing market demands for sophisticated investment solutions.

Sunidhi Pasan, Founder & CEO of Finstreet Limited, commented, “This partnership underscores Finstreet’s commitment to redefining financial market access through strategic collaborations. Ninety One’s global expertise complements our vision of delivering robust investment solutions to institutional and professional investors.”

Nicolaas Alberts, Co-Head of the Middle East, Ninety One, said, “Through this MoU, Finstreet and Ninety One are laying the cornerstone for a dynamic, long-term partnership that will create enduring value for stakeholders. Furthermore, this collaboration with Finstreet will allow us to develop liquidity for our private debt solutions, including infrastructure debt, while strategically addressing market needs. Moreover, it reflects our shared ambition to deliver innovative investment solutions and products that unlock long-term value for investors.”

Meedaf an AI and Blockchain financial services venture owned by UAE ADCB bank launches

Meedaf an AI and Blockchain financial services venture owned by UAE ADCB bank launches

UAE Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has launched Meedaf, a pioneering Blockchain and AI enabled financial services venture designed to help banks and financial institutions across the UAE and GCC region enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and remain competitive through innovation and advanced technologies.

Operating as an independent entity within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Meedaf focuses on providing specialized solutions to streamline financial operations, strengthen security, and improve customer experience. Key offerings include AI-driven automation for collections, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance, blockchain-enabled security to enhance fraud detection, as well as transaction security and predictive analytics to optimize financial processing and improve service efficiency.

As per the press release, Meedaf will also deliver customer-centric digital solutions, such as loyalty program management, designed to drive client engagement and improve overall service delivery.

Ala’a Eraiqat, Group CEO of ADCB, commented, “Meedaf marks a pivotal milestone in ADCB’s evolution beyond traditional banking, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and transformation. By delivering scalable, innovative solutions for institutions across the GCC, this initiative is a bold statement of our vision for an agile and efficient financial sector. Our objective is to help unleash the industry’s potential to drive significant positive impact across the wider economy.”

To drive its ambitious agenda, Eng. Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Managing Director and CEO of Meedaf, will lead the company’s strategic direction and growth while continuing his role as ADCB’s Group Chief Business Officer.

Eng. Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Managing Director and CEO at Meedaf, commented, “I am honored to lead Meedaf in shaping the future of financial services. By leveraging ADCB’s expertise and forming strategic partnerships, we are dedicated to building a regional hub for financial innovation, delivering world-class solutions that create tangible value for businesses and communities across the region.”

UAE Mantra Chain launches $108 million blockchain tokenization Fund

UAE Mantra Chain launches $108 million blockchain tokenization Fund

MANTRA Chain, a layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), today announced the launch of the MANTRA Ecosystem Fund (MEF), a $108,888,888 million investment initiative designed to accelerate the growth and adoption of projects within the MANTRA ecosystem.

As per the press release the MEF arrives after MANTRA became the first DeFi platform to successfully obtain a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), to operate as a Virtual Asset Exchange, as well as provide Broker-Dealer and Management and Investment Services. ‍

The MEF will deploy up to $108,888,888 million over the next four years to support high-potential blockchain projects around the world. The MEF will serve as a strategic growth engine, providing capital to startups alongside globally renowned investment firms.

Investment opportunities will be sourced through MANTRA’s vast partner network, including leading incubators and accelerators, and capital partners such as Laser Digital, Shorooq, Brevan Howard Digital, Valor Capital, Three Point Capital, Amber Group, Manifold, UoB Venture, DAMAC, Fuse, LVNA Capital, Forte, and many more. This extensive global reach will ensure that the MEF gains exposure to top-tier projects from around the world.

“In an era where blockchain technology is revolutionizing finance, the MEF will serve as a catalyst for groundbreaking projects that drive real-world adoption through a focus upon the tokenization of real world assets,” said John Patrick Mullin, CEO and founder of MANTRA.

“By aligning with top investors and incubators, we are opening doors for visionary founders and teams to join us in building and creating a thriving ecosystem and bringing more of the world on-chain.”

Gideon Daitz, partner at Three Point Capital, who will lead the MEF said, “Our primary mission with the MEF is to support the development of RWA tokenization globally, empowering teams with capital, network, and advice to put the world’s highest-quality assets on-chain. We are primarily focused on building out the MANTRA ecosystem, but we genuinely believe in playing a non-zero-sum game, where collaboration and a broad open-arms policy will serve our community and industry best.”

Further adding, “We are seeking to make high conviction, resource heavy developments into fewer more focused teams, ultimately fostering stronger and more ingrained ties through our diverse network of resources.”

Mantra Chain itself had previously raised $11 million led by Shorooq partners.

The Hashgraph Group invests in AgNext to offer food traceability in MENA using blockchain

The Hashgraph Group invests in AgNext to offer food traceability in MENA using blockchain

The Hashgraph Group (THG), a Swiss-based global business, venture capital, and technology firm dedicated to the Hedera ecosystem, has strategically invested in AgNext Technologies, a leading agritech company driving innovation in food quality and transparency. With operations spanning India, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. AgNext leverages AI-driven quality assessment and blockchain-enabled traceability to enhance food safety and efficiency across the supply chain.

With this investment, THG joins AgNext’s recent financing round led by Novo Holdings, a holding and investment company headquartered in Denmark, with over US$150 billion in assets under management. Novo Holdings manages the wealth and assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Following its Series A funding in 2021, of $21 million led by Alpha Wave Incubation (AWI), AgNext opened its first international office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. AWI is backed by DisruptAD, which is managed by Falcon Edge and serves as the venture capital arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, ADQ. The funding at the time supported the view that AgNext is uniquely positioned to drive the digitization of quality-based food trade in the MENA region with its pioneering technologies.

Approximately a third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted annually, leading to severe environmental, economic, and social consequences. This not only exacerbates food insecurity but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, waste of resources, and economic losses. Boston Consulting Group estimates global food wastage at $230 billion annually.

Traditional quality checks are slow, error prone, and costly which leads to recalls and loss of trust. AgNext solves this with its patented AI powered solutions, replacing subjective assessments and lab delays with instant on the spot analysis. The solution brings digitized trust to global food supply chains.

Following this strategic investment by THG, AgNext will integrate Hedera’s cutting-edge distributed ledger technology (DLT) into its assurance and traceability platforms and devices – ensuring 100% traceability, transparency, immutability, and efficiency through self-executing smart contracts, eliminating the need for multiple intermediaries that currently populate the supply chains and drive-up end prices. Hedera being the most scalable, cost-efficient, and energy-efficient among blockchain protocols is especially well-suited for food supply chains.

Taranjeet Bhamra, Founder and CEO of AgNext, commented on the investment, saying: “We are excited to welcome The Hashgraph Group as a valued partner in our mission to revolutionize food supply chains. With THG’s expertise and technology, we are poised to enhance our quality assurance frameworks and create robust transaction assurance systems that will foster transparency and trust in the global agriculture and food sectors. This partnership marks a pivotal step in delivering innovative, cutting-edge solutions to our clients.”

AgNext and THG will also collaborate on joint go-to-market initiatives, including co-branded, Hedera-powered embedded devices, which will be offered to clients globally through a new Web3-centric joint venture established in Switzerland.

Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder & CEO of The Hashgraph Group, said: “THG brings deep expertise in designing, developing, and deploying enterprise-grade solutions on the Hedera network, delivered by our team of highly skilled, Hedera-certified engineers. With this strategic co-investment alongside Novo Holdings, we look forward to embarking on the tech-enablement journey with AgNext to drive the convergence of AI and Blockchain/DLT, while jointly bringing to market Hedera-powered AgriTech solutions that will enhance AgNext’s competitive edge in the Web3 era.”

Hedera leverages its unique Hashgraph consensus algorithm to achieve unmatched speed, security, and scalability. With low, predictable fees and a carbon-negative footprint, Hedera is governed by over 30 Council Members from the world’s leading organizations such as Abrdn, Dell, EDF, Hitachi, Google, IBM, Mondelēz, Standard Bank, and TATA, Hedera provides a trusted, quantum-resistant infrastructure for businesses and institutions worldwide.

Anindya Roychowdhury, Head of Global Partnerships at The Hashgraph Group, stated: “I’ve been closely following AgNext’s remarkable growth since its inception, and I’m thrilled that THG is now partnering with them to leverage Hedera as the foundation for their assurance and traceability platforms. With Taranjeet’s visionary leadership and the capabilities of Hedera, we are confident in creating world-leading, Web3-enabled solutions for the AgriTech industry.”

Bitcoin MENA conference returns to UAE in December 2025

Bitcoin MENA conference returns to UAE in December 2025

After the Bitcoin MENA conference in December 2024, ADNEC Group & BTC Inc Group Bitcoin MENA is returning to Abu Dhabi for a second edition, set to take place on December 8-9, 2025. Scheduled to open the day after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, the event will once again take over the Marina Hall at ADNEC Centre — this time with expanded exhibition space, an enhanced outdoor area, world class speakers and premium networking experiences, including yachts berthed at the venue.

The 2024 debut established Bitcoin MENA as the premier Bitcoin gathering in the Middle East and North Africa, bringing together influential voices from government, business, and finance. Attracting over 10,000 visitors, 190 speakers, 100 exhibitors, and 500 brands.

The last year’s headline speakers included Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; Prince Filip of Serbia; Saifedean Ammous, author of The Bitcoin Standard; Abdulla Al Dhaheri of the Blockchain Centre Abu Dhabi; Paul Manafort, Former Campaign Manager for Trump 2016; and Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East under the Trump Administration.

Humaid Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said, “The return of Bitcoin MENA to ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi reflects the city’s growing influence as a global destination for digital asset dialogue and innovation. This event is a strategic addition to our dynamic calendar, reinforcing ADNEC Group’s role in convening cutting-edge conversations and fostering meaningful partnerships across emerging industries. As we expand the platform in 2025, we look forward to supporting BTC Inc. in delivering an even more impactful edition that connects global visionaries with the region’s forward-thinking ecosystem.”

“The Middle East is rapidly becoming a center of gravity for Bitcoin adoption and policy innovation,” said David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. “The response to last year’s event was overwhelming. In 2025, we’re scaling everything — from speaker programming and exhibition space to VIP experiences and side events — to match the global importance of this region.”

The Bitcoin Conference, organized by BTC Media (parent company of Bitcoin Magazine), is a global event series featuring notable industry speakers, policymakers, workshops, exhibitions, and entertainment. The flagship event took place in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2024, and Bitcoin 2025 is scheduled to be held in Las Vegas in May 2025. Its international events include Bitcoin Asia (Hong Kong, August 28-29, 2025), and Bitcoin MENA (Abu Dhabi, December 8-9, 2025).

UAE regulated Fasset to distribute U.S. tokenized equities for Own and Dinari

UAE regulated Fasset to distribute U.S. tokenized equities for Own and Dinari

As Own and Dinari partner to bring $1 billion worth of U.S. equities on-chain, increasing the current tokenized equities market by more than 66x by the end of 2025, its tokenized equities will be distributed through UAE regulated Fasset licensed token exchange platform in the UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, the EU, Turkey and Pakistan.

Backed by Fasset, Own is the first Ethereum Layer 2 protocol built for the creation, management and distribution of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Dinari’s technology simplifies the issuance and distribution of fully-backed tokenized assets, offering access to over 100 stocks, ETFs, and REITs, including MSTR, TSLA, NVDA, SPY, META, AAPL, GOOGL, MSFT, and AMZN.

“U.S. equities have created trillions in wealth, but for most of the world, they remain effectively out of reach,” said José Fernando Pereira, Executive Director of Own. “This partnership creates direct access to these markets for global investors without the premium fees and extra steps that have limited participation.”

Own is incubated by the Own Foundation in partnership with Fasset, holding the largest portfolio of regulatory licenses and authorizations in high-growth markets. With Fasset’s support, Own has full permission to distribute and market virtual assets in rising economies, local banking rails for seamless transactions, fiat on/off-ramp infrastructure, and established trust with local regulators and central banks.


Through this partnership, investors can access fractional shares with lower fees, minimal entry barriers, and near-instant settlement, unlocking U.S. markets in ways that were previously out of reach.

“Tokenized real-world assets are one of the most in-demand digital asset use cases globally,” Mohammad Raafi Hossain, CEO and Co-Founder of Fasset, said. “We have already seen growing investor demand for these high-quality, compliant assets, and this partnership will fuel greater liquidity and market depth for tokenized assets.”

This follows a +1,000% month-on-month increase in tokenized US equities transactions on Fasset, driven by one of the largest on-chain equity settlements to date via Arbitrum and Dinari. The equities tokenized by Dinari on Own will be available for trading in conjunction with Own’s mainnet launch in Q4 of 2025.

“Dinari dShares enable investors around the world to access U.S. public markets without ever having to leave their preferred ecosystems and applications,” Gabriel Otte, Co-Founder of Dinari added. “We’re thrilled to partner with Fasset and Own Chain to deliver value to investors and grow the tokenized asset space together.”