Crypto and US tech stocks top UAE investment platform Wio, most popular investment themes

Crypto and US tech stocks top UAE investment platform Wio, most popular investment themes

Wio Invest, a leading UAE investment platform owned by ADQ sovereign wealth fund, which announced that it has surpassed $1 billion in assets under administration also noted that most popular investment themes, are US tech stocks such as NVIDIA and Tesla, and crypto space which includes, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP. remain They also noted that other favorites included companies such as MicroStrategy (MSTR) that are heavily invested in the crypto space.

According to the press release, this achievement positions it among the fastest-growing digital investment platforms globally, on par with leading neo brokers at similar stages in their journey. Wio Invest has evolved to meet the changing needs of a new generation of investors expanding access to now include UAE markets, virtual assets, and wealth management portfolios.

“This latest milestone reflects our commitment to reimagining everyday investing, and we’ve worked hard to build a platform that makes it simpler, smarter, and more accessible for everyone,” said Gaurav Ganwani, Deputy General Manager at Wio Securities LLC.

He added, “We are passionate about empowering individuals to build long-term wealth through intuitive investment solutions, with a core focus on instant access. Through Wio Invest’s integration with Wio Personal, users can open an account in minutes, invest directly from the app, and benefit from the instant settlement of sell orders.”

Wio Invest has seen more than $4 billion in order volume year-to-date, driven by a new wave of investors who are more digitally native, financially curious, and focused on building their futures.

The platform has also seen solid growth in its recurring orders feature, with index funds emerging as a top choice, reflecting a growing appetite for consistent, long-term investing.

This comes as entities such as DeFi Technologies enters the MENA region with offices in UAE to offer digital asset ETPS on financially regulated exchanges such as Abu Dhabi Exchange, Dubai Financial Exchange and others in Qatar, KSA, Oman and Bahrain. DeFi Technologies, a financial technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance, expanded its operation into the GCC and MENA region. The registration of DEFI DMCC includes offices in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, as the company seeks to offer digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) through its subsidiary, Valour, which has also opened a trading desk at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) in the UAE.

As per the press release, the DeFi Technologies team and its subsidiary Valour, aim to support the increased institutional interest in digital assets in the GCC region and specifically in the UAE. As the first Nasdaq-listed digital asset manager of its kind, DeFi Technologies offers equity investors diversified exposure to the broader decentralized economy. This includes Valour, which offers access to more than 65 of the world’s most innovative digital assets via regulated ETPs with plans to offer 100 by the end of 2025.

UAE Gulf craft accepts stablecoin payments for yachts and boats

UAE Gulf craft accepts stablecoin payments for yachts and boats

UAE based Gulf Craft, a shipyard conglomerate which builds yachts and boats, has joined multiple array of governmental and private businesses in the UAE offering crypto payments using stablecoins. The company announced that it now offers fully regulated payment solution for yacht and leisure craft purchases, service and refit works using the services of Bahrain based company ARP Pay.

As per the press release, the crypto payment solution developed by ARP Pay converts stablecoins such as USDT and USDC into AED or USD. The recent pilot allowed part of a yacht price to be purchased and settled in cryptocurrency. This cut transaction costs while improving customer satisfaction.

“By integrating ARP Pay, Gulf Craft not only meets evolving client preferences but also strengthens the UAE’s reputation for forward-looking manufacturing and financial innovation,” says Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman, Gulf Craft. “The UAE was built on maritime trade and early adoption of new ideas. Embracing regulated digital payments is a natural next step.”

“Adding a crypto option future-proofs our customer experience,” notes Erwin Bamps, Group CEO, Gulf Craft. “We stay ahead of the curve by adopting technologies that shape tomorrow’s commerce and by tapping into the growing segment of crypto holders who prefer paying with digital assets. Whether a client is taking delivery of a Majesty or Nomad yacht or purchasing any boat or power catamaran across our Oryx or SilverCAT ranges, they can now transact through a channel that is fast, transparent and fully compliant.”

More and more entities within the UAE are moving towards allowing crypto payments, whether it is the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the Abu Dhabi taxi service provider, gas stations, or even Dubai’s Finance Department all have either started or are getting ready to offer crypto payments.

Already UAE ranks top in the world for crypto adoption with 30% of its residents holding crypto. With increased utilization of crypto this number most likely will increase.

UAE and USA top with most crypto value stolen from victims

UAE and USA top with most crypto value stolen from victims

In the recent Chainalysis, 2025 Crypto Crime Mid-year Update: Stolen Funds Surge as DPRK Sets New Records, report the UAE topped the countries globally with the most crypto value stolen from victims, almost equal to the statistics for the USA. The average crypto value stolen per victim was around $80,000.

According to the report over $2.17 billion stolen from cryptocurrency services so far in 2025. So far 2025 is more devastating than the entirety of 2024. The DPRK’s $1.5 billion hack of ByBit, the largest single hack in crypto history, accounts for the majority of service losses.

Furthermore, by the end of June 2025, 17% more value had been stolen year-to-date (YTD) than in 2022, previously the worst year on record. The report noted that if current trends continue, stolen funds from services could eclipse $4 billion by year’s end. While 2022 — previously the worst year on record according to our data — required 214 days to crack $2 billion in value stolen from services, 2025 achieved comparable theft volumes in just 142 days.

Personal wallet compromises now represent a growing share of total ecosystem theft, with attackers increasingly targeting individual users, making up 23.35% of all stolen fund activity YTD in 2025.

Geographically in terms of personal wallet victimizations, which is not comprehensive, in 2025, the U.S., Germany, Russia, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea top the list of highest victim counts per country, whereas Eastern Europe, MENA and CSAO saw the most rapid H1 2024 to H1 2025 growth in victim totals.

The report goes on to note that somewhat divergent list of countries emerges when plotting the value stolen per victim in 2025. As shown in the chart below, the U.S., Japan and Germany remain in the top 10, but the UAE, Chile, India, Lithuanian, Iran, Israel, and Norway have some of the highest victimization severity rates globally.

In North America the Bitcoin and altcoin saw the most thefts, while Europe led in Ether and stablecoin theft. As for APAC it ranks second in terms of total BTC stolen, and third in terms of stolen ETH, whereas CSAO ranks second in terms of stolen altcoin and stolen stablecoin value.

Fairly consistently, Sub-saharan Africa ranks the lowest in terms of value stolen (second to last in terms of compromised BTC), which is most likely indicative of lower wealth levels in this region and not necessarily a signal of lower victimization rates among crypto users.

Why UAE tops the globe with crypto value stolen for victims

There are many reasons why the UAE crypto users are losing the most in crypto. First the number of crypto users in the UAE has reached 30% of the population. Secondly UAE between July 2023 and June 2024, received $30 billion in crypto, ranking the country among the top 40 globally in this regard and making it MENA’s third largest crypto economy.

The UAE has also set up a regulatory environment that allows for crypto trading, investment and even payments in AED stablecoins, while being one of the countries in the GCC with the most international mesh of global citizens.

While the UAE is working to deal with crypto crimes either through police or judiciary, citizens using crypto still have to be vigilant about personal wallets, investments, and the crypto exchanges they use.

Crypto.com keeps adding crypto payment partners in UAE, latest Emirates Airlines

Crypto.com keeps adding crypto payment partners in UAE, latest Emirates Airlines

After signing up with Emarat Energy, Dubai Land Department, and Dubai Duty Free, Crypto.com has signed a deal with Emirates Airlines to allow its customers to make crypto payments using crypto.com’s exchange services.

The partnership, which is expected to come into effect next year, is aimed at tapping into “younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies”, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.

Earlier in the year, Air Arabia announced that it would be allowing AED stablecoin payments using the AE Coin, as did Abu Dhabi taxi service.

The agreement today signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Michael Doersam, Emirates’ chief financial & group services officer, by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, along with Mohammed Al Hakim, president of Crypto.com’s UAE operations will offer more diverse digital asset payment services.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and CCO stated, “Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies.”

“We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline. As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers. We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC,” said Eric Anziani, president and COO of Crypto.com.

Dubai Land Department, crypto real estate payments in October 2025

Dubai Land Department, crypto real estate payments in October 2025

While PRYPCO MINT, the first licensed real estate tokenization platform, in partnership with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Regulatory Authority, and powered by Ctrl Alt blockchain, announced two new tokenized properties for investment, Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai, Senior Director of real estate policies and Innovation at Dubai Land Department also announced that soon it will all include crypto payments in October 2025.

In a recent LinkedIn post Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai noted that Crypto is coming as well as more opportunities in the real estate industry. He stated, “We are disrupting the industry big time. Hopefully we see soon investors and tenants paying in Crypto. Crypto traders buying real estate tokens, brokers getting commission in crypto and service charges paid in crypto.”

He also announced that due to the great success of Real estate tokenization project, They would be extending phase 1 of tokenizing ready properties till September 2025. He explained, “More properties will be tokenized soon by VARA licensed entities.” Finally he noted that in phase two cryptocurrency will be added in October. He explained, ” In phase two, we will add crypto currency to the model, expected October this year.”

Crypto.com and DLD sign agreement for including crypto in real estate sector

Just this week, Dubai Land Department and Crypto.com global crypto exchange recently signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to explore the use of Blockchain and digital currencies or crypto in the real estate sector. As per the announcement, the initiative is part of Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 that aims to build a smart, sustainable, real estate ecosystem using advanced technologies such as blockchain, and digital assets as well as tokenization.

PRYPCO announces two new tokenized properties

As for now PRYPCO Mint has announced that they are bringing a stunning apartment in Dubai Marina, and a beautiful viall in Dubai Land. In their X post they noted, “Get ready before launch. Stay tuned and keep your wallets ready!”

PRYPCO Mint already sold two tokenized properties. The first fully funded property attracted 224 investors from over 40 nationalities, with an average investment amount of $2,900. On the heels of the success of the first tokenized property listing in UAE and MENA, which brought in investments of over $700K, PRYPCO then did their second tokenized property worth $650K which was also a success.

TON clarifies Golden Visa initiative

TON clarifies Golden Visa initiative

TON Foundation ( The Open Network) has issued a clarification regarding its UAE Golden Visa initiative, saying that the announcement was published prematurely and that the initiatives stems from a collaboration between TON and a licensed partner specialized in blockchain and tokenized assets and has nothing to do with UAE governmental entities.

As per the medium post, TON noted, ” With regards to premature announcement that circulated on X regarding a UAE Golden Visa initiative offered by TON. While we understand the community’s interest and enthusiasm, it’s necessary to provide clarity. The initiative in question stems from an independent collaboration between TON and a licensed partner specializing in blockchain infrastructure and tokenized assets. This exploratory effort is developing outside of any formal arrangement with the UAE government entities.”

TON assets that there are no official Golden Visa program launched in partnership with the government of the United Arab Emirates, nor has any governmental endorsement been granted to TON.

Collaboration with Blockchain entity for Golden Visa initiative is in early stages

TON explained that the collaboration is in the early stages of development and is part of a broader effort to explore how compliant, blockchain-based frameworks might eventually support real-world access to residency pathways.

TON assets that any offering would be subject to all applicable laws and regulations and that application alone does not guarantee visa issuance, the authority for which remains at the discretion of the relevant UAE government bodies.

TON Supports UAE government statement

In the post TON also expressed their support for the joint statement issued by by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which confirms that no digital residency or investment visa initiatives have been formally approved or launched in partnership with the UAE government.

TON notes that this aligns with their position as the initiative is being developed independently by TON and their blockchain partner.

TON states, “We welcome the clarity provided and appreciate the UAE’s ongoing commitment to regulatory transparency. Should official involvement emerge in the future, it will be communicated transparently and through the appropriate channels.”

The clarification comes after TON spun out of Telegram, unveiled what it described as a new pathway to United Arab Emirates residency, offering 10-year golden visas to applicants who stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin for three years and pay a one-time $35,000 processing fee.

“Secure your Golden Visa in under 7 weeks from document submission to the Visa Office,” TON announced, detailing that its UAE-based partners will manage the visa processing and residency status confirmation.

However, the Emirates News Agency said later in a press release that the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority have issued a joint statement that golden visas are not issued to digital asset holders.

Crypto.com and Dubai Land department to include crypto payments in real estate transactions

Crypto.com and Dubai Land department to include crypto payments in real estate transactions

Crypto.com, a global cryptocurrency exchange regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Land Department (DLD) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to explore the use of Blockchain and digital currencies or crypto in the real estate sector.

As per the announcement, the initiative is part of Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 that aims to build a smart, sustainable, real estate ecosystem using advanced technologies such as blockchain, and digital assets as well as tokenization. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Omar Hamad BuShehab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department, and Mohamed Abdul Latif Al Hakim, the authorised signatory for Crypto.com, in the presence of several officials and CEOs from both sides.

Crypto.com will support Dubai’s digital real estate transactions using blockchain and digital currencies/crypto for property transactions. This will not only help to increase liquidity in the real estate sector but also modernize it by enabling real estate asset trading, investor verification as well as digital custody and settlement processes.

Crypto.com will propose solutions for tokenizing real estate and trading digital assets, while Dubai Land Department will explore them and provide administrative and logistical support to implement these regulatory approved joint projects.

Crypto.com will also offer technical support, analytical tools and reports for these projects.

Previously, the Department of Finance in Dubai Government, responsible for the development of the general annual budget and its execution (DOF), also agreed to enable government service fees to be paid in crypto using Crypto.com. Once the system is activated, individuals and businesses will be able to use Crypto.com’s digital wallet to pay for government services. The platform will convert crypto payments into AED and securely transfer the funds to Dubai Finance accounts.

Recently under the Real estate tokenization project, DLD, VARA, and the Dubai Future Foundation, with PRYPCO Mint underwent two tokenized property listings which were both sold out.

Mathew White, CEO of Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), recently noted on LinkedIn that the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is no longer an experiment. He stated, “It’s happening right now.”

He explained how VARA views tokenization as more than a blockchain use case but rather as a structural shift and the foundation for a new kind of financial system. He explains, ” Everything from real estate and art to commodities and IP can be digitally represented, owned and exchanged in real time.”

He adds, “It’s a system of fractional ownership and near-instant settlement, where global markets are trustless, borderless, and always on. The illiquid can become liquid.”

Zodia Custody acquires UAE crypto custodian Tungsten

Zodia Custody acquires UAE crypto custodian Tungsten

Backed by Standard Chartered Bank, and SBI Group, Zodia Custody, a global crypto asset custodian has completed its acquisition of UAE regulated Tungsten Custody Solutions, crypto custodian. In April of 2025, Zodia Custody had announced it was seeking to acquire Tungsten.

As per the X post, Zodia custody noted that this is a strong step in their expansion plans into the MENA region as they will benefit from the license that Tungsten already has within Abu Dhabi’s ADGM.

“Zodia Custody’s acquisition of Tungsten reflects our long-standing and ongoing commitment to the UAE,” said Dominic Longman, Global Head of Markets at Zodia Custody. “We are excited to deepen our presence in a market that is leading digital asset regulation through meaningful collaboration and revenue synergies with businesses operating under its authority. We hope to replicate this type of relationship across the markets in which we operate.”

“From day one, our ambition with Tungsten was to help build a custody platform that meets the highest global standards while being deeply rooted in the UAE’s regulatory frameworks,” said Mohamed Hamdy, Managing Partner at Further Ventures. “Zodia Custody’s acquisition is a validation of that vision and a major step forward for institutional digital asset infrastructure in the region. We’re proud to join forces with a partner that shares our conviction in the future of compliant, secure, and borderless finance.”

This announcement comes on the same day that Figment partnered with Tungsten to offer digital asset staking services for institutional clients in the region.

Binance Connect and Trust Wallet make crypto access easier

Binance Connect and Trust Wallet make crypto access easier

Trust Wallet, a leading self-custody Web3 wallet trusted by over 200 million users, has launched Buy+, a new feature powered by Binance Connect, to simplify crypto access for users worldwide and make onboarding easier for newcomers.

As per the press release, the feature allows anyone to purchase tokens on BNB Chain, Base and Solana using fiat, without needing to own crypto assets, or to understand complex crypto workflows.


Before this improvement, buying a new or trending token often meant a multi-step process, including manual swaps and switching between platforms. For many this was confusing, time-consuming, and carried the risk of mistakes. Now, with Buy+, Trust Wallet simplifies everything into one seamless flow ,making it possible to go from card, Apple/Google Pay and more, to a user’s desired token in just a few taps, all without leaving the app or giving up self-custody.

“The first step to onboard a fiat asset into the desired crypto asset directly is often the hardest. And that’s what we’re improving as part of the effort to bring web2 user experience to web3 tech,” said Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet. “When people discover a good crypto asset, they want to be able to buy it quickly, securely, and easily. Increasingly, these assets are not the major coins but rather smaller, trending tokens. So, we seamlessly integrate fiat onboarding with on-chain crypto swapping with the fewest steps. With this new capability, we’re giving users a simpler, safer, and smarter way to get their desired tokens —without compromising on self-custody or experience.”


Buy+ works by intelligently routing transactions based on token availability. If a token is directly supported by Binance Connect, the purchase is completed in one seamless fiat-to-crypto flow. If not, the feature automatically facilitates a two-step process — first acquiring the required native token and then swapping it within the Trust Wallet app — all while maintaining full self-custody and minimizing complexity for the user.

This feature pairs Binance Connect’s fiat-to-crypto infrastructure with Trust Wallet’s smart routing and swap capabilities to deliver a uniquely seamless experience that balances speed, flexibility, and full ownership.

“At Binance, we’re focused on breaking down barriers to crypto adoption, and the launch of the Buy+ feature in Trust Wallet — powered by Binance Connect — is a major step in that direction,” said Thomas Gregory, Vice President of Fiat at Binance. “By removing the complexity of chains, swaps, and token transfers, we’re giving users — especially those new to crypto — a faster, simpler way to access the tokens and communities they care about. Binance Connect is proud to power this experience and enable our partners to deliver seamless fiat-to-crypto journeys.”

Other blockchain networks will be supported in the future as Binance Connect expands access to Web3 tokens.

The feature however is currently not available in the UK, US, Canada, Nigeria, Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Cape Verde, Cuba, Syria and Iran. This communication is not intended for audiences within the United Kingdom. If you are accessing this content from within the United Kingdom, please exit immediately.

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Chainalysis expects that illicit crypto volume in 2024 will reach $51 billion

Chainalysis expects that illicit crypto volume in 2024 will reach $51 billion

In a recent Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report, the firm notes that while it may look like illicit cryptocurrency volumes are lower than 2024, their data has shown that year over year illicit crypto activity has grown at an average 25%. As such assuming a similar growth rate between now and next year’s Crypto Crime Report, their annual totals for 2024 could surpass the $51 billion threshold.

They noted, “At the time of this publication, we see a reduction in absolute value of illicit activity year-over-year (YoY); however, based on historical growth rates, we suspect that this number will eventually exceed last year’s total as our data attributions improve. In addition, our estimate for the share of all attributed crypto transaction volume associated with illicit activity, depicted below, also fell to 0.14% from 0.61% in 2023.1 Similarly, we expect this share to rise over time, although historically these rates consistently remain below 1%.”

The report also noted that usage of BTC for cyber criminals has decreased, replaced by stablecoins which now occupy the majority of all illicit transaction volume (63% of all illicit transactions). This is expected given that stablecoins occupy a sizable percentage of crypto activity which is around 77%.

In their 2024 Geography of Cryptocurrency report, Chainalysis covered the wide array of practical use cases for stablecoins in a range of markets, such as storing value, sending remittances, facilitating cross-border payments, and international trade.

Additionally, stablecoin issuers often freeze funds if they are made aware of their use by illicit actors. For example, Tether has frozen addresses of concern linked to scams, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion, which can make stablecoins a poor tool for the transfer of value by illicit actors. Nonetheless, despite these ecosystem-wide trends, some forms of crypto crime, such as ransomware and darknet market (DNM) sales, remain BTC-dominated.

Stolen funds increased by approximately 21% YoY to $2.2 billion. Although the largest share of stolen funds was robbed from decentralized finance (DeFi) services, centralized services were the most targeted in Q2 and Q3.

Private key compromises accounted for the largest share (43.8%) of stolen crypto in 2024, with North Korean hackers stealing more from crypto platforms than ever before: $1.34 billion, representing 61% of the total amount stolen for the year. Some of these events appear to be linked to North Korean IT workers, who have been increasingly infiltrating crypto and web3 companies, compromising their networks, and using sophisticated tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).