The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, an American post-trade financial services company providing clearing and settlement services to the financial markets known as DTCC, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Abu Dhabi based Securrency Inc. (“Securrency”), a leading developer of institutional-grade, digital asset infrastructure invested in by Mubadala sovereign Fund.

Securrency will become a fully-owned subsidiary of DTCC and will operate under the name DTCC Digital Assets. Nadine Chakar, CEO of Securrency, will join DTCC as Managing Director, Global Head of DTCC Digital Assets, reporting to Lynn Bishop, DTCC Managing Director and Chief Information Officer. Chakar will also join the DTCC Management Committee. In addition, Dan Doney, CTO and founder of Securrency, John Hensel, COO and co-founder, and other members of the Securrency leadership team, as well as roughly 100 Securrency staff of full-time employees or contractors, will become DTCC employees.

Securrency is a blockchain-based financial and regulatory technology developer that raised $30 million in 2021 from State Street, US Bank, WisdomTree Investments and others. It has worked with WisdomTree to help the asset manager launch “blockchain-enabled” funds that keep a secondary record of share ownership on the Stellar or Ethereum blockchains.

Frank La Salla, President, CEO and Director, DTCC, said, “Securrency is an important strategic acquisition that will give us the technology to drive market-wide transformation by enabling end-to-end digital lifecycle processing for tokenized assets, digital currencies and other financial instruments. By bringing together DTCC’s commitment to providing market stability and our unparalleled network of financial market participants with the sophistication of the Securrency technology, we will be in a leading position to unlock the value of digital assets and help guide the industry through its digital transformation journey. We believe this next generation of financial market infrastructure will further reduce settlement times, facilitate market transparency and risk management, enhance regulatory oversight and controls, and unlock efficiency and innovation to create an improved investor experience.”

By combining DTCC’s digital capabilities and Securrency’s technology, DTCC will fast-track development of its enterprise digital asset platform to unlock the power of institutional DeFi. DTCC will leverage the technology over time to embed digital assets within its existing products and services, develop new, regulatory-compliant blockchain-based offerings and explore use cases with the industry, including buyside asset managers, broker-dealers and custodians, to collaborate on new DTCC blockchain-based solutions.

In addition, DTCC will lead the industry’s development of a robust, global digital infrastructure by licensing the Securrency technology and offering professional services. Firms will be able to leverage the technology to transform and evolve their operating models and to create innovative, new digital asset services alone or in collaboration with other market participants – similar to how WisdomTree licenses Securrency’s software as part of the infrastructure for its WisdomTree Prime™ offering that provides tokenized assets and funds via digital wallets for retail investors and consumers.

Chakar said, “As we join forces with DTCC, we are excited to bring together DTCC’s infrastructure capabilities with Securrency’s technology to embrace a future where the digitization of capital markets is at the forefront of innovation. These capabilities will allow DTCC to partner with the industry to build a resilient and scalable infrastructure critical to the mass adoption of digital assets. Together, we will unlock opportunities to reimagine compliance, liquidity, efficiency and interoperability in trading real-world assets on the blockchain.”

DTCC also plans to provide global leadership to foster industry-wide collaboration to help avoid fragmentation with different digital technologies and standards. Securrency’s technology can address this issue by acting as a DLT-agnostic harmonization layer that promotes interoperability, liquidity, transparency and security.

La Salla said, “We look forward to building on our past work to drive consensus around the standards, controls and frameworks necessary to support regulatory-compliant digital asset solutions and development of the right architecture and infrastructure to ensure widespread interoperability. We’re excited to welcome our new colleagues to the DTCC team and to begin collaborating as a group to strengthen market stability and resilience and drive greater efficiencies, productivity, risk mitigation and liquidity in the global financial markets.”

This announcement comes as John Hensel, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Officer, MENA, Securrency told IBS intelligence, “The UAE is ramping up its efforts to become a global blockchain hub.” In his interview he commented on why they chose UAE out of all the other countries globally including, USA, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore.

According to Hensel, SEC ( Securities and Exchange Commission) in the USA has portrayed a conservative approach to the regulation of digital assets, so exploring other regulatory jurisdictions they found that the UAE was a credible, well positioned young financial center that embraced technology with experienced regulatory experts from the USA, Australia, Singapore and others.

He explains, “ After being here for 6 years we have seen the landscape change and become more favorable for investors partnering under FSRA and who are benefiting from the protection of ADGM which will grow opportunities locally for us given we were first movers and have strong relations with sovereign wealth entities, broker dealers, fund managers as key stakeholders.”

Securrency entered the ADGM FSRA regulatory sandbox in 2017 and secured a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to deal in investments as a matched principal and provide custody for those investments in 2022. The license enabled Securrency Capital to provide trading of digital assets to a variety of clients, including retail clients.

Securrency had raised $30 million in its latest funding round. The funds were used to roll out the company’s expansion plans. The Series B funding round included existing investor WisdomTree Investment along with Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala-backed Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners, State Street and U.S. Bank. Prior to that in 202, The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) had invested in Securrency, a US-based developer of blockchain-based financial and regulatory technology through its ventures fund.

The company also signed a strategic partnership with leading investment management and banking firm, Musharaka Capital in KSA, to develop a compliant platform for issuing digital securities in Saudi Arabia in 2020.

Hamilton, a Real-World Assets (RWA) protocol built on Bitcoin, redefining access to traditional financial instruments like U.S. Treasuries, real estate, and funds by turning them into secure, accessible digital assets a protocol has closed a $1.7M pre-seed funding round led by DisrupTech Ventures.

With participation from CMS, DeSpread, Hyperithm, Core Ventures, and other strategic investors, it is bridging traditional finance with Bitcoin by making tokenized real-world assets—such as T-Bills, Sukuk, and real estate—accessible to institutions and individuals worldwide.

Hamilton is co-founded by Egyptian nationals, Mohamed Elkasstawi and Ehab Zaghloul, seasoned blockchain and fintech innovators who are also founders successful AI and Blockchain enabled Tribal Credit, which empowers SMEs in emerging markets through a comprehensive suite of financial products, and payment tools.

In 2023, Tribal had announced it would be expanding into Saudi Arabia and Mexico, using a renewed and increased debt facility of $150 million with Partners for Growth.

For their second endeavor, Hamilton, leverages Bitcoin’s unmatched security and decentralization to tokenize real-world assets. With the RWA market projected to reach $30 trillion by 2030, Hamilton is creating a protocol to make financial products globally accessible and inclusive, with a strong focus on emerging markets.

“Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold—it’s the foundational layer of future capital markets,” said Mohamed Elkasstawi, CEO of Hamilton. “With unparalleled security, decentralization, and resilience, Bitcoin provides the ideal infrastructure to democratize access to capital markets for everyone, everywhere.”

Hamilton tackles systemic barriers to financial access by offering low-cost, stable financial products—managed by top asset managers—for emerging markets, where currency devaluation and economic instability restrict growth and financial security.

The company is launching three flagship offerings: HUSD, the first Bitcoin-native stablecoin backed by U.S. Treasury bills; HUST, tokenized U.S. Treasuries; and Publius, a platform enabling financial institutions to securely tokenize any asset on Bitcoin. Together, these offerings provide institutions and individuals with seamless access to capital markets on the world’s most decentralized network.

The protocol’s inaugural transaction, completed on July 4, 2024, marked a significant milestone by tokenizing U.S. Treasury bills on Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions Stacks, Core, and BoB. The timing, coinciding with America’s Independence Day, reflects Hamilton’s vision of advancing financial independence and innovation through decentralized finance (DeFi).

Speaking to Lara on the Block, El Kasstawi stated, ” Tokenization will unlock liquidity which is not only global need but also a bigger one in the MENA region. I would never trust real world assets on a ledger that’s not immutable and never had a down time. That’s why we chose to tokenize on Bitcoin and we are the first to do so.”

“Investments in gold, Treasury bills, and fixed income products have traditionally been exclusive to individuals and institutions with millions in capital. Hamilton is breaking down these barriers through tokenization, enabling anyone, anywhere in the world, to participate in these institutional-grade investments with just one dollar,” said Malek Sultan, Co-Founder and Partner of DisrupTech Ventures.

Tokenization in the region has become a center of investment and deals, with the latest being DAMAC’s $1 billion tokenization of its assets.

In July 2024 Hamilton launched tokenized United States Treasury bonds on Bitcoin layer-2 blockchains. The company claimed the launch is the first of its kind. Hamilton U.S. T-Bills (HUST) were said to be available on the Stacks, Core and BoB (Build on Bitcoin) Bitcoin layer-2 solutions. The first transaction with HUST occurred on July 4th 2024.

Allora Network, an AI decentralized network has collaborated with stc Bahrain, a world-class digital enabler, through its Web3 Launchpad Program under the Pearling Path initiative.

As per the blog, the collaboration highlights Allora’s commitment to partnering with leading innovators like stc Bahrain to advance decentralized AI, fostering innovation and growth across the GCC region and beyond.

As part of this collaboration, stc Bahrain will join the Allora Network as a validator node, contributing to the network’s security, reliability, and consensus. By joining the Allora Network as a validator node, stc Bahrain takes on a critical role in bolstering network security and maintaining consensus. This collaboration reflects stc Bahrain’s commitment to harnessing the transformative capabilities of decentralized AI, powered by Allora’s advancements in crowdsourced intelligence, reinforcement learning, and regret minimization.

Allora powers innovative, secure, and decentralized applications, driving cutting-edge protocols and unlocking new use cases for advanced solutions.

Mr. Saad Odeh, Chief Wholesale Officer at stc Bahrain, commented, “At stc Bahrain, we are dedicated to embracing emerging technologies that redefine industries and contribute to Bahrain’s Vision 2030 goals. Allora Network’s cutting-edge AI capabilities are a valuable addition to our Web3 Launchpad Program, further cementing Bahrain’s position as a hub for innovation and digital transformation.”

Nick Emmons, Co-Founder and CEO of Allora Labs, added, “We are thrilled to partner with stc Bahrain under the Web3 Launchpad Program. Their role as a validator node directly strengthens the security, consensus, and reliability of the Allora Network, which is essential for fostering trust and driving growth in decentralized infrastructure. Together, we strive to advance blockchain technology and explore AI innovations within and beyond telecommunications.”

Allora blog notes, “As the Web3 and AI ecosystems continue to expand, our collaboration with stc Bahrain strengthens the foundation for a robust, innovative, and decentralized digital economy. By working together to foster a collaborative environment for emerging technologies, we are proud to contribute to Bahrain’s Vision 2030 program, advancing progress toward a more innovative and sustainable future.”

The Central Bank of Morocco, better known as Bank Al Maghrib has formed the Morocco Fintech Center (MFC). It includes governmental entities, private sector entities as founding members. The Center was founded during a general meeting on January 15th 2025 at the headquarters of Bank Al Maghrib.

The founding members of the Morocco Fintech Center (MFC), include Ministry of Economy and Finance, represented by Mrs. Nadia Fettah Alaoui; Ministry of Digital Transformation and Administration Reform, represented by Mrs. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni; Bank Al-Maghrib, represented by Mr. Abdellatif Jouahri; Moroccan Capital Market Authority, represented by Ms. Nezha Hayat; Insurance and Social Security Control Authority, represented by Mr.Abderrahim Chaffai; Mohammed VI Fund for Investment, represented by Mr. Badr Belkadi; TAMWILCOM, represented by Mr. Hicham Zanati Serghini; Digital Development Agency, represented by Mr. Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani; Al Akhawayn University, represented by Mr. Amine Bensaid; Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, represented by Mr. Khalid Baddou; Attijariwafa Bank, represented by Mr. Mohamed El Kettani; Banque Centrale Populaire, represented by Mrs. Naziha Belkeziz; Bank of Africa, represented by Mr. Mounir Kabbaj; CDG Invest, represented by Mr. Yassine Haddaoui; and HPS, represented by Mr. Mohamed Horani.

The general assembly approved that other organizations could join the association.

Morocco Fintech Center to assist Fintech startups

The Morocco Fintech Center aims to constitute a common window for Fintech startups and companies, supporting their development through support, incubation, acceleration and training. The MFC hopes to facilitate their understanding of the regulatory environment as well as access to financing. It will promote a collaborative fintech ecosystem fostering partnerships and networking opportunities while encouraging research and development in financial innovation.
The MFC held its first Board of Directors meeting under the presidency of Mr. Abdellatif Jouahri, Wali of Bank Al-Maghrib. The Board appointed Mr. Mustapha Lahlali as Executive Director.

As per the press release, Council members are committed to working together to accelerate the national fintech ecosystem.

Morocco to announce crypto regulations

On December 20th 2024, the Central Bank of Morocco represented by its governor Abdellatif Jouahri announced in Rabat Morocco that the draft crypto bill to regulate the use of cryptocurrencies was ready. Jouahri stressed that the full draft is ready to put in place a proper regulatory framework.

Jouahri stated, “Discussions are to be held with all stakeholders, including the Moroccan Capital Markets Authority (AMMC) and the Insurance and Social Security Supervisory Authority (ACAPS). We proceeded to a specific definition of the cryptocurrency and prepared a general public survey that details the specifics and use of this virtual currency in Morocco.”

Chainalysis’s 2024 Geography of Cryptocurrency report covering the MENA region and noting that MENA is the seventh largest crypto market globally in 2024 with the biggest two crypto countries being Turkey and Morocco.

Morocco Digital 2030 strategy includes DLT, and AI

On September 25 2024, Morocco unveiled its Digital 2030 strategy which aims to transform Morocco into a digital leader and boost its digital economy using AI, DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology), cloud services, and an ecosystem that supports innovative startups.

As per the strategy, the country seeks to create 240,000 jobs in the digital sector by 2030, which it expects will contribute 100 billion dirhams ($10.36 billion dollars) to the country’s gross domestic product while increasing digital export revenues to 40 billion dirhams ($4.15 billion). The strategy also aims to improve Morocco’s ranking in the United Nations Online Services Index, moving from 100th to 50th place worldwide in addition to creating 3,000 startups and improving 5G coverage to 70% of the North African kingdom’s territory.

The Hashgraph Association, a Swiss non-profit, drives global adoption of Hedera-powered solutions by funding innovation, training, and venture programs. It promotes economic inclusion and a digital future with a positive ESG impact, will be working with Agency of Digital Development to strengthen citizen services using the Hedera DLT network and Web3 technologies. It will also be working with Moroccan UM6P Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm and the investment arm of UM6P (Mohammed VI Polytechnique University), will help to develop entrepreneurship and accelerate science innovation and co-investment opportunities in Morocco and the wider Africa region.

In the global race to harness computing power, energy has emerged as the defining factor. Nations and organizations alike are accelerating energy infrastructure development to meet the surging demand fueled by data-driven economies. Yet, the path to this energy transformation is fraught with complexities—from securing resources to deploying infrastructure, and finally, commercializing compute capacities for applications such as bitcoin mining and AI workloads. In this context, energy is not just the enabler but the ultimate determinant of success. This is why UAE’s XRG (xrg.com) could be a global game changer.

The Decentralization Dilemma

Can we achieve truly decentralized, sovereign digital economies with global reach when the game is so heavily reliant on power? While the technology exists to enable such an ambitious vision, the question remains whether capital can be directed toward achieving it at scale. With an estimated $1 trillion expected to be invested in energy innovation, there’s an opportunity to build global distributed energy infrastructure using modular and remote compute technologies.

By focusing on underdeveloped and marginalized regions, private capital can drive global connectivity while bypassing the bureaucratic barriers that often stifle innovation. This could foster wealth creation in areas historically disadvantaged by geopolitical agendas.

The UAE’s Digital Energy Vision

A shining example of forward-thinking energy strategy is the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite global economic turbulence, the UAE has proven its resilience, emerging stronger post-COVID and in the midst of regional turmoil in surrounding countries, taking a leadership position in the regional virtual asset ecosystem. From Web3 advancements to Bitcoin miningand now AI, the UAE has embraced technology to fuel economic growth.

However, rapid technological progress also brings challenges—particularly the rising energy consumption associated with AI and deep tech. Addressing this requires bold and forward-looking investments. Enter XRG , a revolutionary international energy investment company launched by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar.

Global Energy Demand in the AI Era

As Dr. Al Jaber highlighted, global energy demand is set to rise dramatically, increasing from 9,000 GW to 15,000 GW by 2035 and potentially reaching 35,000 GW by 2050—a staggering 250% increase. The rise of AI applications like ChatGPT, which consumes ten times the energy of a single Google search, is accelerating this trajectory.

Without diversified energy solutions, meeting this demand sustainably will be nearly impossible. XRG addresses this by optimizing energy production and usage across the spectrum—from traditional fuels to low-carbon alternatives and advanced infrastructure.

The essence of this challenge lies in the economic implications of insufficient energy infrastructure to power AI deployments. Nations that fail to establish sovereign compute capabilities could face economic stagnation. In the next five years, such nations may struggle to compete globally, reinforcing the urgency of energy-centric national policies.

The following graphs illustrate electricity demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and digital asset mining worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2026, by scenario.

XRG: A Blueprint for the Future

XRG’s innovative structure embodies efficiency and adaptability. Dr. Al Jaber’s vision is rooted in maximizing every energy unit, spark, and joule—a philosophy that aligns with PermianChain’s mantra of “creating wealth from every watt.” By investing in diverse energy technologies, XRG offers a scalable model for nations to secure economic prosperity in the digital age.

At PermianChain, similar principles drive our efforts. Through our global digital energy market, we’ve aggregated over 500 MW of distributed alternative energy projects to serve underserved markets. This approach exemplifies how modern energy investments can transform underdeveloped regions by accelerating digital transformation and fostering exponential growth.

The Role of Innovation in Efficiency

Innovation is not just about finding new energy sources but about optimizing existing systems. For instance, NEXGEN, one of our companies, aligns closely with EXERGY’s strategy by adopting cutting-edge technologies to maximize energy efficiency. As global energy demand rises, such approaches will be critical, particularly in energy-intensive sectors like AI computing.

Equity in Energy Access

Equity in energy access is essential for global progress. With over 1.7 billion people living off-grid or without reliable utility connectivity, vast populations are excluded from the potential of digital economies. Distributed energy solutions offer a pathway to bridge this gap, enabling marginalized communities to participate in and benefit from the global digital revolution.

The Path Forward

By embracing a diversified and efficiency-driven approach will require collaboration, innovation, and a relentless commitment to sustainability from industry stakeholders and global public and private capital markets.

As Dr. Al Jaber rightly emphasized, reliance on a single energy source is not a viable solution. Instead, a comprehensive strategy combining traditional and emerging technologies is imperative. Only by taking this holistic approach can we meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world while preserving the planet for future generations.

Conclusion

The launch of XRG is more than an investment in energy; it’s an investment in the future. By championing distributed, efficient, and inclusive energy systems, the UAE is leading the charge in creating a sustainable digital economy. As nations navigate the complexities of energy transformation, the new digital energy frontier offers a powerful blueprint for aligning innovation with equity and sustainability.

In a world where energy is the key to unlocking economic growth, it’s time for global leaders to prioritize bold and forward-thinking strategies. Only then can we truly harness the potential of the digital age while ensuring prosperity for all.

Written by Mohamed El Masri, Founder of PermianChain and originally published in his blog.


Tune in to my podcast at Drilling into Crypto to explore the world of finance, energy and modern technologies.

Oman based Gulfdox, a provider of physical storage, data digitization, and storage software solutions, has collaborated with Serenity, a blockchain-based secured digital storage and biometric access solution provider.

As per the press release, the partnership marks a historic milestone as the first collaboration of its kind in Oman, positioning the nation at the forefront of advanced technological innovation in line with Oman Vision 2040. Gulfdox will integrate Serenity’s cutting-edge blockchain technology into its service portfolio, offering clients a robust, secure, and future-ready digital storage solution.

Leveraging Serenity’s expertise, Gulfdox will provide on-chain storage with biometric access, ensuring unparalleled security and efficiency for its esteemed clients, which include Government entities and leading corporates in different sectors across the GCC.

This partnership reflects Oman’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies that align with Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification and digital transformation. Gulfdox is introducing blockchain-powered solutions for secure data management.

Faris Al Balushi, Executive Director of GulfDox, stated, “We are proud to lead the way in Oman by bringing blockchain technology into the realm of data storage. This collaboration with Serenity enables us to offer solutions that are not only secure and efficient but also aligned with the future needs of our clients. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for innovation in the region.”

Venket Naga, CEO of Serenity, added, “Our mission has always been to provide secure, scalable, and accessible blockchain solutions for Data storage. Partnering with Gulfdox allows us to bring this vision to Oman and the GCC which are extremely important markets for Serenity, using this Partnership we are enabling institutions to safeguard their data with the most advanced technologies available today. And reinforces Serenity’s position in the B2B enterprise segment. This Partnership, by combining GulfDox’s trusted expertise and local presence with Serenity’s state-of-the-art blockchain capabilities, will redefine secure data management for years to come. and will help Serenity to continue our journey towards creating innovative technologies for mass adoption.”

Sreekumar. P, Country Manager, GulfDox Stated that GulfDox is Oman’s a leading and dynamic provider of physical and digital storage solutions, it mainly serves B2G and B2B segment, with client’s portfolio of Government, Semi-Government and Corporates in Oman and across the GCC. With a focus on innovation and reliability, GulfDox is a trusted partner in secure data management.

UAE’s first regulated stablecoin by the Central Bank of UAE, AEcoin has announced the sponsorship of the Qatar UAE SuperCup. The Qatar-UAE Super Cup football Cup, will have distinct competitions that are set to ignite the passion of football fans from January 16 to 19. The event will bring together 8 elite teams to compete in intense matches across the Challenge Shield, Super Cup, Super Shield, and Challenge Cup categories.

On Thursday, January 16, the opening match kicked off in Doha, pitting Al Rayyan, runner-up in the Ooredoo Stars League, against Shabab Al Ahli, the ADNOC Professional League runner-up.
On Friday, January 17, in Dubai, Qatar SC, the Amir Cup runner-up, will go head-to-head with Al Nasr, the UAE President’s Cup runner-up.
Reigning Ooredoo Stars League champions Al Sadd will take on Al Wasl, winners of the ADNOC Professional League on January 18 in Doha.
The grand finale is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on the 19th, with Al Wakrah, the Qatar Cup champions battling it out with Al Wahda, the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup champions.

AECoin joins the ranks of Visit Qatar and RedBull as one of the many sponsors. The AE Coin promises an instant, secure, stable, innovative, low-cost, and efficient payment experience that will reshape the future of the digital economy.

Mbank was the first bank to be offering the AE Coin licensed stablecoin available on its AEC Wallet. Through AEC Wallet, powered by Mbank, customers will be able to purchase AE Coin and make secure, stable virtual financial transactions. In line with the Central Bank of the UAE’s digital payment token services framework and the government’s future-oriented vision.

UAE regulated digital asset service provider and custodian, Komainu, licensed by VARA Dubai, and backed by Laser Digital, a Nomura company, has raised $75 million in strategic investment from Blockstream Capital Partners (“Blockstream”) in Bitcoin. The raise is subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

As per the press release, the funding enables the company to accelerate its international strategic growth plans whilst adopting and integrating class-leading technologies developed by Blockstream Corporation Inc (“Blockstream Corp”), to maximize efficiencies and enhance client services in collateral management and tokenization.

The funding transaction itself is funded in Bitcoin with appropriate hedging and risk management and Komainu establishing its own Bitcoin Treasury to manage the Bitcoin provided by Blockstream.

Blockstream Corp’s Liquid Network will enable Komainu to dramatically cut the time for its off-exchange margining & settlement solution, Komainu Connect, from hours to minutes, becoming class-leading in the process. Blockstream Corp’s AMP technology will enable Komainu to automate its regulated asset support for tokenization and develop trustless trading solutions. The company will also integrate other technologies and services developed by Blockstream Corp, including its enterprise HSM wallet, in order to provide institutional clients with a broader range of bank-grade digital asset services.

To solidify the strategic partnership between the two entities, Adam Back, PeterPaul Pardi and Nicolas Brand will join Komainu’s board of directors.

Adam Back, CEO Blockstream Corp, commented “We are delighted that Komainu is adopting Blockstream’s various technology streams to enhance its institutional service offering. This is testament to the fundamental veracity of Bitcoin-related technologies and applications and marks the first time that these have entered the institutional arena. I am confident this will be the first of many such use cases as the institutional community wakes up to the power of the Lightning and Liquid Networks.”

Paul Frost-Smith, Co-CEO at Komainu, and who also joins Komainu’s board of directors, said, “At Komainu, our mission is to empower the digital asset ecosystem by offering secure, compliant, and innovative digital asset services. This partnership with Blockstream will transform the services we are able to offer and enhance our customer experience on many levels. Having a closely-aligned technology partner like Blockstream, one of the original visionaries in the digital assets ecosystem, is testament to our determination to become the go-to provider of digital asset services for Bitcoin and the institutional market, as well as increasing institutional adoption.”

PeterPaul Pardi, Director, Blockstream Corp, commented “This partnership with Komainu, backed by Nomura’s Laser Digital, is a landmark moment for the adoption of Bitcoin-related technology by a bank-built, regulated financial services business. It showcases the institutional use-cases for Bitcoin as demand reaches new highs. We are delighted that Komainu has chosen to implement Blockstream’s technology and we anticipate even wider uses for it in the institutional investor community over coming months”

Robert Johnson, Co-CEO & CTO at Komainu, said, “Integrating Blockstream’s technologies will significantly enhance and diversify our underlying core technology stacks. At Komainu we believe in offering our clients a wide choice of technology options and this partnership with Blockstream will maximize efficiencies and lower latencies across the various services that we offer. “

Backed by Abu Dhabi’s Further Ventures, Soter Insure, a digital assets insurance provider has received a full operating license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA). This significant achievement enables Soter Insure to offer a comprehensive suite of insurance products specifically designed for institutions in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors.‍

The company had received a preliminary approval from BMA back in September of 2024.

Soter Insure’s product offerings include Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance, Asset Loss coverage, and Smart Contract insurance. Uniquely, these policies are denominated in U.S. dollars, Bitcoin, and Ethereum, effectively addressing the asset-liability mismatch commonly associated with insuring digital assets. This approach ensures that policyholders are indemnified in the same currency as their insured assets, providing seamless and efficient coverage.‍

“This licensing milestone underscores Soter Insure’s commitment to redefining insurance for the Web3 economy,” said Henson Orser, CEO of Soter Insure. “Our innovative approach ensures digital asset institutions can operate with confidence, knowing they are protected by tailored insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of their businesses.”‍

Mohamed Hamdy, Chairman of Soter Holdings Limited and Managing Partner at Abu Dhabi based Further Ventures, added: “Achieving full licensing from the BMA marks a pivotal moment for Soter Insure. It underscores our commitment to delivering innovative, compliant, and effective insurance solutions for the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.”‍

Tokinvest, a marketplace for real-world asset investing, recently received a full market license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) showcasing the growing role tokenization is playing in the UAE and globally. Founder Scott Thiel noted that tokenization will play a critical role in shaping the UAE’s digital assets and blockchain ecosystem, while VARA’s CEO believes this is the year of tokenization.

The company founded by Scott Thiel and Matt Blom aims to break down barriers to exclusive investments. The aim is to offer fractionalized investments in premium assets accessible to everyone – in a safe, secure and regulated platform leveraging blockchain technology.

Speaking to Lara on the Block, Thiel noted, “We believe tokenization will play a critical role in shaping the UAE’s digital assets and blockchain ecosystem. Dubai, through VARA, has positioned itself as a global leader with its innovative and forward-thinking regulatory framework. Tokenization of RWAs represents the next evolution in web3 and delivers on blockchain’s promise to make investments more accessible, transparent and liquid.”

Thiel adds that their thesis is to bring the best and most desirable investment products to the market making them accessible and cost effective.

The main industries that Tokinvest will be entering are funds, real estate and commodities. He explains, ” These sectors contain some of the most prestigious and traditionally exclusive assets. Their high value and limited accessibility make them ideal for fractionalization, unlocking opportunities for a much wider pool of investors.”

Thiel confirms as well that in the next months the focus will be on the UAE market, while not ruling out future expansions into other markets. He explains, ” Our current priority is delivering on our commitment to building a robust and secure ecosystem under VARA’s regulatory framework. Receiving the VARA license validates our innovative approach to fractional investing and positions us as a trusted partner in the evolving financial landscape. We believe that offering fractional investments of the most prestigious assets will democratize access and make it easier for individuals and institutions alike to unlock the value and create liquidity for real-world assets.”

Tokinvest has secured a pipeline of elite assets from leading real estate developers, fund managers and commodities trading venues and will be bringing these tokenised assets to market in the coming weeks and months. The company is dedicated to fostering a robust ecosystem, facilitating broader access to the best products in the world while prioritising investor protection.

The full market license allows Tokinvest to operate as a Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer; and to serve retail, qualified, and institutional investors in and from Dubai, further enhancing the accessibility and appeal of fractionalised investments.

Belal Jassoma, Director of Ecosystems, DMCC said: “Tokinvest’s achievement reflects the leading ecosystem we have established for Web3 businesses and supports our vision to grow web3 adoption and RWA. This milestone demonstrates Dubai’s standing as a pioneering market in the crypto space, with a clear and progressive regulatory framework that enables companies to innovate and operate securely. We are proud to support Tokinvest and all of our members scale up and tap into global markets across DMCC’s international business district.”

DAMAC $1 billion tokenization deal

It would seem that Thiel is not the only one who believes that tokenization will play a critical role in UAE. The Tokinvest license comes days after DAMAC and Mantra, an RWA focused Layer 1 blockchain announced a deal to tokenize $1 billion worth of assets.

Even Zand Bank PJSC, the digital bank licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, and MANTRA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline the process of real-world asset tokenization, including the identification, listing and distribution of RWAs.

VARA CEO Mathew White notes 2025 year of tokenization

Meanwhile, Mathew White, CEO of Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) this week also noted in a LinkedIn post that he believes 2025 is the year of tokenization of real-world assets. He stated, ” Tokenized RWAs are on-chain representations of ownership in, or rights and obligations related to, assets like real estate, debt, equity, and other traditionally more illiquid financial assets. Tokenization can make them globally accessible and tradable, while also opening investment opportunities to individuals previously excluded from these asset markets.”

Given that over $50 billion RWAs have already been tokenized, and predictions that this number may reach $500 billion in 2025, White believes that it is clear that tokenization is no longer a buzzword. He states, “It is reshaping industries and redefining how assets are owned, valued, and exchanged.”

Investor preferences are evolving, leading to further adoption and capital inflows into tokenized assets, including over $30 billion in real estate ownership, according to the piece. He also notes that the $500 billion RWA tokenization figure does not include stablecoins.

In his concluding remarks he believes that the vision is also reflected in Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA]’s objectives, as well as the UAE’s strategy to promote sustainable growth and development within the finance sector. He states, “Consider the scale of the opportunity in Islamic finance alone: the market is valued at around $4 trillion globally and is expected to soar to some $6 trillion by 2026. The potential for the tokenization of Shariah-compliant RWAs is significant.”

As the UAE solidifies itself as a crypt hub globally, crypto is towering to new heights as DMCC and REIT Development, announced the launch of the landmark ‘Crypto Tower’ in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) which will be completed in October 2027.

This 17-storey project will support DMCC’s rapidly expanding community of blockchain, DeFi and Web3 companies. Complementing the DMCC Crypto Centre’s existing headquarters in Uptown Tower, the new tower will add to DMCC’s ecosystem with an advanced space fostering innovation, collaboration and business growth.

The Crypto Tower will feature cutting-edge infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, seamlessly integrated with advanced AI solutions powered by Chatoshi.ai. With over 150,000 square feet of leasable space, the tower will feature nine floors of advanced offices tailored for crypto startups and established businesses. Three additional floors will support blockchain incubators, venture capital firms and investment companies, while a dedicated floor will cater to artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, powered by Chatoshi.ai.

Blockchain technology will be used to streamline tenant interactions and transactions through the use of on-chain voting mechanisms, shared resources, smart contracts and other automated services. In doing so, the tower will build greater trust and transparency and reduce administrative load, setting a new standard in community decision-making and management.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said, “The Crypto Tower is a pioneering development that sits at the interface of blockchain, Web3 and real estate. With over 150,000 square feet of leasable space, including nine office floors, three dedicated floors for blockchain incubators, an AI innovation floor, a crypto club, gold bullion shop and vault storage area, the tower will provide a range of cutting-edge facilities and services for the benefit of our members. The launch of Crypto Tower is both a real-world demonstration of the future of Web3, where transparency and ownership are ensured by blockchain technology, as well as a statement of our intent as we continue to consolidate Dubai’s position as the world’s leading innovation hub.”

The development will feature a 10,000-square-foot indoor event space, complemented by a 3,500-square-foot outdoor area for crypto and blockchain events. The top three floors will house an exclusive 30,000-square-foot crypto club, providing premium networking and leisure amenities, designed to foster high-level collaboration and networking within the blockchain community.

In addition to the core facilities on offer, the Crypto Tower will include high-end features such as an NFT art gallery, a gold bullion shop, an exotic car dealership and a dedicated vault storage area offering 5,000 square feet of secure space for valuables including gold, cash and cold wallets. This multifunctional development will set a new standard for integrating technology, finance and lifestyle into one space, creating a seamless and secure environment for the world’s leading crypto players.

Brenda Stratton, Communications Director, REIT Development, added: “By combining blockchain technology with real-world construction in Dubai’s DMCC, we’re creating a physical tower that serves as a central hub for the crypto community. Every expense is on-chain, setting a new standard for transparency in the industry.”