Henri Arslanian launches children’s book Decoding crypto

Henri Arslanian launches children’s book Decoding crypto

Blockchain digital assets analyst and expert Henri Arslanian has launched Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler, a groundbreaking new children’s book that combines education with entertainment, guiding young readers through the fascinating world of digital assets, blockchain technology, and the future of money.

As per the press release, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler is just the beginning of an ambitious project to bring digital literacy and financial education to children worldwide.

As the first book in an exciting new series, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler takes readers on an adventurous learning journey alongside two charismatic crypto-enthusiasts, Henri and Hodler, who, together with a lively cast of characters—including the tech-savvy Solidity, and buddies Naka and Moto—make complex topics fun and engaging.


Through clever rhymes, vivid illustrations, and creative interactive elements, children learn about the history and evolution of money and discover new concepts about the future of money, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to the latest trends in DeFi, NFTs, Metaverses, and more.
The book introduces readers to these topics in a clear, easy to follow “A-to-Z” format, beginning with Altcoin, Bitcoin, and Cryptography … and continuing through to Yield Farming and ZK-Proof.


Developed in Collaboration With Crypto Firms Ledger and First Digital The book’s production and development spanned over three years and included interviews with dozens of educators, teachers, and parents to ensure that the subject matter is presented in a
clear, ethical, and responsible manner.


The book is powered by collaborations with leading crypto firms, with Ledger serving as the premier technology partner and First Digital serving as the premier education partner.

Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler is co-authored by Henri Arslanian, a globally recognized thought leader and educator in the world of crypto and digital assets. Henri is the author of several bestselling books on crypto and the future of money including “The Book of Crypto” and “The Future of Finance.”

With his experience as a university professor teaching crypto since 2015, the host of the Crypto Capsule LinkedIn educational series that is shared weekly with his over half-million LinkedIn followers, and recently the co-host of the Crypto Weekly show on CNBC Arabia, Henri brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for educating the next generation on the future of finance.
Co-author, Michael Dotsikas, is a bestselling children’s author, creator of the award-winning “Benjamin Birdie” children’s picture book series, an experienced writer, and sought-after literary mentor with a deep commitment to making complex topics accessible and engaging for young readers, while devoted to mindful storytelling.


Together, they have crafted a book that not only demystifies the often-complex world of digital assets but does so in a way that is fun, interactive, and suitable for children of all ages. The book is illustrated by Billy Martin, who is best known as the lead guitarist for the
multi-platinum selling bank Good Charlotte.

Yat Siu, Chairman and Co-Founder of Animoca Brands, calls it “a perfect introduction to the world of blockchain and the future of money for the next generation,” while Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger, highlights the book’s vital role in empowering children: “The transformative power of cryptocurrencies is something everyone needs to understand, and kids first! This book
is a must-read!”

Unlike traditional children’s books, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler takes an interactive storytelling approach, blending vibrant comic book style illustrations with playful, engaging narrative to create a dynamic learning experience, capturing the imagination while inviting
reader participation.


A unique feature is the inclusion of QR codes throughout, which lead readers to additional resources, offering deeper insights into the various concepts and terms explored in the story.


Another valuable educational element is the added in-depth glossary and appendices of “fun facts” designed to equip parents and educators with additional knowledge, empowering them to better understand the subject matter.

Saeed Darmaki joins Snorble Board as it ramps up digital asset education for youth

Saeed Darmaki joins Snorble Board as it ramps up digital asset education for youth

Snorble an innovator in educational technology for children, dedicated to creating dynamic learning experiences that promote overall development through AI-driven interactions, has appointed Saeed Al Darmaki, to its Global advisory board as they launch educational products in ME, Europe and Asia geared towards teaching the youth about digital assets.

Al Darmaki a distinguished expert in blockchain and DeFi, Saeed brings a wealth of technological acumen and strategic insight that will be pivotal in navigating the complex landscapes of these diverse markets. His deep expertise in the integration of cutting-edge financial technologies will greatly enhance Snorble’s ability to deliver unique educational content and tools tailored for global audiences.


With a seasoned background that spans significant roles from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) to leading initiatives in blockchain and digital assets, Saeed is well-versed in the intricacies of global finance and technology. His tenure in finance has equipped him with a keen understanding of how to effectively scale innovations while addressing the specific regulatory and cultural nuances of new markets.

Central to Snorble’s mission and Saeed’s advisory role is the advancement of financial literacy among young learners, a crucial skill in today’s digital economy.

As per the press release, Saeed’s leadership will be instrumental in developing content that not only educates children about financial basics, but also introduces them to advanced concepts like digital currencies and savings strategies, empowering the next generation with the knowledge to succeed financially.

Saeed Al Darmaki states, “As an advisor, I am passionate about the potential of integrating cutting-edge technology to fundamentally improve educational content. Financial literacy is particularly close to my heart, and I am excited to guide Snorble in creating educational tools that will equip young minds with essential financial skills. This initiative not only supports Snorble’s commitment to societal betterment, but also prepares children globally to navigate and succeed in an increasingly complex financial landscape. Snorble is primed for integrating blockchain and trust and traceability as a service within the enterprise as part of a long term plan. I am excited about Snorble as we share in our vision to do better for the world.”

Mike Rizkalla, CEO and Co-Founder of Snorble, on Global Strategy added, “As Snorble gears up for expansion into key international markets, the insights and experience that Saeed Al Darmaki brings to our advisory board are invaluable. His expertise will guide our strategic deployments across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, ensuring that our educational solutions are both innovative and compliant with local market demands. Saeed’s leadership in technological finance is crucial as we adapt our offerings to meet the educational needs of children around the world.”

Solana Superteam and Saudi based droppGroup to accelerate blockchain growth KSA

Solana Superteam and Saudi based droppGroup to accelerate blockchain growth KSA

droppGroup (“dropp”), with offices in USA, Saudi Arabia and Canada, a pioneer in integrating AI and blockchain technologies, have partnered with Blockchain Solana Superteam, a key player in the Solana blockchain ecosystem, which also has operations in the UAE. The partnerships aims to accelerate the adoption of Web3 technologies in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration leverages dropp’s expertise in Web3 and AI solutions alongside Solana’s advanced blockchain platform.

Both entities will work to expand blockchain use in KSA private and public sectors, given that droppGroup has clients in KSA within Saudi government, Saudi Aramco and others. More importantly both will co host Web3 educational events.

Faisal Al Monai, Chairman & Co-Founder of droppGroup, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration is a pivotal step in unlocking the immense potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize industries and drive substantial economic growth in Saudi Arabia. By combining our cutting-edge Web3 expertise with Solana’s high-performance blockchain infrastructure, we are poised to deliver innovative solutions and educational initiatives that will play a crucial role in realizing the Saudi Vision 2030.”

He adds that their commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious goals will shape the future of the digital economy and empower the next generation with the tools and knowledge needed for technological advancement.”

Alex Scott, Superteam MENA Lead, provided insights on the collaboration, stating, “I’m thrilled to partner with a forward-thinking organization like droppGroup. This partnership will accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in Saudi Arabia and make a meaningful contribution to Saudi Vision 2030. Together, we are committed to creating a vibrant digital economy and fostering a community that is well-equipped to harness the power of Web3.”

This is not the first partnership in Saudi Arabia for the growth of Blockchain. Most recently Fanera, a blockchain enabled fan network relocated to Saudi Arabia, while previously The Hashgraph Association announced a partnership with the Ministry of Investment in KSA for a deeptech studio.

Sui Blockchain founder to develop AI and cryptography hub in UAE

Sui Blockchain founder to develop AI and cryptography hub in UAE

The Co Founder of Mysten Labs, Kostas Kryptos, the creators of the Sui Blockchain has announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he is in the midst of creating a modern cryptography and AI Innovation hub in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

As he noted, ” The aim is to intellectually grow the whole UAE community with deep tech education and brainstorming meetups. So deep that some hackathons will run non stop 24/7 for a whole week, with support from local hotel and office-desk owners for accommodation.”

He adds,”My goal is to gradually advance the whole MENA region in a unique tech excellence level + see technologically competitive startups to emerge. There is already a plan to publish some unique ideas around ZKP, MPC, FHE, Differential Privacy, Web3 UX, Anon Credentials, AI on chain, AI for audits, DePIN data compression and parallelisation, Novel Key Management, Identity, Voting and Verifiable Execution.”

When asked by followers why the UAE, he explained, ” UAE has a strong community and economy, crypto and AI friendly, compared to EU it invests aggressively in innovation and takes more risks. Everyone speaks English, and it is in close proximity to both India and Europe, making it a meeting place for international deals. There are incentives from free zones to relocate there educational advancements for the government is top priority as well as critical mass of audience and media coverage which helps on publishing and advertising your work.”

He notes that the other benefit will be the access to USA and EU hubs.

He ends noting “It’s a big project. Hopefully with some local help, in the future we could also economically support selected research ideas relocating to the region.”

In November 2023, Abu Dhabi Technology incubator Hub71, partnered with Mysten Labs to support new projects on Sui. The partnership gave builders accepted to the incubator access to Mysten Labs’ technical expertise and support, and Hub71’s mentorship, resources, and global network of connections.

The founders of Sui have been working on educational projects in the region, specifically the UAE. Sui, a Blockchain Layer 1 platform partnered with UAE American University of Sharjah (AUS) to establish the AUS-Sui Blockchain Academy, a blockchain academy creating opportunities for hundreds of aspiring developers to learn about and ultimately advance the state of the art of the technology.

In addition UAE based blockchain startups such as Pravica and DRIFE have both partnered and integrated on the Sui Blockchain. Less than two months after publicizing the launch of S3.Money on the Sui Blockchain, The S3 testnet is now up and running, welcoming developers and financial community to start building tokenized money whether CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) or stablecoins.

Even UAE based is leveraging the Sui platform to track carbon credits. The collaboration leverages blockchain technology to serve use cases in line with the ESG goals that modern businesses are seeking.

Tether signs MoU with UAE RAK DAO for stablecoin adoption

Tether signs MoU with UAE RAK DAO for stablecoin adoption

Tether Operations Limited, creators of USDT digital currency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO). As per the press release this is the first step towards the launch of several strategic initiatives to help foster the adoption of Bitcoin technology and stablecoins in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) UAE.

In collaboration with RAK DAO, Tether will help facilitate crypto payment adoption in the region and design blockchain-focused education programs.

Through its recently launched educational arm, Tether Edu, Tether will develop initiatives for individuals of varying skill levels covering cutting-edge fields such as Bitcoin, blockchain, peer-to-peer technologies, stablecoin adoption, and real-world use cases of crypto.

To date, RAK DAO has attracted interest from more than 100 businesses, as well as many Indian based tech entities. As a result, Tether will collaborate closely with RAK DAO on comprehensive initiatives designed to educate and empower local businesses, opening up new avenues for growth and innovation.

“Tether is proud to collaborate with RAK DAO to realize the promise of Bitcoin and blockchain technology in the region,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “As home to the world’s first and only free zone dedicated to the proliferation of digital asset endeavors, Ras Al Khaimah is in a prime position to become the region’s leading hub of blockchain technology and innovation, and Tether is committed to working with RAK DAO to make this dream a reality.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK DAO, stated: “This collaboration with Tether marks a pivotal moment in RAK DAO’s journey towards becoming a leading hub for blockchain innovation. By harnessing the power of Bitcoin technology and cryptocurrencies, we aim to drive economic growth, foster financial inclusion, and position RAK DAO as a global leader in the digital economy.”

CZ embarks on free education using blockchain, and soul bound tokens

CZ embarks on free education using blockchain, and soul bound tokens

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has started a new project that has nothing to do with crypto but includes gaming, education, blockchain and NFTs (Non Fungible Tokens) as soul bound tokens. The project called Giggle Academy aims to offer high quality education that is free to all.

As CZ notes on X, “Building a high-quality and sticky education platform that is entirely free and accessible to all is the most impactful thing I could do for the next chapter of my life.”

The platform will include gamification to make learning addictive. It will include high quality content from the best teachers and game developers in the world.

NFTs will be uses for badges, points, scores, rankings and more. Levels and badges will be issued as Soul Bound Tokens. SBT are blockchain based tokens that cannot be transferred to others. Potential employers can easily verify them on the blockchain, with the students’ permission.

As per the concept paper while current schools tend to encourage kids to be “average”. Ie, you are good at math, but weak in English, so you should spend more time on English than Math. Giggle Academy leans towards the opposite. Students who are good at Math will be nudged to focus more on math, and less on other subjects.

In the concept paper it notes,” We feel this is the most effective way for them to be the strongest at what they do best, and make themselves most valuable to the world.”

There will be no degrees but giggle points, levels and badges.  A Giggle level or badge system will be developed to identify how far a student has progressed on a certain subject. For example, Science Level 391 Purple Badge could mean Grade 3, 91% completion, at top 20 percentile.

CZ does not want to make revenues from Giggle Academy.

He adds, “ I chose this project because my area of expertise is building (teams to build) software platforms. We (together with a team) can reach hundreds of millions of people. This is scalable, and thus high impact. In addition, education is fundamental to everything in our world. Give a man a fish vs teach a man to fish. This is the most impactful thing that I could come up with for the next chapter of my life.”

This comes in parallel with an interesting development happening in the blockchain ecosystem. The new terminology, Decentralized Science (DeSci) is a movement aiming to build public infrastructure for scientific research using Web3 technologies.

DeSci allows for more funding sources, censorship-free collaboration, and open access to research data. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeSci has the potential to make science more decentralized, transparent, and accessible.

Essentially, DeSci aims to broaden access to scientific data, promote more transparent peer review processes, and incentivize international collaboration among researchers. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeSci can ensure the integrity and immutability of scientific records while eliminating barriers to entry.

DeSci can revolutionize the allocation of research funds through mechanisms such as quadratic donations and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). This promotes a fairer distribution of resources.

DeSci may increase accessibility by leveraging blockchain-based research repositories. This can ensure that scientific data and publications are stored transparently on a decentralized ledger, making them more accessible. Smart contracts can govern access to data, typically ensuring its fair and secure distribution.

DeSci can introduce incentives for reproducibility, such as token rewards and reputation systems. Smart contracts can facilitate transparent and verifiable peer review processes, incentivizing researchers to make reproducible scientific work. This typically improves the reliability of scientific findings.

But most importantly just like CZ’s project, DeSci platforms can promote open access to scientific data and publications, democratizing access to knowledge. TradSci publishing models tend to involve subscription fees and access barriers, often limiting the distribution of research findings.

Swiss Hashgraph association partners with UAE du telecom for enterprise blockchain solutions

Swiss Hashgraph association partners with UAE du telecom for enterprise blockchain solutions

Swiss based Hashgraph association has partnered with UAE du telecom to harness the potential of the Hedera Blockchain to offer secure traceable and scalable solutions for enterprises.

du and the The Hashgraph Association will provide innovative blockchain solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), governmental institutions, and municipalities by leveraging the efficiency of Hashgraph on a decentralised, public network, the Hedera Distributed Ledger Technology ensures a trusted and reliable foundation for the newly developed solutions.

Target sectorswill include manufacturing, healthcare, education, smart cities, and agriculture, catering to a wide range of industries seeking secure and efficient applications.

Notably, Hedera stands out as the greenest proof-of-stake network according to UCL research, aligning perfectly with du’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions.

Prior to this Kuwait based Zain telecom group had joined Hedera as one of their governing council members. 

In June 2023  Hashgraph Association, an independent non-profit organization focused on building a vibrant innovative ecosystem for startups, enterprises, and government institutions leveraging the capabilities of Hedera Hashgraph announced it would be expanding into the UAE and launching Hashgraph Ventures out of Abu Dhabi’s ADGM ( Abu Dhabi Global Market) with several important large enterprise collaborations within the UAE. 

In addition Humans.ai Blockchain for AIs which announced it would be working with UAE based RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO) and Blockchain AI empowered platform Humans.ai   to drive artificial intelligence innovation in the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) UAE, had introduced wrapped AI NFTs using Hedera Hashgraph blockchain network. 

Humans.ai’s cutting-edge Blockchain for AIs has launched its cross-chain interoperability with Hedera Hashgraph, to revolutionize the way AI NFTs are used across different platforms.

Blockchain and crypto are themes at UAE’s AI Camp

Blockchain and crypto are themes at UAE’s AI Camp

The UAE AI camp a five day camp organized by both the  National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, in collaboration with the National Programme for Coders which targets school and university students, includes six cutting edge including web development and robotics, digital entrepreneurship and career planning, generative artificial intelligence, online safety and cybersecurity, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and virtual and augmented reality through interactive workshops, webinars, and deep dialogues in the field of artificial intelligence.

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the UAE government, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, is keen to on fostering a generation empowered with cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence, enabling them to actively contribute to creating a sustainable digital economy while bolstering the nation’s leadership and readiness for the future.

According to Al Olama, this collaborative effort aims to equip the UAE AI camp participants with digital tools and technologies, enabling them to enhance the framework of future prospects and leverage artificial intelligence solutions in innovative ways.

This year, the camp offers specialised programmes and interactive workshops with the participation of a group of government entities, private sector and international companies such as Cyber Security Council, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), DP World, Dubai Chambers, Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Cyber Innovation Park, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), coding ambassadors, one of the Coders HQ initiatives, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre, Technology Innovation Institute, Ajman X, Fujairah Police GHQ, Microsoft, AWS, Huawei, Careem, Dell Technologies, Stripe, Accenture, Le Wagon, Jeel code, VR Academi, Bnb, Mathworks, University of Birmingham Dubai, Cybernet , 42, Women in AI, Intel, QUAE, Marses robotic systems and others with the aim of providing participants in the camp with future skills.

The UAE AI Camp will continue until the beginning of August 2023. It aims to explore the field of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, shaping the future of technology and digital life through awareness workshops. These workshops will focus on developing participants’ skills in programming, designing artificial intelligence applications and smart applications. Additionally, in-depth workshops will cover various areas such as generative artificial intelligence, deep learning, and machine learning.

The camp also includes meetings for those interested in computing aimed at sharing the experiences of leading companies in the field of artificial intelligence. Workshops will be conducted to discuss the power of artificial intelligence, image and language generation and understanding, as well as how to utilise artificial intelligence tools in our daily lives. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn how to create 3D designs using reality technology.

Additionally, workshops will discuss the challenges in the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies.

Those interested can register for various workshops through https://ai.gov.ae/aicamp5/.

UAE Ministry of Education utilizes Blockchain UAE Pass app to attest certificates automatically

UAE Ministry of Education utilizes Blockchain UAE Pass app to attest certificates automatically

UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has launched the blockchain enabled “automated attestation” service to make it easier for university graduates to get their certificates verified quickly.

All attested university certificates will be provided through the blockchain-powered UAE Pass app, in cooperation with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), enabling students to access their attested certificates in a faster and more reliable manner.

During the first phase, six licensed universities, comprising almost 11,000 students, will benefit from the new service.

According to WAM news agency the  announcement was made during a press conference attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Under-Secretary for Academic Affairs of Higher Education at Ministry of Education, and representatives from UAE-based media outlets.

Certificates issued by UAE-based higher education institutions (HEIs) can now be attested in less than an hour. The service will facilitate graduates’ transition to the workforce or help them complete their education locally or abroad.

Dr. Al Falasi noted the “automated attestation” service is a proactive digital service that aims to make the attestation process faster and simpler for students. It ensures that the final outcome meets the quality standards set by the UAE Digital Government Strategy. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s goal to improve the higher education system, which plays a crucial role in creating a knowledgeable society with global competence.

He said, “We, at the Ministry of Education, seek to harness cutting-edge technological solutions to boost the efficiency of our services, to help students contribute to the UAE’s comprehensive and sustainable development. We will keep using technology to enhance different parts of the education system, establishing the UAE as a top educational destination for students and the home to excellent educational institutions.”

The six licensed Universities included in first phase are  the United Arab Emirates University; Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences; Khalifa University of Science and Technology; the University of Sharjah; Zayed University; and the American University of Sharjah. In the second and third phases, the service will be made available to all licensed HEIs in the country by 2024.

Blockchain Security auditor Hacken partners with Dubai Blockchain Center

Blockchain Security auditor Hacken partners with Dubai Blockchain Center

Ukraine headquartered Hacken, a blockchain security auditor that aims to make Web3 a safer place, has partnered with Dubai Blockchain Center.

As per a Hacken team tweet, “ This is a pivotal step towards accelerating blockchain adoption in Dubai and ensuring enhanced security in the tech scene.”

Igor Hacken, Business Development Manager at Hacken tweeted, “Very proud moment for hackenclub expanding into the UAE joining the efforts of keeping the blockchain secure with Dubai Blockchain Center and  Dr. Marwan Alzarouni. Stay tuned to learn more about all of our contributions in to the rapidly growing region.”

The  collaboration will also include providing  mentoring, education on blockchain security and contributing to the development of regulatory requirements for project licensing.

Hacken offers various solutions including smart contract audit, proof of reserves, and others. In February 2023, Hacken researchers identified a bug in the Binance zkSNARK-based Proof of Reserves system which was then resolved with Binance team.

Since their inception in 2017, they have carried out 1200 audits.

This is not the first collaboration in the region. Prior to this Hacken launched a virtual Hackathon in May 2023 with UAE based Venom Foundation with a pool prize of $225,000.

Most recently Hacken’s CEO and Co Founder, Dyma Budorin published a research conducted by CER one of their partners which revealed that 70% of crypto wallets have security gaps, exposing digital assets to vulnerabilities.

The presence of Hacken in the UAE, looks to benefit the blockchain ecosystem as a it creates more awareness on digital assets auditing and security.