At UAE AI and Blockchain Council meeting, Minister of AI says data is crucial to the future of UAE Economy

At UAE AI and Blockchain Council meeting, Minister of AI says data is crucial to the future of UAE Economy

In the 4th UAE AI and Blockchain Council meeting held in Ajman, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, stressed that the data sector will significantly contribute to the future of the UAE economy.

He believes that as the reliance on Artificial Intelligence, AI, technology increases, becoming a base for many vital activities of future societies. Promoting investment in this rapidly evolving global economic sector comes as part of UAE plans to celebrate the export of the last barrel of oil in 50 years.

“The Government of the UAE is working to achieve its future strategic objectives. It strives to employ the AI sector as the main source of a diversified and sustainable knowledge economy, through the development of innovative practices and scientific uses of AI technology tools and enhancing cooperation among all parties to employ them in the development of government services and private sector performance. This contributes to achieving the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, and the establishment of the future model of the UAE 2071,” said Al Olama.

The Minister’s remarks came during the fourth meeting of the UAE Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Council, hosted by Ajman. The meeting was headed by Al Olama, in the presence of several officials and directors of federal and local government entities.

The meeting agenda covered key challenges and recommendations proposed to standardise data collection by the Data Committee within the Council. These included preparing qualified human resources, establishing a unified database, and defining data classification standards, as well the mechanism of coordination of efforts and the exchange of experiences between different entities by establishing a joint team. The participants also stressed the need to follow up the implementation of the recommendations of the Data Committee, by speeding up the development of data collection for AI technology and digital transactions, to promote the UAE as a leading center for data in the region.

UAE Scintilla for tokenization appoints ex compliance officer of Midchains

UAE Scintilla for tokenization appoints ex compliance officer of Midchains

Scintilla, an institutional-grade tokenization solution provider, which recently acquired UAE regulated TOKO a crypto exchange has appointed the previous head of compliance at Midchains, Janey Schueller, as Chief Compliance Officer. Scintilla views this key leadership addition as the company continues to expand its innovative digital asset creation platform and strengthen its compliance framework.

Janey Schueller brings over 18 years of senior banking, wealth management, and regulatory compliance experience to her new role, with a specialization in fintech and RegTech. Her career includes leadership positions at global financial institutions such as UBS AG, where she managed wealth planning, compliance, and dispute resolution teams across Asia and the UAE. Most recently, Janey served as Head of Compliance at MidChains, where she implemented fintech-driven compliance frameworks and ensured regulatory alignment with authorities like the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

“Janey’s appointment is an exciting next step in Scintilla’s onward and upward journey to transform RWA tokenization,” commented Tim Popplewell, CEO of Scintilla. “Her extensive background in compliance and regulatory matters will be instrumental as we advance our mission of providing innovative, compliant digital asset solutions. Her leadership will help us navigate the evolving landscape of digital assets, ensuring we remain at the forefront of this dynamic industry.”

“Joining Scintilla feels like a natural step as they redefine compliance and innovation in finance,” shares Janey Schueller, Head of Compliance. “As regulatory frameworks evolve, the need for robust compliance is more critical than ever. I’m eager to contribute to Scintilla’s mission by ensuring our offerings meet the highest standards of compliance, paving the way for trusted and innovative tokenization solutions that empower our clients and support the future of finance.”

KPMG in India and The Hashgraph Group join forces to bring DLT solution to enterprises

KPMG in India and The Hashgraph Group join forces to bring DLT solution to enterprises

KPMG in India, a professional services firm, and The Hashgraph Group (THG), a Swiss-based international business, venture capital, and technology company operating exclusively within the Hedera ecosystem, have joined forces to accelerate the impact and enterprise adoption of blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) across industry sectors, leveraging Hedera’s platform capabilities and its enterprise-grade DLT network.

Both entities are expected to collaborate to enable and advance blockchain adoption, thereby aiming to deliver transformative benefits to enterprise clients globally and across various sectors. The strategic alliance is expected to offer co-branded and joint go-to-market solutions, leveraging THG’s Hashgraph for Enterprise (H4E) product suite to enable businesses to benefit from secure enterprise-grade solutions built on the Hedera with service level agreements (SLAs).

Blockchain/DLT implementations are rapidly transitioning from nice-to-have to must-have decisions as we further advance into the future of a decentralized and interconnected Web3 economy. The growing adoption of blockchain/DLT is expected to continue to gain traction for enterprises, with this technology now empowering many industries through its distributed ledger system. The evolution of blockchain/DLT as a technology, to a complete digital infrastructure, showcases its unique abilities to boost security, reduce costs, and enable everyday transactions to be more efficient, affordable, and convenient, while saving energy and meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and reporting requirements.

Speaking on the alliance, Chaitanya Gogineni, Partner, Digital Lighthouse, KPMG in India, said, “We are excited to join forces with The Hashgraph Group to build innovative Digital Ledger Technology (DLT) led tools and enable digital transformation for our clients. This alliance is built on a shared vision of empowering businesses to harness the power of DLT, unlocking new opportunities and creating lasting value.”

The alliance seeks to address critical challenges and enterprise needs in areas such as digital identity (DID), digital product passport (DPP), sustainability, supply chain management, asset tokenization, and more.

Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder & CEO of The Hashgraph Group, stated, “This strategic alliance with KPMG in India represents a pivotal moment in combining the strengths of a leading professional services firm with the technological power of Hedera as the world’s leading layer-1 protocol to enable organizations with Hedera-powered post-quantum enterprise solutions. We are excited to embark on this joint go-to-market journey with KPMG in India and look forward to empowering businesses to compete in the Web3 economy.”

Additionally, the structured collaboration in the productization and commercialization of blockchain/DLT for enterprises, might enable KPMG in India and THG to pool engineering resources, advisory expertise, investments, and strategic Web3 capabilities to serve the growing demand for enterprise ready blockchain-powered solutions, with the achieved synergy expected to strengthen both KPMG in India and THG’s global market presence, while increasing client reach and enhancing service delivery through a joint go to market strategy and unified project execution.

Krishna Tyagi, Head of Web3 at KPMG in India, added, “Today blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize various sectors by providing secure, transparent, and efficient solutions. Our alliance with The Hashgraph Group is expected to enable us to offer our clients immense value and drive innovation in the digital economy enabled by blockchain technology.”

Anindya Roychowdhury, Head of Global Partnerships at The Hashgraph Group, said: “Having spent a large part of my professional career with KPMG in India, I am delighted to have facilitated this important collaboration. India is emerging as the world’s #1 destination for Web3, and this strategic alliance will establish Hedera as the preferred DLT protocol for governments and enterprises; we have already made significant inroads through our local presence in India and expect to scale massively over the coming years.”

Recently the Hashgraph Group partnered with Taurus to bring tokenization solutions to the MENA region specifically to KSA and UAE.

IOTA selected for Blockchain Digital identity use case with UAE and World Economic Forum

IOTA selected for Blockchain Digital identity use case with UAE and World Economic Forum

IOTA Foundation has been selected for the UAE Ministry of Economy, ADDED, and World Economic Forum TradeTech Regulatory Sandbox.

IOTA Foundation was selected to be part of the well-known TradeTech Regulatory Sandbox jointly organized by the World Economic Forum, the UAE Ministry of Economy, and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). The initiative focuses on several key use cases within trade finance involving Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and digital identity.

IOTA announced this on X, stating, ” We are excited to participate in a use case focusing on KYC and Digital Identity for Trade Finance.”


The use case will be presented during the plenary session at the TradeTech Forum in Abu Dhabi on April 8th 2025.

The WEF for Trade and Investment chose eight participants who will be working closely with UAE regulators to test and refine solutions that address challenges in the global trade finance space. The entities other than IOTA include Credore, Enigio, Jetstream, Empeiria blockchain offering self sovereign identity solutions based out of the UAE, Haifan as well.

Regulatory partners include ADGM, Central Bank of the UAE, DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) and UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs’s RegLab

Tokinvest and StegX bridge asset tokenization between UAE and Germany

Tokinvest and StegX bridge asset tokenization between UAE and Germany

Tokinvest, a UAE regulated marketplace for real-world asset investing, and German based StegX, a platform for tokenized real assets based in Germany, have partnered to bridge tokenization between UAE and Germany. StegX has been collaborating with entities to bridge tokenization solutions with Singapore, and Latin America.

The collaboration aims to advance the global ecosystem of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) by combining the regulatory strengths and technological capabilities of both entities. As per the press release, the partnership will provide investors with seamless access to tokenized assets across multiple markets, enhancing transparency, liquidity, and financial inclusion.

This partnership represents a significant step toward mainstream adoption of tokenized assets. By connecting Dubai, a global hub for virtual asset innovation, with Frankfurt, one of Europe’s premier financial centers, Tokinvest and StegX are creating a robust cross-border infrastructure that benefits both issuers and investors.

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to democratizing access to the world’s most exclusive assets,” said Scott Thiel, CEO and Co-Founder of Tokinvest. “StegX’s expertise in tokenization and their strong presence in Europe complement our vision to make high-quality investments more accessible. Together, we’re building a bridge for global investors to explore the future of tokenized real-world assets in a secure, regulated environment.”

Daniel Radwansky, CEO and Co-Founder of StegX, commented, “This partnership represents a significant milestone in advancing the adoption of tokenised real-world assets. By connecting Europe and the Middle East, we are creating new opportunities for investors and issuers alike, fostering a global ecosystem of innovation, transparency, and efficiency.”

Finally, the collaboration will support issuers in creating, listing, and trading tokenized assets, ranging from real estate and commodities to funds, with unparalleled security and compliance.

Germany is already far along when it comes to opening up to tokenization of real world assets. In December 2024, German fintech 21X, one of the four applicants for a blockchain trading infrastructure permit under the European Union’s DLT Pilot Regime, secured regulatory approval to launch a tokenization platform.

Granted by German financial supervisory authority, Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin), the license enabled 21X to launch its exchange for tokenized financial instruments from its Frankfurt headquarters.

Additionally German based Cashlink Technologies also received a crypto custodian license from the German regulator. “With the combination of our license as a crypto securities registrar and the new crypto custody license, we offer a unique, comprehensive service offering around tokenized securities,” said Michael Duttlinger, CEO of Cashlink. “This strong regulatory foundation not only strengthens our market leadership as a neutral infrastructure provider for tokenized assets but also consistently drives forward the development of Capital Markets 2.0.”

SNC Insider’s recent market research has noted that the Tokenization Market was valued at USD 2.9 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 16.6 Billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5% from 2024 to 2032.

stc Bahrain partners with Nirvana Labs for Web3 Blockchain development

stc Bahrain partners with Nirvana Labs for Web3 Blockchain development

stc Bahrain, has partnered with Nirvana Labs, leading providers of bare metal cloud infrastructure for web3 companies to foster the growth and development of blockchain technologies across the Gulf region. The partnership is now live, with Nirvana offering web3 hosting for node operations in stc Bahrain’s data centre

As per the press release, the partnership will bring Nirvana’s purpose-built web3 cloud infrastructure to Bahrain, extending its web3 hosting capabilities to stc Bahrain’s data centers servicing the MENA region. This partnership not only broadens Nirvana and stc Bahrain’s infrastructure offerings but firmly supports a network distinguished for its focus on performance, scalability, and security.

“We are excited to partner with Nirvana Labs to bring advanced web3 cloud infrastructure to stc Bahrain’s data centres” said Saad Odeh, Chief Wholesale Officer at stc Bahrain. “This collaboration is a further testament to our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a leading hub for technological innovation in the Middle East, in line with the Vision 2030 goals. By providing advanced web3 cloud hosting infrastructure, we are enabling local and regional companies to harness the power of decentralized technologies, drive innovation, and compete on a global scale.”

Additionally, Avalanche will the first protocol to leverage this partnership by deploying validator and RPC nodes on Nirvana Labs’ web3 cloud hosting infrastructure at stc Bahrain’s data centres, strengthening its blockchain network.

“We are excited to further our work with Nirvana Labs and stc Bahrain as they launch an advanced web3 hosting solution in the Middle East,” said Khalid Dannish, Head of MENA at Ava Labs. “The Avalanche ecosystem continues to prove itself as an ideal platform on which to drive real-world blockchain adoption, including incorporating web3 cloud hosting solutions to data centres.”

This is not the first web3-focused initiative from stc Bahrain. It recently announced a separate partnership with Avalanche as part of its Web3 Launchpad Program, which aims to accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in the Middle East. Additional web3 firms that are part of the stc Bahrain launchpad program.

For Nirvana Labs, the strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in its mission to promote web3 specific cloud infrastructure. With the addition of Bahrain, Nirvana Labs will maintain global hubs for its proprietary web3 cloud platform, purpose-built to improve performance for blockchain applications requiring high-throughput and low latency, and reducing the industry’s reliance on traditional cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Provider (GCP).

“We are thrilled to partner with stc Bahrain to bring our cutting-edge web3 cloud infrastructure to the Middle East,” said Dan Burke, CEO of Nirvana Labs. “This strategic move aligns with our mission to decentralize cloud services and support the growing blockchain ecosystem in this dynamic region.”

By establishing a presence in Bahrain, Nirvana Labs secures a foothold in a key regional hub for technology and innovation, paving the way for expansion and collaboration across the Middle East. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Bahrain provides access to emerging markets with a rapidly growing interest in blockchain and web3 technologies.

Last week stc Bahrain partnered with Allora Network, an AI decentralized network through its Web3 Launchpad Program under the Pearling Path initiative.

FastBull Finance Summit debuts in Dubai UAE in April 2025

FastBull Finance Summit debuts in Dubai UAE in April 2025

The FastBull Finance Summit has announced its debut in Dubai, taking place on April 16-17, 2025, at the iconic Coca-Cola Arena. The summit will bring together industry leaders, investors, and financial experts for two days of insightful discussions, groundbreaking trends, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

A Must-Attend Event to Listen to Jim Rogers’ Sharing

At the heart of this highly anticipated event is none other than Jim Rogers, the legendary investor and co-founder of the Quantum Fund. Known for his bold market predictions and expertise in global investment strategies, Rogers will share his invaluable insights on the future of global markets, the rise of alternative assets, and his outlook for emerging economies.

Exclusive Panel Discussions on the Future of Trading

At the FastBull Dubai Finance Summit 2025, the organizers are offering four exclusive panel discussions that will dive deep into the most pressing topics in the world of Forex, crypto, and smart trading. Each forum will provide participants with valuable insights and hands-on discussions led by top industry experts.

Networking is made easy with complimentary coffee breaks throughout the event, providing a chance to mingle with fellow professionals, engage in discussions, and form valuable business connections.

Every participant will have the chance to win incredible prizes in our surprise raffles held throughout the event. From exclusive gifts to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, you won’t want to miss your chance to win something special!

Saudi SpaceBelt awards SpaceChain for low earth orbit satellite encryption

Saudi SpaceBelt awards SpaceChain for low earth orbit satellite encryption

Saudi Arabian Space Belt Telecom Services, a privately owned entity in KSA, has awarded SpaceChain, a pioneering leader in space-as-a-service technologies, a transformative contract to spearhead the development, construction, and mission management of SpaceBelt Telecom Services’ patented technology platform, enabling the world’s first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite capable of generating in-orbit encryption keys and distributing them via existing LEO constellations to ground-based equipment.

This mission is slated to be the first of a larger constellation to progress SpaceBelt’s investment in data storage and earth observation imagery. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s in-orbit distributed transactional capabilities and showcases the nation’s commitment to driving innovation within the global space economy.

Leveraging its proven expertise in satellite technology and infrastructure development, SpaceChain will lead the end-to-end satellite construction and mission management, setting a new standard for space-based secure communication and data services.

Cliff Beek, CEO of SpaceChain, stated, “We are honored to partner with SpaceBelt Telecom Services in this transformative venture. This mission not only highlights the Kingdom’s growing role in the space sector but also demonstrates the potential of space technologies to deliver secure, scalable solutions for enterprises and governments worldwide.”

A spokesperson for SpaceBelt Telecom Services Co. KSA stated, “Partnering with SpaceChain allows us to contribute to the Kingdom’s 2030 vision. We are thrilled to bring this capability to the Kingdom, aiming to advance space-based data services and secure communications and positioning SpaceBelt Telecom Services as a leader in the evolving global space economy”

The satellite project will revolutionize secure communications, enable space-data storage, and support advanced satellite services. This contract strengthens SpaceChain’s leadership in satellite technology and mission management, reaffirming its commitment to space innovation.

This mission is the first in a planned constellation, and aims to launch in June 2025. More importantly, the mission advances Saudi Arabia’s space innovation and aligns with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.

Leveraging its expertise, SpaceChain will lead the software design and end-to-end mission management, setting a new benchmark for space-based technologies.
In 2025, SpaceChain aims to pursue our niche market position by developing secure payment platforms within uncharted territories and transforming challenges into opportunities. The company intends to accelerate Space Commercialization: Expand payment applications across satellite networks and services to drive the adoption of decentralized fintech solutions.

In addition it will develop AI-powered applications for space data analysis, ensuring our clients stay ahead in decision-making, as well as launch education and outreach programs to inspire the next generation of innovators in blockchain and space exploration.

Manbat and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism to build blockchain platform for carbon credits

Manbat and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism to build blockchain platform for carbon credits

Founded in 2021, Manbat, a partnership between Arada and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment that aims to celebrate and promote the very best of the UAE’s healthy, home-grown produce will be using blockchain to develop UAE’s first carbon credit system in the agriculture sector.

Manbat launched the farmers’ markets in Aljada which takes place every weekend. Today it has partnered with Sharjah Tourism, paving the way for a stronger connection between local Emirati farmers and the wider community.

As per the announcement, this collaboration focuses on championing sustainability by addressing food waste recovery and reducing carbon emissions within the tourism sector.

As per their post on LinkedIn, “We are proud to be part of a game-changing initiative alongside Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sea Going Green, and American University of Sharjah. Together, we are taking sustainability to new heights with a focus on food waste recovery, compost production, and empowering UAE farmers to embrace ecofriendly practices. This project uses cutting-edge blockchain technology to develop the UAE’s first carbon credit system, creating a sustainable future for generations to come.”

The first phase of the project will be carried out a Sara Farm, which utilizes decomposition and recycling methods.

In 2023 Blockchain tokenization platform ACX (AirCarbon Exchange) went live with key trades executed and settled on the platform with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Helix Climate conduct first trade on the exchange and South Pole executes first over-the-counter transaction on Carbon Market Board

AI decentralized network Allora and stc Bahrain to advance AI

AI decentralized network Allora and stc Bahrain to advance AI

Allora Network, an AI decentralized network has collaborated with stc Bahrain, a world-class digital enabler, through its Web3 Launchpad Program under the Pearling Path initiative.

As per the blog, the collaboration highlights Allora’s commitment to partnering with leading innovators like stc Bahrain to advance decentralized AI, fostering innovation and growth across the GCC region and beyond.

As part of this collaboration, stc Bahrain will join the Allora Network as a validator node, contributing to the network’s security, reliability, and consensus. By joining the Allora Network as a validator node, stc Bahrain takes on a critical role in bolstering network security and maintaining consensus. This collaboration reflects stc Bahrain’s commitment to harnessing the transformative capabilities of decentralized AI, powered by Allora’s advancements in crowdsourced intelligence, reinforcement learning, and regret minimization.

Allora powers innovative, secure, and decentralized applications, driving cutting-edge protocols and unlocking new use cases for advanced solutions.

Mr. Saad Odeh, Chief Wholesale Officer at stc Bahrain, commented, “At stc Bahrain, we are dedicated to embracing emerging technologies that redefine industries and contribute to Bahrain’s Vision 2030 goals. Allora Network’s cutting-edge AI capabilities are a valuable addition to our Web3 Launchpad Program, further cementing Bahrain’s position as a hub for innovation and digital transformation.”

Nick Emmons, Co-Founder and CEO of Allora Labs, added, “We are thrilled to partner with stc Bahrain under the Web3 Launchpad Program. Their role as a validator node directly strengthens the security, consensus, and reliability of the Allora Network, which is essential for fostering trust and driving growth in decentralized infrastructure. Together, we strive to advance blockchain technology and explore AI innovations within and beyond telecommunications.”

Allora blog notes, “As the Web3 and AI ecosystems continue to expand, our collaboration with stc Bahrain strengthens the foundation for a robust, innovative, and decentralized digital economy. By working together to foster a collaborative environment for emerging technologies, we are proud to contribute to Bahrain’s Vision 2030 program, advancing progress toward a more innovative and sustainable future.”