Binance executes first crypto triparty agreement with a bank partner

Binance executes first crypto triparty agreement with a bank partner

Binance in a recent press release dated November 30th 2023 and coming out of Dubai UAE has announced that it has successfully executed the world’s first cryptocurrency triparty arrangement with a third party banking partner. As per the release, the solution enables institutional investors to keep trading collateral, off-exchange in the custody of a third party banking partner. This is the first in a series of pilot projects initiated by Binance, which is currently the only cryptocurrency exchange offering such a solution.

Binance does not mention the name of the bank, but states that this arrangement directly tackles the issue of counterparty risk, the primary concern for institutional investors today. It replicates a framework common in traditional financial markets, which enables investors to proportion their crypto-asset allocation based on their risk tolerance. Collateral held with the banking partner can be in the form of fiat equivalent such as Treasury Bills which has the added benefit of being a yielding asset.

Catherine Chen, Head of VIP and Institutional at Binance, said, “Counterparty risk has long been a concern of institutional investors across the industry. Our team of crypto natives and traditional finance professionals has been exploring a banking triparty agreement for more than a year to address their concern. We’ve developed a solution that ensures our institutional clients can optimize their collateral and cryptocurrency investments, modeled after the traditional markets’ trading conduct. We are in close discussions with an array of banking partners and institutional investors who have also expressed strong interest in participating.”

UAE crypto exchange BitOasis no longer a licensed entity in Abu Dhabi and is inactive in Dubai

UAE crypto exchange BitOasis no longer a licensed entity in Abu Dhabi and is inactive in Dubai

The Dubai Virtual asset regulatory authority public register continues to have UAE based BitOasis, crypto exchange on a “non operational” MVP Operational license status after a server glitch which had removed BitOasis from the registry for sometime totally today. This comes after months of BitOasis being on an inactive status, yet within Abu Dhabi’s regulatory body ADGM and FSRA BitOasis has a withdrawn its license application.

BitOasis has been working since July 2023 to fulfill select conditions associated with its Operational MVP License with respect to serving Institutional and Qualified Retail Investors, yet it seems that this is still ongoing with no change in its status to date.

BitOasis license in ADGM Abu Dhabi UAE, under the registered company name BLEX Financial limited has been withdrawn as well. In 2021 BitOasis had announced in a press release that its ADGM registered entity “had been granted a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and is currently working towards the migration of its operations towards launch in ADGM”, this seems to have been put to a halt.

In August, the Dubai based crypto exchange received a capital injection aimed at supporting BitOasis. The capital injection came from Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX. At the time, Ola Doudin, Co-Founder and CEO of BitOasis said: “We are delighted to be working with CoinDCX, India’s leading crypto platform. The investment will allow us to sharpen our focus on perfecting our existing products and expanding across our markets. We are very excited about the opportunities the funding will unlock for us.”

At the time of investment, BitOasis was undertaking mass layoffs.

Yet CoinDCX has not sought for a license in either ADGM or VARA.

Given that BitOasis is not licensed in ADGM and its license status is non active in Dubai’s VARA registry, does that make it an illegal VASP operating in the UAE, this is especially important after the Central Bank issued its recent guidance for combating the use of unlicensed virtual asset service providers.

As per BitOasis blog, in March 2022, BitOasis received a provisional approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA] to continue its business operations in Dubai whilst it undertakes the [in-depth] process of applying for a license in accordance with the VARA requirements. It is on this basis that the exchange is still operating today notes BitOasis.

This article has been updated as VARA website has reinstated BitOasis on their registery.

UAE headquartered Fasset crypto exchange joins the regulated VASP community in Dubai

UAE headquartered Fasset crypto exchange joins the regulated VASP community in Dubai

In less than a year UAE headquartered, Fasset, digital assets platform, has gone from receiving an initial approval for an FMP license to becoming a fully licensed VASP crypto broker in UAE.

In May 2023 Fasset, a digital asset exchange platform with a vision to offer affordable and frictionless gateway for people in emerging markets to own and grow their wealth in digital assets  announced  that it has been granted an Initial Approval for a Full Market Product (FMP) license by the Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in UAE.

Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Founder and CEO of Fasset, told LaraontheBlock, “Our ability to connect loved ones, families and small businesses across borders while transporting economic value across borders -is a milestone and a historic shift in the way we will all operate in the near future.”

He also commented that the license will strengthen Fasset’s portfolio and connect regions  like Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey. Fasset users can now confidently transfer assets from the GCC to Asia, enabling sustainable and ethical wealth growth in one of the world’s busiest remittance corridors.

Previously, Hossain had noted in a LinkedIn post that 47.8% of the world’s household wealth is owned by 1.2% of the people. He stated, “ It’s becoming increasingly clear that the traditional routes to asset ownership are no longer equitable; as access to high quality assets – be it real estate, commodities or equities – are only easily attainable to a mere fragment of the world’s population. A fresher approach of tokenization and crypto can positively impact emerging markets by giving everyone an equal chance to own high quality real world and digitally native assets.”

Fasset recently received a strategic investment from Investcorp as it prepared for a series B funding round.

This license follows Fasset’s launch in Indonesia in August, where it partnered with Mastercard Indonesia and telco giant Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.

Fasset;s license comes on the same day that CoinMENA has received its license, and just a week after Abu Dhabi M2 received theirs.

Binance crypto exchange is being monitored by Dubai’s Virtual asset regulator

Binance crypto exchange is being monitored by Dubai’s Virtual asset regulator

As the woes pack up on Binance crypto exchange, first with the guilty plea from CZ, and then Ronaldo being sued because he promoted Binance products, the Dubai Virtual asset regulator VARA has made a statement that it is continuing to asses and monitor Binance activities to strict regulatory requirements, rigorous KYC and due diligence.

As per VARA, Binance FZE crypto exchange currently only holds a Minimum Viable Product [MVP] Operational License with VARA, which allows them access to a restricted client base. As such to date, Binance have on boarded approximately 180 qualified investors and institutional clients.

VARA notes that it  cannot comment on regulatory and enforcement actions taken on business conducted in other jurisdictions, but does assure, “ We have been, and will continue to be, closely monitoring ongoing developments and specifically how they relate to Binance FZE operations in accordance with our commitment to uphold market integrity, consumer protection, and the security of the domestic ecosystem.”

Binance while being one of the first to apply for a license in the UAE, has been late in receiving a license while others such as M2 in Abu Dhabi, RAIN crypto broker, CoinMENA, Fasset,  and many others have been able to become fully licensed.

It seems that Richard Teng, the new CEO of Binance will have a lot on his plate in the coming months.

MENA crypto broker exchange CoinMENA receives full license from Dubai regulator serving retail clients

MENA crypto broker exchange CoinMENA receives full license from Dubai regulator serving retail clients

CoinMENA has just become one of the first crypto broker from the MENA region to receive a full VASP (Virtual asset service provider license from VARA). As per the license CoinMENA can offer crypto broker services to institutional investors, qualified investors and retail clients.

With this CoinMENA becomes the 10th VASP to receive a license from Dubai’s regulator. CoinMENA already has a license in Bahrain and serves clients across the MENA region.

In August 2023 MENA CoinMENA came out with a new marketing campaign announcing that as a licensed exchange it is serving more than 250,000 users across 8 countries including Bahrain, UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Iraq and Egypt, stating its intentions to expand its base.

Still not to receive are Binance, Bybit, and Crypto.com, while BitOasis has been removed totally from VARA’s registered VASP list.

This comes after M2 launched its operations out of Abu Dhabi.

Paxos secures in principle approval from Abu Dhabi ADGM for stablecoins, crypto brokerage and custody

Paxos secures in principle approval from Abu Dhabi ADGM for stablecoins, crypto brokerage and custody

Paxos,, a regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform has secured the in-principle approvals (IPAs) of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for the necessary Financial Services Permissions to issue US dollar and other currency-backed stablecoins, as well as to offer crypto-brokerage and custody services from two regulated ADGM entities. Upon receiving full approval, Paxos will continue to expand the global footprint of their regulated USD-backed stablecoins.

Stablecoins issued with prudential oversight from established and reputable regulators represent a significant step towards democratizing access to commerce and financial services. Paxos is committed to integrity and transparency in its operations and the company will only issue tokens that are subject to oversight by prudential regulators. By also securing oversight for its custody and digital asset infrastructure solutions, Paxos services that are provided out of the ADGM will be comprehensively regulated by the FSRA.

As per the press release,this milestone solidifies Paxos’ position as the most comprehensively regulated blockchain platform in the world, meeting the highest operating standards in New York, Singapore and the ADGM.

Walter Hessert, Paxos Head of Strategy, commented, “Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the global financial system to be more open, secure and innovative. Today’s announcement marks yet another milestone in Paxos’ ability to provide billions of users with safe and trusted digital asset services. Our IPAs from the FSRA, on the heels of our IPA from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, solidify our commitment to pursuing international growth through regulated frameworks. Paxos is unique in the industry for this approach and we will continue expanding our regulatory licensing to serve global enterprises as a trusted, innovative partner.”

By leveraging blockchain technology, Paxos aims to open the financial system to everyone, creating more access and freedom for billions of people around the world. As Paxos continues to lead the way in digital asset innovation, the company remains committed to its mission of building a more inclusive and accessible financial future.

IOTA launches the first regulated $100 million DLT Foundation in Abu Dhabi UAE

IOTA launches the first regulated $100 million DLT Foundation in Abu Dhabi UAE

IOTA DLT Foundation announced that it has been registered as the first foundation under the DLT Foundations Regulations at ADGM ( Abu Dhabi Global Markets. As per their blog, his landmark achievement positions IOTA at the forefront of digital and real-world convergence in the financial sector in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and globally.

The IOTA Ecosystem DLT Foundation will be seeded with over $100 million in IOTA tokens, to be vested over the next four years. This funding is earmarked for nurturing the IOTA ecosystem and accelerating the growth of the IOTA protocol. In line with its community-driven ethos, the IOTA Ecosystem DLT Foundation will foster valuable partnerships in the region to advance the adoption of IOTA and its staging network Shimmer, across various sectors.

As per the blog, this will include collaboration with institutional investors, governments, and academic institutions for the tokenization of real-world assets and bringing them on-chain, thus bringing billions of dollars into the UAE’s virtual assets space.

Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Registration Authority (RA) of ADGM said, “Welcoming IOTA, one of the most established and well-respected blockchain protocols into ADGM’s DLT regime exemplifies our ambition to position Abu Dhabi’s stature as a prime location and ADGM as the leading jurisdiction for the blockchain industry. It is a strong validation of ADGM’s progress with its new and revolutionary DLT Foundations Framework. Working with companies like IOTA, ADGM aims to move towards a future characterized by setting global benchmarks in the ever-evolving blockchain and Web3 landscape”.

“The IOTA Foundation’s support from ADGM and our partnership with UAE authorities is about more than global expansion. It’s about ushering in a new era of regulatory synergy in the crypto markets,” said Dominik Schiener, Co-Founder and Chairman of the IOTA Foundation. “We want to ensure that we take the right steps toward digital autonomy for everyone, and that means making sure a diversity of communities take an active role in shaping the Foundation’s technology and governance.”

In early November 2023, IOTA stated it would be launching its DLT Foundation in Abu Dhabi UAE soon.

UAE regulated, Laser Digital integrates with Institutional digital asset provider Talos

UAE regulated, Laser Digital integrates with Institutional digital asset provider Talos

Laser Digital, crypto broker and investment service provider, a subsidiary of Japanese Nomura has integrated with Talos, which provides an institutional-grade technology infrastructure that supports the full lifecycle of digital assets trading and procurement including liquidity sourcing, price discovery, trade execution, settlement, lending, and borrowing.

As per the press release,this partnership broadens Laser Digital’s reach among institutional clients while adding a new source of institutional-grade liquidity to the Talos network.

“We are proud to join forces with Talos to expand institutional access to digital assets,” said Jez Mohideen, CEO of Laser Digital. “Talos and Laser Digital share a heritage in traditional financial markets and a common goal to simplify digital asset trading in a way that is familiar and trusted by institutions”

Laser Diigtal’s quant-driven liquidity provision and market-making capabilities are powered by a proprietary technology platform based on years of experience in systematic trading.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laser Digital to the Talos provider network, reinforcing our commitment to providing comprehensive trading solutions to institutional clients,” said Anton Katz, CEO and Co-Founder of Talos. “Laser Digital stands out in the digital asset landscape and will enrich the liquidity available to Talos clients looking to achieve best execution.”

Prior to this Laser Diigtal launched an Ethereum adoption fund.

UAE and Chinese central Banks go beyond Mbridge CBDC project with new MOU on CBDC collaboration

UAE and Chinese central Banks go beyond Mbridge CBDC project with new MOU on CBDC collaboration

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the People’s Bank of China has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to enhance technical and technological cooperation in the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDC), going beyond initial collaboration on mBridge CBDC project.

As per the UAE Central Bank press release, the signings will enhance the strategic partnership between the two friendly nations and expand the bilateral relations in the financial and economic fields.

His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of CBUAE, and His Excellency Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed the MOU in Hong Kong in presence of the UAE Counsel General in Hong Kong, H.E. Shaikh Saoud Ali Almualla.

The CBDC MoU aims to enhance collaboration central bank digital currency development and strengthen cooperation between CBUAE and the Digital Currency Institute of the People’s Bank of China in the field of financial technology. The MoU will enable the exchange of information on best practices and regulations relating to digital currencies and support the implementation of joint initiatives and projects, including the “mBridge” project which is a multi central bank digital currencies platform in facilitating cross-border trade payments instantly and securely.

The MoU also includes cooperation in training and skills development for specialists on both sides and the exchange of bilateral visits to discuss matters of common interest.

Commenting on the signing, H.E Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of CBUAE, stated, “We look forward to strengthening cooperation with our partners on innovation and solutions in financial technology including central bank digital currency to support the growth of our economy and society.”

Earlier,according to a Chinese media article, the Bank of China announced during The 3rd “Belt and Road” Summit Forum a list of 369 practical cooperation projects of which was an MOU signed with FAB bank of cooperation in digital currency.

Concurrently Standard Chartered announced its participation in the pilot testing program of China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) known as the digital Yuan (e-CNY or digital RMB). This move makes Standard Chartered the first foreign bank to engage with the country’s CBDC. According to the announcement, Standard Chartered, in collaboration with City Bank Clearing Services Co, will facilitate e-CNY transactions for its clients. It will allow them to purchase exchange and redeem e-CNY within their bank accounts.

 It is noteworthy that Standard Chartered’s backed digital asset platform, Zodia markets, received an In-Principle Approval (IPA) fulfilling the pre-requisites to receive a Financial Services Permission (FSP) for OTC broker-dealer in virtual assets by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi’s international financial center.

Standard Chartered’s , venture arm SC Ventures, an innovation and fintech investment arm recently partnered with Japanese SBI Holdings to establish a Digital Asset Joint Venture investment company in UAE. The parties intend to capitalize the vehicle with $100 million. The company will invest in DeFi, tokenization, consumer payments and metaverse.

Blockchain Founders Fund invests in UAE based Fintech startup Flow48

Blockchain Founders Fund invests in UAE based Fintech startup Flow48

Blockchain Founders Fund, SpeedInvest, Daphni, 212, Unpopular Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst, and TLG have all invested in SME fintech lending startup, UAE Flow48. This also included angel investors such as Scott Sandell from NEA.

Enrique Martinez Hausmann, Principal at Speedinvest. Stated, “What Flow48 is bringing to the table is not just innovative; it’s essential for SME growth in the region’s economic landscape. As we look ahead, the potential for Flow48 to expand beyond Revenue Based Financing is very exciting. The team is on track to become a full-service fintech solution for SMEs and expand their offerings to insurance, payments, and other financial services.”

Founded by Idriss Al Rifai on the principle of addressing the challenges SMEs face in securing working capital financing, Flow48 has developed a state-of-the-art platform that stands out with its real-time functionality, integrating seamlessly with major ERP providers, payment gateways, and e-commerce platforms. By enriching its proprietary risk engine and leveraging arrays of data from several sources, Flow48 is able to offer a more precise and efficient credit assessment process, setting new standards in SME lending.

A unique aspect of Flow48’s model is its commitment to ESG principles, focusing on empowering underrepresented segments within the SME sector. Notably, the startup has prioritized funding SMEs owned by minorities and women, a significant step in fostering inclusivity and diversity in the business landscape. “We believe that if the gap in financing exists for everyone and every industry, the hurdle is even higher if you are a woman or from a minority background,” says Al Rifai. “What we offer can be vital for these small business owners. We are contributing to building a more equitable economic environment.

In line with its broader mission, Flow48 is engaging with SMEs that drive positive environmental impact. This includes not only a focus on green energy sectors but also supporting enterprises that integrate sustainable practices into their business models. Among its diverse client base, Flow48 proudly counts several women and minority migrant-led businesses.

With its eyes set on expansion, Flow48 is strategically venturing into South Africa, attracted by its robust SME lending market and advanced fintech ecosystem. This move aligns with the company’s commitment to data-driven, real-time lending solutions and its ambition to empower SMEs across emerging markets globally. Going into South Africa is not just geographical but a deliberate step to integrate into thriving fintech ecosystems.