UAE First Abu Dhabi Bank has successfully completed a pilot for J.P Morgan Blockchain based JPM Coin System for programmable payments. The announcement interestingly has been made for the second time.

FAB has become one of the first financial institution to complete the programmable payment pilot with JPM Coin, enabling payments to be triggered at specific times or events.

This successful pilot opens up the possibility of a dynamic and automated funding and settlement solution to FAB and J.P. Morgan’s mutual clients. This solution will enable clients to benefit from Onyx’s real-time and/or event-based programmable capabilities. As part of the pilot, FAB successfully completed time-based and threshold balance-based account funding into deposit accounts to execute a payment obligation.

Unlike traditional cash concentration structures, which often lack real-time features or event-based configuration controlled by a bank, this innovation delivers more forward-looking possibilities where programmability can be used to provide flexibility to the client. Conditions for payment initiation and execution can be replicated on the bank’s side, resulting in improved execution response times with finality and traceability. Banks, with their rich transaction data, are in a better position to build a wide range of programmable scenarios, including instructions within payments and obligation-linked payments that are settled in an all-or-none manner.

With programmable payments, treasurers can transition from cash forecasting to dynamic or just-in-time (JIT) funding 24/7, maximising yields on surplus cash and minimising fees and opportunity costs. Unexpected payment failures or drawing on credit lines can be minimised. The successful pilot will also pave the way for more use cases, such as automated and conditional invoice payments, margin funding, and settlement solutions.

“One of our foremost objectives has been to bring new and innovative digital solutions to our clients and the industry at large. We are delighted to work with the FAB to extend our programmable payment offerings to multi-bank use cases. We believe that digital programmable ledgers will form the foundations for the finternet in the coming years,” said Naveen Mallela, Co-Head of Onyx by J.P. Morgan.

FAB is at the forefront of providing cutting-edge technologies to create a future-ready bank that delivers smarter and more agile solutions to serve its clients’ needs, as underscored by this innovative pilot in collaboration with J.P. Morgan.

In 2023 UAE FAB bank, (First Abu Dhabi Bank), made the same announcement.

Bahrain’s ABC Bank was the first bank to actually go live with Coin System built on Onyx by J.P Morgan, after two years of piloting.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Executive Council, Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), the flagship financial event of the MEASA region hosted by ADGM, has announced that its 2024 edition will gather more than 300 speakers from across the globe, including the CEOs and Chairs of 50 major global financial institutions.

Among the confirmed speakers are finance titans such as Sergio Ermotti – Group CEO of UBS, Bill Huffman – CEO of Nuveen, David Hunt – President & CEO of PGIM, Isabelle Scemama – Global Head of AXA IM, Bill Ford – Chairman & CEO of General Atlantic, Shayne Nelson – Group CEO of Emirates NBD, Ray Dalio – Founder of Bridgewater,Rajiv Jain – Chairman and CIO of GQG Partners, Mohammed Alaradhi – Executive Chairman of Investcorp, His Excellency Ambassador Majid AlSuwaidi – CEO of Alterra, Jeremy Allaire –Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Circle and Mohamed Abdelbary – CEO of ADIB.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: “As Abu Dhabi continues to solidify its position as a global financial powerhouse, ADFW 2024 will be a pivotal moment for the financial industry. The rapidly increasing participation of CEOs from globally significant financial institutions underscores ADFW’s rising prominence and influence as a leading platform. At ADGM, we are committed to driving meaningful dialogue, fostering innovation, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as the Capital of Capital.”

Local and regional government and government-affiliated leaders will also take centre stage at this year’s ADFW with prominent names such as Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan – President & CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), H.R.H. Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud – Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq AlMarri – Minister of Economy of the UAE, H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi – Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention at Ministry Of Economy of the UAE, H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak – Minister of Climate Change & Environment of the UAE, H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi –Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).

Other speakers from world renowned organisations include Robert Salomon – Dean of Stern at NYUAD, Chi-Man Kwan – Group CEO and Founder of Raffles Family Office, Kim Fournais – CEO, Saxo Bank, Christian Angermeyer – Founder, Aperion Investments, Hatem Dowidar – Group CEO of E&, , Rishi Khosla – Co-Founder & CEO of Oaknorth, Javier Carranza – Global Head of Wealth of Grupo Santander, Shamsir Vayalil – Founder and Non-Executive Chairman & CEO of Burjeel Holdings and Andrew Sullivan – EVP & Head of International Businesses of Prudential.

ADFW is currently registering interests and will be open for registration in the coming weeks. For more information please visit: www.adfw.com

Oxford Business Group (OBG) has partnered with the Arab Fintech Forum for the much anticipated MENA Fintech Festival 2024, to be held from December 3-5 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha. As a research partner for the event, OBG will also provide key economic intelligence on digital financial services in Qatar in its annual research on the country, The Report: Qatar 2025. 

The collaboration aims to spotlight the significance of fintech in Qatar’s rapidly evolving financial sector, with OBG contributing its expertise and data-driven insights to inform global subscribers about emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in digital finance.

The three-day event will feature several dynamic tracks, designed to explore the latest trends and foster meaningful interactions within the fintech community:

1.    Investors’ Oasis: a track dedicated to connecting investors with promising fintech startups and scale-ups. 
2.    Women in Fintech: this track will celebrate the contributions of women leaders in fintech and foster discussions on increasing female representation in the sector. 
3.    Startups Hive: the Startups Hive offers startups the chance to present their products and solutions to a diverse audience, including investors, partners, and customers. 
4.    Fintech Bookshelf: the Fintech Bookshelf will allow attendees to explore the latest thought leadership in fintech. 
5.    Fintech Lab: this space will feature live demonstrations of cutting-edge fintech innovations, offering attendees the chance to experience practical applications of technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
6.    The Pitch Pit: here, there will be valuable feedback for start-ups and the chance to secure funding, while also providing insights into what investors look for in successful pitches.

Fernanda Braz, OBG’s Country Director in Qatar, highlighted the importance of this collaboration for the fintech ecosystem in the region:

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with the Arab Fintech Forum as a research partner for the MENA Fintech Festival 2024. This event is a great opportunity to showcase Qatar’s progress in digital financial services and provide our global audience with in-depth analysis of the fintech landscape. By offering a platform for meaningful discussions and connections, this partnership will help to drive innovation and support the growth of fintech across the MENA region.”

Malik Shishtawi, Founder and President of the Arab Fintech Forum, emphasised the significance of this event for the regional fintech ecosystem stating, “The Arab Fintech Forum is a gathering of minds from across the financial technology spectrum, offering a platform for leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to engage in discussions that shape the future of fintech in the Arab region and beyond. This year’s event will showcase the latest trends and innovations in digital banking, blockchain, and financial inclusion, driving meaningful conversations and collaborations that will propel the industry forward.”

Oxford Business Group’s flagship product The Report: Qatar 2025 will be published in early 2025 and will represent the culmination of over 12 months of extensive field research conducted by OBG’s team. The publication will comprehensively evaluate trends and advancements across various sectors with a key focus on digital finance. 

The Saudi headquartered Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), a global multilateral organization committed to enabling digital prosperity for all by accelerating the inclusive growth of the digital economy, has launched its inaugural Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) that enables countries to better navigate the paths to digital economy maturity, find opportunities for growth, benchmark progress, and bridge the gap in digital economy maturity.

The DEN was unveiled at the SDG Digital 2024, held during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, from September 10 to September 27.

Drawing upon officially disseminated statistics, secondary data, and unique proprietary data from a Digital Cooperation Organization large survey, the DEN is a unifying framework that addresses digital economy maturity across 50 countries, including the DCO Member States. The framework provides a platform for nations, stakeholders, and decision-makers to harmonize efforts in advancing the global digital economy, enabling accessibility, sustainability, and shared prosperity across borders.

The Navigator evaluates the extent to which the factors contribute to economic prosperity, sustainability, and enhanced quality of life for people. This provides a common understanding for different stakeholder groups to work together in developing digital economy strategies to bridge gaps and allows for progress to be tracked over time.

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, said: “The Digital Economy Navigator aims to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and economic prosperity, ensuring that countries are not just keeping pace but leading in the digital era. As the first global framework to comprehensively address digital economy maturity from a user-centric perspective, DEN plays a pivotal role in advancing the Digital Cooperation Organization’s mission of supporting evidence-based policies and impactful outcomes in the digital economy. By providing reliable and detailed data, insights into current trends and emerging technologies, and strategic foresight into future challenges, DEN equips countries to achieve higher levels of prosperity, inclusion, and sustainability. We at the Digital Cooperation Organization are committed to empowering stakeholders with the knowledge they need to navigate and thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape”.

Uniquely among global tools, the DEN assesses the digital economy through the lens of three intersecting dimensions: Digital Enablers, Digital Business, and Digital Society. Within the three dimensions, 10 pillars synthesize and summarize key aspects of countries’ digital economy and use of digital technology application from 102 indicators gathered from respected secondary data sources, as well as primary data from a novel survey of more than 27,000 people across the 50 countries.

The DEN introduces a comprehensive maturity classification system with five categories based on pillars’ scores from 0 to 100, that can be used by stakeholders to better target and focus initiatives to drive digital advancement and innovation in their quest for sustainable and inclusive growth of their digital economy.

The DEN reveals a diverse picture of maturity across regions. North America for example leads in digital innovation, followed by ‘Europe and Central Asia’ and ‘East Asia and Pacific’. South Asia leads in digital work and training, followed by the Middle East and North Africa region. The ‘Sub-Saharan Africa’ and ‘Latin America and the Caribbean’ regions are advanced in the Digital education and health services. This pillar particularly “Digital for education and health” demonstrate substantial global maturity, with moderate variability in scores indicating a trend toward global convergence.

As per the report, The Middle East and North Africa has strengths in the Digital for Work and Training pillar, where it is the second strongest region, as well as in the Digital for Health and Education pillar. The DEN results suggest room for improvement in business use and adoption of digital technologies, with the ICT Core Business and Digital Innovation pillars classed as nascent.

Audiences can access the DEN report, infographic, methodology, and data in Excel format by visiting the DEN online platform at .

The report provides an in-depth analysis of digital economy maturity from multiple perspectives. Additionally, users have the option to download the report for offline access.

The DEN will continue to evolve over time to capture the rapidly changing nature of the digital economy. While DEN’s overall objective will remain in future editions, technologies and applications will evolve and be measured by how they contribute to the digital economy.

Taurus announced its strategic partnership with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority as part of the QFC Digital Assets Lab which will allow it to serve banks and financial institutions across Qatar and MENA by delivering enterprise technology from digital assets, to crypto to tokenized securities.

As per the press release, the QFC Digital Assets Lab is a key initiative within the QFC Innovation Dome, which is designed to accelerate innovation in digital assets and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). By fostering collaboration between businesses, start-ups, and researchers, the lab aims to position Qatar “as a leader in the digital economy, guided by the newly introduced QFC Digital Assets Regulatory Framework 2024.”

The framework sets rigorous standards for tokenization, legal recognition of digital assets, and the use of smart contracts, ensuring the highest levels of security and transparency. As a digital asset infrastructure provider, Taurus provides secure and scalable solutions for the custody, tokenization, and management of digital assets.

Through the QFC Digital Assets Lab, financial institutions in the region will now have access to Taurus’ enterprise-grade technology, which supports the full range of digital assets, from cryptocurrencies to tokenized securities.

Bashir Kazour, Managing Director at Taurus, commented, “The QFC Digital Assets Lab offers a robust regulatory environment, making Qatar a prime location for digital asset innovation. We are pleased to bring our expertise in digital asset management to this dynamic market and better serve our clients and partners across the Middle East.”

Taurus SA is a Swiss Fintech founded in April 2018, provides enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure to issue, custody, and trade any digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, NFTs, and digital currencies.

Depending on their business model, strategy, and risk tolerance, Taurus’ clients can seamlessly manage cryptocurrencies “including staking, digitize and tokenize any type of asset on any standard end-to-end, and process digital currencies of their choice.”

Taurus’ product portfolio is composed of  Taurus-PROTECT, the leading secure storage solution in Europe which is currently used by more than 30 financial institutions and corporations. Taurus-CAPITAL allows clients to issue and “manage tokenized assets on public and permissioned blockchains, as well as interact with any smart contract.

Both The Hashgraph Association as well as R3 also announced their partnerships with QFC digital assets lab and their offering.

Blockchain digital assets analyst and expert Henri Arslanian has launched Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler, a groundbreaking new children’s book that combines education with entertainment, guiding young readers through the fascinating world of digital assets, blockchain technology, and the future of money.

As per the press release, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler is just the beginning of an ambitious project to bring digital literacy and financial education to children worldwide.

As the first book in an exciting new series, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler takes readers on an adventurous learning journey alongside two charismatic crypto-enthusiasts, Henri and Hodler, who, together with a lively cast of characters—including the tech-savvy Solidity, and buddies Naka and Moto—make complex topics fun and engaging.


Through clever rhymes, vivid illustrations, and creative interactive elements, children learn about the history and evolution of money and discover new concepts about the future of money, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to the latest trends in DeFi, NFTs, Metaverses, and more.
The book introduces readers to these topics in a clear, easy to follow “A-to-Z” format, beginning with Altcoin, Bitcoin, and Cryptography … and continuing through to Yield Farming and ZK-Proof.


Developed in Collaboration With Crypto Firms Ledger and First Digital The book’s production and development spanned over three years and included interviews with dozens of educators, teachers, and parents to ensure that the subject matter is presented in a
clear, ethical, and responsible manner.


The book is powered by collaborations with leading crypto firms, with Ledger serving as the premier technology partner and First Digital serving as the premier education partner.

Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler is co-authored by Henri Arslanian, a globally recognized thought leader and educator in the world of crypto and digital assets. Henri is the author of several bestselling books on crypto and the future of money including “The Book of Crypto” and “The Future of Finance.”

With his experience as a university professor teaching crypto since 2015, the host of the Crypto Capsule LinkedIn educational series that is shared weekly with his over half-million LinkedIn followers, and recently the co-host of the Crypto Weekly show on CNBC Arabia, Henri brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for educating the next generation on the future of finance.
Co-author, Michael Dotsikas, is a bestselling children’s author, creator of the award-winning “Benjamin Birdie” children’s picture book series, an experienced writer, and sought-after literary mentor with a deep commitment to making complex topics accessible and engaging for young readers, while devoted to mindful storytelling.


Together, they have crafted a book that not only demystifies the often-complex world of digital assets but does so in a way that is fun, interactive, and suitable for children of all ages. The book is illustrated by Billy Martin, who is best known as the lead guitarist for the
multi-platinum selling bank Good Charlotte.

Yat Siu, Chairman and Co-Founder of Animoca Brands, calls it “a perfect introduction to the world of blockchain and the future of money for the next generation,” while Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger, highlights the book’s vital role in empowering children: “The transformative power of cryptocurrencies is something everyone needs to understand, and kids first! This book
is a must-read!”

Unlike traditional children’s books, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler takes an interactive storytelling approach, blending vibrant comic book style illustrations with playful, engaging narrative to create a dynamic learning experience, capturing the imagination while inviting
reader participation.


A unique feature is the inclusion of QR codes throughout, which lead readers to additional resources, offering deeper insights into the various concepts and terms explored in the story.


Another valuable educational element is the added in-depth glossary and appendices of “fun facts” designed to equip parents and educators with additional knowledge, empowering them to better understand the subject matter.

After more than 207 days, Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, is slowly deteriorating after the government of Nigeria imprisoned him with no formal accusations or trial.

His mother in an interview on KMPH Fox26 News, pleaded asking the U.S government to intervene. He’s innocent, that’s all. But I can ask and I’m begging everybody who can help my son. Just please bring my son home. That’s all what we need,” said Gambaryan. “Just take me, exchange me with my son just let my son go home! I don’t care what will happen to me, just let my son go home!

At Token 2049 in Singapore, Richard Teng, the CEO of Binance, announced that the company is working tirelessly to free Tigran Gambaryan, the crypto exchange’s head of financial crime compliance, who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024.

Gambaryan’s health has been deteriorating while in custody, and Teng emphasized that Binance has repeatedly asked the Nigerian government to release him for necessary medical care.

“There’s no need to hold our staff,” Teng said on the sidelines at the Token2049 conference in Singapore.

Gambaryan travelled to Nigeria in late February this year at the invitation of the Nigerian government to discuss Binance’s compliance practices in the country. However, after two meetings, he was detained and has since been held at Kuje Prison, a facility known for its harsh conditions.

Aron Akbiyikian, Tigran Gambaryan’s friend and co-worker, said to KMPH Fox 26, “He hasn’t been given a fair trial. He hasn’t been personally accused of anything. At no point in time has he ever been accused of doing anything, only for the fact that the company he works for is being accused of crimes, so they’re charging him for it.”

Binance’s internal team has reportedly been working on various approaches to secure Gambaryan’s release, including urging the US government to officially classify Gambaryan as unlawfully detained and appealing to the Nigerian government on humanitarian grounds.

“Every single day, day in and day out, he catches the bad guys, and now he’s being accused of being one of them without ever directly saying that he did anything,” said Aron Akbiyikian, Tigran Gambaryan’s Friend and coworker.

Tigran Gambaryan was born in Armenia and moved to Fresno, California, with his family when he was in middle school.  

On March 25th, Nigerian officials charged Binance with money laundering, tax evasion, and other crimes.

Binance is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in Nigeria, processing about 32% of crypto transactions by Nigerians, according to a November 2023 CoinGecko report, citing Statistica data.

Bahrain and UAE based Rain crypto trading platform has partnered with Spring Studio’s launchpad, backed by the Sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, Al Waha Fund of Funds, ad global venture capital firm Salica investments.

As per Rain LinkedIn post, ” We are happy to announce Rain’s partnership with Spring Studios’ Launchpad. As the first licensed crypto provider in the Middle East, Rain is committed to supporting innovative founders across the region. Founders will have direct access to our internal teams, unlocking unique opportunities in one of the fastest-growing fintech ecosystems in MENA.”

Spring Studios which caters to MENA founders, is helping to create the next wave of exceptional startups.

Spring Studios equips founders with capital, expert in-house capability, and verification from MENA’s leading investors to build startups with a greater probability of success.

This comes as Bahrain grants its fourth crypto license in the country with Crypto.com now able to offer crypto payments through its license from the Central Bank of Bahrain.

Rain was the first crypto broker to be licensed in Bahrain. It then was granted a license in the UAE from Abu Dhabi.

The Hashgraph Association, a partner with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Digital assets Lab announced on LinkedIn, that within the next 12 months it will work together with stakeholders to explore implementing five innovative use cases, in the areas of equity tokenization, Sukuk Islamic Bonds tokenization, real estate tokenization, sustainability ESG Carbon credits, as well as consumer engagement and loyalty programs.

This is part of the partnership that was signed with QFC for a $50 million Digital Assets Venture Studio to develop the Web3 and DLT innovation ecosystem in Qatar.

As per the post, the QFC, and Qatar Central Bank digital assets framework recently announced in September was a major milestone establishing a comprehensive legal and regulatory foundation for tokenization, smart contracts, and asset custody, ensuring compliance and security.

The Hashgraph Association post noted, “These regulations strengthen The Hashgraph Association’s role in fostering innovation and trust within the digital assets ecosystem, further solidifying the region’s position as a global leader in fintech. By providing knowledge exchange, international visibility, and regulatory clarity, QFC and The Hashgraph Association are propelling the region toward the forefront of digital asset technology.”

R3 also one of the QFC partners for the Digital Assets Lab also noted as well that it will power tokenization projects across Qatar’s financial industry.

Anryton has launched its Layer One network, blockchain technology that promises to transform data storage, privacy, and exchange across multiple industries out of Dubai UAE. The company also unveiled DNA NFT technology, which leverages Variant Call Format (VCF) files to create digital wallets for secure data storage and enhanced privacy.

 The company’s vision is to assist Aviation, Supply chain, Healthcare, education, and other critical sectors to combat modern data challenges such as manipulation, security, ownership, and integrity.

As per the press release, the Layer One network offers a scalable, secure, and highly efficient platform that supports a wide range of applications. The network’s robust capabilities are poised to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, legal, supply chain, and data management.

Dr. Anmol S Kapoor, CEO and Founder of Anryton, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch. He says, “Today marks a pivotal moment for Anryton as we unveil our Layer One network and DNA NFT technology. Our Layer One network is designed to set a new standard in blockchain efficiency and security, while our DNA NFT technology provides a groundbreaking solution for data privacy and storage. By integrating VCF files into NFTs, we are not only enhancing data security but also paving the way for innovative applications in healthcare and beyond.”

The DNA NFT technology, developed in conjunction with the Layer One network, utilises VCF files to create unique digital wallets that securely store genetic and personal data. This innovative approach ensures that individuals maintain control over their sensitive information, while also enabling seamless and secure data exchange between authorized parties.

Ms. Ruchi Bindra, Chief Legal Officer of Anryton Technologies, highlighted the legal and privacy implications, saying, “The launch of our DNA NFT technology is a game-changer for data privacy and protection. By incorporating legal frameworks into our blockchain solutions, we are addressing the growing concerns around data security and privacy. Our technology ensures that individuals’ personal and genetic information is securely stored and managed with the highest standards of confidentiality.”

Mr. Harman Puri, Strategy Consultant, emphasized the broader applications of Anryton’s technology: “Anryton’s Layer One network and DNA NFT technology have the potential to revolutionize multiple industries. From healthcare to legal and supply chain management, our solutions offer unparalleled security and efficiency. The integration of blockchain technology into these sectors will streamline processes, enhance data integrity, and drive innovation,” he said.

Sidharth Bhinder, CTO of BioAro, commented: “BioChain represents a significant step forward in securing health data. By leveraging decentralized technology, we are ensuring that sensitive health information remains protected and private, while also providing a compliant and robust system for healthcare providers. Importantly, we will be using Anryton’s Layer One network to enhance our capabilities, helping us scale up effectively in the healthcare field. This collaboration will not only bolster data security and regulatory compliance but also facilitate better patient outcomes and innovations in health data management.”