During the recent Token 2049 Dubai event, stc Bahrain, a telecom operator and digital enabler, partnered with Ava Labs to advance the progress of Web3 in the region. By launching an Avalanche Subnet as part of its Web3 Launchpad Program, stc Bahrain is striving to accelerate the adoption and expansion of blockchain across the Middle East.

Avalanche has been selected as the Qala’a Path Partner and Industry Ambassador. The Qala’a Path is named after a UNESCO heritage site, Qala’a al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), emblem of strength and intercultural confluence. The partnership aims to build a foundation for Web3 in the region.

stc Bahrain is a subsidiary of stc group, with a brand valued at $13.9B. stc has a track record of innovation, highlighted by the initiatives of deploying the world’s largest undersea cable (linking Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the development of the region’s first integrated data center park, which covers 55,000 square meters.

Now, stc Bahrain will be using Avalanche to catalyze the region’s Web3 development.

To stc Bahrain, Avalanche stands out for its near-instant transaction finality, high throughput, and robust Subnet architecture allowing for the development of customized solutions. Subnet performance and flexibility will prove key to the sweeping initiative, as stc Bahrain’s launchpad aims to establish a regional ecosystem consisting of a range of dApps – all while maintaining high performance and security.

As an Avalanche builder, supporter, and official ambassador in MENA, stc Bahrain will spur the greater adoption of Web3 on Avalanche in the region. This will entail fostering innovation and driving community engagement via co-marketing, conferences, hackathons, and related efforts.

“We are excited to embark on this journey with Avalanche, leveraging their groundbreaking technology to elevate our Web3 infrastructure,” said Saad Odeh, Chief Wholesale Officer at stc Bahrain. “Deploying an Avalanche Subnet is a testament to our dedication to leading digital transformation and innovation in the region.”


“We are honored to align with stc Bahrain to expand Avalanche’s presence in the Middle East and North Africa,” said John Nahas, SVP of BD at Ava Labs. “Subnets have the performance and flexibility needed for stc Bahrain to cultivate a powerful Web3 ecosystem, and for the people of these regions to benefit from cutting-edge blockchain applications. This launch coincides with our larger plans for the MENA region which are upcoming.”

stc Bahrain has been forging partnerships with major Web3 and Blockchain entities with the most recent being DePin infrastructure provider Aleph Zero.

The UAE Pro League (ADNOC Pro League), the premier professional football league in the United Arab Emirates, has partnered with Chiliz, a blockchain provider for the sports and entertainment industry, to propel the league’s international presence through web3 technologies, firstly with the development of a Web3 Blockchain enabled fantasy football game.

During the first stage of this multi-year partnership that will see both parties explore a wide range of applications, Chiliz and the UAE Pro League will develop a web3-based fantasy football game, leveraging blockchain technology to offer a unique and immersive experience for fans globally.

Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to own exclusive blockchain-authenticated game-scored balls. Details on how these items will be distributed are forthcoming, with plans to ensure fair and equitable access to fans around the world.

The UAE Pro League represents the highest level of professional football in the United Arab Emirates. Featuring 14 clubs, it serves as the country’s most popular sports competition. This collaboration with Chiliz is part of the UAE Pro League’s strategic efforts to enhance fan interactions and expand its global footprint.

Thes partnership further strengthens Chiliz’s commitment to supporting football in the MENA region. By partnering with the UAE Pro League, Chiliz not only aims to bring advanced technology to the league but also to contribute to the growth and popularity of football within the UAE.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Chiliz in this multi-year agreement aiming to bring groundbreaking web3 technologies to our fans,” said UAE Pro League CEO Waleed Al Hosani.

“This partnership represents a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to expand our global reach, setting new standards for technological innovation in the world of sports,” he added.

“The Pro League is keen on leadership in the professionalism’s world. Our partnership with Chiliz provides a new and unique experience for the fans of the ADNOC Professional League,” the UAE Pro League’s CEO noted.


“Collaborating with the UAE Pro League is a key Chiliz milestone for Chiliz as we continue to pioneer the integration of web3 technologies in football,” stated Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com. “We’re committed to enhancing the fan experience through these innovative platforms and look forward to contributing to the growth and success of football in the wider region by leveraging not only our technology and expertise but also our remarkable network within the global sports industry.”

 Token Bay Capital limited(“Token Bay”) is expanding its venture capital footprint in the capital of the UAE and has been granted an in-principle approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to carry out regulated activities that include managing both token and equity investments in early stage crypto start ups in the ADGM.

Subject to final regulatory approval for the grant of the Financial Services Permission (FSP), Token Bay brings niche capabilities to manage both token and equity investments in early-stage crypto start-ups under the FSRA’s Venture Capital Fund Manager (VCFM) framework.

Founded in 2021, Token Bay is a Crypto Venture Capital Fund that has adopted a regulatory-first approach from day one. Token Bay invests in start-ups building next-generation blockchain infrastructure and decentralized applications for Web3. Building on the success of its first fund, Token Bay is now launching its second fund and will continue to back outstanding entrepreneurs building infrastructure solutions for the new token economy.

In addition to Abu Dhabi, Token Bay also has offices in Hong Kong, and is strategically positioned across digital assets hubs in both the Middle East and Asia.

Founder and Managing Partner of Token Bay, Lucy Gazmararian stated, “This marks the first phase of global expansion for Token Bay, and we’re excited to have been granted the IPA in ADGM for venture capital investment in tokens as well as in equity. Blockchain technology has the potential to drive innovation through tokenization, and as blockchain networks continue to evolve, it is important that as venture capitalists we are fully equipped to support talented founders building in Web3 by directly participating in these networks and taking an ownership stake through tokens. We extend our sincerest thanks to the regulator for their forward-thinking approach and open dialogue so that we were able to reach this important milestone and establish Token Bay in one of the world’s leading international financial centers and digital assets hub.”

ADGM’s progressive regulatory framework, English common law legal framework, status as a leading centre for financial innovation and vibrant blockchain and digital assets ecosystem have attracted Token Bay to set up offices in the capital of the UAE.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM said, “We extend a warm welcome to Token Bay Capital as they join ADGM’s international financial centre and commence their establishment in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of their global expansion journey. ADGM is dedicated to cultivating innovation and excellence in the financial sector, particularly within the virtual asset space. With progressive regulatory frameworks that facilitate companies like Token Bay Capital, ADGM’s vibrant ecosystem stands as the optimal platform for initiating their global growth trajectory.”

Token Bay’s Venture Funds offer institutions, multi-national companies, private banks, family offices and high-net-worth individuals the opportunity to invest in an emerging asset class right at the start of a multi-decade cycle. 

Binance FZE, the Dubai entity of the biggest global virtual assets services provider and crypto exchange, has received the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This license, subsequent to the previous issuance of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) License in July 2023, marks a significant milestone for Binance.


Binance CEO Richard Teng stated, “As we secure the esteemed full market VASP License, it notably amplifies our unwavering commitment to advancing the financial landscape through compliance and innovation. This achievement embodies our dedication to transparency, regulatory compliance, and responsible growth in the dynamic digital assets domain.


Furthermore, it bears testimony to the innovative spirit of the UAE, as it continues to embrace the transformative economic implications of blockchain technology for its residents.”


The transition from an MVP License to a VASP License allows Binance FZE to extend its product offering and expand its services to the retail market, in addition to qualified and institutional investors. Binance FZE can now offer individual customers a broad portfolio of virtual asset products that includes spot trading, margin trading (for qualified users), and staking products.


Binance FZE General Manager Alex Chehade said, “This is a major milestone that validates our commitment to providing secure, compliant, and top-tier services to our users. It underlines Dubai’s position as a forward-thinking city – acknowledging and embracing the
financial potential that blockchain technology brings.”


Upon initiating operations under the new VASP License, Binance FZE will significantly enhance its current services beyond spot trading and fiat services. This license allows diversifying trading services exclusively for qualified and institutional investors only, where these segments are eligible to engage in margin and derivatives products, including futures and options. Presently, these services are strictly restricted to those that meet the qualified investor criteria.

Binance already has a license in Bahrain. Its license in UAE, follows the licensing of several other crypto exchanges including international players such as OKX, and Crypto.com. The competition just got fiercer in the UAE.

This announcement also comes as Binance sets to return to India.

Varys Capital (“Varys”) has partnered with FundRock Investment Management Services (ME) Ltd (“FundRock”), a fund management company, licensed by the FSRA, to manage a feeder fund, that will invest its assets into a Master Fund with a mandate centered around blockchain, Web3 and infrastructure. The entity is named the Varys Capital Ventures (CEIC) Limited in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

The feeder fund will invest its assets into a Master Fund (“Fund”), which was initially established as an early-stage, equity-focused venture fund with a mandate centered around blockchain innovation, Web3, and infrastructure. The Fund has identified commitments across DeFi, GameFi/Web3, Infrastructure, and Emerging Technologies, all centered around blockchain.

Varys will invest in multiple domestic companies and has entered the UAE because of the local government’s supportive directives, the country’s high level of innovation, robust local infrastructure, and forward-thinking minds. Since securing initial investment from prominent family offices, institutions, and high-net-worth investors, Varys has actively closed the gap on its $75m round.

The feeder fund’s appointed investment manager, legal counsel, fund administrator, and auditor are FundRock, Al Tamimi, Apex Fund Services (AD) Limited, and Crowe Mak LLP, respectively.

Darius Askaripour, Director of Varys Capital, said, “Due to the government’s leadership and vision, ADGM has created limitless opportunities and attracted the most brilliant and talented minds in the digital asset space. As a unique venture fund with the capacity to quantitatively execute deals, we are honoured to be a significant contributing entity in the region. We have immediate plans for deployment, adding to our high-performing portfolio and reinforcing the global appeal of the United Arab Emirates as the nation continues to expand the wide use cases of blockchain technology.”

Matthew Pykstra from FundRock, said “We are thrilled to have partnered with Varys Capital on this feeder fund and are enthusiastic about the diverse offering that the fund brings to the region”

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM, added “We congratulate Varys and FundRock on joining hands to manage a feeder fund, here in the ‘Capital of Capital’ – Abu Dhabi. This initiative aligns with ADGM’s growth strategies for the digital assets space, focusing on progressive regulations and initiatives encompassing DeFi, Blockchain, and other related sub-clusters.

ADGM’s vibrant community includes a range of domestic companies in the new-age finance sector, and we look forward to this fund strategically bridging the investment gap for these companies that will foster significant growth within the sector and enhance overall industry development.”

Bitget, cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced that it has recorded an all-time high in trading volumes in the MENA region while witnessing a growth of 500% in trading volumes since it started serving the MENA region in November 2023.

Bitget now boasts of 2.5 million users from the MENA region, making up 10% of its total global user base which is 25 million.

Last year, Bitget announced its expansion into the Middle East region with plans to establish its regional hub in the UAE and hire 60 employees as part of its global scaling strategy. The growth in MENA users and trading volumes is a reflection of Bitget’s aim to bring in more localized solutions to its users.

Sam A Spiers, Regional Director for Bitget MENA, states: “Bitget will strengthen its operations in the MENA region, leveraging the region’s high adoption rates and crypto-friendly landscape. We are exploring blockchain and crypto projects to support home-ground projects for listing and provide more exposure to middle-eastern founders and products.”

As part of its focus on the MENA region, Bitget has Arabic lingual support for its website and mobile application. Bitget users in the Middle East also benefit from zero fees for buying and selling cryptocurrencies through Bitget P2P, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience for traders.

Bitget has also partnered up with OnRamp, the leading crypto payment solution provider allowing its users to buy and sell crypto using various local currencies, including AED and other fiat currencies.

Gracy Chen, Managing Director of Bitget added, “With the MENA region representing a significant share of the global crypto transaction volume in 2023, it is poised to grow exponentially in the years to come. Bitget has already begun exploring license applications to operate in target Middle East markets. It’s our priority to obtain operating licenses and support our users with a secure WEB3 platform.”

Bitget has been expanding its operational reach globally in recent months, including registering as a VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) in Poland and obtaining similar crypto registration in Lithuania. The new expansion plan in the Middle East complements its launch in Turkey, which now features full localization, including its Turkish website Bitgettr.com featuring tailored services for users in Turkey.

Bitget’s growth plans go hand-in-hand with creating a seamless ecosystem of crypto products for users locally. By personalizing the platform offerings, Bitget recently launched a Ramadan campaign to celebrate the holy month with its users.

Earlier this month Bitget announced its partnership with Onramp, allowing users to buy crypto using AED, UAE’s national currency.

Saudi Telecom Company Bahrain better known as stc Bahrain has partnered with Aleph Zero to explore DePIN ( Decentralized Physical Infrastructure network) use cases.

Aleph Zero has formed an alliance with stc Bahrain, Telecom operator in Bahrain. The collaboration with Aleph Zero is set to bolster stc Bahrain’s Web3 initiatives that will improve the breadth and depth of the experiences that are offered to stc’s customers.

The first step of the collaboration is for stc Bahrain to deploy validator nodes on Aleph Zero. At the same time, Aleph Zero will join stc’s Pearling Path initiative, a Web3 Launchpad Program designed to accelerate Web3 adoption in the Middle East. Pearling Path focuses on integrating blockchain infrastructure to address regional challenges and enhance economic growth.

As per the press release, the partnership will not only broaden stc Bahrain’s infrastructure portfolio, but will also bolster Aleph Zero’s network and adoption—which stc Bahrain recognized for characteristics such as privacy, scalability, security, and speed. Aleph Zero also stood out to stc Group’s subsidiary thanks to the team’s technological prowess and unique approach to tackling on-chain privacy and enterprise-grade scalability challenges.

Saad Odeh, stc Bahrain Chief Wholesale Officer noted, “Aleph Zero brings privacy-enhancing technology and a scalable, decentralized network that resonates with our vision for a seamless digital future. Privacy-enhancing web3 protocols and Telecoms are a perfect match.”
stc Bahrain also highlighted Aleph Zero’s innovative consensus protocol, AlephBFT, and the fact that it is a public network offering robust privacy technology through a blend of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK-SNARKs) and Secure Multi-Party Computation (sMPC). The company is confident in Aleph Zero’s ability to deliver a secure, scalable solution, and lay the groundwork for private, verifiable transactions–without compromising sensitive data.

Antoni Zolciak, Aleph Zero Co-founder added,” stc Bahrain stands as a pioneer in the Gulf region, leading the charge in introducing Web3 and blockchain solutions to its extensive customer base. Aleph Zero is thrilled to collaborate with such a prominent player in the telecommunications arena, that shares our dedication to secure, scalable, and privacy-focused blockchain infrastructure. We look forward to seeing how our combined efforts will contribute to advancing a more secure, decentralized DePIN digital ecosystem across the Gulf region and beyond.”

In the past weeks stc Bahrain has signed several partnerships with blockchain entities including stc Bahrain operating nodes on Core Chain Bitcoin Layer 1 blockchain as part of its Web3 launchpad initiative. It also partnered with Lionscraft for blockchain and Web3 services.


UAE based Klickl International, a regulated open banking and virtual asset platform has announced that it has secured a full license from the Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market. This achievement highlights Klickl’s dedication to tackling challenges across the Web3.0 and virtual asset landscape by developing an integrated financial platform that harmoniously blends traditional finance (TradFi) with the expanding realm of cryptocurrency.

Being founded in Abu Dhabi, Klickl strategically harnesses the emirate’s progressive regulatory environment and dynamic economic backdrop. This strategic positioning enables Klickl to streamline processes, bridging the gap between traditional financial markets and the digital economy. Such an approach not only ensures smoother transitions and improved accessibility but also lays the groundwork for integrating the next one billion users into the Web3.0 ecosystem.

Klickl’s platform is uniquely designed to be destination-agnostic, operating under a decentralized global licensing scheme that empowers users across various jurisdictions. This innovative framework not only advances inclusivity in financial services but also makes a notable impact on the global virtual assets community, facilitating seamless exchanges across diverse financial domains.

Michael Zhao, CEO of Klickl, shared his vision: “Obtaining the FSP license from FSRA marks more than a regulatory milestone; it validates our vision to merge traditional finance and cryptocurrency seamlessly. Our deep-rooted presence in Abu Dhabi, a region renowned for its pioneering strides in financial innovation, has equipped us to pioneer solutions that anticipate and fulfill the diverse needs of today’s global investors.”

Zhao added, “We are grateful for the unwavering support of the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the FSRA. Their forward-thinking regulatory policies are indispensable in our quest to redefine financial infrastructure. As we move forward, Klickl is excited to continue breaking new ground, ensuring the digital economy is accessible, secure, and efficient for everyone.”

With this new licensing, Klickl is set to expand its operations, offering robust, secure, and compliant financial services that are designed to meet the needs of today’s dynamic financial landscape and tomorrow’s digital horizons.

Kikl had receive preliminary approval back in September 2022.

UAE based Medad Holding a leading conglomerate of diverse tech startups and Franklin Templeton (Templeton International, Inc.,)  a global investment management organization building blockchain tech solutions, have entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a new joint venture in the United Arab Emirates to develop a tokenized digital asset from the UAE that aims to combine the yield-bearing component of a money market fund security with the ease of use and portability of a stablecoin.

The new “yieldcoin” construct would offer investors superior use cases for cash and collateral payments and mark an innovative step forward in bringing together the traditional and new blockchain-based financial rails.

“Yieldcoins will combine the best of both worlds,” according to Mohammed Alshaiba Almazrouei, Chief Operating Officer, Medad Holding. “It provides the medium of exchange, unit of account, and ease of use of a stablecoin with a potential for growth by being linked to interest-bearing assets. As such, the yieldcoin project should address a gap that currently exists in the market.”

The yieldcoin project will be housed under a new Web3 entity being set up by Medad Holding. This new entity will further enhance Medad Holding’s reputation for working at the cutting edge of emerging and digital businesses, leveraging the reach and network it has established around the world.  

Infrastructure and servicing will be provided by Franklin Templeton via their BENJI tokenization suite – the same infrastructure that is currently used to administer Franklin Templeton’s U.S. Government OnChain Money Fund (FOBXX) – the only tokenized fund in the world where the official set of transaction records are maintained on public blockchains.

“We are excited to be partnering with Medad Holding in extending the use of the Benji infrastructure,” said Jenny Johnson, President & CEO, Franklin Templeton. “Medad Holding has been at the forefront of digitizing the banking system just as Franklin Templeton has been the foremost innovator in tokenizing real-world assets on public blockchain. We see yieldcoins as an important new offering that will become a mainstay over time in the operation of the global financial market infrastructure.”

Franklin Templeton Digital Assets (FTDA) has been active in the digital asset ecosystem since 2018, building blockchain-based technology solutions, developing a range of investment strategies, and running node validators. FTDA’s dedicated digital assets research team leverages fundamental “tokenomic” analysis, insights from an imbedded data science team, and deep industry connections to help inform product development and investment decisions.


backed by $30 million in capital. Triton Liquid a digital assets hedge fund, with its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi and has received an In-Principal Approval for an FSP, from the Financial Services Regulators (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

As per ADGM press release, the launch will provide a best-in-class, tailored platform for Middle Eastern investors seeking to capitalize on the growth of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency adoption.

Seeded with $30M from Tier 1 VC, FJ Labs, Triton Liquid is backed by New York-based FJ Labs which has previously invested in Alibaba, Stripe, Revolut, Klarna and financial wellness company ABHI.

As the UAE emerges as a globally recognized centre for digital assets innovation and demand for tokens grows, Triton Liquid is poised to provide investors with access to token liquidity, rigorous data-driven digital assets analysis, and robust portfolio diversification.

Founded by MIT and Princeton alumni, Triton Liquid’s methodology combines fundamental venture capital (VC) principles with deep proprietary data analysis to invest in liquid tokens across the entire digital asset landscape. The result is a portfolio that generates venture-like returns with public markets’ liquidity.

Their investment edge is that they have built proprietary dashboards over the past two years that track relevant metrics across 24 digital asset verticals and combine it with ⁠VC-style due diligence with 20+ page deal memos for each project. Unlike traditional venture and equity investment models, where performance projects are based on retrospective quarterly or half-yearly earnings, Triton Liquid tracks live, open-source data, generating real-time insights and forecasts, equipping investors with far greater oversight and transparency.

This strategy was developed by their digital assets-native team that has built crypto products, decentralized exchanges, and digital asset hedge funds prior, where the fund partner has invested across three crypto investment cycles.

As of March 2024, Triton realized a 108% return since inception, after increasing their market exposure from 20% to 100% since November 2023.

Fabrice Grinda, Founder Partner at FJ Labs, comments; “Digital assets is the ultimate network effect business and a perfect complement to our core efforts. We believe that Triton’s proprietary evaluation process will offer venture-style returns in this emerging asset class, and we are delighted to be part of the Triton story in ADGM’s burgeoning digital assets ecosystem.”

Chris Keshian, Founder and CIO of Triton Liquid – and formerly FJ Labs’ Head of Liquid Digital Assets – is the architect of the fund and its liquid token strategy. Based in Abu Dhabi, Chris will be responsible for building and scaling operations in the region and driving the overall growth of the business.

Chris a true digital asset native, has been an active investor and trader in the cryptocurrency space since 2013. In 2014, he co-founded the first fiat gateway onto Ethereum, showcasing his acute understanding of emerging blockchain technologies. Building on this success, Chris further established a long/short cryptocurrency-focused hedge fund in San Francisco in 2016. Today, he is bringing his extensive experience to Abu Dhabi’s thriving digital assets ecosystem

Chris Keshian, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Triton Liquid says: “The liquid digital assets market has evolved rapidly over the last ten years, and now sits at the cross-section of venture investing and public equity investing. Most projects are early stages but have an actively traded token that represents ownership or value accrual for the company. As such, through applying a venture style research process with a public equity style data due diligence and rebalancing process, we have created a strategy which we believe provides the best exposure to the growth and liquidity of this asset class.”

“The UAE is undoubtedly becoming the global hub for digital assets and the broader DeFi industry,” Chris adds. “The fintech ecosystem in the UAE is more vibrant than ever, and we look forward to playing an active role in its continued evolution. The UAE’s visionary leadership, financial services pedigree and constant drive for fintech innovation make this market a perfect fit for us. Our launch today marks a major milestone for our company and a crucial inflection point in our growth journey, one which we are delighted to share with our partners at ADGM.”

In an interview with Zawya, Keshian stated, “We invest in projects on a category basis. I assess 12 projects that are all competing and trying to do the same thing, then I would decide which of these will win and invest accordingly.” Investments so far include Synthetix – a derivatives liquidity protocol for derivatives trading in decentralized finance – and blockchain platform Solana.

He concludes when asked why he chose UAE, “It will be one of the three jurisdictions along with Hong Kong and Singapore that capture the lion’s share of entrepreneurs and people and funds who want this to see this become a real asset class,” Keshian said.