UAE Web3 Fund Aqua 1 invests in World Liberty Financial tokens

UAE Web3 Fund Aqua 1 invests in World Liberty Financial tokens

Aqua 1, Web3-native fund which seems to have been created recently, and on its website does not state who its team is announced it invested $100 million into Trump’s World Liberty Financial (WLFI) token, as a means to participate in the governance of the DeFi platform. The partnership will seek to synergize USD1 infrastructure to ignite adoption across commercial payment gateways and treasury management systems.

As per the announcement, the commitment will help accelerate the creation of a blockchain powered financial ecosystem centered on blockchain, Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization, and stablecoin integration.

The authors go on to noted, together, WLFI and Aqua 1 are building the definitive bridge between legacy systems and blockchain innovation, an institutional-grade marketplace delivering unparalleled access to traditional assets.

“We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with the team at Aqua 1,” said Zak Folkman, Co-Founder of World Liberty Financial. “Aligning with Aqua 1 validates our blueprint for global financial innovation, as we have a joint mission to bring digital assets to the masses and strengthen our nation’s standing as a champion and leader of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.”

“WLFI and Aqua 1 will jointly identify and nurture high-potential blockchain projects together,” stated Dave Lee, Founding Partner of Aqua 1. ( no LinkedIn profile available)“WLFI’s USD1 ecosystem and RWA pipeline embody the trillion-dollar structural pivot opportunity we seek to catalyze, where architects merge traditional capital markets with decentralized primitives to redefine global financial infrastructure.”

Beyond the U.S. market, Aqua 1’s global investment and compliance teams will assist WLFI in expanding across South America, Europe, Asia, and emerging markets to accelerate digital asset ecosystem development.

Strategically, WLFI also plans to support the launch of Aqua 1’s Aqua Fund, a UAE-domiciled investment fund developed in partnership with leading regional stakeholders. The fund will be dedicated to accelerating the Middle East’s digital economy transformation through advanced blockchain infrastructure, artificial intelligence integration, and global Web3 adoption.

Aqua Fund aims to serve as a gateway for capital, talent, and technology to converge, positioning the region at the forefront of the next digital wave. Aqua Fund intends to partner with a secondary trading venue within ADGM to list the fund and facilitate secondary market liquidity for investors.

Furthermore, both parties plan to jointly develop and incubate BlockRock (https://x.com/BlockRock_rwa), an institutional RWA tokenization platform, focused on digitizing and integrating premium traditional assets into the Web3 ecosystem.

This is not the first time a UAE entity engaged with World Liberty Financial when it was announced that MGX, an Abu Dhabi tech company invested $2 billion in Binance crypto exchange, using the USD1 stablecoin. Binance listed World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) and opened trading for the following spot trading pair USD1/USDT.

UAE Omining crypto mining entity expands operations to Kenya

UAE Omining crypto mining entity expands operations to Kenya

UAE based Omining, the crypto mining infrastructure company operating under the DMCC ecosystem, has expanded operations into Kenya with new established facility in the Kenyan Special Economic Zone (SEZ) makes it one of the first large-scale Web3 deployments in East Africa by a UAE-based entity.

The company’s entry comes as global technology players, including Microsoft, expand into Kenya’s SEZ framework, with Google and Amazon reportedly completing due diligence for future presence in the region. Omining’s new facility will serve as its operational hub, with a 90-megawatt capacity currently being expanded to 200 megawatts.

It leverages Kenya’s stable electricity costs, investor-friendly regulation, and growing global relevance. Naivasha, where the plant will run, offers other key advantages: a year-round temperate climate ranging from 6 to 30 degrees Celsius, a 100% tax-free regime within the SEZ, and a currency whose value is closely aligned with the US dollar – much like Dubai.

“We’re witnessing the beginning of a revolutionary era – the democratization of cryptocurrency mining. By enabling anyone to mine a currency without government control, we’re participating in a groundbreaking movement that’s reshaping the world’s financial landscape,” said Francesco Colucci, Managing Partner at Omining.

In under-electrified markets, crypto mining operations can play a broader role. Kenya has made significant strides in renewable energy generation, yet in rural areas, grid expansion often remains economically infeasible due to low demand. Omining’s consistent, large-scale energy consumption and investments in the region can help stabilize long-term revenue for utility providers. This, in turn, adds to the long-term health of both infrastructure and access.

“The infrastructure we’re building is about more than just scale,” said Lorenzo Calligaris, CTO at Omining. “You need to be in environments that understand what you’re doing and let you move fast, but responsibly. That’s what we’ve had in Dubai, and now we’re applying that playbook in Kenya.”

Kenya’s positioning as an SEZ destination is rapidly gaining traction across multiple industries because of a skilled labor pool, and growing integration with global digital trade systems. Recent public commentary from Kenneth Chelule, CEO of the SEZ Authority, referenced the potential of crypto mining firms like Omining to contribute to SEZ employment and energy monetization.

Recently Phoenix Group also entered the African continent with operations in Ethiopia. expanded its operations into the burgeoning African market with the acquisition of an 80-megawatt (MW) power purchase agreement (PPA) in Ethiopia. This landmark deal, forged in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based cybersecurity firm Data7, marks a significant step in Phoenix Group’s global diversification strategy.

MEVP and G42 invest in UAE AppliedAI series A $55 million round

MEVP and G42 invest in UAE AppliedAI series A $55 million round

Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), a large MENA venture capital firm has invested in AppliedAI as part of the company’s Series A funding round alongside G42, Bessemer Venture Partners, and strategic partner e&. The investment completes AppliedAI’s oversubscribed $55M Series A.

AppliedAI, a UAE based company has developed an AI-powered automation platform, dubbed Opus, that transforms back-office operations in highly regulated industries, including financial services, healthcare, and government sectors. The company’s enterprise-grade solutions address critical digitization needs across the region.

“AppliedAI exemplifies the exceptional founders we back – talented entrepreneurs building innovative technology solutions that drive meaningful transformation in the Middle East,” said Walid Mansour, Co-CEO at MEVP. “Their deep understanding of regulated environments and proven enterprise traction make them a natural fit for our portfolio as we continue building global AI leaders from the MENA region, bringing forth innovation in tech and societies alike.”

The funding will accelerate AppliedAI’s international expansion while strengthening product capabilities and regional market presence. The company relocated from London to Abu Dhabi in 2022, establishing strong partnerships within the UAE’s growing AI ecosystem.

Equivator invests $8 million in GCC Related a loyalty rewards company

Equivator invests $8 million in GCC Related a loyalty rewards company

United Kingdom and Saudi Arabian Equivator, a premier alternative investment firm, has made a strategic investment of $8 million in UAE headquartered Related, where the funds will be used to launch AI and Blockchain solutions and expand into the United Kingdom.

As per the press release, the investment underscores Equivator’s commitment to nurturing groundbreaking ventures within high-growth sectors. It is aimed at accelerating Related’s expansion in the Kingdom, boosting innovation, and fast-tracking the launch of transformative solutions in AI, blockchain, and customer experience.

It also strengthens Related’s position as the company of choice for loyalty and rewards in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The alliance aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider economic diversification goals and its rapid digital transformation under Vision 2030.

Related currently services more than 30 million users across the GCC and Levant, powering loyalty programs for leading institutions in telecommunications, banking, retail, utilities, and entertainment.

“We are thrilled to welcome Equivator as a strategic partner on our journey to redefine loyalty and engagement in the region,” said Rabih Farhat, CEO of Related. “This partnership is more than a transaction; it’s a transformation, a joint mission to reshape the future of fintech-powered loyalty solutions in line with the Kingdom’s innovation agenda.”

The investment builds upon Equivator’s earlier involvement in the loyalty-focused B2C space through its prior investment in Uplines. In a decisive move, Related has acquired Uplines in full, integrating it into its broader strategic framework and setting the stage for a bold relaunch. As part of the development strategy, Related will introduce a range of new products and offerings, from Advanced AI tools to blockchain-enabled rewards platforms, gamification features and payments. These will enhance B2B and B2C experiences while unlocking value for brands and consumers alike.

“This is more than an investment. it’s a strategic deal to build a regional champion in loyalty and digital payments,” stated Enes Şehzade, CEO at Equivator. “Together, we aim to power a new era of data-driven customer engagement and reward invention.”

Equivator will support Related’s market entry into Europe and beyond while helping establish initiatives such as the “Related Loyalty & Fintech Authority”, a new regional knowledge and policy forum further solidifying Related’s leadership.

UAE Bank looking to build DeFi and Stablecoin infrastructure

UAE Bank looking to build DeFi and Stablecoin infrastructure

Axiom Recruit in the UAE, is searching for a Principle Blockchain Architect engineer as a leading UAE Bank is building out their DeFi and Stablecoin infrastructure.

As per the LinkedIn post, the bank is building this infrastructure for wider blockchain related deployment and is seeking a principle engineer, blockchain architect to define and build their DeFi and stablecoin architecture.

The role will be the first for the bank in its DeFi focused engineering build. The Blockchain architect engineer will design and implement a secure wallet system, as well as build smart contracts and DeFi tooling from the ground up, including interoperable cross-chain and L2 solutions.

Also in the pipeline is tokenization systems for banking infrastructure and collaboration on enterprise crypto services.

This announcement comes as more and more banks globally and across the UAE enter the digital asset, stablecoin, and crypto space. In a recent article crypto exchange executives and crypto custodian executive weighed in on how this will effect the crypto ecosystem across the globe.

In the UAE several banks have already entered the crypto space including Mbank, Zand Bank, Liv bank by Emirates NBD and even FAB bank with their work on a stablecoin.

Bitcoin and Ethereum take 10th and 18th place in most traded instruments in GCC

Bitcoin and Ethereum take 10th and 18th place in most traded instruments in GCC

AvaTrade, aglobal trading company, released the latest data from its key GCC platforms, reinforcing its role as a source of real-time market intelligence. Covering activity across the region since April 1st, the data reveals the Top 25 most traded instruments by USD volume, with gold taking the lead and in the 10th and 18th place being Bitcoin and Ethereum. B

Based on AvaTrade’s platform activity over the past 2.5 months, collected from Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, gold appears as the most traded, with strong interest in U.S. equities, with all three major indices, NASDAQ 100, DJ30, and S&P 500, ranking within the top four, and the Russell 2000 close behind in eighth.

Commodities also featured prominently, with crude oil and Brent oil both placing in the 15 most traded instruments, and silver also making the list. Foreign exchange trading is also active, with major pairs such as USD/JPY, EUR/USD, and GBP/USD all ranking in the top ten. Other currency pairs like AUD/USD, USD/CHF, USD/CAD, and GBP/JPY follow closely behind.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in 10th and Ethereum, ranked 18th, reflects a broader diversification in trading preferences across the region.

Reflecting on the recent data, Dáire Ferguson, CEO of AvaTrade, stated, ‘Sharing this type of trading insight is one of the many ways we aim to support our growing base of investors across the GCC. In an ever-changing global market, where regional dynamics also play a key role, timely data helps traders make more informed decisions.’

Established in 2006 as a pioneering online trading platform, AvaTrade is one of the most trusted brokers in the industry with nine regulations across six continents. Offering access to over 1,000 CFDs across forex, ETFs, indices, commodities, and crypto, the platform caters to both experienced investors and newcomers through a range of educational resources, trading tools, and market insights.

Middle East governments building on blockchain, AI and Bitcoin reserves

Middle East governments building on blockchain, AI and Bitcoin reserves

Raoul Pal, the Co-Founder and CEO of Real Vision, a financial knowledge and educational platform, in his recent visit and meeting with sovereign wealth funds in the MENA region, specifically in the GCC, has found that the mandate is to use AI ( Artifical Intelligence) and Blockchain across the entire region.

In his X video post interview, Pal noted, ” A month ago during my last trip to MENA region, and in my meetings with sovereign wealth funds across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and UAE, the mandate across entire region from Saudi, Abu Dhabi Bahrain and Qatar is AI and Blockchain and not just using Bitcoin as a reserve asset but building the entire government structure on blockchain, driving licenses, property deeds the whole bloody lot.”

Pal is also the co-founder and CEO of Exponential Age Asset Management, an asset management business that focuses on investing in the digital asset space via a fund of hedge funds (EADAF) and other vehicles.

He adds with the money coming in from sovereign wealth funds, if we are to go from $3 trillion to $100 trillion you need the largest players each time, unless you have bigger players. function of size of market more blockchain technology is used the use of Alt coins for infrastructure rails increase.

MENA Sovereign Wealth funds invest in Bitcoin

His statements come at a time when sovereign wealth funds either openly or less openly are investing in Bitcoin. Earlier this year Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, disclosed a $408.5 million stake in IShare Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in a 13F filing released on My 15th 2025. The fund reported holding 8,726,972 shares as of March 31, 2025, an increase from 8,235,533 shares reported at the end of 2024. This increased exposure showcases the perception change regarding Bitcoin and crypto in general after President Trump has taken office. Back at the end of 2024, UAE Mubadala, a sovereign investment fund, revealed in an SEC Filing that in late 2024 it invested $436 million worth in BlackRock’s Ishares Bitcoin Trust ETF. The disclosure was made through a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

While Saudi Central Bank better known as SAMA in a recent SEC ( Securities and Commodities Exchange) 13F filing disclosed that it has invested and holds 25,656 shares in MicroStrategy Inc. For those not familiar with MicroStrategy, now known as Strategy, it is an award-winning AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Business Intelligence platform trusted to deliver intelligence everywhere, on any cloud, at enterprise scale. It is also one of the biggest buyers of Bitcoin. Its strategy has been to issue equity, debt and preferred stock to acquire the digital currency, and it has been on a buying spree.

Even Bahrain based Al Abraaj Restaurants Group B.S.C. (Ticker: ABRAAJ) (“Company”), a public listed company on the Bahrain Bourse, has announced that it put Bitcoin on its balance sheet. The Group has purchased Bitcoin in partnership with U.S. based 10X Capital, becoming the first publicly traded company in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (“GCC”), and the Middle East to acquire Bitcoin as a treasury asset.

MENA Governments all in on AI and Blockchain

It is no secret that Saudi Arabia is investing in AI as is UAE and Qatar. Additionally the UAE has been implementing blockchain within the government over the years but in recent times Abu Dhabi has stated it will utilize blockchain in the government. Agile Dynamics, a UAE based consulting firm, will work to develop a sovereign quantum resistant blockchain infrastructure with Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement in UAE. Agile Dynamics has been selected as the program’s strategic partner, while ADI Blockchain Foundation will be developing an AED stablecoin to be issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank, with the support of ADQ a sovereign investor and IHC an investor as well.

Then ofcourse there is Qatar with its digital asset tokenization strategy and Digital Assets Lab. Recently during the Qatar Economic Foundation, attendees got a glimpse of a future that might include stablecoins. The UAE is well ahead with its stablecoin regulations and its AECOIN.

PAL sees Bitcoin growth phase

Amidst all this Pal believes “With the dollar breaking down even today, it’s starting to suggest this may go into Q2 2026,” he said. Since the beginning of the year, the US Dollar Index has been down 8.995, sitting at 98.77 at the time of writing, according to data from TradingView. Bitcoin and DXY are inversely correlated. This means that when the dollar weakens, Bitcoin becomes more attractive not just as a speculative investment but as an alternative currency.

Pal also added that macroeconomic data has been a primary reason why the crypto cycle has always shifted further back. “It’s like the whole cycle got shifted cause rates didn’t get adjusted; the dollar was sideways for some time,” he said. He also said that the current market may show signs of looking like the market in 2020 more than the one in 2021, suggesting that it could be at an earlier growth phase than many are predicting.

Bitcoin began 2020 at $7,174, but dropped by 27% in March to $5,227. The asset then rebounded 129% to hit $11,990 in August, before witnessing a 304% increase, ending the year at $28,993.

Will the Banking sector take over crypto exchanges using stablecoins?

Will the Banking sector take over crypto exchanges using stablecoins?

In an article this week on CNN Business Arabic, Bitget crypto exchange COO and Bitgo MENA regional Manager gave their views on how banks are entering the crypto space through stablecoins. This comes as the United States passed the Genius Act in the Senate, and now is going to the House with extra push from Trump himself.

The article notes that stablecoins have gained a steady ground within the banking sector as regulatory legislation advances in the United States and Europe. Several major banks have entered pilot tests or begun developing their own stablecoins.

According to CoinDesk data, the market capitalization of stablecoins hit an all-time high of $251.7 billion, up 22% so far this year, with Citi Group noting that stablecoin market will reach $3.7 trillion by 2030.

In the CNN article Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget, the world’s fourth-largest cryptocurrency exchange, noted that this trend reflects the importance of stablecoins as an integral part of the financial landscape. He emphasized that the entry of banks does not mean the end of trading platforms. “We don’t just provide financial services; we are the financing tools of the future,” he said.

For his part, Nick Coombs, Regional Director of BitGO in MENA, sees collaboration as the future of the sector and a great opportunity for expansion. “Big banks are by nature slow and conservative. We provide them with the digital infrastructure they couldn’t build on their own,” he told CNN Business.


Bitgo, the custodian of the USD1 stablecoin, provides turnkey solutions for banks through its “Stablecoin-as-a-Service” service. It also offers technologies such as “Advanced Key Management,” which allows banks to issue their own currencies at lower costs and with ready-made infrastructure.

Vugar that the entrance of banks into the crypto domain, will lead to more control over custody services which could lead to more centralization. The absence of crypto self custody services means less privacy notes Vugar. Yet he sees the future as hybrid, between crypto exchanges, crypto custodian and banking sector.

Nick Coombs explains that crypto is being reshaped today to serve the very system it was born to oppose, but banks will still need to partner with specialized entities like BitGo to ensure security, compliance, and speed in developing new products. “Because of their cautious nature, banks will not service many emerging blockchains, as they will focus on Bitcoin, even though there are thousands of blockchains that need the services of companies like us,” he added.

Vugar adds, “What distinguishes us is speed, innovation, and our commitment to a culture of decentralization. We are not replicating the experience of banks, but rather reinventing it.” He said, “Stablecoins have changed the rules of the game in cross-border payments, and they offer tremendous advantages, given their speed and competitive cost of no more than 0.1%.” He predicted that this market will grow within five years, with stablecoin adoption increasing tenfold.

He predicted that we will soon witness initial public offerings (IPOs) for cryptocurrency exchanges, as they are technology companies. This will attract significant investments, allow them to grow, and possibly acquire small and medium-sized banks to offer banking products to a global audience.

The article notes that with the entrance of banks, will crypto be losing the reason for its creation, or will a new financial system emerge.

UAE Zodia Custody, digital assets are intrinsic in UAE’s government strategy

UAE Zodia Custody, digital assets are intrinsic in UAE’s government strategy

Dominic Longman is Managing Director of Middle East and Africa at Zodia Custody noted in a monthly interview on their website, that the UAE mood for digital assets is incredibly positive and that digital assets are now intrinsic in the government’s DNA.

He notes that the UAE has ignored the hype cycle nodes and devised “a well thought-through strategy and a considered long-term path. This process has been in motion since 2015 and it’s not just about blockchain or digital assets as technologies, it’s about attracting firms that build jobs, industries and long-term value.”

He believes that because of UAE’s government structure an the regulators ADGM and VARA, the UAE can think strategically in 10–15-year arcs not in four-year election cycles.

He adds that big names like Binance and Bybit have set up regional bases, with others including Galaxy Digital making plans to move here. Prime brokerage firms, auditors, fund administrators and infrastructure providers are also following. When I arrived in 2015 there wasn’t yet a local auditor with digital assets capabilities; today, there are multiple global and regional firms that provide that expertise. This ecosystem maturity means that institutions aren’t just bringing capital – they’re enabling the full operational chain: compliance, auditing, legal, infrastructure and education.

When I speak with U.S. firms, they tell me: ‘We don’t know what the next administration will bring. But we know what the UAE’s 20-year plan looks like.’ That predictability is gold.

In terms of tokenization, Longman believes tokenizing real estate, infrastructure and bonds is one of the biggest topics. He stated, “This country is built on real estate, so that is important, but even more significant is building the next generation of tokenized financial instruments. Some very mature discussions are underway between firms, regulators, and infrastructure providers about how to tokenize everything from shopping malls to sovereign debt. Everyone’s past the hype. Now it’s about ownership, access, liquidity but with real controls in place.”

He believes the cornerstone of tokenization will be stablecoins as they are critical in these tokenization discussions. He explains, ” The region settles in dollars and the UAE Dirham is pegged to the US dollar so using USD stablecoins for trade, especially in logistics and energy, is a no-brainer. It’s faster, cheaper and removes friction. While the licensing of stablecoins ultimately sits with the UAE Central Bank, there is growing momentum across the ecosystem – including in ADGM and VARA – to enable innovation within this space. Notably, the Central Bank is now developing regulatory frameworks for AED-backed stablecoins, which could play an important role in enabling more efficient local settlement and expanding the scope of tokenized financial infrastructure within the region.”

As for the future Longman sees that tokenized securities on regulated exchanges will offer real time settlement, and 24/7 markets. He says this is beyond crypto ETFs, but about rebuilding the core of financial markets.

He says, “The UAE isn’t just aiming to be a digital asset friendly jurisdiction – it wants to be the center for tokenized finance. We’re also starting to see early signs of convergence between digital assets and AI – from the use of insight agents to develop entirely new financial products, to unlocking previously inaccessible liquidity pools. These technologies aren’t evolving in parallel anymore; they’re reinforcing one another. This is bigger than margin trading or digital asset custody. We’re talking about the future of capital markets.”

Aqua-Index water backed digital asset token to be launched in UAE

Aqua-Index water backed digital asset token to be launched in UAE

UAE based DMCC, the Dubai commodities free zone, signed an MOU with AQUA-INDEX, a global pioneer in water commodities trading to launch the world’s first digital asset token backed by freshwater resources.

As per the press release, this will revolutionize how water is traded, valued and managed globally.

The token – the first of its kind globally – is backed by verified, drinking-quality water stored in global reservoirs and will enable investors, hedgers, traders and the general public to trade, hold and take delivery of fresh water as a commodity. By combining financial innovation with water market expertise, the partnership offers a practical mechanism for unlocking new liquidity and transparency in global water supply chains.

Under the partnership, AQUA-INDEX will benefit from DMCC’s extensive global network, world-class services, advanced infrastructure, and leading commodity marketplace, facilitating the effective trading and investment in water assets. AQUA-INDEX will enhance the availability and exchange of knowledge around global water usage and pricing and provide access to essential trading and hedging products for DMCC and its member companies.

DMCC will not directly own or manage the token itself.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said, “Nearly half the global population experiences water scarcity for at least part of the year, yet water remains the only critical resource without a mature, regulated market. We are proud to partner with AQUA-INDEX to drive a transparent, neutral, and legally coherent structure and marketplace for water to secure the future of a resource that has long been undervalued.

This is the next clear milestone in the formation of DMCC Water Centre, where we will not only bring the conversation of water to the forefront, but also attract the sector’s leading companies to create a global centre in Dubai for water innovation, security, sustainable best practice, knowledge and education, while ensuring that the world’s most transported commodity has the ability to reach water distressed areas.”

Yaacov Shirazi, Chairman and Founder of AQUA INDEX, added, “Pricing water by the value of its usage, standardization of water by its mineral content and quality, and turning water to a new asset class for a financial trading, is a gamechanger in the world economy. It will establish new levels of water management which prevents scarcity, contamination, and lack of access.”

The Water Centre brings together WaterTech innovators, logistics providers and commodity traders under one platform.