In a recent X statement, Onramp Money a provider of fiat-to-crypto onramp solutions, offering a seamless and secure way for users to trade cryptocurrencies using their fiat currencies, and self-custodial crypto wallet Metamask announced that users in the UAE can buy 300 + digital assets using the AED currency directly through Metamask.
As stated, “Breakthrough in the UAE, Now users I the UAE can buy 300+ digital assets with AED directly within metamask using OnRamp Money.”
his integration allows MetaMask users in the UAE to buy over 300 digital assets with Emirati Dirham (AED) directly through the MetaMask mobile app and Portfolio Dapp, facilitated by instant bank transfers.
As per a blog post, Onramp Money’s integration provides a seamless, fast, and secure method to access web3 and acquire tokens conveniently, without the need to navigate the complexities of centralised crypto exchanges.
The Blog post adds, “The integration with Onramp Money in MetaMask to support Emirati Dirham (AED) is a pivotal development for the cryptocurrency industry in the UAE, especially in Dubai. It signifies a major leap in making digital asset transactions more accessible, efficient, and integrated into everyday financial activities.”
This is not the first announcement that Metamask makes in an Arab country. In December 2023, MetaMask self-custody crypto wallet announced that it had partnered with several entities across the globe including Egyptian payment provider Vodafone Cash to offer new ways to onboard crypto around the world.
Thailand based, Nakamoto Games is entering the Saudi Arabian market through four key partnerships that will include the launching of tournaments, hackathons, educational content in a drive to increase adoption o Web3 Blockchain gaming. Nakamoto will be collaborating with Arabian Gaming Guild.
According to the press release, this initiative marks an important step for the play-to-earn arcade gaming platform as it enters the Middle East’s largest market.
Nakamoto and Arabian Gaming Guild will bring a series of GameFi tournaments to Saudi Arabia, anticipated to be some of the most substantial play-to-earn events in the region. This effort is expected to drive further adoption of Web3 gaming among local players.
Education plays a critical role in Nakamoto Games’ strategy, with a partnership with Yalgamers designed to inform the local population about blockchain gaming benefits. This includes campaigns on crypto, GameFi, and play-to-earn mechanisms, with support from the Arabian Gaming Guild for streaming and onboarding.
Local offline gaming events are also on the agenda, facilitated by Nakamoto Games’ partnership with GamifierSA. These tournaments, hosted in top gaming stadiums across the region, aim to draw large audiences and feature well-known Saudi players on the blockchain gaming platform.
In addition, there are plans for a series of hackathons focused on blockchain game development is planned in collaboration with HackathonX. These events, expected to be the largest in the region, will be supported by notable Saudi media and the government, with the goal of introducing new games to the Nakamoto Games platform through these Web3-centric hackathons.
Canadian based Aquanow ME FZE local UAE entity, a digital assets liquidity infrastructure provider, has received a full virtual asset service provider license from Dubai Virtual asset regulatory Authority (VARA).
The license which is currently pending, will allow Aquanow to offer crypto broker dealer services as well as investment services. Aquanow will also be able to offer crypto lending and borrowing services.
Aquanow has been operating crypto infrastructure at scale since 2018.
In January 2023, Aquanow and Gate.io, a global cryptocurrency exchange with over $6B in daily volume, entered into a partnership to build global liquidity for the next wave of blockchain projects.
In June 2023 Aquanow, announced that it had received initial approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), while it undertakes the in-depth process of applying for a license in accordance with VARA requirements.
Aquanow is a global leader in digital assets infrastructure and is a facilitator for cryptocurrency trading in over 50 countries. Aquanow ranked amongst the fastest growing companies with a four-year revenue growth rate of 1,842%, according to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list.
“Dubai’s D33 vision of emerging as a top global financial center and major hub of innovation, testing, and commercialization of new technologies was a key factor in making the Emirate the centerpiece in our international growth efforts,” said Phil Sham, Aquanow Co-Founder and CEO. “We look forward to enabling a range of crypto use cases, and contributing to the region’s efforts that are leading the virtual assets industry in balancing consumer protections with world-changing technology.”
With this VARA has awarded OKx, CoinMENA and several other crypto exchanges and brokers in the UAE licenses to start their operations in a regulated manner.
The best companies that have ever existed are those that are built with conviction and passion, DRIFE is such a company. Based on the concept that centralization eventually equates to monopolization, the Founder of DRIFE, a decentralized ride hailing platform built on the Sui Blockchain, Firdosh Sheikh believes that both taxi drivers and their riders deserve a more transparent, secure, cost effective system that benefits both parties. Today with DRIFE being licensed in Dubai UAE that dream is now available in the UAE.
The dream behind DRIFE
DRIFE started and continues to be a personal journey. According to Firdosh, it all started during an UBER ride to an airport in India. As Firdosh explains, “I have always been a user of taxis as my means of transportation starting early on when I moved to Delhi for my studies, and then afterwards in Bangalore while I was working as a financial analyst. Yet one midnight drive to an airport changed everything.”
It was on that evening that the UBER driver had asked her to cancel the trip telling her he would take her at a much lower price. Asking him why, she discovered that UBER was taking 35% commission leaving him with a profit of less than 50% after cost.
After that drive, Firdosh began speaking to all the drivers she would use for rides. The same story emerged, high commissions, no health insurance, and a feeling that they were caught in a vicious circle and still struggling.
She spoke to 1000 drivers, and in the back of her mind she remembered how her father had started his career as a taxi driver, and how as a young girl she would wait patiently for his return while he worked hard to earn money for his family.
It is then she decided that she wanted to change this. She had read about how Bitcoin had offered freedom to the financial sector, and realized Blockchain could do the same for the mobility sector.
Firdosh calls it Taxi 3.0 for short. In her experience Taxi 1.0 was where people would book an unmetered taxi and agree the fare with the driver. Taxi 2.0 was where big tech got involved and everything moved to the platform. It was certainly a technical disruption and people could book and find a taxi with a couple of taps on their mobile phone.
DRIFE is Taxi 3.0.It is disrupting the disruptors of Taxi 1.0, the Taxi 2.0. While Taxi2.0 was a win because of technology, it eventually became a loss for the driver. As Firdosh explains, “In Taxi 3.0, the community, the market and the driver is in control not anyone else. The market sets the prices; there are no commissions, and only a subscription fee to use the platform, so that with every ride, the money belongs to them. This direct connection allows for more personalized and customized ride-hailing experiences, where riders can choose drivers based on specific criteria, such as driver rating, car type, and other preferences.”
DRIFE: The Web3 Taxi
DRIFE utilizes an array of technologies to offer TAXI 3.0. DRIFE has a patent pending auction based dynamic pricing model and removal of middlemen’s profit which contributes to lower prices for riders and higher earnings for drivers.
The platform and its application also utilize smart contracts, a tamper proof system that is resistant to fraud and hacking. This technology ensures that transactions are conducted in a secure and transparent manner, giving riders and drivers peace of mind when using the platform.
The use of blockchain technology, specifically Sui Blockchain in DRIFE’s platform further enhances the transparency of the pricing system, ensuring that riders and drivers can trust the pricing mechanisms. The blockchain also enables DRIFE to operate with a zero-commission structure.
The platform operates on the DRF token, which serves as the native currency for all transactions on the platform. DRF token has two different utilities in the ecosystem. Riders can use DRF tokens to make payments directly to the driver, while drivers can use DRF to pay for their subscription fees.
In addition, DRIFE’s governance structure is built on a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) model. The DRIFE ecosystem is governed by a network of token holders who have a say in the decision-making processes. The DRF token gives every stakeholder voting rights and enables them to take part in the governance, ensuring that the community needs and priorities are addressed.
DRIFE even uses NFTs (Non fungible tokens). DRIFE Council NFT is their unique approach to uphold the idea of ‘decentralization’ through DAO Governance, which endeavors the growth of the DRIFE ecosystem and brings added value to the DRIFE community.
DRIFE Council members are a group of 200 members responsible for most approvals taking place in the DRIFE ecosystem, starting with approvals for proposal voting and franchise vetting and more. According to Firdosh, “The launch of DRIFE NFT is also a strong indication of our commitment to the utility of DRF (decentralized ride-hailing fuel). We believe that DRF has a bright future as a utility token, and it will continue to play a vital role in the DRIFE ecosystem. DRIFE NFT is an integral part of the DRIFE DAO Framework.”
DRIFE IN UAE
In 2023 DRIFE achieved pivotal successes with licenses in Karnataka, India. At the end of 2023, DRIFE had over 350,000 users and 30,000+ drivers. Today DRIFE expands its operations to the UAE. DRIFE has been granted an e-hailing license.This groundbreaking achievement was made possible through the partnership with AASA Passenger Mobility Services LLC subsidiary of AASA Group, an affiliate of EII Capital (Formerly known as EMAAR Industries and Investments), DRIFE’s franchise partner in Dubai, who played a pivotal role in securing the license.
Firdosh explains, “We are very proud to have received an e-hailing license allowing us to compete against the likes of UBER and Careem which are both Taxi 2.0 mobile based taxi applications. It was not easy acquiring a license in the UAE; it took nine months because here everything is well systemized and organized. This had always been a dream of mine and very honored to see us here.”
Firdosh explains, “To start with, we will work with Limousine drivers, and then eventually we hope to get the RTA taxis on board. Riders can hail a DRIFE Taxi from Dubai and travel anywhere in the UAE.”
At present, bookings can only be made from within Dubai, so the next step according to Firdosh is to obtain a license from Sharjah as well.
In addition, DRIFE is still not utilizing its DRF token in the UAE as it needs approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority. Firdosh states, “We are in the process of receiving approval from VARA to utilize our token, once received we will integrate it into the application.”
Drivers of DRIFE all go through an extensive KYC (Know your customer) process as well as extensive training.
The Future of DRIFE
As for the future of DRIFE not only globally but in MENA, Firdosh aims to expand DRIFE’s operations in India, and within the UAE. She then aims to acquire a license in Saudi Arabia.
Firdosh states, “We want to expand DRIFE across MENA and India, we are looking for partners in KSA because eventually we want to have a strong presence in the region.”
In the future DRIFE will be doing a fundraiser round but at the moment the focus is on the launch in the UAE. Firdosh explains, “My vision for DRIFE is for it to become a global phenomenon, impacting as many drivers as possible. In the end everyone can be part of DRIFE. For us, DRIFE is not just about WEB3 Taxi, but about solving all the problems in the mobility space.
Firdosh believes that drivers can contribute to building a decentralized mobility infrastructure, whether that includes maps or other infrastructure related solutions. This is one of the reasons DRIFE chose the Sui blockchain to be strategic partners to help build mobility specific use cases.
Over the past few months more and more Web3 and Blockchain companies have been hiring for managerial positions in the MENA and GCC region. One of the latest is the new Managing Director of Middle East and Africa for Ripple, Mr. Reece Merrick as well as Amir Tabch CEO for APAC and MENA at Liminal Custody Solutions.
In a LinkedIn post, Reece Merrick stated, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Managing Director, Middle East & Africa at Ripple!”
While Web3 entity, Liminal Custody Solutions (Liminal), the fastest-growing digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider in the APAC and MENA announced in a press release the appointment of Amir Tabch as its CEO for the Middle East region.
Mr. Tabch, a seasoned financial services executive and fintech pioneer, brings over two decades of experience in leading and scaling businesses across traditional and digital asset markets.
Prior to this, Mr. Tabch held senior leadership positions at SC Meta Markets, Emirates Investment Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank, where he honed his expertise in global markets, multi-asset trading, and regulatory compliance. He was also the Ex Copper Securities CEO.
Mr. Tabch’s appointment is part of Liminal’s strategic expansion in the Middle East and expansion of its custody offerings.
In addition Landvault appointed Muhammad Hamza as Landvault’s Vice President of Business GCC. Based in Dubai, Muhammad’s extensive expertise in artificial intelligence, metaverse technologies, and virtual development will further drive Landvault’s business strategy and oversee our international expansion in the GCC region. Landvault has built over 100 million square feet in virtual experiences for brands including Mastercard, Standard Chartered, Hershey, and more.
Even entities within the UAE are announcing new appointments, such as HUB71 which announced that Ahmad Ali Alwan has transitioned from Deputy Chief Executive Officer to Chief Executive Officer of Hub71 as of January 2024.
Alwan joined Hub71 as a founding member in 2019 and was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hub71 in October 2022. Since then, Alwan has played a critical role in spearheading Hub71’s strategic development to become one of the region’s premier tech startup hubs supporting more than 260 startups that raised over AED 5 billion in capital.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Hub71, said: “Within Abu Dhabi’s soaring ‘Falcon Economy’, Hub71’s transformative impact on the startup landscape is undeniable. Under the ambitious leadership of Hub71, startups globally have a destination where innovation thrives, and growth unlocks endless possibilities. Ahmad has witnessed Hub71 growth stages and played a pivotal role in building the global tech ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. The journey ahead is an exciting, and we are confident that his deep knowledge and experience in helping startups and founders grow and scale disruptive technology companies from the UAE will shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem.”
In 2023 for example, Web3 Blockchain company, Circle appointed its Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Miriam Kiwan. Many others have been hired over the past two years, as both local and globaly players flock to the region.
On April 15-16, Blockchain Life 2024 is going to prove its status as one of the main crypto events of the year bringing together over 8,000 crypto enthusiasts and thousands of international companies in the globally recognized crypto capital of Dubai.
The event unites top crypto players from Web3, Cryptocurrencies and mining industries from 120 countries.
What to expect:
Premium community of crypto whales and industry leaders
More than 160 experts having a speech and analyzing the market from the stage
More than 150 key industry companies featured at the exhibition and promising Startups
Dozens of teams at the Startup Pitch contest – traditionally many of these projects will rise in a few months
Smart networking app to find the one among the thousands
Numerous formats for business networking
The legendary AfterParty at one of the world’s most renowned clubs – SKY2.0
“I have no doubts that the majority of conversations will focus on the growth of the crypto market due to halving. I invite everyone to join one of the best world’s crypto events and become a part of the power that drives bull run” stated the organizer of the Blockchain Life Sergei Khitrov.
On the 2 stages of the event attendees can anticipate market analysis and forecasts from the top crypto exchanges as well as investing strategies from the leading crypto funds.
Among the top speakers are:
Justin Sun (Founder of TRON, Member of the HTX Global Advisory Board)
Sergei Khitrov (Founder of Blockchain Life, Jets.Capital and Listing.Help)
Paolo Ardoino (CEO of Tether, CTO of Bitfinex)
Andrei Grachev (Managing Partner of DWF Labs)
Dominic Williams (Founder and Chief Scientist of DFINITY (ICP))
Xinxi Wang (Co-Founder of Litecoin Foundation)
Danilo S. Carlucci (Founder and CEO of Morningstar Ventures)
Irene Wu (Head of Strategy of LayerZero Labs)
Pascal Gauthier (Chairman and CEO of Ledger)
Jason Lau (Chief Innovation Officer at OKX)
Alicia Kao (Managing Director at KuCoin)
and many more
Most of the forum speakers are still a secret, but organizers will soon unveil them to you in new announcements.
Learn how to take everything from the upcoming bull run at Blockchain Life 2024.
Buy a ticket at a Presale price now with a 10% discount using promo code ZEXPR.
In 2023 and earlier this year in January, the UAE licensed in total 13 crypto exchanges and crypto brokers. This came at the backdrop of a more robust virtual asset regulatory ecosystem both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as a heightened awareness and interest in investing in crypto tokens, virtual assets, and digital assets.
The most important question to many who are either already investing and trading in crypto or who are just getting started is which crypto exchange or broker can serve me best. The article will look into each crypto exchange and compare them to offer a more transparent mirror of the licensed and regulated crypto exchanges in the UAE.
OKX:
Starting with OKX is mainly because it is the first global exchange to receive a virtual asset license to operate their crypto exchange in the UAE. OKX received the license in January 2024, yet is still not fully operational as it finalizes certain requirements requested by Dubai’s virtual asset regulatory authority VARA.
However when it does start, it will offer more than 350 crypto tokens. So other than the basic offering of trading tokens or trade pairs on the spot, margin and derivatives markets, it also offers managing of DeFi portfolios, buying and selling NFTs, earn crypto in our mining pools, and take out crypto collateralized loans.
But wait all these products are not available to UAE retail and institutional clients. So far, OKX’s approved suite of duly regulated virtual assets activities includes spot services and spot-pairs, via the OKX App and OKX.com exchange.
The UAE VASP License also allows OKX to offer AED deposits and withdrawals.
OKX also announced that it has developed its Arabic website to meet the needs of users in the MENA region.
Finally OKX is active on all social media platforms so engaging with the community is available through many channels.
The crypto exchange boasts of over 50 million users in more than 100 countries. It is currently seeking a license in Hong Kong.
CoinMENA
Next in line is homegrown Crypto broker CoinMENA, which is not only now licensed in the UAE but was also one of the first to be licensed in Bahrain. CoinMENA offers the major cryptocurrencies on its platform, 52 in total.
It is fully operational and is authorized to serve Institutional Investors, qualified Investors and retail Investors. It offers spot trading of crypto assets.
CoinMENA already is fully operational and has been serving customers in the GCC and MENA region through its Bahrain licensed entity.
In addition customers can deposit money directly via bank transfer or credit/debit card to a customer’s CoinMENA Wallet, as well as withdraw money from CoinMENA Wallet directly to a client’s bank account.
CoinMENA currently serves over 900,000 users supporting seven countries.
Recently CoinMENA expanded its family office, investor and institutional offering through a partnership with Onramp Bitcoin. Onramp is an international Bitcoin asset management company built on multi institutional custody.
Crypto Exchange
Regulatory Status
Presence in
OKX
Crypto Exchange
HongKong UAE
Fasset
crypto broker
UAE
CoinMENA
crypto broker
UAE Bahrain
GCEX
Institutional crypto Exchange
UAE Denmark UK
FUZE
Crypto broker
UAE
BackPack Exchange
crypto exchange
UAE
Toko
Crrypto exchange/broker
UAE
Laser Digital
Crypto Broker
UAE
RAIN
Crypto broker
UAE Bahrain
M2
Crypto exchange
UAE
Glomex
Institutional crypto exchange
UAE
Matrix
Institutional crypto exchange
UAE
Midchains
Institutional crypto exchange
UAE
Venomex
Institutional crypto Exchange
UAE
M2
M2 is a UAE Abu Dhabi Homegrown crypto exchange. It received its license back in November 2023 from ADGM. It was recognized as a fully regulated Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) and Custodian and is now able to on-board UAE residents and institutional clients.
M2 offers spot trading and currently has 50 crypto tokens to choose from.
It will also be able to offer AED Fiat On/Off-Ramp: Allow the on/off ramp of AED with ease through its partnership with a local bank in the near future.
One of the strengths of M2 is that it is backed by strong investors, one of which is a Bitcoin mining conglomerate, Phoenix Group that helps M2 to offer its Bitcoin Earn Product. The product was launched in partnership with Phoenix crypto mining group and offers yields that reach up to 10.5%.
M2 has an equity investment of $300 million as well.
RAIN
RAIN crypto broker and exchange was the first crypto broker to receive a license in the MENA region. Its operations started in Bahrain and it is now licensed in the UAE through ADGM in Abu Dhabi.
On the landing page of RAIN the first thing a user sees is the 0% trading fee. RAIN offers 70 crypto tokens to trade with. RAIN also offers crypto swaps.
It also is able to offer AED Fiat On/Off-Ramp: Allow the on/off ramp of AED with ease through its partnership with UAE local banks.
Like most of the major exchanges it has a mobile application, and is present on most social media channels.
Fasset
In November 2023, Fasset received its crypto broker license from Dubai’s regulator VARA. This license follows Fasset’s launch in Indonesia in August, where it partnered with Mastercard Indonesia and telco giant Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.
Fasset offers five crypto tokens to trade with.
On its website, unlike other crypto exchanges, Fasset states that it offers gold investments using blockchain technology, crypto staking and other products. How much of this they can offer with their license in VARA is not clear. But it would be a surprise if they could offer these with their current license.
Crypto Exchange
Maker Fee
Taker Fee
Currencies
Minimum deposit USD
Trade Limits
OKX
0.08%
0.10%
320
10
100,000 USDT
Fasset
0.10%
1.00%
5
35
1000
CoinMENA
0.75%
0.75%
52
10
No limits
GCEX
No
No
50
50,000
No Limits
FUZE
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
BackPack Exchange
0.085%
0.095%
NA
NA
NA
Toko
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Laser Digital
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
RAIN
0.15%
0.30%
70
20
No Limits
M2
0.02%
0.04%
30
50
NA
Glomex
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Matrix
0.10%
0.20%
7
50,000
No Limits
Midchains
0%
0.40%
17
NA
No limits
Venomex
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA means not available on their website or other sources of information.
Other crypto exchanges
As for the rest of the crypto exchanges and brokers that serve retail and institutional clients and are licensed in UAE, they are Fuze, BackPack exchange, Toko and Laser Digital. These four were licensed by Dubai’s virtual asset authority, but have yet to populate their websites with clear information on their product offering, fees and other information.
Fuze is preparing to launch and its CEO refrained from sharing information until they do.
As for purely institutional investors they can work with the following crypto exchanges who only deal with institutional customers. These are GCEX where the minimum deposit is $50,000 offering 50 tokens.
According to GCEX Managing Director, Mehtap Onder, the exchange doesn’t charge its clients maker and taker fees but just a trading fee.
Then there is Matrix, who also has a minimum deposit of $50,000 but offers just 7 crypto tokens to trade and invest in.
Interestingly Venomex has no information on its fees and offering, and just states on its website, that it will communicate its fees and charges via a notice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UAE definitely now has an array of crypto exchanges and crypto brokers that can offer safe and secure means to trade and invest in crypto tokens. It is left up to customers to choose which one they feel more comfortable with, which one offers competitive fees and which ones offer the crypto assets they want to trade.
Users can choose between local, regional and global exchanges to work with. But the future will bring even more. As VARA recently announced, while the regulator awarded 19 regulated VASP licenses in 2023, with 11 already operational, it will be adding 72 more in the coming months.
This could mean that Binance will soon have a license to operate in UAE, as will ByBit, and Crypto.com among others.
As more crypto exchanges enter the UAE as regulated entities, competition will surely increase and this is always a good thing for clients and users, so be prepared.
Notabene, a crypto compliance firm that offers compliance solutions with FATF Travel Rule, has shown interest in Qatar’s proposed digital assets regulatory rules framework and has commented on Qatar’s consultation paper.
Notabene offers Safe Transact platform that helps financial institutions and crypto businesses unlock their full potential in the digital economy. With a focus on security, privacy, and end-user experience, Notabene customers use a multi-source data and software to automate real-time decision-making, perform counterparty sanctions screening, identify self-hosted wallets, and complete the smooth roll out of Travel Rule compliance, all in line with global and local regulations.
In a recent tweet on X Notabene welcomed the opportunity to comment on Qatar’s proposed digital assets regulatory rules consultation paper.
Notabene noted that they applaud the Qatar Financial Centre (“QFC”) Regulatory Authority (“Regulatory Authority”) and the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (“QFC Authority”) for taking the time to put together a comprehensive framework for digital assets.
Notabene added,” The process undertaken by both the QFC Regulatory Authority and QFC Authority to solicit public engagement on this important topic and welcome the opportunity to be part of the ongoing dialogue.”
Notabene, the crypto industry’s y pre-transaction authorization decision making platform, helps to identify and stop high-risk activity before it occurs. The platform offers a secure, holistic view of crypto transactions, enabling customers to automate real-time decision-making, perform counterparty sanctions screening, identify self-hosted wallets, conduct VASP Due Diligence, and complete the smooth rollout of Travel Rule compliance, in line with global regulations.
According to Notabene only Travel Rule compliance gives VASPs transaction-level counterparty and sanction insight, allowing them to recognize if their clients are sending transactions to sanctioned entities, wallets, or jurisdictions. VASPs worldwide are in different stages of compliance, which leaves many companies vulnerable to exposure to sanctioned individuals.
In its comment to Qatar’s consultation paper, Notabene states, “In particular, strict compliance with the Travel Rule is a prerequisite for VASPs to obtain licenses in these jurisdictions. We recommend that the QFC Regulatory Authority take the same approach. The ideal way to avoid dealing with non-compliance after settlement and its associated challenges is to ensure both TSPs assess and approve the transaction before the Originator TSP executes it. This is in line with FATF’s recommendations.”
Qatar recently released its digital assets framework requesting feedback on it by January 2nd 2024.
Standard Chartered’s venture capital firm, SC Ventures, opens office in ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) Abu Dhabi UAE, after setting up a digital asset joint venture with Japanese SBI Holdings in the UAE.
SC Ventures office will engage the fintech and startup ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the region; identify venture-building capabilities and partnerships with UAE’s venture capital community; invest in promising growth opportunities, collaborate with local universities and explore new technologies and business trends. The ADGM office will follow SC Ventures’ four high-conviction themes that include Online Economy & Lifestyle, Digital Assets, SMEs & World Trade and Sustainability and inclusion.
SC Ventures aims to tap into the region’s vibrant technology and business innovation ecosystem, venture building capabilities and access to local talent. Gautam Jain, member of SC Ventures, is slated to lead the new Abu Dhabi office.
Gautum Jain stated, “UAE’s global tech ecosystem experienced a 134% growth in Ecosystem Value — the sixth fastest globally and the biggest in the Middle East and North African region. SC Ventures sees strong opportunities in the regions’ potential to help rewire the DNA in banking through its top-notch talent and capabilities in venture building and investment mandate — specifically in the areas of fintech, digital assets and data.”
He added, “In Q3 2023, ADGM’s assets under management (AUM) increased 52% from Q3 2022. This remarkable growth has solidified ADGM’s reputation as a trusted financial hub. SC Ventures looks forward to tapping into this community of innovation as we continue to rewire the DNA in banking to best serve clients and meet society’s needs.”
“We are pleased to see additional international financial institutions choosing ADGM and Abu Dhabi as their home for business development and regional growth. We welcome SC Ventures’ strategic decision, and we look forward to witnessing its positive contributions to the financial ecosystem as well as working with broader eco-system including Hub 71, the venture capital community in ADGM and beyond, as it continues to thrive and expand its business operations and services offerings,” said Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM.
“ ADGM is a hotbed of innovation as the UAE is methodically building the ecosystem, aiming to develop more than 8,000 SMEs and startups by 2030 and with the goal of creating 20 startups valued at more than US$1 billion by 2031 as part of its Entrepreneurial Nation initiative. We are excited to join and will contribute to the best of our abilities, as we continue to build our portfolio of ventures to rewire the DNA of banking and financial services in the region,” said Alex Manson, CEO, SC Ventures.
UAE Minister of State for foreign Trade Thani AlZeyoudi, highlighted at World Economic Forum at Davos 2024 how AI, data analytics and blockchain can make trade smarter, cleaner and more accessible.
In a tweet on X, he noted, “The UAE is leading the charge to digitize global trade. During the Davos session we discussed TradeTech’s trillion dollar promise. I highlighted how AI, data analytics & blockchain can make trade smarter, cleaner & more accessible and how our TradeTech initiative is inspiring action.”
In a tweet prior, Minister Al Thani noted, “Ahead of the WTO (World Trade Organization) MC13 meeting in Abu Dhabi, the UAE is seeking to harness global action to deliver a technologically enabled, accessible and inclusive global trading system. It was great to outline our thinking during DP World’s Strategic Dialogue on Trade at Davos.
He also talked about ISO-backed and digitally enabled, EcoMark which has been approved in UAE allowing MSMEs to showcase their green credentials, whether the sustainability of their products or value chains. He states,” It builds on our COP28 legacy and looks ahead to WTO’s MC13 in Abu Dhabi, where inclusive trade will be a key theme.
At Davos WEF in 2023, the UAE government signed an MOU with WEF (World Economic Forum) to support UAE’s new Blockchain and AI enabled Trade Tech initiative. The initiative was designed to accelerate the digitization of international supply chains, enhance customs procedures, and improve developing countries’ access to the global trading system and, as a result, spur a new era of trade growth.
From the UAE’s side, the MoU was jointly signed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and Prof. Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and President.
The agreement supported the UAE’s efforts to deliver the initiative’s four key components: a global forum to gather trade, industry and technology leaders to share best-practice; an annual research report into the trade tech landscape, real-life applications and emerging trends; a regulatory sandbox to enable companies and startups to experiment with trade-tech innovations; and an incubator for promising startups in the trade tech space.
This is not the first time Al Thani talks about blockchain or crypto at DAVOS. During WEF in 2023, he spoke on how crypto will play a major role in UAE trade. He was speaking to Bloomberg.
Back in 2023 commenting on the crypto sector, the minister stated that “crypto will play a major role for UAE trade going forward;” as he outlined that “the most important thing is that we ensure global governance when it comes to cryptocurrencies and crypto companies.”
