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Dubai Land Department pilots tokenization of property title deeds

Dubai Land Department pilots tokenization of property title deeds

In line with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched the pilot phase of the ‘Real Estate Tokenization Project for property title deeds. As per the announcement, the initiative, introduced under the Real Estate Innovation Initiative ‘REES,’ establishes DLD as the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to implement tokenization on property title deeds. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through SandBox Real Estate.

DLD anticipates that this groundbreaking initiative will drive significant growth in the real estate tokenization sector, with its market value projected to reach AED 60 billion equivalent to $16 billion by 2033, representing 7% of Dubai’s total real estate transactions.

His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Land Department, stated, “Amid rapid technological advancements and the increasing reliance on digital solutions, real estate tokenization emerges as a revolutionary tool driving fundamental change in the real estate sector. By converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology, tokenization simplifies and enhances buying, selling, and investment processes.”

He added: “It aligns with our strategy to unlock new opportunities for innovative real estate products, enhance property sector innovation, promote transparency and governance, and enable a wider pool of investors to participate in large-scale real estate projects in Dubai.

The announcement comes in the midst of increasing focus on tokenization in the UAE, as well as the announcement between DAMAC Group and MantraChain to tokenize $1 billion worth of assets.


UAE venture studio Code & State raises $3 million to invest in stablecoin startups

UAE venture studio Code & State raises $3 million to invest in stablecoin startups

UAE venture studio, Code & State, specializing in stablecoin innovation, has raised $3 million to support the next wave of stablecoin startups. The funding round, backed by Warburg Serres and KR1, will be used to incubate projects focused on expanding real-world adoption of stablecoins.

Warburg Serres and KR1, both known for their early-stage investments in crypto and Web3, bring deep expertise and strategic networks to Code & State’s mission. Their backing reinforces the growing belief that stablecoins will play a pivotal role in global finance over the next decade.

Cédric Waldburger, a founding investor in Liquity (LUSD stablecoin), and Code & State sees stablecoins as a transformative force in global finance. “We believe that the total market cap of stablecoins will 10x in the next five years to over 1.5 trillion dollars,” said Waldburger, emphasizing the sector’s immense growth potential.

Artia Moghbel, former COO at Dfinity (Internet Computer Protocol) and Co-Founder at Code & State, who brings years of experience in scaling Web3 ventures highlights the unique advantage of the firm’s niche approach: “Our clear focus on stablecoin ventures creates network effects for all our in-house ventures.”

The studio provides capital, mentorship, and infrastructure to startups solving key challenges in the stablecoin space, from payment systems and remittances to compliance and security.

Code & State is now actively seeking entrepreneurs-in-residence (EIRs) to develop new stablecoin-focused ventures within the studio. Selected founders will receive hands-on support, funding, and access to a network of leading investors and industry experts. The program is designed to fast-track innovative projects from concept to market-ready solutions, ensuring that new startups have the best possible chance of success. Application details can be found on the Code & State website.

The UAE is witnessing a foray of stablecoin issuers as well as merchants who want to work with stablecoins, especially after the Central Bank of UAE passed its stablecoin regulation in 2024. Already AE Coin has received a license to offer an AED backed stablecoin, while Tether is still working on its license.

Entities such as the Arab Financial Services (AFS), regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and Egypt, also holding a retail payment license in the UAE has partnered with Ternoa Blockchain to launch stablecoin and crypto payments across POS ( Point of Service) counters for UAE merchants. The partnership will expand across the GCC.

UAE Oro Labs, built on Solana raises $1.5 million

UAE Oro Labs, built on Solana raises $1.5 million

UAE based ORO Labs, a Solana based tokenization protocol, has raised $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round, let by 468 Capital, with participation from UAE regulated Fasset tokenization exchange platform, as well as Phantom, Jupiter, Helium, Squads, Sanctum, Anza Labs, Perena, Bonk, and Forma.

As per the announcement the $1.5 million pre seed funding will help ORO Labs expand its product offerings and deepen integrations within both decentralized and traditional financial markets. The company is also partnering with Fasset to drive adoption across the UAE, Malaysia, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Turkey, and will launch on Fasset’s Layer 2 network later this year.

ORO aims to make gold a dynamic, income-generating asset by allowing users to earn a real yield on their gold holdings, borrow against their gold to unlock liquidity, and trade gold-backed assets with instant settlement.

The UAE currently facilitates over $100 billion in gold transactions annually, and in the past two years the price of Gold has increased by more than 50 percent.

ORO is also expanding tokenized gold adoption across the UAE, Malaysia, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Turkey. Fasset will be its partner, helping drive retail and institutional access through its regulated financial infrastructure. ORO will also launch on Own (Fasset’s Layer 2 network) later this year.

Usman Saleem, Co-Founder & CEO of ORO, said, “Gold shouldn’t just sit idle—it should generate wealth. With ORO, gold isn’t just something you hold; it’s something you can earn with, borrow against, and use seamlessly across markets. This is gold, but better.”

Guilherme Steinbruch, Partner at 468 Capital, added, “We see ORO as a crucial bridge between legacy commodities markets and the next generation of financial infrastructure. By creating a gold-backed financial asset with real utility, ORO is unlocking new opportunities for both crypto users and traditional gold investors.”

Tokenization of assets has also been growing in the past year and especially in the UAE with announcements from MantraChain Blockchain and Damac, as well as Tokinvest, which implies the growing importance of tokenization in the UAE’s digital asset economy.

This announcement also comes at the backdrop of DFSA recent launch of its Tokenization sandbox.

Bybit crypto exchange hosts trading workshop with UAE University of Wollongong

Bybit crypto exchange hosts trading workshop with UAE University of Wollongong

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, which has an in principle approval from VARA in Dubai, has partnered exclusively with the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) to host a Demo Trading Challenge & Workshop at UOWD campus. This initiative equipped students from Business Analysis, Finance, Accounting, and other business-related disciplines with practical trading knowledge, enhanced their understanding of cryptocurrency markets, and bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world trading strategies.

UOWD, the UAE’s first international Australian university, is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and industry collaboration. Accredited by both the UAE Ministry of Education and Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), UOWD has played a key role in developing future business and finance leaders.

The workshop provided participants with hands-on experience using Bybit’s demo trading platform, allowing them to navigate market fluctuations in real time while learning key strategies from industry experts. The event culminated in a competitive trading challenge, where students applied their newly acquired knowledge in a dynamic, risk-free environment.

Attendees also gained insights from a lineup of distinguished speakers alongside Bybit’s senior product managers specializing in trading bots, copy trading, and demo trading. Their expertise gave students a deeper understanding of spot and contract trading processes, market data analysis, and risk management.

“At Bybit, we believe that financial literacy and hands-on experience are key to unlocking opportunities in the digital economy,” said Phoebe Peng, Head of Organization Development at Bybit. “Through this collaboration with UOWD, we empowered the next generation of professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving world of cryptocurrency trading.”

UAE financial center, DIFC, launches tokenization sandbox

UAE financial center, DIFC, launches tokenization sandbox

Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the regulatory arm of DIFC ( Dubai International Financial Centre) has announced the launch its tokenization regulatory sandbox.

The tokenization regulatory sandbox (TRS), which has two stages: the innovation testing license (ITL) under the tokenization cohort and a DFSA license to enter the program.

As per the press release, the regime asked firms to submit their expression of interest before April 24, 2025.


The tokenization regulatory sandbox will allow firms to test innovative products and services in a controlled environment. The sandbox will also provide an opportunity for firms to test tokenized financial solutions.

It will offer a regulatory pathway from experimentation to full authorization.

The DFSA’s innovation testing license has already been instrumental in supporting fintechs and digital finance pioneers in the DIFC. It will now expand its scope to tokenized investments.

As per the guidelines set by the DFSA, firms who are engaged in the tokenization of financial services such as trading, holding or settling tokenized investments like equities, bonds, sukuk, and collective investment fund units can express their interest in joining.

Additionally, existing DFSA-authorized firms who want to expand into the tokenization field can also apply.

Firms are required to have a strong understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements.

Interested firms will undergo an assessment process, and those that demonstrate strong business models and regulatory understanding may be invited to participate in the DFSA’s tokenization regulatory sandbox, where they will receive tailored regulatory support and structured testing opportunities, under what is called the ITL tokenization cohort.

The ITL tokenization cohort is the DFSA’s version of a regulatory “sandbox” focused on tokenization-related activities.

The announcement comes as more and more tokenization projects flourish in the UAE, with examples including Mantra Blockchain’s recent partnership with DAMAC Holdings to tokenize $1 billion worth of assets.

Additionally, other countries across the GCC and MENA region, such as Qatar have already made great strides with their tokenization and digital asset regulations and labs.

Stobox founder in a recent interview in Cryptopolitan noted that the MENA tokenization market could account for as much as 20% of the expected $30 trillion tokenization market by 2030. Stobox, was one of the 29 blockchain firms that have been accepted into Qatar Financial Centre’s Digital Assets Lab. Ross Shemeliak, the co-founder of the firm, noted that tokenization is taking the world and MENA region by storm.

OKX Ventures leads $7 million funding of UAE blockchain game startup PlaysOut

OKX Ventures leads $7 million funding of UAE blockchain game startup PlaysOut

OKX Ventures has led a $7 million of a seed funding into UAE based PlaysOut with additional participation from kbw Ventures and Pacific Century Group. This funding will be instrumental in expanding PlaysOut’s blockchain enabled mini-game ecosystem, fostering strategic partnerships, and enhancing its market presence.

PlaysOut is designed to assist developers in releasing mini-games on popular platforms such as Telegram, Discord, and YouTube. The platform integrates blockchain features and infrastructure, providing a seamless experience for developers and users alike. One of the key developments for PlaysOut is the upcoming launch of its embedded SDK in May, which is expected to further streamline the process of integrating mini-games with blockchain technology.

The participation of OKX Ventures underscores the growing interest in the mini-game sector and the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing gaming experiences.

KBW Ventures and Pacific Century Group, both known for their investments in innovative technologies, also bring valuable expertise and resources to the table. The funding will be used to expand the mini-game ecosystem, ensuring that PlaysOut can offer a diverse range of games and features to its users.

Overall, the $7 million seed funding round positions the platform for growth and innovation in the mini-game sector, leveraging blockchain technology to create a unique and engaging experience for developers and users. With the support of OKX Ventures, KBW Ventures, and Pacific Century Group, PlaysOut is well-equipped to achieve its goals and establish itself as a leader in the mini-game industry.

Amberdata digital asset analytics firm sets up office in UAE

Amberdata digital asset analytics firm sets up office in UAE

Amberdata, the US-based digital asset data and analytics for institutional customers, has expanded into the Middle East with a new office in Dubai. The office as per the press release will offer GCC current customers as well as new market entrants with sales and account management support including comprehensive, granular on-chain, DeFi, spot, and derivatives market data and market intelligence.

Amberdata chose the UAE due to its emergence as a crypto innovation center focused on creating a regulatory environment conducive to growth, attracting top talent, and fostering a robust ecosystem for the digital asset class.

“Dubai really has become a global hub of crypto innovation,” said Shawn Douglass, CEO of Amberdata. “Thanks to the growth of the DIFC (Dubai Financial International Centre) there are many institutions active in the region. This drives collaboration between traditional financial institutions and the crypto industry. We look forward to serving this growing market and providing more financial institutions with a competitive edge in the digital asset class.”

Amberdata delivers comprehensive data and insights into blockchain networks, crypto markets, and decentralized finance, empowering financial institutions with data for research, trading, risk, analytics, reporting, and compliance.

The announcement comes as financial institutions, and more VASPs enter the crypto space in the UAE and GCC region. One of the first digital asset data analytics firms to enter UAE was Chainalysis, and then Crystal Intelligence.

Amana UAE based neobroker now trades 450 cryptocurrencies

Amana UAE based neobroker now trades 450 cryptocurrencies

amana, UAE based neobroker with operations across the Middle East, has added 300 new cryptocurrencies to trade in, making the total available 450 cryptocurrencies. As per the press release this cements amana as the go-to platform for seamless digital and traditional asset trading in one powerful app.

This milestone fills a major gap: most crypto platforms focus solely on digital assets, while traditional brokers offer little to no crypto access. amana bridges both worlds, giving traders everything they need in one place—no multiple accounts required.

With 450 plus cryptocurrencies this makes the widest selection from any broker in MENA, including majors like Bitcoin or Ethereum and XRP, gaming coins like Decentraland, meme coins like the Trump coin, L1/L2s, DeFi, and many more,


“Trading crypto has never been this effortless,” said Muhammad Rasoul, CEO of amana. “With over 450 coins and a seamless all-in-one platform, we’re making it easier than ever for our customers to trade digital assets alongside stocks, forex, and commodities—all in one place, with zero hassle.”

Avalanche Blockchain joins new Web3 ecosystem in UAE, TheBlock

Avalanche Blockchain joins new Web3 ecosystem in UAE, TheBlock

Avalanche Blockchain, has joined the new Web3 ecosystem in Dubai UAE, TheBlock, whose membership targets startups and enterprises alike. TheBlock is bringing together an array of experts, investors, and innovators to accelerate Web3 initiatives and foster industry-wide growth. As per their website their experts include regulators, innovators, and enterprises in a single collaborative framework to accelerate Web3 adoption.

Avalanche is not the first entity to join. So far members include Dubai World Trade Center, Realiz, Polymesh, Fuze, BlackLane, Crystal, Vero, and Black Manta Capital Partners.

Avalanche has become the first Apex member of TheBlock, marking a key development in the expansion of blockchain technology within the region.

TheBlock provides blockchain companies with the resources, regulatory guidance, and strategic partnerships necessary to establish and expand their presence in the UAE. By offering tailored membership programs and direct access to investors, developers, and regulators, TheBlock facilitates business growth within the Middle East’s evolving digital asset landscape.

Avalanche is recognized for its high-performance blockchain infrastructure, offering exceptional speed, scalability, and security. With near-instant transaction finality and cost-efficient solutions, Avalanche is enabling the development of real-world applications that scale effectively.

Prior to TheBlock, Dubai notably had Crypto Oasis as one of the pioneering Web3 ecosystems based out of DMCC. There is also the recent Blockchain Abu Dhabi Center in Abu Dhabi as well.

Doha Bank launches Fintech Innovation Hub

Doha Bank launches Fintech Innovation Hub

Qatar based Doha Bank proudly has launched it Fintech and Innovation Hub, as an initiative to advance Qatar’s financial services ecosystem and the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) aspirations for fintech excellence. The Fintech Hub will foster innovative fintech solutions using AI and digital payment solutions within a regulated framework.

Doha Bank Group Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani, noted that the hub serves as a dynamic platform to nurture emerging technologies, support fintech entrepreneurs, and collaborate with stakeholders across the financial and regulatory landscape.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani remarked: “The Doha Bank Fintech and Innovation Hub embodies our commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030, serving as a catalyst for transforming financial services and fostering economic diversification. Our goal is to position Doha Bank as a leader in fintech innovation by creating a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flourish, regulatory frameworks advance, and global partnerships thrive. We invite all stakeholders to join us in shaping a future of growth, collaboration, and excellence.”

By embracing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and digital payments, the hub accelerates digital transformation, enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency. Furthermore, the hub provides mentorship, funding opportunities, and resources for start-ups to scale their operations.

Baiju Samuel, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer of Doha Bank commented, “As part of the Fintech and Innovation hub, our ambition is to actively partner with and co-create solutions alongside fintech innovators who offer bespoke solutions tailored to address evolving banking product needs. We aim to deliver next-generation financial solutions that are seamless, secure, and customer-centric, positioning Doha Bank as a leader in digital transformation and innovation.”