UAE based ATS Travel, a premier travel management company, and Payhound, a Malta based regulated provider of fully regulated crypto payment solutions, have partnered to enable ATS Travel to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for all its services.

As per the announcement, this new development marks a significant milestone in the Middle East’s travel industry, making ATS Travel the first large-scale travel management company in the region to adopt cryptocurrency for both corporate and leisure travel transactions.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Private Luxury Barcelona event by Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director of ATS travel.

ATS Travel’s clients will now have the flexibility to pay for a wide range of travel services, including airline tickets, luxury travel, holiday packages, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Exhibitions, and Events) services, and more, using leading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others, noted Sharif.

He stated, “This initiative is poised to be a game changer in the travel industry and reflects the region’s growing interest in digital currencies and blockchain technology.”

Payhound: Pioneering the Future of Payments

Payhound specializes in crypto payment processing, settlements, and large volume trading, offering businesses a secure and efficient way to accept digital currencies for their products and services.

Mellisa Lamb, Director of Sales, at Payhound added, “We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with ATS Travel to facilitate acceptance of Crypto Currency as a Form of Payment for ATS Travel.”

Khaled Ghubash, Managing Director at ATS Travel added, “By offering cryptocurrency payment options, we are not only meeting the demands of high-net-worth individuals and businesses but also positioning ourselves as leaders in an industry that is moving rapidly toward digitalization. We expect this to open new avenues for business and strengthen our relationships with our clients.”

As most have hailed the UAE MGX $2 billion investment into Binance as a strategic win for the crypto exchange, the biggest investment to date in a crypto exchange. The real story is what this means for AI (Artificial Intelligence) and leading-edge technology investments and strategy within the UAE.

MGX, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security advisor and a brother of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, backed not only by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala but also G42 invested 2 percent of its 100 billion investment vehicle into the world leading crypto exchange Binance.

MGX the brain child of AI and Advanced Technology Council

MGX was created in 2024 by The Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council as a Technology Investment Vehicle with Mubadala and G42 as Founding Partners. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates announced creation of MGX in January 2024. He hailed it as a technology investment company to enable the advancement and deployment of leading-edge technologies intended to improve the lives of current and future generations.

The aim of the company was to accelerate the development and adoption of AI and advanced technologies through world leading partnerships both in the UAE and globally. MGX focuses on three main areas, AI infrastructure including data centers and connectivity, semiconductors and AI core technologies and applications.

His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chair of the AIATC, said at the launch “In MGX, we are establishing a UAE national champion focused on AI and advanced technologies that will shape a future where technology enables a more prosperous, sustainable and interconnected world.

A year later and after investments into OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, DataBricks, Khazna Data, Anthropic and $7 billion in the Stargate Project, as well as partnerships with BlackRock and Microsoft to build data centers and expand energy capacity for AI’s growing demand, it now has invested in Binance.

MGX has now invested $2 billion into Binance

Now, after several huge investments into AI and datacenter projects, MGX has invested 2% or 2 billion of its 100 billion investment vehicle into Binance. Binance explained to Lara on the Block, ” This investment signifies a growing convergence of AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency technologies. MGX, as an AI-focused investor, is leveraging Binance’s leadership in the crypto space to explore innovative solutions at the intersection of these fields.”

According to Binance the partnership could accelerate the development of AI-powered blockchain applications, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenized economies, further integrating these technologies into mainstream finance.

This is further exemplified in a recently commissioned report by Mubadala Investment Company and Abu Dhabi’s AI and advanced technology investor MGX. The whitepaper, titled Alpha Intelligence explored how investment funds are leveraging AI to drive alpha, improve operational efficiency, and redefine portfolio value creation.

Based on a 2024 Bain & Company survey of private equity firms representing over $3.2 trillion in assets under management, the report states that 93% of respondents anticipate moderate to substantial benefits from incorporating AI into their processes within three years, although just 2 % are expecting substantial returns this year.

Current AI usage in the industry remains in the augmentation phase and focused on enhancing existing processes rather than replacing them. However, the pace of AI adoption is accelerating, by deploying AI to automate deal-making, optimize portfolio management, and enhance decision-making processes.

Ahmed Yahia, Managing Director and CEO of MGX said noting the report, “More than any other technology in human history, AI will be pervasive across all aspects of our lives. It will enable greater and faster learning, innovation, technology breakthroughs, cheaper and faster production systems, unparalleled delivery of services. It will enable unprecedented prosperity. As an AI native investment company, we are leveraging AI in everything we do. Fusion with AI starts in MGX.”

Within three-to-five years, funds expect AI to unlock transformative capabilities, including real-time portfolio adjustments and unprecedented efficiencies in sourcing, diligence, and exit strategies.

Binance also adds in its comments to Lara on the Block, that the UAE has positioned itself as a global hub for innovation, particularly in crypto and blockchain. This investment aligns with the UAE’s strategy to foster technological advancement and regulatory clarity in digital assets. They add, “Binance, will likely play a pivotal role in driving adoption, innovation, and regulatory compliance in the region. The partnership reinforces the UAE’s ambition to lead in blockchain and AI driven financial ecosystems.”

Binance’s views on AI in crypto trading in 2025

Concurrently with the $2 billion investment from MGX, Binance published on its blog its views on how AI is revolutionizing multiple industries including crypto trading.

As the blog notes, in 2025, AI-driven trading bots, predictive analytics, and machine learning algorithms are reshaping the way traders analyze data, predict market trends, and execute trades. The blog looks into how AI is being used in crypto trading with AI powered trading Bots, and AI powered crypto projects to watch in 2025.

For example AI-based automated trading bots use machine learning to execute high-frequency trades with precision and speed. Platforms like 3Commas, Pionex, and Cryptohopper have gained popularity for their AI-driven trading algorithms that analyze market conditions in real time.

Additionally, AI can process massive amounts of historical price data to predict potential market movements. Sentiment analysis tools powered by AI also scan social media, news, and trading activity to determine market sentiment before price swings occur. An example: AI models analyzing Twitter & Reddit discussions to detect early crypto trends as well as how AI is being used to enhance risk management by identifying potential liquidation risks, stop-loss recommendations, and portfolio diversification strategies. AI-driven risk assessment helps traders minimize losses and maximize gains.

Binance also names what it calls the top Top AI-Powered Crypto Projects in 2025 such as Fetch.ai ($FET ) – Decentralized AI for automation, SingularityNET (AGIX) – AI marketplace for smart contracts, Ocean Protocol (OCEAN) – AI-driven data sharing network and Numerai ($NMR ) – AI-powered hedge fund model.

As for the future Binance believes that AI-powered trading is expected to grow even more in 2025, with advancements in AI-powered smart contracts for automated transactions, more sophisticated trading bots with deep learning capabilities and AI-enhanced decentralized exchanges (DEXs) for optimized liquidity.

So it would seem that MGX has invested in Binance at a time when AI is seen to be revolutionizing the future of crypto trading, and AI Crypto projects powering data sharing and hedge fund models.

Binance has already made investments in AI projects. Binance Labs, the venture capital and incubation arm of Binance, has already for invested in Sahara AI, a decentralized AI blockchain platform built for open and equitable AI. Sahara AI is building a collaborative AI economy that prioritizes the sovereignty and provenance of AI, ensuring security, equity, and accessibility for all.

It has also invested in MyShell a decentralized AI ecosystem designed to democratize the creation and distribution of AI applications.

Binance Headquarters in UAE? not yet…

Yet despite this huge investment, Binance has still not announced where it will put its headquarters. Binance tells Lara on the Block, ” We will not be disclosing any matters related to our HQ efforts. What we can say is that we have been engaged in a very thorough and comprehensive process as it relates to selecting the location of our headquarters, which has enormous implications with respect to how the company will operate going forward. We are focused on remaining disciplined and thoughtful as we explore our options.”

Once again, UAE based Haifin, an e& enterprise company (part of e&) formerly known as UAE Trade Connect offering Blockchain enabled trade financing platform has onboarded a new member, Egyptian and UAE based FlapKap, which offers lending solutions to SMEs ( Small and Medium Sized Enterprises).

With a proven track record in de-risking trade finance lending, haifin—live in UAE since 2021—has leveraged cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and advanced analytics to prevent fraud in real-time. In January 2025, Haifin announced that it processed  $40.8 billion of transactions (150 billion AED).

Jul Zavaid, CEO of Haifin noted on LinkedIn, ” We are excited to announce that FlapKap has joined thehaifin consortium – to derisk their own lending and also that of the wider community. We at haifin, an e& enterprise company can see firsthand the shifting sands in the SME lending environment, as hashtag#fintechs step in to complement and supplement what banks do for the UAE economy.”

Recently Haifin partnered with Bahrain’s Financial entity BENEFIT.

The members of Haifin platform include UAE Banks Federation, Al Masraf, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Commercial Bank International, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Habib Bank AG Zurich, Invest Bank, Mashreq Corporate & Investment Banking Group, National Bank of Fujairah, RAKBANK, Sharjah Islamic Bank, United Arab Bank, Beehive Fintech, CredibleX, DP World, and Finneva.

In December 2023, Beehive, a peer-to-peer lending platform, became the second non-banking entity to join Blockchain enabled UAE Trade Connect platform, Haifin. Prior to that, DP World Finance platform partnered with UAE trade Connect in November of the same year.

Ripple, which offers enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions can now offer crypto payment services in the UAE after receiving its license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Ripple will be the first blockchain-enabled payments provider licensed by the DFSA.

This is the first license for Ripple in MENA allowing it to offer seamless compliant crypto payments in UAE to financial institutions who want to utilize digital assets.

“We are entering an unprecedented period of growth for the crypto industry, driven by greater regulatory clarity around the world and increasing institutional adoption,” said Brad Garlinghouse, Chief Executive Officer of Ripple. “Thanks to its early leadership in creating a supportive environment for tech and crypto innovation, the UAE is exceptionally well-placed to benefit.”

According to a 2024 business survey carried out by Ripple, 64% of Middle East and Africa (MEA) finance leaders see faster payments and settlement times as the biggest value proposition for incorporating blockchain-based currencies into their cross-border payments business.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority commented, ”We are thrilled that Ripple is deepening their commitment to Dubai by securing a DFSA license that makes them the first blockchain-enabled payments provider in DIFC. This milestone not only highlights our commitment to fostering innovation, but also opens the door for Ripple to tap into new growth opportunities across the region and beyond. As the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s leading global financial centre, DIFC is proud to support forward-thinking companies like Ripple as they shape the future of finance and accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in the payments industry.”

Since establishing its Middle East headquarters in DIFC in 2020, Ripple has continued to deepen its presence in the region. With around 20% of its global customer base already operating in the Middle East, this latest regulatory approval positions Ripple to further accelerate growth and innovation in a high-potential market. The MEA region has one of highest levels of institutional readiness when it comes to crypto adoption, with over 82% of MEA finance leaders stating they are “very or extremely confident” when it comes to integrating blockchain solutions into their business.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for Middle East and Africa. “Securing this DFSA license is a major milestone that will enable us to better serve the growing demand for faster, cheaper and more transparent cross-border transactions in one of the world’s largest cross-border payments hubs. We’re grateful for the support of our partners at DIFC, and we’re ready to hit the ground running with a growing local team and strong customer pipeline.”

Ripple’s DFSA license adds to its growing list of over 60 regulatory approvals worldwide.

Prior to this license Ripple had partnered with the DIFC Innovation Hub to accelerate blockchain and digital assets innovation in the UAE, while in 2023 its token XRP was one of two new crypto tokens to join Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum, and Litecoin as recognized crypto tokens by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

Klickl, a UAE digital asset exchange and custodian with an in principle approval from ADGM in Abu Dhabi, and the KLK Foundation has welcomed Mo Shaikh, former CEO and co-founder of Aptos Labs, as a strategic advisor to support the company’s Web3 strategy and institutional expansion.

As per the press release, Mo’s guidance, Klickl aims to become the payment infrastructure of Open Finance, solidifying its position as a PayFi powerhouse.

A seasoned entrepreneur and blockchain visionary, Mo was instrumental in shaping Aptos into the most institutionally trusted Layer 1 blockchain. Under his leadership, Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC launched on Aptos, and he played a key role in securing institutional partnerships such as, BlackRock’s BUIDL via Securitize, Franklin Templeton’s Benji, HKMA’s eHKD+ pilot and Invesco-BCG whitepaper on digital assets.

Beyond Aptos, Mo brings extensive experience from Meta’s Diem Project, ConsenSys, BlackRock, Meridio (one of the first securities tokenization platforms in the US), and his advisory role to central banks on digital assets at BCG.

“Today’s Web3 payments are stuck—too fragmented for institutions to trust and too clunky for users to scale. Klickl solves this with a rare blend of regulatory licenses, Aptos-powered efficiency, and a vision for seamless Open Finance. I’ve bridged TradFi and Web3 before, and I’m here to help Klickl build the payment backbone that institutions and users can rely on. The shift starts now—keep an eye on us” — Mo Shaikh

Klickl CEO Michael Zhao on Mo’s Appointment, “We’re thrilled to have Mo on board. His insights and leadership will help us bridge the gap between Web2 TradFi and Web3 native finance. With his addition, we have assembled all the key pieces needed to build something truly groundbreaking.” — Michael Zhao, CEO of Klickl

With Mo’s strategic guidance, Klickl is positioned to reshape digital payments in Web3, unlocking new opportunities for institutions and users worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates as we build the future of compliant, scalable, and seamless crypto payments.

Four blockchain-enabled entities based out of UAE have made it to the 2024 Future 100 list, a national initiative launched by the UAE Ministry of Economy in partnership with the UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future. The entities are Emperia, HubPay, Invoicemate and Norbloc.

Empeiria is the first End-to-End Verifiable Data Infrastructure (EVDI). It enables seamless web3 adoption through one-click deployment, empowering AI Agents with the data of the future. Empeiria’s End-to-End Verifiable Data Infrastructure (EVDI) taps into the power of Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), Verifiable Credentials (VCs) and Zero‑Knowledge‑Proofs (ZKPs).

Marcin Parafianowicz, Founder and CEO of Empeiria noted on LinkedIn, ” The UAE is a beacon of bold dreams and boundless innovation, a place where the future is built. We’re beyond proud to be among the Future100 companies handpicked by the UAE Ministry of Economy as architects of tomorrow. At Empeiria, we bring a spark to this vibrant community – a blockchain-based trust layer for AI and beyond that transforms information into a high-value asset and redefines digital interactions with immutable trust.”

HubPay, a cross border and custodian built on blockchain and regulated by ADGM in UAE, as well made it to the list. The company has already processed $2.6 billion in payments supporting 145 currencies in 85 countries. Recently Hubpay and Aquanow, crypto asset exchange, introduced the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payment gateway for businesses. Powered by Aquanow’s cutting-edge infrastructure and Hubpay’s secure, regulated platform, this partnership enables UAE businesses to seamlessly accept crypto payments, globally.

CEO & Founder, Kevin Kilty, on making it to Future 100 list noted, “This recognition is a testament to our team’s innovation, commitment, and the trust of our clients and partners. We’re excited to continue pushing boundaries, driving progress, and shaping the future of fintech.”

InvoiceMate one of the long standing blockchain tech companies helping to make offering invoice management and booking system was on the list as well. InvoiceMate’s Blockchain-powered invoice verification offers efficient Due Diligence saving time and money. Secure lending with blockchain and AI verification and KYI.

Muhammad Salman Anjum, CEO of InvoiceMate noted, ” We are grateful to be one of the startups recognized in Future 100. This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our investors and Hub71.

Finally Norbloc made it to the list. The company offers KYC on blockchain and was one of the first implementations in the UAE. Recently UAE KYC Blockchain platform led by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism ( DET) and powered by Norbloc Blockchain added the first insurance member, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI). The KYC Blockchain platform aims to improve ease of doing business, company KYC compliance, and customer data quality and enable the KYC network’s future growth by leveraging it as a reliable customer data ecosystem.

Bahrain regulated digital assets exchange platform ATME, has issued gold-backed tokens with the support of the Central Bank of Bahrain marking it as the first case of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain.


ATME issued two tokens, designed for accredited investors, which were acquired by an eligible investor. Each token is backed by one kilogram of gold to provide a modern and secure way to invest in one of the most trusted assets for wealth preservation.


The company’s tokenized gold offering allows ownership of the physical metal without the complexities of storage or transportation. The tokens represent gold that is securely held in custody until its redemption or trade in ATME’s secondary market.


Commenting on the milestone, Alex Lola, Chief Executive Officer of ATME remarked, “Today marks a defining moment for ATME as we launch our first tokenized gold issuance. By combining the timeless value of gold with the transformative potential of blockchain technology, we are unlocking new ways for investors to access and trade high-value assets. This achievement highlights our team’s tireless dedication and our collective vision of building. We are excited about the possibilities ahead as we plan to expand our offerings to include more asset classes on our platform.”


The announcement also notes that future issuances will provide investors with access to a wider range of alternative assets. ATME remains focused on driving financial inclusivity and efficiency in the capital markets of Bahrain and the wider region.

As the second edition of Web Summit Qatar 2025 concludes, Qatar National Bank (QNB Group,) signed agreements with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and Rasmal Ventures. The agreement with QFC would allow fintech firms to access QNB banking infrastructure and support innovations in digital assets, tokenization, and embedded finance.

With QDB, the bank will collaborate on initiatives that promote Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including funding opportunities for fintech startups and alternative financing models.


With Rasmal Ventures, QNB is creating new pathways for venture capital investment, enhancing support for high-potential startups and driving the adoption of cutting-edge financial technologies.


Speaking about the partnerships, Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Group Chief Executive Officer of QNB, said, “Our strategic collaborations at Web Summit Qatar 2025 reflect our commitment to advancing digital finance and fostering a dynamic fintech ecosystem. By working closely with key financial and investment partners, QNB is strengthening Qatar’s role as a global financial hub and unlocking new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”

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, 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.