Flowdesk digital asset liquidity firm to set up office in UAE after raising $102 million

Flowdesk digital asset liquidity firm to set up office in UAE after raising $102 million

With offices in the United States, Singapore and France Flowdesk, a full-service crypto trading and technology firm, is seeking to set up an office in UAE as part of its MENA expansion plans after closing its $102m financing round. Flowdesk received as well further equity support from existing shareholders and HV Capital as well as debt from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock. 

Since its launch in 2020, Flowdesk is a strong liquidity provider in the crypto industry, notably through its Market-Making as a Service offering, serving spot and derivatives markets across over 140 centralized and decentralized exchanges. The company is dedicated to engineering trading technology and liquidity solutions tailored to the needs of a digitally native economy.

Following its global expansion in 2023, the company’s revenues grew by 8x in 2024. The extension will bolster ease of access to digital asset liquidity for ETFs and OTC trading solutions through a single point of contact.

‟Guilhem and the entire Flowdesk team have done a tremendous job in creating a hyper-growing, profitable, FinTech powerhouse within the vastly expanding digital asset space. Offering their clients the relevant infrastructure while complementarily adding OTC products and proprietary trading is incredibly smart. We are proud to have partnered with such a capable, experienced and smart founder and management team and strongly believe in Flowdesk as global FinTech Champion”, said Alexander Joel-Carbonell, Partner at HV Capital. 

Flowdesk has strong expansion plans

Flowdesk has ambitious growth plans for 2025. The funds will be used to scale its OTC derivatives business and launch a dedicated crypto credit desk, broadening its services to meet the evolving needs of the digital asset market.

The company will also invest heavily in its proprietary trading infrastructure and double its headcount, reinforcing its position as a leading liquidity provider and OTC trading firm while accelerating its global expansion.

The company also intends to invest significantly in compliance and legal to support the maturing guidelines from regulators, notably in anticipation of MICA. Finally, the company is set to open additional offices, notably considering UAE as its next outpost in the Middle East.

‟Our mission is to build institutional-grade trading solutions for the digital asset ecosystem. We are grateful to have partners and our existing investors backing our ambitious growth plans”, said Guilhem Chaumont, Global CEO of Flowdesk. ‟Tokenization has the potential to transform capital markets on a global scale. This partnership will allow us to continue pursuing our quest to make digital assets accessible to a wider range of institutionalized counterparties.” 

In 2024, Flowdesk served as a Liquidity Provider for various BTC ETF issuers. Today, all BTC ETF funds hold more than $115 billion worth of the cryptocurrency, according to FactSet. ‟Digital asset ETFs mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of crypto,” said Reed Werbitt, US CEO And Chief Revenue Officer of Flowdesk. ‟These ETFs send a strong signal to institutional investors that digital assets are maturing, paving the way for substantial capital inflows from hedge funds, pension funds, and endowments. We look forward to partnering with institutions entering the space through ETFs or any instruments.”

HODL Blockchain summit to bring 5000 Web3 innovators and investors

HODL Blockchain summit to bring 5000 Web3 innovators and investors

Trescon’s flagship event, HODL 2025 (formerly World Blockchain Summit), the world’s longest-running crypto and web3 summit series, is set to return to Dubai at the Madinat Jumeirah, on 14-15 May, 2025 bringing together 5,000 Web3 innovators and investors.

The event will showcase cutting-edge advancements in blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and digital assets, offering unparalleled networking and business opportunities in one of the world’s most forward-thinking tech hubs. HODL 2025 will host leading blockchain pioneers, crypto innovators, top-tier investors, and government representatives, making it the most anticipated Web3 business conference in the region. Designed to facilitate serious deal-making, strategic partnerships, and high-value networking, HODL is where ground-breaking ideas meet real-world implementation.

With its focus on institutional blockchain adoption, investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and next-generation DeFi models, HODL has built a reputation as the go-to event for C-suite executives, venture capitalists, and blockchain innovators seeking tangible business outcomes.

Speaking on the significance of HODL, Mohammed Saleem, Chairman and Founder of Trescon, emphasised: “HODL 2025 will be the ultimate convergence of blockchain leaders, investors, and innovators, setting the stage for breakthrough ideas and partnerships that will shape the future of Web3. This is where the next generation of blockchain businesses will be built.”

Adding to this, Corbin Fraser, CEO of Bitcoin.com and a speaker at the Summit, highlighted Web3’s role in driving innovation and advancing the crypto economy, “Builders are breakwaters, turning volatility into crypto stability.”

Joining Corbin Fraser at the summit, the distinguished lineup of speakers includes:

Roger Bayston, Executive Vice President Head of Digital Assets, Franklin Templeton

Viktor Fischer, Managing Partner, RockawayX

Jigar Patel, Global Head of FinTech & Internet, Morgan Stanley

Katherine Dowling, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Bitwise Asset Management

Gracy Chen, CEO, Bitget

Jason Allegrante, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Fireblocks

Sumit Gupta, CEO, COINDCX

Teddy Liu, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, JINGDONG Coinlink Technology Hong Kong Limited

Vijay Tirathrai, Managing Director & Regional Head of MENAPT, TechstarsRonit Ghose, Global Head – Future of Finance, Citi Global Insights

Backed by industry leaders, HODL 2025 is set to drive the future of Web3 and blockchain innovation. The event is proudly supported by leading sponsors, including Gofaizen & Sherle (Gold Sponsor), Sky Gate Network, and FMCPAY (Bronze Sponsors).

Unchained Summit to bring together Key Web3 decision makers

Unchained Summit to bring together Key Web3 decision makers

Dubai is set to host Unchained Summit 2025, a highly curated gathering of leaders and innovators in Web 3. Scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2025, at Kempinski Central Avenue, the summit will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions and meaningful connections, bringing together key voices influencing the evolution of Web 3.0 globally.

Dubai has established itself as a hub for Web 3.0, driven by a proactive regulatory framework and a growing ecosystem of innovators. With clear policies supporting blockchain development and oversight from entities like the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), the city has become a key destination for Web 3.0 companies looking to scale globally.

Unlike large-scale conferences that prioritize hype, Unchained Summit is designed for high-value, strategic networking. It brings together key decision-makers and curated investor-startup connections, ensuring that emerging Web 3.0 projects engage directly with leading VCs actively seeking new ventures.

Beyond networking, the summit features high-impact discussions on institutional adoption, regulation, blockchain infrastructure, payments, and scaling. Investors gain direct access to promising startups, while builders and innovators connect with industry leaders who understand blockchain’s complexities and are ready to explore solutions that drive real progress.

A Powerhouse Speaker Lineup:

The summit will showcase an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

  • Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder, CertiK
  • Sreeram Kannan, Founder & CEO, EigenLayer
  • Luca Schnetzler, CEO, Pudgy Penguins
  • Katherine Dowling, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Bitwise Asset Management
  • Greg Scanlon, VP, Franklin Templeton Digital Assets
  • Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands, and many more.

Unchained Summit will also see participation from major industry players such as Bitwise Asset Management, Franklin Templeton, PayPal, and CertiK, alongside some of the most prominent investors in Web 3.0. Leading venture capital firms, including Fenbushi Capital, Hypersphere Ventures, Lemniscap, and Big Brain Holdings, will be in attendance, actively scouting for high-potential projects and investment opportunities.

Talking about enhancing security protocols in a dynamic landscape, Ronghui Gu, said, “In the fast-evolving blockchain space, security protocols must continuously adapt to emerging threats. Recent incidents, such as the Bybit exploit, underscore the urgent need for proactive risk management. CertiK’s approach — combining continuous monitoring, real-time threat analytics, and rigorous smart contract audits — ensures vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated before they can be exploited. This commitment to dynamic security sets an industry benchmark and offers an interesting topic for discussion at Unchained Summit.”

Sharath Kumar, CEO of Aeternum, organizer of Unchained Summit, emphasized: “April is a buzzing month for Web 3.0, with Dubai hosting numerous events. However, the sheer volume often dilutes quality and impact. At Aeternum, we are committed to standing out by curating an event that connects high-potential startups with serious investors. Unchained Summit prioritizes funding opportunities for new projects, bringing together the region’s most influential VCs, institutional investors, and policymakers. By combining strategic networking with high-impact content, we ensure that founders meet the right backers to accelerate growth and drive real innovation in Web 3.0.”

Tickets to the event are available on the official website: unchainedsummit.com

SettleMint Blockchain pilots private share tokenization of QFC

SettleMint Blockchain pilots private share tokenization of QFC

SettleMint, a blockchain company that enables enterprises to easily and rapidly build and integrate blockchain applications, which was accepted into the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) Digital Assets Lab, has successfully piloted the tokenization of private shares of QFC.

In a LinkedIn post, Henk Jan Hoogendoorn, Chief of Financial Services Sector at Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, stated, ” Thank you Matthew Van Niekerk and team for the successful pilot of the private share tokenization of QFC. We call upon the Financial Sector to find more use cases tokenization in Qatar.”

In November 2023, Henk had noted that QFC and SettleMint would be tokenizing the private shares and equity for companies in Qatar. He had stated at the time, “ Next steps on tokenization of private shares / Private Equity discussed with our digital asset lab partner SettleMint both for Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority and any investment manager that would that would like to tokenize or fractionalize investments.”

In April 2023, Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) signed its second Blockchain MOU with Settlemint, after signing its first with R3. The agreement with Settlemint aimed to work on Blockchain and digital asset initiatives in the financial sector. QFCA and Settlemint agreed to explore potential synergies with industry participants, including financial institutions, fintech firms, and corporate organizations, to accelerate the adoption of blockchain and digital asset business models and solutions.

QFC ( Qatar Financial Center) also played an instrumental role in the recent collaboration and partnership of two DLT entities, The Hashgraph Group, a Swiss-based international business, venture capital and technology company, and SettleMint a blockchain transformation company. The partnership seeks to accelerate the impact of DLT ( Distributed Ledger Technologies) and digital assets across several industries.

Bitget crypto exchange to distribute 100,000 meals during Ramadan

Bitget crypto exchange to distribute 100,000 meals during Ramadan

Bitget, one of the biggest global cryptocurrency exchanges and a Web3 company, has partnered with world-renowned humanitarian organizations, including the UN Refugee Agency, UN World Food Program, ShareTheMeal, and the One Billion Meals Endowment, to distribute 100,000 meals to individuals in need during Ramadan. This initiative targets vulnerable communities in regions facing significant challenges, aiming to alleviate hunger during the holy month.

Each meal, costing an average of $0.80, will support families and individuals during the holy month. The effort is strengthened by contributions from the Bitget community, emphasizing collective action and compassion. Bitget has introduced initiatives encouraging participation from users, VIP clients, and influencer partners.

A series of Iftar dinners will be hosted in key locations, including Dubai and Istanbul, fostering unity and philanthropy. Attendees can contribute through donations, with Bitget matching each dollar raised. Exclusive auctions featuring memorabilia from partnerships with La Liga will direct all proceeds toward the cause, 100% of the proceeds will go towards the fundraiser.

“Ramadan is a time for generosity and unity,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. “By leveraging our global network, we aim to create meaningful impact in communities facing adversity. This initiative aligns with our mission to drive positive change through collaborative efforts.”
The campaign, featuring the 10,000-meal pledge from Bitget, donation matching, and exclusive auctions, will be supported by local teams organizing community engagement events. It is set to launch on the first day of Ramadan, in alignment with the Islamic calendar.

Aquanow and Hubpay partner for crypto convergence payments in UAE

Aquanow and Hubpay partner for crypto convergence payments in UAE

Hubpay, a UAE cross-border payments platform, has partnered with UAE regulated Aquanow, a global digital asset infrastructure provider, to introduce the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payments facility tailored for businesses and SMEs. This collaboration will allow businesses across various sectors – including real estate, manufacturing, and general trading to accept cryptocurrency payments securely and seamlessly alongside traditional fiat transactions.

Aquanow ME regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (“VARA”), and Hubpay also regulated by the Financial Service Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”), in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) will lpartner Hubpay’s platform powered by Aquanow can offer regulated crypto payments for UAE businesses globally.

By integrating Aquanow’s digital asset infrastructure with Hubpay’s regulated payment network, both local and global users can seamlessly transact in cryptocurrencies within a familiar payments environment.

Speaking to Lara on the Block, spokesperson for HubPay explained, ” Crypto can be exchanged to fiat via Over the counter crypto exchanges or migrated to respective crypto wallets and transferred into USDT or fiat. This integration adds crypto as a payment mode, like credit card, debit card under VARA stipulated regulations via tradfi payment interface.”

Speaking on the partnership, Kevin Kilty, CEO and Founder of Hubpay stated “We are thrilled to partner with Aquanow to launch the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payment gateway for businesses. Stablecoins are a game-changer, combining the security of traditional currencies with the speed of digital assets. By integrating Aquanow’s infrastructure with our regulated network, we’re empowering businesses to transact seamlessly in both fiat and crypto—advancing the UAE’s agenda to drive economic diversification, foster fintech innovation, and position itself as a global hub for digital assets.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with Hubpay to bring real-world utility to digital assets in the MENA region,” said Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow. “Cryptocurrency is no longer just an investment tool. It’s a practical, efficient means of conducting high-value transactions. By integrating our technology with Hubpay’s regulated payments framework, we are removing friction from large-scale transactions for buyers, sellers, and investors alike.”

Both partners believe that real estate and SME sector will benefit the most from this partnership.

Arab Financial Services and Ternoa also to offer crypto payments in UAE

The Aquanow Hubpay announcement comes days after Arab Financial Services (AFS), regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and Egypt, also holding a retail payment license in the UAE partnered with Ternoa Blockchain to launch stablecoin and crypto payments across POS ( Point of Service) counters for UAE merchants.

UAE SCA grants Bybit in principle crypto exchange license

UAE SCA grants Bybit in principle crypto exchange license

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has received its second in principle license approval in the UAE from The Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE. This is its second in principle license approval as it has previously received one from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA).

The in principle approval (IPA) will allow Bybit to set up a virtual asset platform operation within the UAE. Bybit is also in the final steps to receive its fully operational license soon. This milestone marks a significant step in Bybit’s ongoing mission to provide a secure, stable, and compliant platform for crypto traders in the region.

As per the press release, this IPA underscores the crypto exchange’s commitment to upholding the highest regulatory and compliance standards as it works toward full operational approval from the SCA. This authorization moves the exchange closer to offering a broad range of digital asset services to both retail and institutional clients in the UAE.

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, commented on this milestone, “We are honored to have received the IPA from SCA. This approval marks a crucial step in our journey to providing secure and transparent crypto trading solutions. Bybit remains dedicated to working hand-in-hand with regulators to foster a compliant and innovative digital asset ecosystem to both retail and institutional investors in the UAE.”

Beyond UAE, crypto exchange continues to secure regulatory approvals worldwide, expanding its presence in key jurisdictions such as India, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, etc, further reinforcing its regulatory commitment. These licenses enable Bybit to expand its reach while maintaining the highest security and compliance standards for its users worldwide.

This in principle license comes days after Bybit was hacked for $1.4 billion dollars.

Qatar Ministry of Labor to use blockchain for authenticating labor contract certificates

Qatar Ministry of Labor to use blockchain for authenticating labor contract certificates

The Qatar Ministry of Labor and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council signed an agreement during the Web Summit 2025, to develop a blockchain-based system for verifying the authenticity of certificates and documents in the labor contract authentication service, on the sidelines of the Qatar Web Summit.

The Ministry of Labor (MoL) and the QRDI Council will work to enhance certificate authentication through blockchain technology. This initiative aims to streamline and secure the credential verification process, marking a significant step in Qatar’s digital transformation. This agreement paves the way for a more efficient, secure, and innovative approach to certificate authentication in Qatar’s labor sector.

Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council was established in 2018, representing a new milestone in Qatar’s research, development and innovation (RDI) agenda. The Council’s first mission was to develop a national strategy that would optimize RDI activities and help realize the country’s overarching goals and ambitions.

Qatar had previously issued both its permission based DLT framework as well as its digital assets framework in an effort to meet the digitization strategy and 2030 vision for innovation.

Since then more than 29 entities have joined the Digital Assets Lab in Qatar Financial Center.

UAE based Mantra Token is on the rise despite bearish conditions

UAE based Mantra Token is on the rise despite bearish conditions

The Mantra Layer 1 blockchain network dedicated to the issuance, trading, and secure management of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) has seen a significant rise in the price of its token despite bearish crypto conditions in the past week.

Mantra token is currently listed on 36 exchanges including Binance, Bybit, Gateio, Bitget, OKX, Kucoin and others.

The journey of Mantra has been a promising one. It not only raised $11 million led by UAE based Shorooq Partners with investors including Three-point capital, Forte Securities, VirtuZone, Hex Trust and GameFi Ventures, but it also became the first VASP to receive first DeFi license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulator Authority (VARA).

The core aim of Mantra is to position itself at the forefront of the rapidly evolving RWA sector in Middle East and Asia.

MANTRA CEO John Patrick Mullin stated, “Our vision is to spearhead the tokenization of Real-World Assets and set a global standard for security, compliance, and innovation. This will create a sustainable ecosystem for developers and institutions. By securing our foothold in strategic, crypto-friendly markets like Asia and the UAE, we’re not just navigating the future but actively building it. MANTRA will bridge the longstanding divide between traditional financial systems and the blockchain space, democratizing access to wealth and opportunity on a scale never seen before.”

It has already started with an agreement with UAE DAMAC group to tokenized $1 billion worth of assets. Soon afterwards launched RWAccelerator – a start-up accelerator program designed to empower builders and startups with investment capital, mentors, dedicated AI support supported by Google Cloud.

Already Bitget Wallet, a Web3 non-custodial wallet, is now fully supporting the UAE based Mantra Mainnet, a Layer 1 blockchain focused on the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), UAE Tungsten Custody Solutions Ltd, also announced its support for UAE MANTRA (OM) Blockchain with its custodial services. While Ledger, crypto wallet hardware provider, joined UAE based Mantra Layer1 Blockchain as one of the validators.

As such it is no surprise that the native token of Mantra, OM, is on the rise and is currently trading at $8.04, reflecting an 8% increase in less than two weeks. Even today while the crypto ecosystem is taking a hit, Mantra’s price has not budged at$8.46, with a 24-hour trading volume of $340.03 M. OM is +0.00% in the last 24 hours. The OM token has a circulating supply of 973.65 M OM.

UAE regulated Tungsten Custodian receives SOC2 Type 2 certification

UAE regulated Tungsten Custodian receives SOC2 Type 2 certification

UAE regulated Tungsten Custody Solutions Ltd, a leading regulated digital asset custodian, has successfully retained its SOC 2 Type 2 certification with an Unqualified Opinion from Ernst & Young, one of the world’s leading professional services firms.

As per the announcement the achievement underscores Tungsten’s commitment to the highest standards of security, compliance, and risk management in safeguarding digital assets. The recognition of retaining SOC2 Type 2 builds on the 2024 Continuity Insurance and Risk Global Category shortlisting of Tungsten Custody Solutions in November 2024 and also Tungsten’s ISO27001:2022 accreditation, which has also been retained following successful surveillance assessment in December 2024.

The SOC 2 Type 2 certification is a globally recognized audit standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants that evaluates an organization’s controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Achieving this certification with an “Unqualified Opinion.” This is the highest level of assurance that demonstrates that Tungsten has implemented and maintained industry-leading security and compliance controls without exception.

Jose J. Perez Aguinaga, SEO of Tungsten, commented, “As a regulated custodian, security and risk management are at the core of everything we do. Retaining SOC 2 Type 2 with an Unqualified Opinion from EY is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing our clients with the highest level of security and operational excellence in digital asset custody. This milestone reinforces our position as a trusted partner for institutions navigating the digital asset landscape.”

Rushikesh Shreshtha, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Tungsten, added, “Security is the foundation of digital asset custody, and achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification confirms our ability to meet the strictest security and compliance standards. Our team has worked diligently to establish best-in-class security protocols, risk management frameworks, and operational resilience. This certification is not just a milestone, it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to securing digital assets in an evolving threat landscape.”

The achievement further strengthens Tungsten’s reputation as a secure and compliant custody provider, ensuring institutional clients, asset managers, and enterprises can rely on its best-in-class infrastructure for safeguarding their digital assets.