UAE Air Arabia uses AED stablecoin for payments

UAE Air Arabia uses AED stablecoin for payments

UAE based Air Arabia airline is now accepting the AED stablecoin, AE Coin, developed by MBank ( Al Maryah Bank) for payments such as flight booking. The airline is the first in MENA to offer a stablecoin based payment option. Users can book their flights using the AEC Wallet application developed by MBank.

As the UAE’s first regulated AED-backed stablecoin, AE Coin is pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham, ensuring price stability, security, and low transaction fees. With this integration, Air Arabia’s customers can now select the AEC Wallet at checkout when booking via the airline’s website.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia said: “We are proud to partner with Mbank to introduce AE Coin as a secure and innovative payment option for our customers. At Air Arabia, we are committed to embracing digitalization across our operations, and this partnership reflects our efforts to enhance our customer experience through technology. The newly introduced payment option through AEC Wallet reflects our ongoing efforts to adopt smart solutions that bring greater value, choice and flexibility to our growing customer base.”

Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, commented: “We are proud to partner with Air Arabia to offer AE Coin as a payment option for travelers. Air Arabia’s strong reputation as a leading low-cost carrier operator serving a diverse customer base aligns perfectly with our mission to provide accessible, secure, and affordable digital payment solutions to our community. Through this partnership, we are not only enhancing the booking process but also contributing to the UAE’s broader goal of creating a truly inclusive, digitally empowered financial ecosystem.”

Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin, added: “This partnership with Air Arabia is a key milestone for AE Coin as it makes digital currency even more accessible to everyday consumers. By integrating AE Coin into flight bookings, we are simplifying the payment experience for travelers and enabling a seamless cashless solution that aligns with the growing digital economy. Air Arabia’s leadership in adopting digital payment solutions within the aviation industry is an exciting development that will set the stage for wider adoption of digital currencies in the region.”

Binance Academy officially launches in Saudi Arabia

Binance Academy officially launches in Saudi Arabia

Binance the number one crypto exchange globally in terms of market share, with licenses in both UAE and Bahrain within the MENA region, has launched partnering with Riyadh Chamber and Gulf Colleges.

A year ago As per the X post, Binance Academy held their first workshop on Blockchain and crypto fundamentals was held at AlYamamah University in Riyadh KSA.

This time, more than 60 participants attended the event include Chief Marketing Officer of Binance, Rachel Conlan.

At the event the Binance Academy team and Gulf Colleges and Riyadh Chamber signed a partnership that includes expanding Blockchain education program in Saudi.

The Binance Academy offers courses on Web3, Crypto, blockchain. It is one of the largest educational hubs in the blockchain industry. and its mission is to teach everyone about blockchain technology.

In Jordan for example, the Blockchain Center, which seeks to embed blockchain education into academic curricula across the globe by offering training programs for university educators, partnered with the Academy; to expand its Global University Outreach program to included Jordan based Al Ahliyya Amman University. The Blockchain Center and its initiatives across the glove aim to revolutionize blockchain education by integrating Blockchain Compliance and Blockchain Engineering into the curriculum of universities worldwide.

Binance lists World Liberty Financial USD1

Binance lists World Liberty Financial USD1

Binance the leading global crypto exchange, which holds a license both in the UAE and Bahrain within the MENA region, and which recently received a $2 billion investment from MGX an Abu Dhabi technology investment company, has announced the listing of World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) on May 22nd 2025. Binance listed World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) and opened trading for the following spot trading pair USD1/USDT. Users can now start depositing USD1 in preparation for trading.

One day prior Donald Trump’s crypto venture World Liberty Financial launched its stablecoin on Kucoin which was recently banned from the United States after admitting to violating anti-money laundering laws and agreeing to pay a $300 million fine.

USD1 Listing Fee: 0 BNB. The crypto exchange also noted it added World Liberty Financial USD ( USD1) to Binance Simple Earn, “Buy Crypto”, Binance Convert, and Binance Margin at the respective dates and timings listed below. USD1 Flexible Products will be listed on Binance Simple Earn at 2025-05-22 12:00 (UTC) and will be available for subscription.

Users can buy USD1 with VISA, MasterCard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Revolut or buy and sell USD1 with their account balances on the “Buy Crypto” page, available within one hour of USD1being listed on Binance Spot.

Users will also be able to start trading USD1 against BTC, USDT, and any other tokens on Binance Convert at zero fees within one hour of USD1 being listed on Binance Spot. Binance Margin will add USD1 as a new borrowable asset on Cross and Isolated Margin, as well as the USD1/USDT pair on Cross and Isolated Margin at 2025-05-22 12:20 (UTC).

This comes weeks after Eric Trump announced that the stablecoin used for the investment into Binance by UAE sovereign AI fund MGX, was World Liberty Financial USD.

Richard Teng talks to CNN about MGX Investment into Binance but not the name of stablecoin

Yet even in his most recent interview with CNN, Richard Teng still did not disclose the stablecoin that was used in MGX investment into Binance, while he did talk about what this means for the future of AI and crypto.

In a new series, entitled Intelligent Future which focuses on how technology is revolutionizing our world, CNN’s Becky Anderson sat down with Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng.

He noted that crypto is the future. It is a technology that is traceable, trustless, and decentralized. It allows you to build financial infrastructure, any infrastructure, tokenization, supply chains and so many other uses cases.

He adds that in the current financial structure, it takes two days to send money at high costs, crypto and stablecoins resolve this.

When asked about MGX investment into Binance with $2 billion. Teng stated, ” Abu Dhabi and UAE are always at the forefront of thinking and development of the future world. If you look at MGX it is AI, datacenter investment advance technology power house, so we are glad that this is our first institutional investment, This is the first strategic minority investment into Binance, the largest in the crypto industry and the largest paid in stablecoins.”

He says it also shows the future role is one of convergence between traditional finance, blockchain, crypto, AI, so he believes it will be very interesting.

As for the final question on how important that the USA is now getting onboard the crypto program. Teng says, that this is very important because the USA is the largest capital markets in the world. It accounts for over 15% of global capital markets. So when they say I am going to go long on crypto, the rest of governments and capital markets cannot chose to ignore that.”

Once regulators around the world come into play, they will benchmark themselves according to what the USA has notes Teng.

As for the next five years, Teng believes, children will grow up in the blockchain and AI world. Fees paid for financial transactions will go down substantially with settlement periods shorter. There will be more choices for investments, and use cases

UAE licensed Fomo Pay to accelerate stablecoin adoption in MENA

UAE licensed Fomo Pay to accelerate stablecoin adoption in MENA

FOMO Pay, a payment institution headquartered in Singapore, with additional licenses in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has joined the Global Dollar Network (GDN), an open, enterprise-driven network designed to accelerate global adoption of stablecoins and will advance stablecoin adoption in MENA ( Middle East North Africa).

As per the press release, FOMO Pay will integrate Global Dollar (USDG), a stablecoin issued by Paxos, into its digital payment infrastructure, enabling near-instant, transparent, and regulated stablecoin payments for merchants and corporates.

The integration of USDG will allow FOMO Pay’s broad merchant base, spanning sectors such as F&B, hospitality, and retail, to accept USDG payments from their end customers seamlessly. This addition enhances consumers’ checkout experience with more flexible payment options, translating digital currency innovation into real-world utility. In parallel, FOMO Pay’s corporate clients will be able to leverage USDG to streamline cross-border payments with greater speed, transparency, and regulatory confidence.

Louis Liu, Founder and CEO of FOMO Pay, said, “The broader adoption of regulated stablecoins marks the next chapter in financial innovation, unlocking new possibilities for faster, more transparent, and compliant payments. USDG is a meaningful step in that direction, and we are pleased to join the Global Dollar Network as one of its first members to advance stablecoin adoption. Backed by FOMO Pay’s strong local banking and payment infrastructure across Southeast Asia, the Greater Bay Area, and the Middle East and North Africa, we stand ready to help shape a more inclusive and interoperable future for digital finance.”

FOMO Pay is dedicated to partnering with industry leaders to deliver faster, more cost-effective, and regulated payment solutions. By enhancing cross-border payments and facilitating real-world use cases for stablecoins, the company continues to drive innovation in digital finance. Through its efforts, FOMO Pay aims to make modern financial instruments more accessible to businesses, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and interoperable global payments ecosystem.

UAE Klickl, WeBank and Goldford group to develop blockchain and AI incubation program

UAE Klickl, WeBank and Goldford group to develop blockchain and AI incubation program

UAE Klickl, a regulated Web3 financial services provider, WeBank, China’s digital bank and Goldford Group have collaborated to create a cross regional fintech innovation alliance spanning across China, Hong Kong and the Middle East, which will include the development of a blockchain and AI incubation program.

The signing took place as part of a broader economic dialogue catalyzed by the official visit of a high-level delegation from Hong Kong and Mainland China to Qatar, led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee.

At the ceremony, Klickl UAE CEO Dermot Mayes, Goldford Group representative and Legislative Council member Dr. Duncan Chiu, and senior executives from WeBank formally sealed the agreement—positioning the three parties to co-develop financial infrastructure across blockchain, AI, and quantum technologies.

The partnership represents the first structured initiative of its kind to link fintech ecosystems across the Greater Bay Area and the Middle East. Klickl brings its compliance-first Web3 financial capabilities and deep understanding of the Gulf regulatory landscape; WeBank contributes leading financial technology from Mainland China; and Goldford Group offers integration strength across Hong Kong’s tech innovation ecosystem.

The alliance will jointly pursue six core areas of cooperation, Blockchain & AI Incubation Platform, startup acceleration Across Asia–MENA, next-Gen Financial Services for Cross-Border Use Cases, digital Transformation for Legacy Financial Institutions, localized Fintech Deployment for Gulf Markets, quantum Technology Exploration in Financial Applications and Klickl’s Institutional Role which will be to bridge Regulation, Markets, and Innovation.

“This partnership is more than symbolic—it is strategic,” said Michael Zhao, Founder and CEO of Klickl. “As the only homegrown Web3 financial services provider in the region, we are proud to help bridge capital, compliance, and technology across three economic hubs. This alliance reflects not only our infrastructure readiness, but also the trust we’ve built with institutions across Asia and the Middle East.”

Klickl’s institutional credibility is backed by its status as a policy-aligned fintech entity, having participated in recent sovereign economic missions to Malaysia, Poland, and Japan. Its regulatory licensing through ADGM (FSP) and VASP registration in the European Union positions Klickl to operate across key financial jurisdictions, providing end-to-end Web3-native solutions including digital wallets (Klickl4U), institutional accounts (KlicklONE), payment rails (KlicklPay), stablecoin services, asset custody, and trading infrastructure.

Ant Digital to tokenize green finance energy assets in UAE

Ant Digital to tokenize green finance energy assets in UAE

Ant Digital Technologies, a blockchain, privacy computing, security technologies, and distributed database company has established its global headquarters in Hong Kong and is expanding its footprint into the UAE. Ant Digital Technologies has selected Dubai as a strategic gateway to unlock opportunities in the Middle East market.

As per the announcement, the strategic move underscores the company’s commitment to global Web3 and Artificial intelligence (AI) development, while recognising the UAE’s rapid embrace of emerging technologies.

Ant Digital seeks not only to tokenize Financial Real World Assets but also energy ones. The company seeks to offer access to green financing. Diverse investors can participate in the transition towards a greener future, fostering a more inclusive and liquid market for sustainable assets. Ant Digital Technologies, has facilitated transactions for 14 million new energy devices on-chain through the tokenization of green energy assets, setting a global standard and exemplifying how green assets can unlock significant investment opportunities.

At a recent event in UAE, Ant Digital Technologies announced the release of Jovay, a Layer 2 blockchain solution tailored for RWA fund transactions, showcasing trusted execution and exceptional performance capabilities with a throughput of 100,000 transactions per second and 100-millisecond on-chain response time. This cutting-edge platform can seamlessly integrate with Layer 1 blockchains, enhancing their performance and scalability. Jovay is set to play a pivotal role in transforming trillions of RWAs into tradable digital assets globally, thereby enhancing global liquidity and streamlining the trading of physical assets on the blockchain.

Zhuoqun Bian, President of Blockchain Business at Ant Digital Technologies, said, “We have been enthusiastic about the transformative power of blockchain technology across the finance industry and beyond. Leveraging years of expertise in blockchain, IoT, and AI research and development, we look forward to collaborating with global partners to unleash the full potential of real-world assets and propel innovation on a global scale.”

Dr. Zhao Wenbiao, CEO of Ant Digital Technologies, shared, “By integrating top-tier blockchain solutions into the energy RWA ecosystems of these regions, we aim to cultivate a ‘dual-hub synergy’ between Hong Kong and Dubai, propelling the global shift towards a digital economy.”

Sharjah Maritime academy launched Blockchain micro credentials

Sharjah Maritime academy launched Blockchain micro credentials

Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA)has launched a blockchain-based Micro-Credentials through its partnership with EduChain and it has developed an AI-powered smart campus.

SMA has automated 85% of its processes, using AI to create a smart, sustainable, and student-first academic environment. This isn’t a cosmetic shift – it’s systemic. From personalized learning to real-time analytics, SMA is building the digital infrastructure students need to thrive in tomorrow’s world.

SMA is the first maritime institution in the UAE to issue blockchain-based micro-credentials, through a partnership with Educhain. Every certificate, badge, and transcript is now tamper-proof, instantly verifiable, and globally shareable – making SMA students skills-first professionals ready for a tech-driven future.

“This is bigger than maritime,” said chancellor Dr Hashim Al Zaabi. “It’s about redefining education in a world where technology, automation, and sustainability shape every industry. We’re not catching up; we’re setting the pace.”

With digital-first systems, strategic partnerships, and graduates built for what’s next, SMA isn’t waiting for the future of education – it’s delivering it.

Bitgrit in UAE to democratize AI ownership with Blockchain

Bitgrit in UAE to democratize AI ownership with Blockchain

Bitgrit, a global AI startup, which in 2024 established a DLT Foundation under the regulatory framework of ADGM is seeking to launch their BGR Network, one of the world’s first Web3 protocols to democratize AI ownership, monetization and innovation.

With over 37,000 AI developers from 62 different countries on their platform, Bitgrit has helped organizations like NASA, SoftBank and the Tokyo Government leverage the power of community to solve some of their biggest problems using AI. The company started in Japan and expanded to the UAE in 2021 after being selected for Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s premier startup acceleration program.

Through the Bitgrit platform, companies can crowdsource custom AI solutions through competitions and license off-the shelf community-developed AI models in a quick and affordable manner. The company’s patented GritBox technology ensures developers can train AI models on private datasets without direct access to the underlying data. The launch of the BGR Network now takes these capabilities to the next level—bringing AI assets fully on-chain.

“We’re building a future where AI innovation benefits everyone—not just a few,” said Kazuya Saginawa, CEO of Bitgrit. “From digitizing ownership rights to enhancing transparency, from turning AI into a tradable asset to fostering global collaboration—the BGR Network is setting a new benchmark for AI and blockchain integration. Ultimately, we envision a future where AI models within the Bitgrit ecosystem autonomously communicate and evolve, paving the way for Artificial Super Intelligence.”

The establishment of the Bitgrit DLT Foundation in ADGM allows the company to leverage Abu Dhabi’s world-class regulatory framework and progressive policies to scale its blockchain-powered AI ecosystem. The foundation’s mission is to create a decentralized AI economy where developers, enterprises, and institutions can securely build, license, and stake AI models on-chain.

Saksham Kukreja, COO of Bitgrit, added, “We’re thrilled to be part of Abu Dhabi’s thriving Web3 ecosystem. Launching our own blockchain network was the natural next step but doing it the right way—under a trusted and well-regulated jurisdiction—was just as important to us. ADGM’s strong regulatory framework and progressive policies made it the perfect place to bring this vision to life. With the launch of the Bitgrit DLT Foundation, we’re taking a huge leap forward in bridging AI and blockchain on a global scale.”

Bitgrit has already forged key strategic partnerships within the ADGM Web3 ecosystem, including a collaboration with Changer.ae, a licensed digital asset custody provider, to ensure the secure management of BGR tokens. The BGR Network is also backed by Avalanche, one of the world’s most advanced blockchains known for high-speed, low-cost transactions, reinforcing the network’s scalability and adoption.

Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Registration Authority (RA) of ADGM said, “By establishing its DLT Foundation within ADGM, Bitgrit joins a growing ecosystem that is shaping the future of blockchain and AI innovation. This move underscores the strength of our regulatory framework and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for blockchain advancement. By fostering an environment where emerging technologies can scale responsibly, ADGM is proud to support pioneers like Bitgrit in unlocking new frontiers in decentralised AI ownership and collaboration.”

UAE Ghaf Labs and Bybit exchange to drive crypto adoption in MENA

UAE Ghaf Labs and Bybit exchange to drive crypto adoption in MENA

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume which currently holds an in principle approval from Dubai regulator, and UAE based Ghaf Labs, a MENA-based Web3 boutique advisory and consultancy firm, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter a multi-year strategic partnership that aims to drive crypto adoption, ecosystem development, and real-world utility across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

This partnership is on a mission to position the region as a global Web3 hub by enabling innovation, supporting regulatory clarity, and fostering meaningful use cases that integrate blockchain into daily life.


Ghaf Labs, backed by Ghaf Capital Partners, offers tailored advisory and incubation services to Web3 ventures across MENA. With its strong regional network and regulatory insight. Together, Bybit and Ghaf Labs will provide equity-free grants, startup support, and access to strategic resources for ventures exploring blockchain, AI, and sustainability, central to the region’s digital transformation.

“Our partnership with Ghaf Labs is rooted in a shared vision for the MENA region, one where crypto isn’t just adopted, but lived,” said Helen Liu, COO of Bybit. “From developer tooling to lifestyle integration, we’re building the bridges that bring crypto into everyday life.”

The collaboration will also launch a series of education initiatives designed to nurture local Web3 talent. These include university partnerships, bootcamps, and developer hackathons, all aimed at empowering the next generation of blockchain builders.

Additionally, both parties will co-develop educational content to improve Web3 literacy across Arabic- and English-speaking communities in the region.

“This partnership with Bybit reflects our shared commitment to advancing Web3 infrastructure, education, and institutional engagement across the MENA region. Together, we aim to accelerate innovation and continue to position the UAE as a global hub for digital assets.”
said Feras Al Sadek, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Ghaf Labs.

Lara on the Block spoke with Al Sadek asking why Bybit in particular, his reply, “Bybit brings more than just liquidity and listing power. The decision was rooted in long-term alignment: Bybit has consistently demonstrated commitment to Web3 ecosystem growth, regional presence in MENA, and a partner-first approach. Unlike other exchanges, Bybit is building beyond trading, with initiatives in education, infrastructure, payments, and community development. We’ve supported Bybit from the beginning, and this partnership reflects our continued belief in their vision and values.”

Ghaf Labs has invested in MENA and International startups since its inception, so we asked Al Sadek what added value would Bybit bring in? He noted that the crypto exchange offered three layers of added value. The first was distribution and exposure paving a direct path to exchange listings, co-marketing and user acquisition at scale, secondly was product integration such as access to Bybit Card, API infrastructure, and on-chain tools to enable real-world utility and faster product-market fit, and finally was credibility & reach where being affiliated with a top-tier global exchange enhances startup credibility, which is critical for follow-on investment and partnerships.


Beyond development, the partnership highlights the real-world utility of crypto through lifestyle applications like the Bybit Card. This product connects digital assets with premium experiences, including exclusive access through partners such as Grand Millennium Hotels in Dubai—demonstrating the role of crypto in elevating travel, luxury, and everyday spending.

Speaking on this to Lara on the Block, Al Sadek noted that Bybit Card is a gateway to real-world crypto utility. He explained, “We see it as a foundational layer across our startup ecosystem. From loyalty programs to on-chain-to-off-chain commerce, the card can power a new wave of fintech experiences. One early proof point is our tripartite collaboration with Grand Millennium Hotel, where Bybit Cardholders now enjoy up to 30% off across F&B, rooms, salons, and events. We plan to expand this model, embedding Bybit Card access into everyday products, services, and reward mechanisms offered by our portfolio projects.”

In 2023, Ghaf Labs, partnered with Sui Foundation, a Blockchain Foundation that supports the growth and proliferation of the Sui blockchain protocol (“Sui”) and associated ecosystem.

Agile Dynamics to build quantum resistant blockchain for Abu Dhabi government

Agile Dynamics to build quantum resistant blockchain for Abu Dhabi government

Agile Dynamics, a UAE based consulting firm, will work to develop a sovereign quantum resistant blockchain infrastructure with Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement in UAE. Agile Dynamics has been selected as the program’s strategic partner.

As per the announcement, the transformative project quantum program is spearheaded by Abu Dhabi’s Government with the threefold aim to redefine the emirate’s digital economy, accelerate its growth, and solidify its position as a global leader in next-generation technology adoption.

Quantum is considered as one of the most promising technologies that can enable ground-breaking advancements in business and society.

As part of the partnership with Agile Dynamics, the consulting firm will provide crucial expertise in blockchain strategy, decentralized trust models, and innovative tokenization frameworks. The collaboration will concentrate on three pivotal technical objectives, forming the bedrock of Abu Dhabi’s next-generation digital strategy.

Architecting a Sovereign, Quantum-Resistant EVM-Compatible Layer 1 Blockchain to incorporate cutting-edge post-quantum cryptographic primitives, ensuring enduring security and resilience against future computational threats, safeguarding the nation’s digital assets and critical data for decades to come.

Creating an Integrated DeFi Framework that will unlock new financial paradigms, aiming to streamline international trade finance through transparent and instantaneous settlements, and foster innovation in financial services.

Assessing the Feasibility of an Institutional-Grade Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as-a-Service Tokenization Ecosystem which will explore novel mechanisms for attracting and managing investment, further bolstering Abu Dhabi’s economic dynamism.

In a LinkedIn post, Agile Dynamics noted that the UAE has the potential to dominate the blockchain economy. Their forecast position blockchain as the backbone of a decentralized trust economy driving $456 billion in non-oil GDP by 2031.

In terms of use cases, the UAE will pioneer use cases like tokenized FDI, AI-auditable governance, and stablecoin remittances. With quantum-resistant infrastructure and strategic alliances, Abu Dhabi has the potential to redefine digital trust worldwide.

Paul Lalovich, Managing Partner at Agile Dynamics, emphasized the profound technical significance of the initiative stating “Abu Dhabi is not merely implementing a blockchain strategy; it is architecting a complete, future-proof trust infrastructure stack. Our design will integrate post-quantum cryptographic primitives, embed protocol-level regulatory compliance, and champion cross-chain interoperability standards. This will create a resilient foundation for both domestic applications and a new era of international digital trade, positioning Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure as a blueprint for decentralized trust that can serve as a global benchmark.”

The Agile Dynamics team brings specialized expertise in the domain to the engagement, led by leaders and blockchain experts Paul Lalovich (blockchain business architectures), Ema Vukovic (blockchain business architectures), Yilmaz Yadırgı (tokenization frameworks), Philipp Kishkovarov (AI-blockchain integration), and Nikola Mandic (blockchain ecosystem architect).

They are steered by affiliate expert partners Henrik von Scheel (digital economy design), Srđan Vukmirović (quantum-resistant cryptography), and Darko Capko (blockchain technology architecture).