UAE Liv digital Bank by Emirate NBD to offer crypto trading and custodial services

UAE Liv digital Bank by Emirate NBD to offer crypto trading and custodial services

UAE Liv digital bank launched by Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region, has launched a cryptocurrency offering within its mobile banking app – Liv X allowing users to buy sell custody and trade cryptocurrencies in partnership with Aquanow, a UAE regulated crypto asset exchange and Zodia Custody also regulated in the UAE.

As per the press release, Liv digital bank is committed to introducing innovative products to its customers and this new cryptocurrency offering, with crypto infrastructure operated by Aquanow and custody services performed by Zodia Custody, will give users an intuitive experience that is straightforward and efficient to use.

Customers will be allowed to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies within the Liv X app, whilst also managing their day-to-day finances. Additionally, Liv follows robust security protocols to enable secure transactions, providing further assurance to customers. In short they will be able to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies within the Liv X app, providing them with direct access to digital assets. The offering is focused on trading and investment rather than direct payment for goods and services. The integration ensures a secure and compliant way for users to engage with digital assets within a regulated banking environment.

Marwan Hadi, Group Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, noted, “We are excited to introduce our new cryptocurrency offering on Liv X, in partnership with Aquanow, giving customers the opportunity to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies conveniently and securely. Offering cryptocurrency on Liv X is the next step towards the overall vision of Liv being a pioneer in innovation and excellence. With the highest crypto adoption rate in the UAE, we are keen to launch our own virtual asset offering to capitalise on this trend.”

Phil Sham, Chief Executive Officer, Aquanow, said, “We are proud to partner with a storied financial institution in Emirates NBD, and excited to bring our globally deployed crypto solutions to a regional audience. Our partnership is a testament to the UAE’s emergence as a global crypto hub and is a leading example of how banks and fintech’s can collaborate to develop cutting edge, secure, and seamless product propositions that truly benefit the retail customer. Incumbent institutions like Emirates NBD will play a pivotal role in driving the next wave of digital asset adoption and Aquanow is proud to be the leading crypto provider chosen by financial institutions both here in the GCC and globally.”

The partnership with Emirates NBD focuses on integrating cryptocurrency trading within a regulated banking environment, allowing retail users to buy, sell, and trade digital assets securely through the Liv digital bank X app.

Recently Hubpay, a UAE cross-border payments platform partnered with Aquanow, to introduce the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payments facility tailored for businesses and SMEs. In contrast to the partnership with Liv, the Hubpay partnership is centered around enabling crypto payments and cross-border transactions for businesses and SMEs. While both collaborations leverage Aquanow’s infrastructure, the ENBD partnership emphasizes retail crypto trading within a banking framework, whereas Hubpay focuses on payment solutions.

Flowdesk digital asset liquidity firm to set up office in UAE after raising $102 million

Flowdesk digital asset liquidity firm to set up office in UAE after raising $102 million

With offices in the United States, Singapore and France Flowdesk, a full-service crypto trading and technology firm, is seeking to set up an office in UAE as part of its MENA expansion plans after closing its $102m financing round. Flowdesk received as well further equity support from existing shareholders and HV Capital as well as debt from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock. 

Since its launch in 2020, Flowdesk is a strong liquidity provider in the crypto industry, notably through its Market-Making as a Service offering, serving spot and derivatives markets across over 140 centralized and decentralized exchanges. The company is dedicated to engineering trading technology and liquidity solutions tailored to the needs of a digitally native economy.

Following its global expansion in 2023, the company’s revenues grew by 8x in 2024. The extension will bolster ease of access to digital asset liquidity for ETFs and OTC trading solutions through a single point of contact.

‟Guilhem and the entire Flowdesk team have done a tremendous job in creating a hyper-growing, profitable, FinTech powerhouse within the vastly expanding digital asset space. Offering their clients the relevant infrastructure while complementarily adding OTC products and proprietary trading is incredibly smart. We are proud to have partnered with such a capable, experienced and smart founder and management team and strongly believe in Flowdesk as global FinTech Champion”, said Alexander Joel-Carbonell, Partner at HV Capital. 

Flowdesk has strong expansion plans

Flowdesk has ambitious growth plans for 2025. The funds will be used to scale its OTC derivatives business and launch a dedicated crypto credit desk, broadening its services to meet the evolving needs of the digital asset market.

The company will also invest heavily in its proprietary trading infrastructure and double its headcount, reinforcing its position as a leading liquidity provider and OTC trading firm while accelerating its global expansion.

The company also intends to invest significantly in compliance and legal to support the maturing guidelines from regulators, notably in anticipation of MICA. Finally, the company is set to open additional offices, notably considering UAE as its next outpost in the Middle East.

‟Our mission is to build institutional-grade trading solutions for the digital asset ecosystem. We are grateful to have partners and our existing investors backing our ambitious growth plans”, said Guilhem Chaumont, Global CEO of Flowdesk. ‟Tokenization has the potential to transform capital markets on a global scale. This partnership will allow us to continue pursuing our quest to make digital assets accessible to a wider range of institutionalized counterparties.” 

In 2024, Flowdesk served as a Liquidity Provider for various BTC ETF issuers. Today, all BTC ETF funds hold more than $115 billion worth of the cryptocurrency, according to FactSet. ‟Digital asset ETFs mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of crypto,” said Reed Werbitt, US CEO And Chief Revenue Officer of Flowdesk. ‟These ETFs send a strong signal to institutional investors that digital assets are maturing, paving the way for substantial capital inflows from hedge funds, pension funds, and endowments. We look forward to partnering with institutions entering the space through ETFs or any instruments.”

Unchained Summit to bring together Key Web3 decision makers

Unchained Summit to bring together Key Web3 decision makers

Dubai is set to host Unchained Summit 2025, a highly curated gathering of leaders and innovators in Web 3. Scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2025, at Kempinski Central Avenue, the summit will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions and meaningful connections, bringing together key voices influencing the evolution of Web 3.0 globally.

Dubai has established itself as a hub for Web 3.0, driven by a proactive regulatory framework and a growing ecosystem of innovators. With clear policies supporting blockchain development and oversight from entities like the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), the city has become a key destination for Web 3.0 companies looking to scale globally.

Unlike large-scale conferences that prioritize hype, Unchained Summit is designed for high-value, strategic networking. It brings together key decision-makers and curated investor-startup connections, ensuring that emerging Web 3.0 projects engage directly with leading VCs actively seeking new ventures.

Beyond networking, the summit features high-impact discussions on institutional adoption, regulation, blockchain infrastructure, payments, and scaling. Investors gain direct access to promising startups, while builders and innovators connect with industry leaders who understand blockchain’s complexities and are ready to explore solutions that drive real progress.

A Powerhouse Speaker Lineup:

The summit will showcase an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

  • Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder, CertiK
  • Sreeram Kannan, Founder & CEO, EigenLayer
  • Luca Schnetzler, CEO, Pudgy Penguins
  • Katherine Dowling, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Bitwise Asset Management
  • Greg Scanlon, VP, Franklin Templeton Digital Assets
  • Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands, and many more.

Unchained Summit will also see participation from major industry players such as Bitwise Asset Management, Franklin Templeton, PayPal, and CertiK, alongside some of the most prominent investors in Web 3.0. Leading venture capital firms, including Fenbushi Capital, Hypersphere Ventures, Lemniscap, and Big Brain Holdings, will be in attendance, actively scouting for high-potential projects and investment opportunities.

Talking about enhancing security protocols in a dynamic landscape, Ronghui Gu, said, “In the fast-evolving blockchain space, security protocols must continuously adapt to emerging threats. Recent incidents, such as the Bybit exploit, underscore the urgent need for proactive risk management. CertiK’s approach — combining continuous monitoring, real-time threat analytics, and rigorous smart contract audits — ensures vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated before they can be exploited. This commitment to dynamic security sets an industry benchmark and offers an interesting topic for discussion at Unchained Summit.”

Sharath Kumar, CEO of Aeternum, organizer of Unchained Summit, emphasized: “April is a buzzing month for Web 3.0, with Dubai hosting numerous events. However, the sheer volume often dilutes quality and impact. At Aeternum, we are committed to standing out by curating an event that connects high-potential startups with serious investors. Unchained Summit prioritizes funding opportunities for new projects, bringing together the region’s most influential VCs, institutional investors, and policymakers. By combining strategic networking with high-impact content, we ensure that founders meet the right backers to accelerate growth and drive real innovation in Web 3.0.”

Tickets to the event are available on the official website: unchainedsummit.com

Aquanow and Hubpay partner for crypto convergence payments in UAE

Aquanow and Hubpay partner for crypto convergence payments in UAE

Hubpay, a UAE cross-border payments platform, has partnered with UAE regulated Aquanow, a global digital asset infrastructure provider, to introduce the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payments facility tailored for businesses and SMEs. This collaboration will allow businesses across various sectors – including real estate, manufacturing, and general trading to accept cryptocurrency payments securely and seamlessly alongside traditional fiat transactions.

Aquanow ME regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (“VARA”), and Hubpay also regulated by the Financial Service Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”), in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) will lpartner Hubpay’s platform powered by Aquanow can offer regulated crypto payments for UAE businesses globally.

By integrating Aquanow’s digital asset infrastructure with Hubpay’s regulated payment network, both local and global users can seamlessly transact in cryptocurrencies within a familiar payments environment.

Speaking to Lara on the Block, spokesperson for HubPay explained, ” Crypto can be exchanged to fiat via Over the counter crypto exchanges or migrated to respective crypto wallets and transferred into USDT or fiat. This integration adds crypto as a payment mode, like credit card, debit card under VARA stipulated regulations via tradfi payment interface.”

Speaking on the partnership, Kevin Kilty, CEO and Founder of Hubpay stated “We are thrilled to partner with Aquanow to launch the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payment gateway for businesses. Stablecoins are a game-changer, combining the security of traditional currencies with the speed of digital assets. By integrating Aquanow’s infrastructure with our regulated network, we’re empowering businesses to transact seamlessly in both fiat and crypto—advancing the UAE’s agenda to drive economic diversification, foster fintech innovation, and position itself as a global hub for digital assets.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with Hubpay to bring real-world utility to digital assets in the MENA region,” said Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow. “Cryptocurrency is no longer just an investment tool. It’s a practical, efficient means of conducting high-value transactions. By integrating our technology with Hubpay’s regulated payments framework, we are removing friction from large-scale transactions for buyers, sellers, and investors alike.”

Both partners believe that real estate and SME sector will benefit the most from this partnership.

Arab Financial Services and Ternoa also to offer crypto payments in UAE

The Aquanow Hubpay announcement comes days after Arab Financial Services (AFS), regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and Egypt, also holding a retail payment license in the UAE partnered with Ternoa Blockchain to launch stablecoin and crypto payments across POS ( Point of Service) counters for UAE merchants.

UAE SCA grants Bybit in principle crypto exchange license

UAE SCA grants Bybit in principle crypto exchange license

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has received its second in principle license approval in the UAE from The Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE. This is its second in principle license approval as it has previously received one from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA).

The in principle approval (IPA) will allow Bybit to set up a virtual asset platform operation within the UAE. Bybit is also in the final steps to receive its fully operational license soon. This milestone marks a significant step in Bybit’s ongoing mission to provide a secure, stable, and compliant platform for crypto traders in the region.

As per the press release, this IPA underscores the crypto exchange’s commitment to upholding the highest regulatory and compliance standards as it works toward full operational approval from the SCA. This authorization moves the exchange closer to offering a broad range of digital asset services to both retail and institutional clients in the UAE.

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, commented on this milestone, “We are honored to have received the IPA from SCA. This approval marks a crucial step in our journey to providing secure and transparent crypto trading solutions. Bybit remains dedicated to working hand-in-hand with regulators to foster a compliant and innovative digital asset ecosystem to both retail and institutional investors in the UAE.”

Beyond UAE, crypto exchange continues to secure regulatory approvals worldwide, expanding its presence in key jurisdictions such as India, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, etc, further reinforcing its regulatory commitment. These licenses enable Bybit to expand its reach while maintaining the highest security and compliance standards for its users worldwide.

This in principle license comes days after Bybit was hacked for $1.4 billion dollars.

UAE based Mantra Token is on the rise despite bearish conditions

UAE based Mantra Token is on the rise despite bearish conditions

The Mantra Layer 1 blockchain network dedicated to the issuance, trading, and secure management of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) has seen a significant rise in the price of its token despite bearish crypto conditions in the past week.

Mantra token is currently listed on 36 exchanges including Binance, Bybit, Gateio, Bitget, OKX, Kucoin and others.

The journey of Mantra has been a promising one. It not only raised $11 million led by UAE based Shorooq Partners with investors including Three-point capital, Forte Securities, VirtuZone, Hex Trust and GameFi Ventures, but it also became the first VASP to receive first DeFi license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulator Authority (VARA).

The core aim of Mantra is to position itself at the forefront of the rapidly evolving RWA sector in Middle East and Asia.

MANTRA CEO John Patrick Mullin stated, “Our vision is to spearhead the tokenization of Real-World Assets and set a global standard for security, compliance, and innovation. This will create a sustainable ecosystem for developers and institutions. By securing our foothold in strategic, crypto-friendly markets like Asia and the UAE, we’re not just navigating the future but actively building it. MANTRA will bridge the longstanding divide between traditional financial systems and the blockchain space, democratizing access to wealth and opportunity on a scale never seen before.”

It has already started with an agreement with UAE DAMAC group to tokenized $1 billion worth of assets. Soon afterwards launched RWAccelerator – a start-up accelerator program designed to empower builders and startups with investment capital, mentors, dedicated AI support supported by Google Cloud.

Already Bitget Wallet, a Web3 non-custodial wallet, is now fully supporting the UAE based Mantra Mainnet, a Layer 1 blockchain focused on the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), UAE Tungsten Custody Solutions Ltd, also announced its support for UAE MANTRA (OM) Blockchain with its custodial services. While Ledger, crypto wallet hardware provider, joined UAE based Mantra Layer1 Blockchain as one of the validators.

As such it is no surprise that the native token of Mantra, OM, is on the rise and is currently trading at $8.04, reflecting an 8% increase in less than two weeks. Even today while the crypto ecosystem is taking a hit, Mantra’s price has not budged at$8.46, with a 24-hour trading volume of $340.03 M. OM is +0.00% in the last 24 hours. The OM token has a circulating supply of 973.65 M OM.

UAE regulated Tungsten Custodian receives SOC2 Type 2 certification

UAE regulated Tungsten Custodian receives SOC2 Type 2 certification

UAE regulated Tungsten Custody Solutions Ltd, a leading regulated digital asset custodian, has successfully retained its SOC 2 Type 2 certification with an Unqualified Opinion from Ernst & Young, one of the world’s leading professional services firms.

As per the announcement the achievement underscores Tungsten’s commitment to the highest standards of security, compliance, and risk management in safeguarding digital assets. The recognition of retaining SOC2 Type 2 builds on the 2024 Continuity Insurance and Risk Global Category shortlisting of Tungsten Custody Solutions in November 2024 and also Tungsten’s ISO27001:2022 accreditation, which has also been retained following successful surveillance assessment in December 2024.

The SOC 2 Type 2 certification is a globally recognized audit standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants that evaluates an organization’s controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Achieving this certification with an “Unqualified Opinion.” This is the highest level of assurance that demonstrates that Tungsten has implemented and maintained industry-leading security and compliance controls without exception.

Jose J. Perez Aguinaga, SEO of Tungsten, commented, “As a regulated custodian, security and risk management are at the core of everything we do. Retaining SOC 2 Type 2 with an Unqualified Opinion from EY is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing our clients with the highest level of security and operational excellence in digital asset custody. This milestone reinforces our position as a trusted partner for institutions navigating the digital asset landscape.”

Rushikesh Shreshtha, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Tungsten, added, “Security is the foundation of digital asset custody, and achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification confirms our ability to meet the strictest security and compliance standards. Our team has worked diligently to establish best-in-class security protocols, risk management frameworks, and operational resilience. This certification is not just a milestone, it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to securing digital assets in an evolving threat landscape.”

The achievement further strengthens Tungsten’s reputation as a secure and compliant custody provider, ensuring institutional clients, asset managers, and enterprises can rely on its best-in-class infrastructure for safeguarding their digital assets.

Cryptoverse Warsaw will step into the future of Blockchain and crypto

Cryptoverse Warsaw will step into the future of Blockchain and crypto

Cryotoverse Warsaw has announced its upcoming conference on May 21-22, in WarSaw Poland. The organizers will step into the Future of Blockchain & Crypto.
The Cryptoverse Warsaw Conference is a meeting place of innovation, technology and vision with more than 80+ world class speakers that include the COO of BlackRock Rob Goldstein, Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Tether and Bitfinex, Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, Tim Draper, Founder of Draper Associates, Gavin Wood, Founder of Polkadot, Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, John Wi President of Avalanche, and Raul Pal CEO of Real Vision among many others.

More than 2,000 professional will converge to discuss Blockchain’s Future and global trends, tokenization of real world assets, AI’s role in cryptocurrency and various other topics.

Cryptoverse is one of the biggest blockchain and crypto conferences in Europe which commenced in 2021.

Dubai crypto regulator monitoring and tracking Bybit hack situation

Dubai crypto regulator monitoring and tracking Bybit hack situation

Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has confirmed to Lara on the Block that they are actively monitoring the ByBit hack situation as the matter evolves and are closely tracking it until it stabilizes. The statement was made after Bybit, the second largest crypto exchange globally was hacked on February 21st 2025, losing $1.4 billion in Eth.

As per Bybit, whose headquarters are based in Dubai UAE, the exchange detected unauthorized activity within one of their Ethereum (ETH) Cold Wallets during a routine transfer process. The transfer was part of a scheduled move of ETH from their ETH Multisig Cold Wallet to their Hot Wallet. Unfortunately, the transaction was manipulated by a sophisticated attack that altered the smart contract logic and masked the signing interface, enabling the attacker to gain control of the ETH Cold Wallet. As a result, over 400,000 ETH and stETH worth more than $1.5 billion were transferred to an unidentified address.

It was later found that the Lazarus Group out of North Korea were responsible, and since then have been transferring ETH to new addresses through ChainFlip.

VARA spokesperson told Lara on the Block, ” Bybit has not been granted a regulatory licence under VARA, and is currently working towards fulfilling the stringent licensing requirements to secure a VASP operating permit in Dubai. As part of VARA’s rigorous due diligence, we have been actively monitoring the situation since the hack on ByBit was confirmed last night – this remains a highly evolving matter that we will continue to closely track until it stabilizes.”

Bybit headquartered in Dubai UAE

Bybit had set up its headquarters in Dubai UAE back in 2023, citing it as one of the most progressive crypto jurisdictions. The crypto exchange then received its in-principle license in September 2024 and is still in the process of receiving its full license. Bybit has been very active in the UAE partnering and working with entities to increase crypto awareness and investments in the ecosystem.

Bybit in turmoil after $1.4 billion hack

The Bybit hack is the biggest loss in the entire history of crypto exchanges. The exchange lost 400,000 ETH and stETH worth more than $1.5 billion. What is more interesting is since the hack the exchange has seen withdrawals of more than $5 billion. According to Bybit CEO Zhou speaking in an X space, ” Fortunately the company’s assets are far greater than $1.5 billion, there is a cold wallet in safe with nearly $3 billion in USDT, and fortunately this has not been stolen.” He adds though that, “if more than $10 billion was stolen, it might be necessary to consider selling the company.”

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has maintained reserves exceeding its liabilities despite suffering a $1.4 billion hack and an overall $5.3 billion decline in total assets, according to DefiLlama data. Bybit processed more than 350,000 withdrawal requests within 10 hours, completing 99.9% of them by 1:45 am UTC, Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou noted.

“Although we have been hit by the worst hack possibly in the history of any medians (banks, crypto, finance), But all Bybit functions and product remain functional, the Whole team had been awake all night to process and answer client questions and concerns,” Zhou wrote.

One of the exchange updates stated that they had reported the case to the appropriate authorities, and have worked quickly with on chain analytics such as Chainanalysis, and Hacken to identify and demix the implicated addresses.

Global crypto community shows solidarity with Bybit

In a show of solidarity, other crypto exchanges such as Bitget, Binance, OKX, and even some Chinese cryptocurrency leaders are actively transferring ETH to Bybit to support its liquidity. Even Huobi co-founder Du Jun deposited 10,000 ETH to Bybit as well as founders of Conflux and Mask Network.

In a recent Xpost Zhou also thanked MEXC, Solana, TON, Blockchain UAE, Ghaf Capital in UAE as well as Tether and Galaxy Digital among others.

Additionally according to Ethescan, the Mantle powered mETH Protocol has salvaged 15,000 cmETH from Bybit Exploiters worth about $2.76 million.

Updated at 8:00 pm Dubai UAE time

Bahrain and Malaysia to cooperate on crypto sandbox

Bahrain and Malaysia to cooperate on crypto sandbox

In a recent official visit by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar to Bahrain where he met with Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and Economy Shaikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to Malaysia, discussions on cooperating when it comes to cryptocurrencies and fintech were revealed.

As per Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar both Malaysia and Bahrain are committed to strengthening their economies including areas related to cryptocurrencies and a potential sandbox platform.

“In addition, we also discussed cooperation in tourism, the connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Manama, as well as in the manufacturing sector,” he said in a statement today.

Anwar said that Bahrain had also expressed its commitment to the success of the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the Asean-GCC+China Summit, which will be attended by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Salman Hamad al-Khalifa.

Malaysia discussed crypto regulatory frameworks with Binance and UAE as well

Earlier in January 2025, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and UAE officials to discuss potential crypto regulatory frameworks. The discussions, which took place during Anwar’s three-day official visit to Abu Dhabi, centered on establishing policies that could recognize the crypto industry and modernize Malaysia’s financial system.

As noted at the time, Ibrahim stated, “I had lengthy discussions with the Abu Dhabi leadership and Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of the world’s largest cryptocurrency platform, Binance,” Anwar said, adding that he has urged the central bank and Treasury to study digital finance to avoid being left behind and protect the public interest.”

UAE policymakers expressed willingness to collaborate with Malaysia in developing its crypto regulatory approach.

Bahrain one of leading crypto regulated MENA countries

Bahrain was one of the first countries in the Middle East and Gulf to regulate cryptocurrencies through its Central Bank. It also launched a crypto sandbox and has since licensed several crypto exchanges including Binance, Crypto.com, CoinMENA, RAIN, BitOasis and others.

It is currently working on its stablecoin regulations as well as researching CBDC implementations.

Crypto Regulations in Malaysia need further development

Malaysia considers crypto as securities and are traded as such in the country, however The Central Bank of Malaysia Act establishes the ringgit as the country’s sole legal tender, effectively excluding cryptocurrencies from this status. Oversight of cryptocurrencies is shared between Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission. The central bank handles general crypto matters, while the securities regulator regulates digital currencies classified as securities.

Yet their crypto regulations still lack transparency and consistency.

There have been calls from within the government to adopt a more progressive stance towards cryptocurrencies. In March 2022, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, the deputy minister of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, suggested that Malaysia should adopt bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as legal tender. “We hope the government can allow this,” Zahidi said in Parliament, according to Bloomberg.

Additionally, religious authorities in Malaysia, such as the Shariah Advisory Council of the Securities Commission, have recognized digital currencies as a form of property from an Islamic perspective, further legitimizing their use within the country’s predominantly Muslim society, according to a study published in the Journal of Fatwa and Falak Selangor.

Still Malaysia faces one major issue with crypto and that is illegal crypto mining. stimates from the Deputy Energy Minister put the cost of this illegal activity at roughly $723 million in stolen electricity between 2018 and 2023.