peaq a global computer with borderless, decentralized, digital infrastructure for real-world apps. has partnered with Pulsar Group, an advisory firm in Abu Dhabi to launch a Machine Economy Free Zone (MEFZ), a dedicated sandbox environment for the Machine Economy in the UAE which The MEFZ will also include the world’s first pilot of “Universal Basic Ownership (UBO). To support the free zone, peaq is setting up its official HQ in the UAE to support the Machine Economy Free Zone on the ground

According to the peaq post, all around us, machines are already doing the work, driving, farming, scanning, delivering, answering our prompts. They’re creating real-world value, every second of every day. But turning the rise of the robots into a human-centric, decentralized economy — one where people can co-own, govern, and earn from the infrastructure that runs the world takes more than just code. It takes regulation, incentives, and physical and digital spaces to test and build.‍

The Machine Economy is a society in which humans and machines co-exist, co-create value, and thrive together in the Age of Abundance. It’s a human-centric economic paradigm where machines provide goods and services, earn income, and interact directly with people, businesses, and each other. Powered by AI and running on Web3, these machines can operate both autonomously and independently, generate real-world value, and share that value with the communities they serve.

The Machine Economy Free Zone sandbox will combine regulation, machine and infrastructure deployment, research, and investment in one place. A space for founders and policymakers to test, deploy, and scale new ideas for how humans and machines can build a future that works for all humans – and one day, for conscious machines too.

“We’re honored to be part of peaq’s transformative journey. peaq is redefining what’s possible for the future of the Machine Economy. By boldly bridging the physical and digital worlds through a decentralized, scalable, and sustainable Layer-1 blockchain, peaq is laying the foundation for a new era of real-world connectivity and autonomy. This is more than technology — it’s a movement, and we’re proud to help shape what comes next.” said Alyazi Al Khattal, CEO of Pulsar.

Machine Economy Free Zone sandbox will focus on four key pillars

Regulation: As part of the MEFZ, peaq is working on the development and testing of a range of regulatory initiatives and sandboxes, such as compliant tokenization and investment into autonomous machines and robots.
Deployment: peaq is working with Emirati partners to set up physical and virtual sandboxes where founders can experiment with new business models and deploy apps, devices and technologies aimed at powering more advanced smart cities.
Investment: peaq is connecting top apps (DePINs) on peaq with the most visionary investment bodies and institutional partners in the region, enabling them to scale and deploy at lightning speed.
Innovation Hub: peaq is establishing a regional innovation hub focused on supporting DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) apps in research and development, deployment, and connection with organizations interested in the value these apps provide.

Among the first initiatives to be tested in the MEFZ is a framework for Machine Tokenization. This framework aims to make it easy for anyone to invest in robots and machines, from autonomous vehicles to vertical farms. It’s a key piece of Machine DeFi, peaq’s vision for a decentralized financial system where people can co-own and earn from real-world machines as they operate and generate value.

The MEFZ will also include the world’s first pilot of “Universal Basic Ownership (UBO)”. UBO explores how machine-generated income can be distributed directly to the communities affected by automation. No middlemen, no red tape just machines generating value, and people receiving a share of it.

Both of these initiatives will be tested, refined, and scaled in the Machine Economy Free Zone.

‍“The Machine Economy is no longer a far-fetched dream, it is a reality quickly shaping up before our very eyes. peaq makes this transformation work for everyone and the Emirates, as one of the most innovative nations in the world, is the perfect place to pilot this vision, setting a template and example for the rest of the world”, noted Till Wendler, co-founder of peaq

With the lifting of the United States sanctions on Syria, Binance, the world’s largest exchange with 21 licenses globally, has announced that it is now serving Syrian users.

As per the press release this is a pivotal moment for financial inclusion and reconnection.

Binance stands as a trusted and compliant exchange in the digital economy. Syrian users will now have access to Binance’s suite of products and services, including hundreds of digital assets, spot and futures trading, staking and earn products, stablecoins, and Binance Pay for seamless cross-border remittances. Dedicated educational content in Arabic and localized support will ensure users can onboard with confidence and trade securely.

Syria’s population is approximately 24 million residents, with an estimated 8 to 15 million more living abroad. Years of economic instability and high inflation left many dependent on remittances, informal networks, and unstable local currencies. These factors may explain why Syria ranked top 10 countries globally for crypto-related search activity as recently as 2021.

Richard Teng, CEO at Binance, said, “After years of exclusion, Syrians now have the chance to build, invest, and connect. With Binance, they gain access to one of the most robust crypto ecosystems in the world, from trading and earning opportunities to seamless crypto payments. This isn’t just about opening accounts; it’s about opening futures and horizons.”

Binance is committed to supporting Syrian users through educational initiatives, practical guidance, and secure access to the digital economy. Our mission has always been to promote financial accessibility and inclusion, and today marks a meaningful step forward.

On the heels of the success of the first tokenized property listing in UAE and MENA, which brought in investments of over $700K, Dubai PRYPCO, Dubai Land Department, under the regulatory overlook of Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority and the Central Bank of the UAE, have announced the launch of their second tokenized property worth $650K.

PRYPCO Mint will go live with the second tokenized property listing on June 11th 2025. As per the press release, the next phase not only reinforces investor confidence in fractional property ownership but also strengthens Dubai’s standing as a global pioneer in real estate innovation and blockchain-powered investment.

The new tokenized property is a one bedroom apartment in Kensington Water, at Mohammed Bin Rashid City. It has a total valuation of AED 1.5 million ( $653K) offered at a discounted rate compared to its estimated market value of AED 1.875 million.

Through fractional ownership starting from just AED 2,000, ( $540) to UAE residents holding Emirates IDs.

Amira Sajwani, Founder and CEO of PRYPCO, said, “The incredible response to our first tokenised property proved that investors are ready for a smarter, more accessible way to invest in real estate. With our second property, we’re continuing to break down traditional barriers and offer high-quality opportunities to a broader, more diverse audience. At PRYPCO, our mission is to democratise property ownership, and this is just the beginning.”

Already PRYPCO Mint which was launched on May 25th has been successful in its first offering, a two bedroom apartment in Business Bay that attracted 224 investors from over 40 nationalities, with an average investment of $2900. The first was also listed at $653,000 and was fully funded in one day.

Blockchain based certificates of Property Token Ownership were granted for the first property. Ctrl Alt powers the blockchain infrastructure, issuing secure ownership tokens on the XRP Ledger, while UAE digital bank Zand serves as the official banking partner.

Targeting tech-savvy investors, millennials, and first-time buyers, PRYPCO Mint enables digital property ownership through a mobile-first experience, transforming real estate from a traditionally slow, capital-heavy asset into a flexible, inclusive, and liquid investment.

PRYPCO Mint platform is expected to open to international investors in its next phase, further expanding Dubai’s real estate footprint as a global innovation hub.

After being admitted to Qatar’s Digital Assets Lab, Allo, a blockchain tokenization platform has announced that it will begin piloting initiatives in areas such as secure digital identity systems as well as tokenization of real world assets.

By working within the Qatar Digital Assets Lab, Allo is able to fine-tune its blockchain technologies to meet the specific demands of local markets. This includes use cases such as Islamic finance, regional data protection standards, and tokenized assets.

According to Allo, the opportunity to build and test under regulatory guidance is relatively rare and enables developers to refine applications in alignment with both legal and market realities.

Allo not only is focusing solely on technical development, it is also collaborating for, security, and regulatory adaptability. Allo’s participation supports efforts to ensure that blockchain tools are accessible, secure, and tailored to real-world financial inclusion and risk mitigation needs.

The goal is to generate actionable insights on how distributed ledger technology can strengthen financial infrastructure while maintaining compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Other partners at Qatar Digital Asset Lab such as The Hashgraph Association, are also working on five tokenization use cases.

UAE based Akka Finance, the AI Intelligence Layer for Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi), has received a strategic investment from Core Ventures, the investment arm of Core DAO.

As per the press release, the partnership validates Akka’s mission of leveraging AI to make DeFi easily accessible.

The new investment from Core Ventures joins a strong group of existing backers, including Ahoy Group and XVC Tech. As a portfolio company of KEY Difference Labs, Akka is building the future of Bitcoin-native DeFi by removing complexity and enabling smarter, more intuitive execution for all users.

The investment cements Akka’s role leading the AI revolution in DeFi, starting with the most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. Core Ventures is a mission-driven investor who has deployed more than $1 million with the mission to bring decentralized finance to the Bitcoin blockchain.

Akka Finance launched its super-app in 2024, allowing users to interact with DeFi on ‘beginner mode’. By bringing trading, lending & borrowing and staking into one conversational interface.

Akka has 10,000 users which represent over 30% of the swap activity on the Core blockchain.

As part of its multi-chain rollout, Akka is launching a suite of predictive analytics that will solve the volatility problem endemic to crypto by allowing users to predict crypto prices in advance. The firm has also processed $80 million in transaction volume on Bitcoin DeFi.

By using a conversational interface to solve user problems, Akka’s cross-chain solution bundles numerous functions into one easy to use application. The team prepares to go beyond Bitcoin into other chains, and notes that several other partnerships and integrations are underway.

“Core Ventures’ investment is a powerful validation of our vision to make DeFi accessible to all, and recognizes the fundamental importance of Bitcoin as the most underserved blockchain,” said Ali Khoshnafs, CEO of Akka Finance. “Core is building the most secure, scalable foundation for Bitcoin DeFi, and Akka solves the complexity problem by providing a seamless intelligence layer optimized for all users. Together, we’re unlocking Bitcoin’s trillion dollar potential, making it productive and accessible for everyone.”

Core Ventures shares this enthusiasm for the future of BTCFi. “We back bold ideas that push the boundaries of Bitcoin’s utility in DeFi, and Akka Finance is a perfect example of that innovation,” said a representative from Core Ventures. “Their AI-driven approach aligns with our mission to create a scalable, secure ecosystem where Bitcoin can thrive as a cornerstone of decentralized finance.”

Founded in 2022 in Dubai, Akka Finance harnesses Dubai’s progressive regulatory environment and enjoys the government’s pro-innovation agenda.

After Mantra Chain with the support of Google Cloud launched the RWAcclerator, a start-up accelerator program designed to drive the development, innovation and adoption of real-world assets, it has now announced the seven projects selected from the 150 applications given received.

Supported by Google Cloud, the intention is also to empower builders and startups with investment capital, mentors, dedicated AI support and more, in what is proving to be a timely moment for the space. With the World Economic Forum projecting that by 2027, 10% of the world’s GDP – approximately $10 trillion – will be stored on blockchain networks, with RWAs playing a significant role in the transformation. 

Over 150 applications were received for the first cohort of the RWAccelerator, with seven selected projects coming together for a two day in-person summit during the week of TOKEN 2049 in Dubai. For a review of the selected projects and how they’ll be solving real world issues in their respective industries, read on.

The first project is Brickken, an institutional-grade, end-to-end tokenization platform that enables financial institutions, asset managers, and companies to tokenize and manage real-world assets (RWA) across global markets. Whether it’s private equity, credit, real estate, or infrastructure, Brickken provides the tools to digitize assets, manage them more efficiently, and unlock new financing opportunities. The platform supports regulatory alignment, increases transparency, and expands access to liquidity. With over $300 million in tokenized assets, more than 100 clients, and deployments in 16 countries, Brickken is enabling a more efficient, transparent, and accessible financial system.

The second one is Liquidstar which is building a network of solar-powered micro data centers (Waypoints) that provide off-grid communities with electricity, water, and internet infrastructure, while generating revenue by selling excess resources to local businesses and individuals. They are addressing the challenge of energy access and digital inclusion in emerging markets, where underserved populations struggle with unreliable energy sources and lack of connectivity. Their solution not only powers local economies but also integrates cutting-edge technologies like edge AI and blockchain to drive sustainability and economic growth.

As for the third startup to be accepted it is NestiFi, an AI driven child-friendly platform that unites traditional custodial accounts with blockchain-based investments and DeFi yield opportunities. Parents, grandparents, and friends can seamlessly pool funds—whether stablecoins, RWAs, or mainstream crypto—while kids learn the basics of finance through interactive lessons. 

The 4th startup is a real estate Investment Exchange that allows users to invest in real estate backed tokens, track earnings and receive payout directly from their dashboard. The name is Elevex.

The fifth is Juic3 Labsn and sixth is Loop RWA. Loop RWA is a crypto-enabled AI agent platform designed to automate enterprise workflows, starting with customer support. By deploying high-accuracy voice and chat AI agents, Loop RWA reduces labor costs and improves service quality for businesses in the EMEA region. The platform also tokenizes recurring SaaS revenues, enabling businesses to access non-dilutive capital while providing crypto lenders exposure to real-world revenue streams. Loop Smart is redefining enterprise automation with a blockchain-native approach.

Finally is Lympid a full-stack platform for launching, managing, and distributing tokenized investment products backed by real-world assets. From Horses, Luxury Watches, Cars, Art to T-bills and Real Estate, Lympid turns exclusive assets into compliant, fractionalized investment experiences available to the masses. Through its App it has already reached 10,000 users and over $10 million transaction volume and is now scaling via API and B2B integrations offering the entire lifecycle of tokenization, from asset onboarding to investor settlement.

@lympid_official

Over the course of the next month, each project will focus on building and deploying their solutions in the MANTRA Chain ecosystem. So too receiving support and advice across key elements including; smart contract development, tokenomics, market maker selection, listing processes, legal compliance and more. 

As part of the process, all dApps will first be deployed on the MANTRA Chain testnet for rigorous stability testing before making their official debut on the mainnet.

Simultaneously, we’ll also be sharing updates on each project, diving into their purpose, vision, and progress, with greater depth. 

Mathew White, CEO of Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), recently noted on LinkedIn that the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is no longer an experiment. He stated, “It’s happening right now.”

He explained how VARA views tokenization as more than a blockchain use case but rather as a structural shift and the foundation for a new kind of financial system. He explains, ” Everything from real estate and art to commodities and IP can be digitally represented, owned and exchanged in real time.”

He adds, “It’s a system of fractional ownership and near-instant settlement, where global markets are trustless, borderless, and always on. The illiquid can become liquid.”

He gives the example of BlackRock which sees tokenization as a democratization of investing. Its CEO Larry Fink envisions a world where every asset can be tokenized from stocks and bonds to entire funds.

The global tokenisation market was valued at $3.32 billion in 2024 and is projected grow to nearly $13 billion in 2032 – a CAGR of 18.3%.

He goes on to say that in Dubai, tokenized RWAs are a policy priority. He explains, “We’re building the infrastructure to make it all real – credible rules, secure frameworks, trusted intermediaries. We’re enabling the shift from analogue finance to digital ecosystems where anyone – regardless of size or geography – can participate, invest, and grow. Technology alone won’t deliver the future we want. It needs governance, credibility, guardrails, and trust.”

He notes that VARA is committed to creating a gold standard for oversight – a regulatory regime that’s clear, credible, and agile. “The idea is to protect without paralyzing. To not only supervise innovation, but to accelerate it.”

In his final words he says that Dubai intends to lead from the front.

Already Dubai has stated with the successful tokenization of real estate project with Dubai Land Department that happened a few weeks ago. In addition, the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority has licensed Emirates Coin Investment LLC (EmCoin) based out of Abu Dhabi UAE, as the first regulated integrated investment platform to offer both crypto investments as well as traditional assets such as equities, commodities, and even ICOs.

Regulated by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority, Emirates Coin Investment will be able to serve the entire UAE.

Fortemis, which offer compliance and regulatory services, has partnered with RAK DAO Strategic and has set up its operations at RAK DAO. Fortemis was founded with the mission to empower businesses to navigate the complex regulatory landscape with confidence.

It is also a an IFZA authorized partner. According to Fortemis, navigating the regulatory licensing process can be complex and time-consuming, especially in the virtual asset and fintech industries, where compliance standards are continually evolving.

Their team at Crypto Consulting specializes in supporting companies through each stage of obtaining regulatory licenses, with a focus on the UAE’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM).

From anti-money laundering (AML) policies to data protection frameworks, their solutions aim to provide clear and compliant roadmap for managing risk.

Fortemis noted, ” We are proud to announce that Fortemis has officially partnered with the RAK Digital Assets Oasis, the world’s first free zone dedicated to supporting the future of Web3 and AI innovation. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to empowering founders and technology-driven ventures by providing clear, compliant pathways to launch and scale in the UAE. Through our collaboration, Fortemis will offer advisory and regulatory support for company formation, licensing, and governance, ensuring Web3 and AI projects are built on strong, future-proof foundations.”

In a recent interview with Abu Dhabi based ADI Foundation, CEO Guillaume de La Tour told Tahawultech about the new AED backed stablecoin, AEDC, that the foundation is working on for ADQ, sovereign wealth fund in Abu Dhabi and FAB Bank (First Abu Dhabi Bank).

The trio intend to launch a UAE Central Bank regulated AED stablecoin that will be used for making payments not only in the UAE but also internationally. Moreover the stablecoin will also be used for Machine to machine payments in the IoT domain and AI one.

According to La Tour, the AEDC stablecoin will transform UAE’s digital economy by offering fast inclusive and compliant financial services. He notes that, “It is built on a modular EVM blockchain, AEDC ensures scalability, security, and decentralization while embedding KYC/AML and FATF-compliant features to ensure privacy and regulatory compliance.”

For La Tour, AEDC is combining DeFi with traditional finance and aligns with both Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 and ADGM’s robust regulatory framework, cementing the UAE’s role as a global fintech leader.

He explained that this is preparing the UAE for a tokenized future by digitizing the AED dirham and ensuring it is compatible with currencies like the USD, Euro and Yuan for seamless global interoperability.

In ten years, all assets, stocks, and bank accounts will be tokenized

According to La Tour in the next 10 years all assets, whether they are stocks, bank accounts, or currencies, will be tokenized to enable a 24/7 financial system. This is driven by the need for efficiency and global connectivity.

He states, “Nations are expected to increasingly tokenize their currencies to maintain sovereignty, while ensuring interoperability with blockchain-based digital financial systems. The stablecoin positions the UAE at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging its blockchain’s compliance and scalability.”

With strategic partnerships across 20+ countries, reaching nearly 500 million people, ADI Foundation bridges Web2 and Web3, integrating traditional banking with blockchain to create a compliant, inclusive ecosystem that supports economic diversification and innovation. 

The ADI Foundation is working to drive global financial inclusion by deploying a blockchain with locally validated compliance at Layer 3, tailored to each region’s regulations.  

Partnering with cutting-edge providers, La Tour notes that the ADI Foundation ensures localized infrastructure and AI integration on the blockchain, empowering communities with secure, scalable solutions.  

 He adds, “Unlike traditional blockchain solutions, ADI’s modular EVM-based platform integrates a dedicated Layer 3 compliance sublayer, ensuring adherence to local and international regulations, including KYC/AML and FATF standards. Real-time monitoring and decentralized identity (W3C-compliant) further enhance security, mitigating risks like cybercrime and fraud. This robust, transparent framework reassures stakeholders by aligning cutting-edge technology with regulatory rigor, making the stablecoin a trusted tool for seamless, scalable financial operations.” 

He gives the example of their collaboration with East Africa’s M-PESA enables 70 million users to convert mobile money into a stablecoin backed by an African currency, facilitating secure, low-cost cross-border transfers and real-time currency conversion.  

Similarly, ADI Foundation’s work with UK-based Esyasoft, revolutionizes the carbon credit market by leveraging blockchain for transparent, efficient trading to support sustainability goals, with 57 trillion transactions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of 2 billion people.  

Upcoming stablecoin challenges

 La Tour sees three main challenges to stablecoins when it comes to regulations. The first is navigating complex regulatory landscapes because of the diversity and evolving regulatory policies across jurisdictions.
 

He states, “Governments often grapple with balancing innovation against risks, like money laundering, tax evasion, and financial instability, leading to fragmented or restrictive regulations.  For instance, ensuring compliance with varying KYC/AML requirements globally, while maintaining blockchain’s decentralized ethos, is a technical and diplomatic hurdle. ADI Foundation addresses this by integrating a Layer 3 compliance sublayer into its modular EVM blockchain, enabling localized regulatory alignment without compromising scalability or security. 
The second challenge is ensuring interoperability and technological disparities which includes interoperability between stablecoins and existing financial systems.  

However, he addresses this issue stating that ADI Foundation is tackling this by designing native support for cross chain compatibility.

He explains, “For example, our collaboration with regional tech firms ensures blockchain nodes and AI-driven services operate efficiently even in low-resource environments, fostering inclusivity and operational reliability.”

The final challenge is building public and institutional confidence because of the skepticism around digital currencies. He notes that governments and investors may hesitate to adopt stablecoins, fearing economic disruptions or technical vulnerabilities.  

ADI Foundation counters this by anchoring the Dirham-backed stablecoin to the stable UAE Dirham and implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as real-time transaction monitoring and W3C-compliant decentralized identity.  

Qatar Investment Authority is one of the investors in Builder.ai, the British no-code AI startup to lose millions in investment, $250 million to be exact. Builder.ai filed for bankruptcy after Viola Credit seized $37 million from the company’s accounts leaving $5 million in restricted funds.

Founded in 2016, Builder.ai positioned itself as a revolutionary tool for businesses to build custom apps using AI with minimal coding. It raised over $450 million in total funding, attracting marquee investors like Microsoft, the World Bank’s IFC, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo, Lakestar, and SoftBank’s DeepCore incubator, Bloomberg reports. In May 2023, Microsoft made an equity investment and announced plans to integrate Builder.ai’s platform with its own Azure and AI services. Also the lead investor at the time was Qatar Investment Authority. It lead the the series D funding round of $450 million.

At the time the company noted, that the latest round of capital will fuel the company’s continued industry leadership and innovation pipeline allowing further investments in talent, partnerships, and technology; with a bigger focus on using human conversation as the primary user interface for allowing people to build software. The Series D round included participation from additional existing and new investors including Iconiq Capital, Jungle Ventures & Insight Partners

Two years later, Builder.ai will now begin bankruptcy filings in each of its operational jurisdictions, including the U.K., U.S., UAE, Singapore, and India.

Less than two months ago, Builder.ai confirmed it had revised down key sales figures and appointed auditors to examine financials from the past two years. Former employees raised concerns that sales performance had been inflated in previous investor briefings. According to Bloomberg, these allegations triggered a domino effect of investor caution, internal restructuring, and eventual loss of confidence.

Builder.ai, faked business with the Indian social-media startup VerSe Innovation for years to falsely inflate its sales, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg and people with direct knowledge of the practice. The two companies routinely billed one another for roughly the same amounts between 2021 and 2024, documents reviewed by Bloomberg show, as part of an alleged practice known as “round-tripping” that the people said Builder.ai used to inflate revenue figures it presented to investors. In many cases, products and services weren’t actually provided to either company for these payments, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information.

Linas Beliunus, Director of Revenue at Zero Hash, in a LinkedIn post noted, ” It turns out the company had no AI, and instead was just a group of Indian developers pretending to write code as AI. Founder & CEO Sachin Dev Duggal has also reported fake revenue to investors. Somehow, the company was able to keep this scam going for 8 years.”