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Bahrain Minister of Finance says Bahrain is in the midst of issuing stablecoin regulations

Bahrain Minister of Finance says Bahrain is in the midst of issuing stablecoin regulations

Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa noted the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) is in the midst of finalizing regulations to govern the issuance of stablecoins.

“These assets are expected to accelerate financial transactions, reduce costs, and expand accessibility, particularly for international transactions, thereby enhancing and supporting trade,” he said responding to a question by MP Hesham Al Ashiri on cryptocurrencies.

“The CBB is currently assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of using crypto assets in payments to improve the efficiency of existing systems,” he added.

“Before issuing any new laws or regulations, the bank ensures the release of consultation papers to gather feedback from stakeholders in the sector to ensure that the proposed regulatory requirements can be effectively implemented without hindering growth and innovation,” the minister stressed.

“The bank actively monitors the cryptocurrency market in Bahrain to mitigate potential risks, ensure economic stability, and provide the highest levels of protection for investors. To achieve this, licensed service providers are required to comply with various regulatory requirements, implement effective policies and systems for service delivery, and submit periodic reports, including details of executed transactions,” he said.

The minister also highlighted that having a crypto regulatory framework has strengthened Bahrain’s position as a leading regional hub for the digital economy and cryptocurrency sector.

The Central Bank of Bahrain had announced back in December 2024 that they were studying how the banking sector could offer stablecoins.

W Chain receives $700K for remittance and payment blockchain solution

W Chain receives $700K for remittance and payment blockchain solution

On the same day that WadzPay announced that it would no longer be seeking a crypto broker dealer license in Dubai UAE under VARA citing that it is currently reinforcing its focus on providing technology solutions for the payments and remittance sector while remaining committed to the MENA region, W Chain powered by WadzChain Network partnered with Victus Capital (now Victus Global) which has invested $700K as an initial investment into W Chain.

With the backing of Victus Capital, WCO will benefit from a comprehensive support package, including market-making services, access to global trading networks, and key business partnerships.

As per the press release, the partnership is set to significantly enhance the WCO ecosystem’s development and adoption, positioning it for global success in the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape.

Anish Jain, Founder & CEO of W Chain said. “We are excited to partner with Victus Capital to unlock the full potential of WCO. Their strategic guidance and resources will be invaluable as we continue to build a robust and thriving ecosystem.”

Matisse Eykelberg, Co-founder, Victus Capital added, “We believe in the long-term vision of W Chain and the potential of WCO, our investment will support the ecosystem’s growth and position WCO as a leading player in the blockchain space.”

Decentralized privacy network Nillion and stc Bahrain partner to ensure security of data in MENA

Decentralized privacy network Nillion and stc Bahrain partner to ensure security of data in MENA

Decentralized privacy-focused network Nillion has partnered with Bahraini telecom operator stc Bahrain.

As per the announcement, the collaboration marks the deep integration of Nillion’s blind computing privacy technology in real-world Web2 scenarios, aiming to drive the development of privacy solutions in the Middle East region.

In the first phase of the collaboration, stc Bahrain will deploy nodes on Nillion’s blind computing network, PETnet. As a decentralized privacy platform, PETnet aims to ensure the security of data storage and the privacy of data processing using advanced privacy-enhancing technologies such as multi-party computation. As the first telecom partner to run nodes on the Nillion network, stc Bahrain will not only bring stronger decentralization and security to PETnet.

Meanwhile, Nillion will join the stc Bahrain Web3 Launchpad program as a Pearling Path partner. stc Bahrain will leverage Nillion’s blind computing network to develop scalable use cases. By combining Nillion’s advanced secure computing solutions with stc Bahrain’s robust telecom infrastructure and Bahrain’s data embassy legal framework, Nillion aims to set new standards for high-value data management and protection for global users, not only in the Web3 scenario but also in real-world Web2 applications.

Nillion was founded by former Uber founding engineer Conrad Whelan, dedicated to enabling the secure storage, transmission, and processing of high-value sensitive data in an end-to-end encrypted state. Using its Orchestration Layer, Nadia language compiler, and dual-layer network architecture, Nillion empowers developers to easily build privacy applications without the need to understand privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), while also ensuring decentralization, thus empowering the development of the privacy application ecosystem and providing strong support for data application ecosystems, AI, data markets, privacy , medical analytics, and other application scenarios.

stc Bahrain partners with Nirvana Labs

Earlier this year, the Bahraini telco operator, partnered with Nirvana Labs,providers of bare metal cloud infrastructure for web3 companies to foster the growth and development of blockchain technologies across the Gulf region. The partnership is now live, with Nirvana offering web3 hosting for node operations in stc Bahrain’s data centre.

It also partnered with Allora Network, an AI decentralized network through its Web3 Launchpad Program under the Pearling Path initiative.

Saudi Arabia attracts $22.4 billion in investments for AI and Datacenters

Saudi Arabia attracts $22.4 billion in investments for AI and Datacenters

Saudi Arabia in the first two days of the LEAP 2025 conference has attracted $22.4 billion worth of investments in technology and artificial Intelligence fueling as well datacenter expansions in the country.

Datacenters grow exponentially in KSA

Datacenters for AI and other technologies has become the major cornerstone of investments in Saudi Arabia.

Examples of these investments include NEOM’s collaboration with Datavolt to invest $5 billion to build the world’s first fully sustainable AI data center with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts in OXAGON. Not only that but Mobily telecom announced an investment of $911 million in strategic projects to develop digital infrastructure, including submarine cables and the development of data centers in Saudi Arabia.

Alfanar Company revealed an investment of $1.4 billion to develop four data centers with a capacity of 88 gigawatts, to support the growth of the digital economy and develop business solutions. While Zoom is investing $75 million to boost artificial intelligence and innovation, and to establish new data centers to support technology companies and government agencies in Saudi Arabia.

Further more, Palo Alto-based AI company SambaNova Systems announced $140 million in investments in Saudi Arabia’s AI infrastructure, partnering with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the RDIA’s National Semiconductor Hub. SambaNova CEO Rodrigo Liang announced that the company is also launching a Sovereign LLM-as-a-Service in collaboration with STC AI, offering the world’s largest open source model LAMA 405B and running other capabilities such as STC’s Enterprise GPT. Liang also announced that SambaNova will soon offer the full DeepSeek 671 billion parameter R1 model on SambaNova Cloud. The model will be made available to select customers first, before being made more widely accessible.

Saudi Arabia unveiled technology investments and strategic partnerships worth $14.9bn at the LEAP technology conference in Riyadh on February 9, marking a significant expansion of the kingdom’s artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

Groq also announced it would $1.5bn to establish the world’s largest AI-focused data center in the kingdom. Even Google will also launch a global cluster in Saudi Arabia to meet regional and international AI demand.

“If you look at Saudi Arabia alone and put it in the EU region, it would be the fifth-largest tech hub in Europe,” said Communications Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha, noting that the region’s digital economy has grown 73% to reach $260bn, with Saudi Arabia representing 15% of this market.

There is also a $2bn joint venture between Ālat and Lenovo to build an advanced AI and robotics-driven manufacturing and technology centre, alongside establishing Lenovo’s regional headquarters in Riyadh.

Additionally, Zoom is set to announce the launch of a dedicated data center in Saudi Arabia along with new AI-driven innovations designed to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, and individuals in the Kingdom. Setting out plans for significant investment in Saudi Arabia over the next three years, Zoom’s VP – METAP Region, said the organization is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s rapid journey to becoming a global technology hub.

“Our presence in Saudi Arabia reflects the power of innovation, ingenuity, and collaboration,” said Mohannad AlKalash, VP – METAP Region. “Through investments in local infrastructure and the development of Arabic-language AI solutions, we are enabling businesses to thrive and lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Together with the Kingdom, we are helping to build a future where technology fuels progress, opportunity, and sustainable growth.”

Furthermore, AMD has now opened a branch office in Riyadh to better support customers and partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

“Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s fastest-growing technology marketplaces and Leap 2025 serves as an ideal opportunity to showcase our leading-edge technologies and innovative solutions for the HPC and Enterprise markets”, said Zaid Ghattas, META Regional Lead, AMD. “Establishing an official presence in the Kingdom underlines the growing importance of the Kingdom and we are excited about the opportunities this will bring”.

DeepSeek enters KSA

Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek has begun operating through Aramco Digital’s data centres in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, marking another significant development in the kingdom’s expanding AI infrastructure, company officials announced on February 9 at the conference.

“The data is stored locally and never transferred elsewhere once used,” said Tariq Amin, former CEO of Aramco Digital, during his conference address in Riyadh. “We anticipated the world’s need for proper AI model inference and operations, particularly with DeepSeek,” he added.

The announcement comes as DeepSeek, has expanded into Saudi Arabia through Aramco Digital’s facilities.

Prince Alwaleed KBW ventures to invest 30% in MENA

In an interview with AGBI magazine, Saudi investor Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed’s KBW Ventures which historically has invested 90 percent of its funds in US companies is now keen to invest closer to home, according to its chief investment officer. CIO Ekta Tolani says KBW Ventures now wants to invest at least 30 percent of its funds in the Mena region, particularly Saudi Arabia, and has a renewed focus on profitability, not just growth.

Hodler Investments launches NEXGEN to energize datacenters in KSA

HODLER INVESTMENTS, a UAE based investment company, headquartered in the Dubai, which includes in its portfolio energy, AI, and digital asset mining startups such as PermianChain, Brox Equity and others; and Abu Dhabi’s EHC Investment which leads multiple businesses with operations and investments across the energy, infrastructure, firefighting technology and system integration services signed a strategic partnership to launch NEXGEN.

NEXGEN will support the creation of a compliant digital energy market to supply critical energy infrastructure that will monetize wasted energy such as flared gas in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt with the aim of hosting global data center operators, reducing carbon emissions and contributing the Digital Energy Infrastructure (DEI) Fund, a local decarbonization innovation fund.

Hub71 admits Five digital asset startups to Cohort 16

Hub71 admits Five digital asset startups to Cohort 16

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem, has admitted, five digital asset startups out of a total of 27 startups into its latest Cohort 16. The startups span across its three programs: Access, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ Digital Assets. Invoice Mate, Rilla Network, Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol, and 1Money are part of the Digital assets program.

Since the onset of Hub71 the venture ecosystem has support 357 startups, collectively securing over $145 million with an average of $4.9 million per company.

Over 1,300 companies/startups submitted applications. Under the Hub71 Digital assets program was InvoiceMate is a Blockchain & AI powered platform bridging conventional businesses with crypto liquidity, Redbrick is a cloud-based game and metaverse engine using blockchain and AI to streamline creation and distribution for all skill levels, Rilla Network is a decentralized infrastructure that unlocks the hidden potential of live streaming ecosystems while delivering exponential savings, Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol enables institutional investors to embed verifiable clean energy into their Bitcoin holdings—transforming Bitcoin’s distributed energy demand into a catalyst for the global energy transition, and 1Money which is developing the world’s first payment network exclusively designed for stablecoins, and specifically engineered to be the fastest, cheapest, and most compliant.

Among the new participants in Hub71’s Access programme is Vivan Therapeutics, a UK-based precision medicine company developing AI-driven cancer treatments using fruit fly models. The firm has raised US$10 million (AED 36 million) in funding. While in the Climate Tech program is Theion, a German company focused on developing sustainable sulphur-based batteries that can store up to three times more energy than conventional batteries.

Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said, “The selection process is highly competitive, reflecting the exceptional calibre of startups in our ecosystem. These companies are advancing innovation across key tech sectors while strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global tech hub.”

The selected companies will benefit from access to Hub71’s network of mentors, partners, and investors, providing them with market opportunities, talent, and capital to support their commercial growth.


mCloudTech launches Blockchain, AI sustainability solution in Saudi Arabia

mCloudTech launches Blockchain, AI sustainability solution in Saudi Arabia

United States based, mCloudTech.ai Corp. (“mCloudTech.ai”), a provider of Web3 AI-enabled cloud applications optimizing the performance, reliability, and sustainability of energy-intensive assets has launched its Web3 Blockchain, AI, asset performance management platform on Google Cloud in 2025 in Saudi Arabia to track carbon emissions.

mCloudTech.ai, a MISA registered company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key partner to deliver a decentralized experience that will empower the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to lead the way in effectively reducing carbon emissions by leveraging cloud solutions. mCloud plays a critical role in this vision, delivering exclusive digital sustainability applications built on Google Cloud.

This announcement marks a turning point in decarbonization efforts, positioning Saudi Arabia, mCloudTech.ai, and Google Cloud as leaders at the intersection of technology and sustainability.

AssetCare will integrate Web3 with blockchain and AI capabilities from Google Cloud to deliver a unified platform for carbon emissions tracking and digital measurement, reporting, and verification (DMRV). The solution enables full lifecycle management for carbon credits, from issuance to trading to retirement, ensuring transparency and accountability in decarbonization efforts. These innovations position AssetCare as the platform of choice for organizations on the path to net zero through asset performance optimization.

AssetCare’s Web3 capabilities will debut in Saudi Arabia, leveraging the Kingdom’s robust hyperscale infrastructure, data sovereign policies, and advanced AI ecosystem enabled by Google Cloud. Saudi Arabia, one of the largest global energy markets, provides an ideal launchpad for decarbonization and carbon trading activities. mCloudTech.ai and Google Cloud plan to expand globally, targeting energy-intensive economies with state-owned or national energy companies.

Russ McMeekin, mCloudTech.ai Co-Founder, President, and CEO said, “With mCloudTech.ai’s inception and our partnership with Google Cloud in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, AssetCare’s Web3 capabilities will be an excellent showcase of the Kingdom’s digital leadership. Saudi Arabia’s hyperscale compute, data sovereignty policies, and advanced AI capabilities enabled by Google Cloud underscore the Kingdom’s pivotal role in driving digital sustainability around the world. We are honored to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s success alongside organizations such as Aramco and their sustainability ambitions with the unparalleled capabilities of Google Cloud’s AI, LLM, and blockchain capabilities.”

Bader Almadi, Google Cloud Country Manager for Saudi Arabia added, “Today, mCloud provides valuable services that help global customers across industries improve their sustainability and streamline their operations. Now, these new capabilities in mCloud’s AssetCare platform, built on Google Cloud, can help customers even further track carbon emissions, streamline reporting, and manage carbon credits.”

In January 2025, mCloudTech signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Aramco. The MOU sees mCloud joining forces with Aramco to explore the co-development of a digital technology hub for delivering ESG solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Educhain Blockchain partners with Sharjah Maritime Academy

Educhain Blockchain partners with Sharjah Maritime Academy

During the Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) symposium, “Higher Ed AI & Digital Transformation,” Educhain, Canadian blockchain digital credential solutions provider, presented their Blockchain credential solution announcing their partnership with Sharjah Maritime Academy.

As part of its commitment to digital transformation, Sharjah Maritime Academy has partnered with Educhain to implement secure digital credentialing, ensuring that students can access, share, and verify their academic records seamlessly. The academy is also preparing to introduce micro-credentials, allowing students to receive verifiable certifications for specialized skills and achievements, further enhancing their employability.

The event highlighted how institutions are leveraging AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and blockchain technology to streamline academic operations and enhance learning experiences.

The symposium featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University; Amina Abdulrahim, Executive Director of ICT & IT Security at American University of Sharjah; Dr. Nadia Alqabanji, IT Director at Zayed University; and Inas Abou Sharkh, Director of IT at Ajman University. They shared insights on how AI is transforming student engagement, academic decision-making, and institutional efficiency. A key theme throughout the discussions was that incorporating digital technologies is no longer an option but a necessity for universities seeking long-term growth and relevance.


Among the key technology innovators featured at the symposium, Educhain presented its blockchain-powered credentialing solutions, demonstrating how universities worldwide are leveraging its technology to issue secure, verifiable digital documents.

Rahil Ahmed, VP of Sales at Educhain, highlighted how top universities in the region are already utilizing Educhain’s platform to issue tamper-proof degrees, transcripts, student ID cards, and micro-credentials. “Academic credentials must evolve to be more secure, efficient, and accessible. With blockchain, institutions can issue verifiable digital records that students own, eliminating the risk of document fraud while streamlining verification processes for employers and universities worldwide,” said Rahil Ahmed.

Educhain’s blockchain-backed infrastructure ensures that academic documents are tamper-proof and instantly verifiable, eliminating manual validation bottlenecks and improving overall institutional efficiency.

Reflecting on the significance of the symposium and SMA’s digital initiatives, Muhammad Affan, IT Director at SMA and the event’s organizer, stated: “At Sharjah Maritime Academy, we recognize that AI and digital transformation are not just trends but fundamental shifts in how education must evolve. This symposium is a stepping stone toward integrating cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future of learning and academic administration.”

CoinMENA launches Bitcoin campaign in MENA

CoinMENA launches Bitcoin campaign in MENA

CoinMENA, a regulated crypto trading platform in the UAE and Bahrain, serving the MENA region, has launched an innovative crypto campaign “Your Future, Your Choice” Partnering with creative agency Bigsea, the campaign uses sharp satire to critique today’s harsh economic realities.
The crypto exchange‘s bold approach addresses two universal challenges: rising living costs and the struggle to grow savings. Through two short films, the campaign humorously highlights modern-day financial struggles with relatable scenarios and a touch of mobster menace.


The films utilize metaphors for painfully familiar scenarios. In the first film, a young man looking to pay his rent is strongarmed by mobsters into emptying his wallet, a situation many can relate to as rent prices rise year after year. In the second film, the same man tries to grow his savings, only to watch helplessly as a mobster clerk and his gang pocket his hard-earned cash, leaving
him with a single coin in “interest.” The scene cleverly reflects how difficult it is for the average person to grow their savings.


Enter Bitcoin, Enter CoinMENA


The campaign flips the script with a call to action: “Don’t get bullied by inflation” and “Don’t get bullied for wanting more.” Instead of settling for the status quo, CoinMENA positions Bitcoin as a reliable alternative, one that protects against inflation and serves as the best
savings vehicle in the digital era.


Founders Dina Sam’an and Talal Tabbaa highlight the bold vision behind the campaign, “We wanted to tell it like it is. Bitcoin is humanity’s first purposefully engineered money, designed to preserve and appreciate in value, unlike fiat money, which is designed to
depreciate and lose value continuously. It represents hope for everyone struggling with the rising cost of living, offering an alternative way to save your time and energy.”

Serge Asaad, CEO of Bigsea, explains the creative inspiration stating, “This campaign is about giving people a moment of realization, that the ‘old way’ is not working out for them. CoinMENA offers not just an alternative, but a real sense of control and optimism
for the future. That’s where the satire comes in: we wanted to make people laugh, then think, and ultimately act.”


CoinMENA’s films deliver a simple yet powerful message: when rising living costs and the struggle to save leave you feeling powerless, choose Bitcoin with CoinMENA and take back control. As the signoff powerfully states: “Your Future, Your Choice.”

Abu Dhabi Judicial department expands authentication project

Abu Dhabi Judicial department expands authentication project

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has expanded the scope of the “Digital Document Authentication” project, enhancing access to authenticated documents and enabling direct verification of their validity and effectiveness through the website and smart application. The project utilizes AI technology as well as blockchain for efficient and seamless transactions.

As per the press release, the project supports the transition to fully digitized documents issued by the Judicial Department, using digital authentication mechanisms to verify document validity by scanning the embedded digital authentication code. Users can access information on documents such as powers of attorney, declarations, commercial contracts, marriage contracts, court correspondences, and enforcement orders through approved digital channels.

Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, ADJD Undersecretary, highlighted that the Digital Document Authentication project aligns with the Judicial Department’s strategic priorities, aiming to enhance customer satisfaction by providing innovative legal services that ensure swift justice and easy access to services via digital platforms.

The project actually started in 2021, when ADJD announced the launch allowing documents issued by the Department’s systems to be approved in an integrated digital way compatible with the UAE PASS digital identity system to authenticate documents.

At the time the UAE Ministry of Justice had announced its adoption of Blockchain technology for the authentication services being offered.

More recently the Ministry of Justice in Bahrain also announced it would be using blockchain for its notarization services with private entities.

UAE regulated Hex Trust secures funding from Morgan Creek

UAE regulated Hex Trust secures funding from Morgan Creek

Hex Trust, a UAE regulated digital assets financial service provider specializing in custody, staking, and market services, has successfully secured a strategic funding round led by Morgan Creek Digital with participation from global investors including Injective. Hex Trust’s total funding to date is over $100 million. This latest investment marks a pivotal milestone as Hex Trust prepares for its Series C raise anticipated for later in 2025.

As per the press release, the funding will be deployed on strategic opportunities in Hex Trust’s expanding staking and markets businesses, including potential strategic acquisitions. The funding enhances Hex Trust’s ability to scale operations and further establish itself as a market leader in institutional digital asset services.

“The funding paves the way for our Series C investment round as we continue to expand, innovate and enhance the digital asset services we provide to our rapidly growing institutional client base.” – Alessio Quaglini, CEO & Co-founder, Hex Trust.

“We are pleased to support Hex Trust in their recent strategic financing round. With over 300 institutional clients and more than US$5 billion in assets under custody, we believe Hex Trust has demonstrated its capability to address the complex needs of institutional clients. We think their focus on regulatory compliance, security, and seamless integration with legacy institutional portfolios has positioned them to serve the growing demand in the digital asset ecosystem in APAC and beyond. With this financing, we have conviction in the team’s disciplined approach and ability to continue expanding their market presence.”– Xavier Segura, GP, Morgan Creek Digital.

This strategic funding establishes a strong foundation for the upcoming Series C raise, and reinforces Hex Trust’s commitment to providing institutions with secure, scalable, and innovative digital asset solutions.