Saeed Al Darkmaki, a UAE national well known in the crypto, blockchain and DeFi circles as an entrepreneur and investor has joined BoCG, a Venture firm focused on an Arabian Peninsula Fund in MENA region, to oversee the growth of blockchain-based venture portfolios seeking the next stage of growth through their Venture Operating Model (VOM).

As per the announcement, Al Darmaki, renowned for his role as CEO of Sheesha Finance, a decentralized cryptocurrency platform aiming to bridge the gap between DeFi and traditional financial markets, brings invaluable expertise to the table as a prominent figure in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry.

Under Al Darmaki’s leadership, Sheesha Finance has gained recognition for its unique approach to DeFi. The platform offers investors access to a diverse portfolio of promising projects, allowing them to participate in early-stage investments and receive rewards in the form of Sheesha Finance’s native tokens.

Al Darmaki’s impressive career trajectory commenced in October 2009 at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), where he served as an Operations Specialist before transitioning to the role of Fixed Income & Treasury Specialist in May 2013. With a desire to explore the evolving cryptocurrency and digital asset landscape, he co-founded Alphabit in January 2017—a dynamically managed investment fund. His market knowledge and experience positioned him as Managing Director at Alphabit, where he provided invaluable guidance and mentorship to blockchain entrepreneurs across finance and business development domains.

Beyond Alphabit, Al Darmaki’s influence extended as Chairman of eGovern, a distinguished UAE-based company, collaborating closely with governments and corporations to identify and implement tailored blockchain solutions that address pressing challenges and drive digital transformation. In 2021, he further expanded his portfolio as the Managing Director for the MENA region at Casper Labs, empowering him to deliver enterprise-grade blockchain solutions to meet the growing demand in the market.

“With the addition of Saeed Al Darmaki to our team, we will accelerate our efforts to scale our Venture Operating Model and Antifragile thesis in the Middle East. Saeed and our team have a deep and intrinsic desire to empower local Emiratis and the next generation of scalable companies in the Arabian Peninsula. With our collective expertise in finance, investments, and technology, we believe the GCC and MENA regions will excel in developing a healthy public and private market grounded by fundamentals. Saeed has already made a significant impact in driving the future of digital assets and we are excited to join forces to bring in another pivotal force to the region.” – Lyon Kassab, BoCG Ventures Managing Partner

In his role as a Board Advisor to BoCG Ventures, Al Darmaki will oversee the growth of blockchain-based venture portfolios seeking the next stage of growth through their Venture Operating Model (VOM). Additionally, he will contribute to developing the limited partner base, engaging forward-thinking investors and sovereign wealth funds in the GCC and MENA regions. Al Darmaki’s mission is to bridge traditional investment capital with scalable companies while empowering second and third-generation entrepreneurs to synergize with BoCG Ventures’ core value proposition of integrated teams and technology-driven scale.

“Since our first meeting, I was fully aligned and impressed with the pattern recognition that has driven the BoCG Ventures team to the Middle East. Their antifragile thesis and philosophical underpinnings show a deep understanding of history, geopolitics, macroeconomic trends, and a foundation of human capacity building. As an avid early stage investor, I am well aware of the value creation that their Venture Operating Model can bring to companies and to the future of the GCC and MENA regions. I am thrilled to be in a position to help BoCG Ventures instill their entrepreneurial influence while simultaneously driving local innovation.” – Saeed Al Darmaki

Throughout his career, Saeed has held notable positions such as Managing Director at Binary Financial and occupied board seats at esteemed entities including DEX, RealEx, MENA Fintech Association, BeMobi, Jahani & Associates, LEAD Ventures, Royale Finance, Artha, PAID Network, and Kenzi Wealth. These roles have not only granted him valuable insights into the crypto/blockchain landscape but have also facilitated the cultivation of a robust network, exponentially augmenting his market knowledge. It was in June 2018 that Saeed elected to depart from ADIA, dedicating his full focus to the burgeoning crypto/blockchain industry.

Synechron, a leading global digital transformation consulting firm focused on financial services and technology organizations which works with emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain and others has opened its new office located in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (“KSA”). The new office will enable Synechron to expand its array of key services to multiple banking and technology firms within the Middle East. This marks the 44th office Synechron maintains across 19 countries.

Synechron currently operates two offices in the United Arab Emirates, respectively in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In recent years, KSA has experienced a transformation of its banking and financial technology sectors, presenting an opportunity for Synechron to scale up its business to support the growth of these sectors. Riyadh, the capital of KSA, was selected for the location of this office as it is at the epicenter of where multiple banking and telecom companies maintain their head offices.

The firm has previously executed projects in KSA, including building a digital branch for a global bank, and currently provides payments-related services for another financial firm.

Faisal Husain, Synechron’s Co-founder and CEO, said of the new office opening, “We are excited to join the Riyadh business community and establish Synechron as a key participant in KSA’s financial services industry, while contributing to the region’s vision and growth. With our expanded footprint, we are able to more closely collaborate with our clients and better enable their digital technology-led business transformation.”

Suhail Basit, Managing Director and Head of Synechron’s MENA Business, added, “We are pleased to expand our presence into KSA and look forward to welcoming a local workforce of talented individuals with the knowledge, skills and passion to work in tandem with our global exerts. We are investing in senior talent to lead our ongoing initiatives and to bring in the desired growth from this fast-growing market. Together, we will develop the customized business solutions that our existing and prospective clients require to scale their businesses. This includes bringing advanced methodologies and tools for Digital Transformation, Data and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and more.”

The UAE Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has signed an agreement with Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO) the world’s first and only common law free zone dedicated to global digital and virtual assets companies, to drive greater awareness of DIFC Courts digital economy services to businesses operating within Ras Al Khaimah’s newly launched digital economy freezone.

The memorandum will foster closer cooperation on projects and initiatives designed to boost the UAE’s vision for a thriving digital economy and support economic ambitions. The agreement will also promote closer alignment and collaboration across specific digital economy services provided by both organizations.

The DIFC Courts is currently operating on a new roadmap for the years 2022-2024, which includes a strategic work plan that brings more national cohesion to the Courts’ projects and initiatives in line with the ‘D33’ economic agenda and the Dubai Digital Strategy. This in turn is providing effective support for both the federal and local Dubai strategic goals.

His Excellency Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director, DIFC Courts, said, “Expectations from the private sector increasingly require the bold engagement of public service. By combining a modern and flexible digital infrastructure with judicial and service excellence, the DIFC Courts will continue to align our operations with the national agenda. As the UAE begins to nurture new digital economy verticals, the number of foreign organisations entering the market will inevitably increase. The DIFC Courts and RAK Digital Assets Oasis will collaborate through this agreement to assure these businesses that we remain on standby to accommodate the growing digital economy and resolve new types of cases and disputes.”

Dr Sameer Al Ansari, Chief Executive Officer, RAK Digital Assets Oasis, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the DIFC Courts. This collaboration marks a significant step in fostering a more dynamic digital ecosystem within our newly established free zone in Ras Al Khaimah. We believe that this partnership will greatly enhance the accessibility and awareness of the DIFC Courts’ digital economy services, providing valuable support to the companies of the future in our thriving digital oasis.”

RAK DAO is the world’s first and only common law free zone dedicated to global digital and virtual assets companies, empowering innovators in their journey to build the future of Web3 and blockchain technology across industries, promising to disrupt traditional business models and unlock the full potential of digital assets.

In 2021, the DIFC Courts confirmed the launch of a new Division. The international Digital Economy Court (DEC) simplifies the settlement process of complex civil and commercial disputes related to the digital economy, reviewing national and international claims related to current and emerging technologies, including big data, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and cloud services.

The Digital Economy Court is a global initiative that operates in parallel, helping to build a new judicial support network to serve the stringent demands of digital transformation and adoption. Leading international judicial expertise has been recruited to oversee and operate the new Court’s cutting-edge digital infrastructure and service capabilities, complementing an existing portfolio of specialised Divisions, including the Technology & Construction Division and the Arbitration Division, launched by the DIFC Courts to serve an expanding demand for judicial expertise across sector-specific cases.

The launch of the new Division also signals to the international business community the intent of Dubai and the UAE to play a leading role in advancing its judicial systems to specifically direct capacity and capability to resolving digital economy-related disputes, whilst also utilizing some of the very same cutting-edge technologies to enable greater efficiency of service to the public.

UAE based BANTgo and Verofax have collaborated to enhance e-waste collection.  The partnership seeks to galvanize the masses into responsible recycling by rewarding their endeavors with tokenized incentives.

Verofax, was awarded the GITEX Supernova Web3 and Blockchain award, introduces its innovative technology to this eco-initiative. The venture encompasses the deployment of advanced smart bins explicitly designed for e-waste collection.  These bins are equipped with a validation system to ensure accurate assessment of the electronic devices being recycled, determining their equivalence in terms of recoverable materials.

BANTgo, renowned for its expertise in the blockchain domain, steps in to fortify this eco-friendly initiative. Recognizing and endorsing the responsible recycling behavior of individuals, BANTgo offers digital blockchain certificates. These certificates, apart from serving as a testament to the individual’s eco-contribution, also act as a robust incentive, encouraging more to tread the path of responsible recycling.

The synthesis of Verofax’s product validation and BANTgo’s blockchain creates a robust mechanism. This not only facilitates transparency in e-waste recycling but also ensures that individuals are appropriately acknowledged and rewarded for their proactive environmental actions.

Siarhei Zhyltsou, CEO of BANTgo, commented on this collaboration, “The alliance between BANTgo and Verofax is not just transformative but also imperative for our times. Encouraging responsible recycling through tangible rewards sets a new standard in environmental initiatives.”

Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, shared his enthusiasm, “Pairing with BANTgo is a testament to Verofax’s commitment to leverage its technology for pressing global challenges. Together, we’re paving the way for a sustainable future, where technology and eco-responsibility converge.”

UAE based FD Capital, a blockchain-focused investment company that empowers investors by providing access to the rapidly evolving blockchain industry  is holding an investor day under the title “ Chains Beyond Borders” on November 1st 2023 in Dubai UAE. The event will explore blockchain technology showcasing latest updates and insights from seasoned investors and experts.

This event features a notable lineup of speakers from the blockchain industry, with keynote speakers including Robert Edward Grant, the Founder of Crown Holdings, and Evan Luthra, a Parallel Entrepreneur and Angel Investor. Other speakers include individuals like Aishwary Gupta, Matt Schmenk, Fabio Tomaschett, Kyle Rojas, Mehmet Buyukakarsu, and more, bringing diverse expertise representing different aspects and ecosystems within the blockchain landscape.  Dariia Vasylieva, the Founder and CEO of FD CAPITAL, will moderate the event.

“Our unwavering vision in the ever-changing landscape of Investments vs. Turbulence is clear: By transcending borders, we empower the community to unleash its potential and create a transformative impact in the blockchain industry and beyond, forging new investment opportunities and strategic partnerships” Dariia Vasylieva, the Founder and CEO of FD CAPITAL said.

This event is proudly supported by partners Cypher Capital, Albus Protocol, GOSH, and Aureli Ventures, as well as media partners Luna PR, IBC Group, AIBC,  Pro-blockchain Media, BeInCrypto, SalAd Lab, cryptorank, TheNewsCrypto,  VNTR,  CoinEasy, BlockDelta,  Syndika, Heir Story, MonteCrypto, Crypto Data Space, BlockBeats and more.

Taking place in the Cypher Capital Hub in Dubai, this event will also be available through a special online segment via Zoom, which ensures accessibility for a global audience. The Zoom link will be sent to approved registered guests, making it a truly exclusive experience.

FD CAPITAL’s mission is to empower investors with access to the fast-evolving blockchain industry, bridging the gap between traditional finance and Web3 to unlock the vast potential of blockchain technology.

Japanese Nissan Formula E Team has partnered with UAE based Coral, registered as Carbon One in Dubai UAE to offset carbon emissions using blockchain technology for the upcoming 2023-2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The partnership will bring transparency and verification to carbon credit markets.

UAE based Blockchain enabled Coral offers full transparency in the carbon market, by ensuring trust, veracity, and empowers individuals and organizations to take climate action responsibly. Together, we can make a difference.

According to the press release, the relationship with Coral is the next step in Nissan Formula E Team’s pledge to reducing its carbon emissions, following its award of the FIA 3 Star Environmental Accreditation in 2022. While the auto manufacturer is pioneering electric mobility, it is also scrutinizing its environmental impact and looking to accelerate improvements in green technologies in the motorsport world.

To reinforce its commitment, Nissan Formula E Team and Coral will use a Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Science Based Standards framework to accurately assess the carbon footprint of the racing team and will implement a robust credit scheme, providing full transparency on the squad’s carbon offset.

The goal for the partnership is to combine Nissan Formula E’s vast reach with Coral’s transparent and efficient platform, in order to increase awareness of the impact of carbon credits, directly contributing to global decarbonization and a cleaner future.

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “For both Nissan and Nissan Formula E Team, sustainability is of vital importance. We have recently renewed our FIA 3 Star Environmental Accreditation and are always looking for the next step to reduce our emissions. That’s why we are delighted to team up with Coral. When it came to choosing a partner to achieve our carbon neutrality goal, we wanted to make sure the trackability of our carbon offset is as accurate as possible. Coral’s CO2 offset is met through the most advanced innovation and is achieved in a bulletproof way. We’re looking forward to developing our relationship with Coral and working together for a greener future.”

Daniele Sileri, Founder and Head of Strategy, Coral: “We welcome the partnership and participation from Nissan Formula E Team,. This is an example to individuals and corporations that everyone should be able to take meaningful action in tackling climate change.”

In a move aimed at establishing robust, equitable energy systems, PermianChain Technologies Inc. (“PermianChain”) a WealthTech startup focused on natural resources tokenization and digital energy monetization and Saudi based Ejada Business for Energy a renewable energy developer (“Ejada”) have partnered to shape the future of renewable energy through distributed energy in Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region. The agreement promises to revolutionize how renewable energy projects are developed and executed.

The partnership grants Ejada exclusive representation in Saudi Arabia for PermianChain’s innovative WealthTech platform-as-a-service. This platform offers sustainable finance opportunities and cutting-edge digital asset mining services. Ejada, a leading provider and developer of renewable energy services in the Saudi market, is poised to drive a substantial transformation within the regional energy sector.

Abdulrahman AlNimri, CEO of Ejada, stated, “Our steadfast commitment to strategically accelerate renewable energy in Saudi Arabia makes this partnership with PermianChain a pivotal step in maintaining Ejada’s competitive edge in regional energy system development. We aim to contribute significantly to economic and social growth.” Mr. AlNimri went on to emphasize that “the digital energy value chain, harnessed by the PermianChain platform, streamlines sustainable finance, offering new avenues for natural wealth creation and enabling unprecedented treasury optimization for both public and private sectors.”

PermianChain, known for its expertise in natural resource tokenization and digital asset mining, envisions itself as the gateway for investors and Web3 enthusiasts eager to participate in the burgeoning digital energy revolution. The PermianChain platform services are poised to unlock fresh opportunities for natural wealth creation. Mohamed El-Masri, founder and CEO at PermianChain Technologies, noted, “Our dedication to the PermianChain mission of building, managing, and operating a distributed digital energy market for decentralized compute applications has brought this partnership with Ejada in Saudi Arabia to fruition. We see promising opportunities in ambitious mega projects such as NEOM and smart cities, which rely heavily on AI and IoT technology, with increasing adoption of blockchain and digital assets in the region.”

An Invest Saudi report revealed that the Saudi market’s data center industry is rapidly expanding, with an expected market size of USD 19 billion by 2030. The Kingdom’s plans to expand traditional data center capacity to over 1GW, involving capital investments of USD 11 billion into the sector, underline the immense potential of the market. Both PermianChain and Ejada are determined to pioneer Saudi’s digital asset and blockchain data center market, to establish a strong presence in the GCC region, paving the way for expansion into the broader Middle East and Africa. This endeavor is contingent upon obtaining the necessary regulatory licenses to operate PermianChain’s holistic WealthTech platform, offering sustainable investments and digital asset mining services.

As of this announcement, PermianChain and Ejada have plans to develop, construct, and operate an initial 25 MW solar power plant. A portion of the power generation capacity will be allocated to users of PermianChain Miner, creating an exclusive offtake opportunity for low-cost power to drive digital asset mining and compute applications. This innovative approach allows regional investors to actively participate in building equitable energy systems while optimizing treasury.

What distinguishes this partnership is its unyielding dedication to the communities where energy projects are based. By pioneering a strict approach that ensures energy is consumed where it’s produced, PermianChain and Ejada aim to foster local development, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate sustainable growth in often overlooked regions.

This transformative alliance embodies the broader global shift toward clean energy, decentralized power generation, and the empowerment of underserved areas. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in realizing a future where energy is equitable, sustainable, and accessible to all.

UAE based OKA2B is a Dubai-based high-net-worth connection service renowned for introducing boutique projects to eager investors which traditionally focused on real estate projects, has now diversified into the funding of companies rooted in digital assets, capitalizing on the rising interest and adoption of cryptocurrency among private investors.

The company provides a personalized introduction service that bridges the gap between keen investors and innovative projects. Despite the initial contact occurring in the digital sphere, the company places great emphasis on the value of initiating meaningful connections through face-to-face meetings, wherever the parties may be located.

While real estate and construction projects have traditionally formed the core of their introduction portfolio, the company is now steering its expertise towards digital asset initiatives. High-net-worth investors with a keen interest in projects exceeding 3 million USD are invited to connect with OKA2B, gaining access to an extensive network of investment opportunities and tailored introductions.

Angelo Dilibero, the Managing Partner of OKA2B, stated, “Our network acts as a bridge between individuals, and we’ve observed a growing appetite among high-net-worth investors for exposure to start-ups based on digital assets.”

Blockchain Trade Finance platform combating fraud, UAE Trade Connect has just added its 13th bank member. Invest Bank will be the 13th bank to join UAE Trade Connect which is paving the way for a secure, efficient and technologically advanced trade finance landscape.

Initiated in 2021 as a collaborative project between the banking industry and e& enterprise, UTC utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning to offer a cloud-native solution. This solution enhances transparency by digitizing trade-related documents in real time, detects suspicious transactions, and prevents fraud.

Zul Javaid, CEO, Trade Connect said: “Invest Bank’s inclusion in the UTC consortium demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the UAE banking industry while also playing a fundamental role in advancing the nation’s digital strategy and contributing to its ambitious growth plans. Our platform is not just a technology solution; it serves as a driving force for economic growth and ensures enhanced risk management.”

Helmi Abdullah, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer, at Invest Bank said: “Joining UAE Trade Connect as a member bank is a significant milestone in our journey, as it reinforces our commitment to enhance our digital trade capabilities supports our growth of Trade Finance business in a secure and efficient manner. This decision demonstrates UTC’s dedication to raising banking standards in the UAE.”

As an official member, Invest Bank gains access to a robust system that validates trade finance transactions, identifies duplication, and combats potential fraud in real time. This empowers the bank to make informed lending decisions, increasing lending confidence and safeguarding funds.

The UTC blockchain platform plays a pivotal role in enhancing lending confidence and transparency, facilitating increased lending opportunities towards mitigating risks, enhancing operational efficiency, and validating invoice transactions worth over AED 170 billion equivalent to $46 billion while detecting multi-million-dirham frauds. UTC has made significant progress towards establishing itself as a national invoice registry.

UAE Trade Connect seeks to expand its offering to other banking entities in the region. In a recent LinkedIn post, Zul Javaid, CEO of UAE Trade Connect, the UAE’s first trade finance platform to combat fraud, announced that they had hired Wissam Massud to lead their international expansion. One of the countries on its list is KSA.

UAE based InvoiceMate Blockchain & AI-powered invoicing platform, that previously utilized HyperLedger Fabric has partnered with the DFINITY Foundation, a not-for-profit research and development organization based in Switzerland and a major contributor to the Internet Computer blockchain (ICP), as InvoiceMate drops HyperLedger Fabric and migrates to the Internet Computer.  

The DFINITY Foundation will support InvoiceMate in this transition as it becomes an important part of the ICP ecosystem.

InvoiceMate is a blockchain & AI-powered invoicing platform that acts as a bridge between SMEs and financing institutions. InvoiceMate leads to easier financial inclusion by enabling SMEs access to various forms of credit like invoice discounting, factoring, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and supply chain financing. InvoiceMate has processed over $114 million in invoices and partnered with nine financial institutions with over $5mn in locked lending allocation.

As part of the partnership not only will InvoiceMate use the Internet Computer blockchain it will work with the DFINITY Foundation to add value to the ICP ecosystem as a whole. The InvoiceMate team will act as advisors and mentors for other enterprise blockchain projects. This will include running workshops for enterprise blockchain organizations, InvoiceMate’s large network of partners and universities that are interested in exploring the Internet Computer.

InvoiceMate’s tech arm MateSol will also serve as a “dev shop” and support projects wanting to integrate ICP into their operations. InvoiceMate brings a wealth of experience from the enterprise blockchain industry and is set to play a large role in enterprise adoption for the Internet Computer blockchain.

Muhammad Salman Anjum, Chief Mate at InvoiceMate said, “We’re excited to migrate to the Internet Computer blockchain. InvoiceMate has built its reputation on trust and efficiency, and that is what we are looking for in a blockchain. The Internet Computer enables us to use the power of invoices to aid SMEs in accessing credit but in a decentralized, tamperproof, and scalable manner.”

The partnership between the DFINITY Foundation and InvoiceMate strengthens the presence of the Internet Computer in the region.

Recently, the ICP.HUB GCC was founded in Dubai and is one of the newest editions to the region, known as the Crypto Oasis, the fastest growing Blockchain Ecosystem in the World, now with more than 1,800 organization and 8,650 individuals working in it.. The ICP.HUB GCC is a Web3 community of developers and entrepreneurs building the Internet Computer’s presence in the Gulf. The Hub is focused on education, including workshops for developers, incubation, helping founders from ideation to MVP, and developing blockchain use cases for corporates and governments. The ICP.HUB GCC also facilitates partnerships between the DFINITY Foundation and local enterprises.

Saed Ereiqat, Co-Founder of the ICP.HUB GCC said, “Since the inception of the ICP.Hub GCC, we have been building the groundwork for projects to transiFor more information, visittion into the ICP Ecosystem smoothly, and we are seeing significant interest from the local ecosystem to build. InvoiceMate is the perfect example of a mature, Dubai-grown project moving to the ICP Ecosystem. I am looking forward to working with the team on developing corporate use cases powered by ICP!.”

The Internet Computer is a general-purpose, layer-one blockchain that acts as a Cloud 3.0. The network has been operating for over two years and has experienced zero downtime. It also processes over 750 million transactions daily, a 425% increase from its first year of operation. The Internet Computer is the only blockchain network in the world capable of hosting social networks and enterprise systems, providing an alternative to the Legacy IT stack, which incorporates Web 2.0 infrastructures such as centralized cloud services run by Big Tech, which run databases and web servers.