Ctrl Alt, a tokenization infrastructure platform, has secured a Virtual asset broker dealer license as well as issuer license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). As of May 1, 2025, Ctrl Alt has tokenized over $295 million in assets, spanning real estate, private credit, funds, litigation finance and more.

As per the press release Ctrl Alt is the first VASP authorized to conduct issuer-related services. This milestone marks a significant step in Ctrl Alt’s global expansion and highlights its commitment to operating within robust regulatory frameworks. The virtual asset issuer license allows Ctrl Alt to operate a full-stack, regulatory-compliant platform for the creation, management and distribution of tokenized real-world assets and ARVA tokens.

ARVA tokens are defined under Dubai law as representing direct or indirect ownership of real-world assets, granting entitlement to receive or share income and purporting to maintain a stable value by reference to real-world assets or income. ARVA tokens are also backed or collateralized by such real-world assets or constitute a derivative, wrapped, duplicated, or fractionalized version of another ARVA.

Ctrl Alt recently demonstrated its solution with its partnership with Dubai Land Department for their real estate tokenization project. Ctrl Alt created the framework to mint and place real estate tokens on-chain. PRYPCO Mint, the first licensed real estate tokenization platform, in partnership with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Regulatory Authority, and powered by Ctrl Alt blockchain, issued the region’s first property token ownership certificate. The fully funded property attracted 224 investors from over 40 nationalities, with an average investment amount of AED 10,714, underscoring the platform’s wide appeal and the growing appetite for accessible, tech-enabled real estate opportunities in the region.

“We are proud to receive our VARA license and establish fully regulated operations in the UAE,” said Matt Ong, Founder and CEO at Ctrl Alt. “This achievement reflects our commitment to long-term regulatory alignment as we power the infrastructure for the next generation of financial products.”

“Securing our VARA license marks a pivotal moment not just for Ctrl Alt, but for the broader digital asset ecosystem in the region,” said Robert Farquhar, Head of MENA at Ctrl Alt. “Dubai’s progressive regulatory environment provides a strong foundation for innovation in tokenization and we’re proud to contribute to that vision by delivering secure, compliant tokenization infrastructure for real-world asset issuance.”

DroppRWA, a sister company of Web3 technology provider DroppGroup, has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s real estate developer RAFAL Real Estate Co, to execute a Saudi Arabian pilot that would (RWA) tokenization real estate transaction. The pilot will serve as a national feasibility benchmark for the future of tokenized property markets in KSA.

The pilot built on blockchain and AI systems will allow Saudi citizens to have fractional ownership of high value real estate assets with amounts starting for as low as single-digit Riyals.

droppRWA will conduct a full feasibility study for property tokenization across RAFAL’s portfolio. A fully regulated proof-of-concept will be developed and executed, with RAFAL supplying live real estate assets for controlled transaction testing.

Faisal Al Monai, droppRWA co-founder and founder of DroppGroup stated, “This transaction marks a paradigm shift. Around the world, we are witnessing the greatest digital transformation of the 21st century, the transformation of capital itself. The mission of this partnership positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of programmable economies, with real-world impact for every citizen ,starting at just 1 Riyal,you can “own a piece of Vision 2030.”

Al Monai, added, ” For institutional and global capital, this will be a fully regulated pilot that provides a secure on-ramp for institutional-grade Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into Saudi Arabia. It merges stablecoin liquidity with sovereign-grade infrastructure, bringing real-world assets onto the blockchain with trust, speed and scale.”

Elias Abousamra, CEO, RAFAL Real Estate, “At RAFAL, we have always believed that real estate should be both aspirational and accessible. This partnership with droppRWA is not just about technology – it’s about democratizing real estate investment and creating a global platform for foreign direct investment into the promising Saudi market. For the first time, a young Saudi can own a piece of a premium development with just a few Riyals. That’s a powerful idea. Together with our partners, we are proud to pioneer a new model of ownership that speaks to the inclusive and innovative spirit of Vision 2030.

DroppGroup offers an AI quantum resilient platform

In 2017, Faisal co-founded droppGroup, an enterprise Web3 and AI infrastructure company based in Miami, which was embedded in the Middle East’s digital transformation. droppGroup’s flagship product, droppOne, is an AI-native, quantum-resilient infrastructure platform designed for governments and enterprises to operate in a world where AI agents transact, identities are decentralized and economies no longer need intermediaries.

It has deployments spanning the governments of Saudi Arabia andQatar, Saudi Aramco, Cisco and Oracle, utilized for digital ID, AI agents negotiating real-time contracts, real world assets like energy being tokenized and national data rails stitched into smart city backbones.

At its core, droppOne enables a new kind of economy. Its architecture supports >500,000 TPS, seamlessly bridges on-premise enterprise environments with public blockchains. Every AI agent has a wallet. Every transaction is programmable. Every interaction – sovereign.

In 2023 Saudi oil giant Aramco entered a collaboration agreement with droppGroup, a US-based company with operational hubs in Canada and Saudi Arabia. The partnership entailed that Aramco and droppGroup work together on deploying the latter’s proprietary Web3 technology to support the Saudi Vision 2030 quality of life program. The companies worked to develop a range of innovative Web3 solutions to benefit Aramco employees, including an on-boarding and training ecosystem, a tokenized network, and a rewards program.

The partnership also intended to explore creating a global tokenised network connecting all Aramco stakeholders.

Recently Faisal Al Monai was at Aramco with Tether, the issuers of USDT. On LinkedIn he noted, “A great feeling representing droppGroup and Tether.io meeting with aramco – The digital economy is the future and the future is here. Real World Asset tokenization transforms today’s capital into tomorrow’s value and profit.”

The Solana Foundation and Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority have signed an MOU to collaborate on not only helping founders navigate licensing through workshops, advisory sessions and practical guides but also supporting the creation of a virtual asset innovation hub in Dubai that will offer policy feedback and data sharing.

Additionally the two entities will work to develop talent, provide economic impact reports, as Dubai positions itself as a forward thinking crypto jurisdiction.

Solana Foundation on LinkedIn noted, “Dubai continues to position itself as one of the most forward-thinking crypto jurisdictions in the world. We’re proud to support that vision and help founders, teams and investors plug into this growing ecosystem.”

Dubai VARA also on LinkedIn added, “We’re proud to formalise our partnership with the Solana Foundation through a newly signed MoU by our CEO, Matthew White, and Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation. From regulatory education and talent development, to data-sharing and co-creating the Solana Economic Zone in Dubai – this partnership reinforces our commitment to building a transparent, innovation-first environment for the virtual assets sector.”

Earlier this week Dubai VARA also signed an agreement with Sui Hub for similar initiatives.

Ripple, an enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, RLUSD stablecoin has been approved as a recognized crypto token by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for use within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).


As per the press release, this approval reinforces RLUSD’s position as a trusted, enterprise-grade stablecoin, built with regulatory compliance, utility, and transparency at its core. Alongside today’s approval under the DFSA’s crypto token regime, RLUSD is one of the few stablecoins globally to be issued under a New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Trust Company Charter.

“The DFSA’s approval of RLUSD is proof of our commitment to building a stablecoin that meets the highest standards of trust, transparency and utility,” said Jack McDonald, Senior Vice President of Stablecoins at Ripple. “With regulation-first design and enterprise-grade features, RLUSD is uniquely positioned to drive enterprise utility of blockchain technology across global markets, starting with cross-border payments.”

RLUSD has been purpose-built for global enterprise utility, particularly in improving the speed, cost and efficiency of cross-border payments. This recognition allows Ripple to integrate RLUSD into its DFSA-licensed flagship payments solution, combining the stability of a trusted digital dollar with a scalable, blockchain-based infrastructure and Ripple’s extensive global payout network.

This approval also enables other DFSA-licensed firms in the fast-growing DIFC to incorporate RLUSD into their virtual assets services. With almost 7,000 firms active at the end of 2024, this further supports the integration of high-quality stablecoins into Dubai’s burgeoning digital assets and fintech ecosystem.

Stablecoin adoption in the UAE is accelerating. According to market data, 2024 saw a 55% year-on-year increase in stablecoin transactions in the region, signalling strong demand for blockchain solutions that address the inefficiencies of traditional payment rails. With a $400BN+ market for international trade and one of the world’s most progressive regulatory frameworks for digital assets, the UAE is well-positioned to become a global hub for stablecoin innovation and utility.

“The UAE continues to set a global benchmark for forward-thinking digital asset regulation and innovation,” said Reece Merrick, Managing Director Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Ripple. “The DFSA’s approval of RLUSD is yet another step forward for Ripple’s operations in the region, and we’re seeing huge interest from businesses of all sizes for cross-border payments and digital asset custody solutions. The UAE’s digital economy is vibrant and incredibly dynamic, and we’re looking forward to working with our regional partners, customers and regulators to supercharge that growth.”

Earlier this month Ripple onboarded UAE Zand Digital bank and Mamo, while it also was used in Dubai Land Department tokenization of property platform.

SuiHub MENA and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) have signed an agreement to support startups, develop local talent, and share insights that can help grow the virtual asset space in the Middle East.

As per the announcement, the collaboration represents a shared vision to make Dubai a global hotspot for virtual asset innovation. VARA, established in 2022, oversees the regulation and supervision of virtual assets in the Emirate. SuiHub MENA, backed by the Sui Foundation, is committed to supporting builders and developers in the web3 ecosystem. Together, they will engage in activities that simplify compliance processes for startups, provide advisory support, and generate insights to guide future virtual asset policies in the region.

The partnership includes several initiatives, such as regulatory and licensing educational support by jointly hosted workshops and guidance for startups navigating Dubai’s licensing regime, including advisory sessions and educational materials to guide founders and participants. It also includes ecosystem development, where VARA will support SuiHub MENA’s flagship innovation center based in Dubai through roundtables and strategic engagements with government stakeholders, as well as a joint exploration of research opportunities.

Additionally both entities will co create programs that are aimed at expanding local technical expertise aligned with the regulatory needs of the market. Both will also share anonymized data to assess the sector’s growth and its impact on employment, investment, and economic contributions.

SuiHub MENA will facilitate introductions between VARA and ecosystem projects while contributing insights for economic policy development. Both organizations will explore co-authored research and publications focused on the industry’s evolution.

“At SuiHub MENA, we believe in building strategic and supportive collaborations between regulators and founders.” shared Kristof Lukovich, CEO of SuiHub MENA. “Our collaboration with VARA is a significant forward and aligns with SuiHub MENA’s positive commitment to helping to shape a global benchmark for virtual asset innovation, regulatory clarity, and sustainable growth here in the region.”

UAE Regulated digital assets infrastructure provider, Fuze, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman based Mamun is a Sharia-compliant alternative finance and investment platform headquartered to enable regional and global retail and institutional investors to participate in short-term, sharia compliant financing of trade-driven businesses in USDT (Tether’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin).

As per the announcement, trade-driven businesses will then be able to receive fiat financing in local currency for supplier payments, local and cross-border trade. This will support businesses in accessing new forms of financing from a wider pool of investors.

The trade-credit gap in MENA stands at a staggering $250 billion, with that gap being over $1 trillion globally. SME businesses particularly feel the grunt of this problem, being underserved and underbanked by traditional financial institutions. Meanwhile, there are over 40 million crypto investors in MENA alone, with an estimated holding value of $300 billion, with very little access, if any, to small minimum, high-yielding, Sharia-compliant trade finance assets.

The partnership is one of the region’s first to bridge regulated digital asset infrastructure with traditional private credit markets. Under this collaboration, Fuze will provide the digital asset rails (on/off ramp, custody and conversion) while Mamun will originate Sharia-compliant trade finance opportunities. The agreement will enable quick and compliant settlement for SME trade financing and solve pain points around cross-border capital movement.

Mo Ali Yusuf, Fuze CEO said, “The alignment between Fuze and Mamun underscores a growing trend – the use of stablecoins like USDT not only for trading or remittance, but as a working capital and liquidity tool for real-world finance.”

Mohammed Al-Tamami, Mamun CCO said, “Bringing stablecoins into Sharia-compliant private credit allows us to open new pathways for cross-border trade finance. At Mamun, we’re not just innovating, we’re aligning digital asset infrastructure with real-economy capital needs. This collaboration with Fuze enables us to better serve investors and businesses alike.”

Galaxy recently led an investment round of $12 million into Fuze.

After the recent launch of PRYPCO Mint, the first licensed real estate tokenization platform, in partnership with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Regulatory Authority, and powered by Ctrl Alt blockchain, the region’s first property token ownership certificate has been issued.

In a LinkedIn post Ali Jamal, CEO of Cryptos Consultancy shared the deed which was initially posted by Dr. Mahmoud Al Buraj Senior Director of real estate policies and innovation at Dubai Land Department.

Jamal Ali noted, “The world’s first property token ownership certificate has just been issued! No other city or country has done this. Tokenization isn’t a theory. It’s happening. And Dubai is leading from the front. This isn’t just a pilot, it’s a working blueprint for the global future of real estate and virtual asset economies. For those building in real estate, blockchain, or the broader virtual asset space now is the time to pay close attention.”

While Dr. Buraj had noted, “Dubai is issuing first ever property token ownership certificate that no other city or country did. Thank you for all who bought piece of Dubai and were the first to own tokenized real estate. Be ready for second property?”

The fully funded property attracted 224 investors from over 40 nationalities, with an average investment amount of AED 10,714, underscoring the platform’s wide appeal and the growing appetite for accessible, tech-enabled real estate opportunities in the region.

Amira Sajwani, Founder and CEO of PRYPCO, commented on the milestone, “This milestone is a powerful validation of our vision. From the outset, PRYPCO Mint was built to redefine access to real estate, making it more inclusive, transparent, and efficient. To see our first property fully funded in just a day reflects not only the strength of the concept but also a clear market demand for smarter, more accessible investment solutions. It’s a strong step forward in enabling Real Estate Freedom for all.”

The deed shows ownership tokens in DAMAC Maison Prive. It shows how 1093 tokens purchased gives 0.8129 shares in the property.

A few days earlier Dubai Land Department had announced that they had launched the region’s first tokenized real estate investment project through the ‘Prypco Mint’ platform. The initiative implemented in partnership with Prypco, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through the Real Estate Sandbox.

Moreover, Zand Digital Bank was appointed as the banking partner for the project’s pilot phase, positioning Dubai as the first city in the MENA region to adopt a licensed platform for real estate tokenization.

As per the Dubai Land Department press release, ” The pilot phase of investment in tokenized real estate, marking the activation of the digital platform mint.prypco.com. The platform enables users to generate returns and own a share in a prime real estate project in Dubai. Currently available exclusively to UAE ID holders, the platform is set to expand globally in the near future, with additional platforms to be integrated in later phases, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for innovation in tokenized real estate.”

The project offers individuals innovative investment opportunities through the purchase of tokenized shares in ready-to-own properties in Dubai, starting from just AED 2,000. All transactions are carried out exclusively in UAE Dirhams, with no use of cryptocurrencies during the pilot phase.

DLD emphasized in their announcement that tokenized assets will represent up to 7% of Dubai’s real estate market by 2033 equivalent to $16 billion and that Prypco Mint will be at the cornerstone of this transformation.

Investing through Prypco tokenized platform saves investors 2% in fees

On LinkedIn, Prypco announced they were live on May 26th stating, “PRYPCO Mint is now live — unlocking a new era of real estate investing in Dubai.” On their website they explained, “By using PRYPCO Mint, investors pay only half the DLD fees, just 2% instead of the standard 4%, making real estate investments more affordable and accessible.”

Updated at 2:03 pm CET Time May 29th

XBTO, an institutional digital asset management and graduate of Abu Dhabi Hub71 cohort has received full approval for its Financial Services Permission (FSP) under the 3A license category from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in the UAE to offer crypto custody, investment, and deal services.

The approval authorises XBTO to provide a range of financial services in and from ADGM, including custody, dealing in investments as matched principal, advising on investments, and arranging deals in investments.

“The UAE is a leading market in digital assets, and the 3A licence enables us to be a part of a positive digital movement in the region. This licence also serves to reinforce our long-term commitment to institutional integrity, regulatory transparency, and financial innovation in the UAE,” said Philippe Bekhazi, CEO and Founder of XBTO Group. “ADGM has built one of the most respected regulatory frameworks in the digital asset space globally, and we are honoured to be recognised under its jurisdiction.”

The licence enables XBTO to operate as a regulated counterparty to institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and regional financial institutions. It also allows the company to actively market its services across the UAE, bolstering its ability to engage directly with local stakeholders and deepen its presence in the region.

“This approval gives XBTO the strategic footing to engage more actively with regional partners and demonstrates our alignment with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for digital finance,” said Karl Naim, Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager for UAE at XBTO. “ADGM has created a forward-thinking environment that balances innovation with robust oversight – a model we are proud to be part of.”

The licence approval complements XBTO’s existing regulatory footprint in Bermuda and is part of its broader global expansion strategy, with the next regulatory milestone being its anticipated entry into the UK market.

The company was an active participant in Hub71’s specialized digital assets cohort before receiving their in principle license approval back in 2024. Peter Abou Hachem, Head of Growth and Strategy, Hub71, said, “We’re proud to see XBTO, a global leader in digital assets, secure their 3A license and scale from Hub71 to serve the world. Their move to Abu Dhabi reflects a clear shift toward the Middle East – one of the fastest-growing and most liquid markets globally. XBTO’s focus on regulatory excellence and innovation embodies the caliber of founders we back. As more startups choose our ecosystem to launch and grow, we remain committed to helping them scale with speed and impact.”

AMINA Bank AG, a global crypto bank licensed in Switzerland and the UAE, announced its financial performance for 2024, with 69% surge in revenue to $40.4 million with revenues from its Abu Dhabi operations growing 150% year on year and Hong Kong office accelerating 570%. Currently assets under management ( AUM) are $4.2 billion a 136% increase.

Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank said, “Our global, client-first strategy has delivered exceptional results in 2024 and proves how the market responds when you put your clients at the center of your business. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s tenacity and focus, which led to quarterly profitability in Q4 2024 – a pivotal milestone that confirms the value of our approach. With our current group geographical footprint – spanning multiple jurisdictions, offering 24/7 trading capabilities, and maintaining zero default in our lending book over five years – we are uniquely prepared to support our clients through the fast-paced changes of the crypto industry.”

As per the press release, AMINA’s self-funded approach and operational excellence in the past three years has placed the bank at a sustainable competitive advantage delivering $801 million in net new assets (NNAs) in 2024 along with 40% growth in derivatives revenue driven by client demand for risk management solutions.

Significant technology investments have been made under the new CTO leadership to develop a proprietary crypto banking platform and a modern online and mobile experience, all launching later this year. Supported by a scalable and API-driven architecture, these platforms support B2C, B2B, and B2B2C models while delivering seamless secure client integration and rapid adaptability to market demands, ensuring both AMINA and its clients remain agile, as the industry continues to evolve.

“Our strong financial fundamentals underpin this exceptional growth trajectory, demonstrating our strength and agility to support our clients through any market conditions,” added Mike Foy, CFO of AMINA Bank. “AMINA’s Liquidity Coverage Ratio is 228%, up from 219% in 2023. In addition, our CET1 capital ratio, which compares a bank’s capital against its risk-weighted assets, is more than double the regulatory requirement at 34%, despite an increase in risk-weighted assets as a result of our expansion.”

With the acceleration of institutional adoption and demand for regulated solutions, AMINA has established itself as an essential infrastructure provider at crypto’s critical inflection point. AMINA Bank has attracted almost 20 B2B2C partners including some of Europe’s largest private banks, with expectations to reach 30 partners by year-end.

The Hashgraph Association a Swiss non-profit organization driving global adoption of Hedera-powered solutions by funding innovation, training, certification, and venture building programs, in collaboration with Exponential Science Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation accelerating responsible tech adoption, via research, education, and innovation activities, has launched the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 to enable the next generation of Web developers and empower economic inclusion in Africa with a digital future for all.

As per the press release, the Hackathon will be the biggest Web3 Hackathon initiative combines online participation with onsite events in over 20 African cities, with a goal of attracting over 10,000 participants across more than 15 countries on the African continent. Developers, students, and entrepreneurs are invited to collaborate to build decentralized solutions on Hedera across industries such as Finance, Healthcare, Telecoms, Sustainability, Agriculture, and Manufacturing, while leveraging the convergence of other deep technologies such as AI, IoT, Robotics, and Quantum Computing, with a prize pool of more than $1 million on offer for the winning teams and projects.

With global participation officially open from August 1 to September 30, 2025, the hackathon tasks applicants to develop blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based, scalable solutions tailored to the continent’s most urgent challenges and needs. All solutions will be built on the Hedera network an energy-efficient and cost-effective DLT, which offers cost predictability, the highest levels of security, and the ability to support reliable, scalable, and enterprise-grade applications.

Already having secured the backing and participation of more than 50 global and regional partners to be announced over the next few weeks, as well as over 100 universities and tech hubs, the hackathon is designed to be the largest of its kind on the African continent. The event will offer extensive technical education, certification, and hands-on support from Hedera-Certified engineers, with hacking stations to be established in cities such as Lagos, Cairo, Nairobi, Kinshasa, Cape Town, Casablanca, and Tunis for in-person collaboration, alongside a fully virtual Hackathon track accessible worldwide.

“Africa is home to one of the youngest, most enthusiastic and dynamic tech communities in the world; its future will depend on digitization,” said Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association. “By equipping developers and entrepreneurs with Web3 skills and next generation toolkits, we’re not just solving today’s problems, we’re shaping the future of decentralized innovation in one of the world’s most significant growth markets, fostering a digital future for all through financial, identity, and communication inclusion.”

The hackathon aims to catalyze continuous innovation across four key tracks: On-Chain Finance and Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenisation; ESG Sustainability and Traceability; Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and AI; and Gaming, Metaverse, & NFTs.

Developers of all skill levels and backgrounds are encouraged to participate — no prior blockchain experience is required. Extensive training resources will be provided through the Hedera Academy, with access to a thriving developer community.

The Hashgraph Association and the Exponential Science Foundation will be carrying out awareness and training campaigns to prepare participants for the hackathon before the official start date on August 1st 2025.

 Initiatives such as the Hedera Africa Hackathon encourage the next generation of tech builders, researchers, and entrepreneurs. As well as driving blockchain education and innovation within a continent that is showing incredible growth potential. We encourage anyone with an interest in blockchain technology to sign up and start developing the next wave of practical solutions across multiple industries to gain valuable experience and a chance to claim the prize pool. Our hope is that participants will go on to launch their own ventures and share their learnings,” said Paolo Tasca, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Exponential Science Foundation.

The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 is operated and supported by a strong network of partners, under the experienced leadership of DAR Blockchain, a Tunisian-based Web3 Hub that has been operating in the Web3 industry since 2017. DAR Blockchain plays a significant role in magnifying the impact of this hackathon initiative across the continent and builds on THA’s previous efforts to support blockchain innovation in Africa.