UAE Fintech group Equiti and Dubai Digital Asset Association partner

UAE Fintech group Equiti and Dubai Digital Asset Association partner

MENA based Equiti Group, a global online trading and fintech innovation with licenses in UAE, UK and Cyprus, has partnered with UAE based D2A2 (Dubai Digital Asset Association), the MENA platform for regulatory discourse on tokenized real-world assets, to create a secure, transparent, and future ready digital asset ecosystem.

The alliance seeks to work to evolve the digital asset regulatory frameworks in the MENA region working with industry leaders, regulators policy makers and other key stakeholders such as the private sector.

“Finance should work for everyone, not just those with legacy access. Partnering with D2A2 gives us the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow industry leaders, share insights, and help shape a more inclusive financial future,” stated Iskandar Najjar, Equiti Group CEO & co-founder. “It’s about building a community where innovation is driven collectively, and access to opportunity is expanded through collaboration.”

Equiti brings deep experience in regulated finance, global market infrastructure and fintech solutions across EMEA. D2A2, meanwhile, is uniquely positioned as a regulatory thought leader, providing a trusted forum for exploring secure digitisation of real-world assets, including property, commodities, and income-generating instruments.

Together, the two organizations will champion collaboration for sustainable tokenized finance in the region. “Our collaboration with Equiti represents a significant step in furthering our commitment to stakeholder engagement and ecosystem development,” added Gaurang Desai, Chairman of D2A2. By fostering constructive dialogue and supporting responsible innovation, we aim to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for digital assets.”

The Equiti-D2A2 partnership will focus on four core pillars, driving industry-regulator dialogue to foster balanced growth of the digital asset sector, contributing to policy clarity on tokenization, custody, and cross-border innovation, elevating financial literacy on blockchain and real-world asset tokenization and bridging TradFi and DeFi through infrastructure that unites security with agility.

UAE Changer crypto custodian and AI DLT startup Bitgrit to unlock AI on Chain

UAE Changer crypto custodian and AI DLT startup Bitgrit to unlock AI on Chain

UAE regulated Changer,a digital asset custodian and Bitgrit, a global startup working to democratize AI who recently registered their DLT Foundation at ADGM, have partnered to advance the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundation ecosystem in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), to unlock new frontiers for “AI-on-chain” technology.

Changer, known for its ultra-secure custody platform for managing digital money and assets, will join forces with Bitgrit, which leverages its global network of over 40,000 AI developers to enable companies to crowdsource and license innovative AI solutions. Together, they aim to power a decentralized AI economy where developers, enterprises, and institutions can securely build, monetize, and trade AI models on the blockchain, right here in Abu Dhabi.

Wang Hao, CEO of Changer, stated, “This is a pivotal moment. Changer is dedicated to supporting ADGM’s DLT Foundation – the world’s first comprehensive framework for blockchain foundations, DAOs, and Web3 entities. We provide secure, regulated digital asset custody and a seamless infrastructure for tokenized ecosystems. With Bitgrit, we are forging new standards for transparency, efficiency, and global cooperation in the digital age.”

The partnership will initially see Changer provide custody services for Bitgrit’s native BGR tokens. It will then expand to secure AI models and datasets tokenized on Bitgrit’s BGR Network. This capability is crucial for creating smooth and secure interactions between traditional finance, cryptocurrency, and the burgeoning AI economy, boosting security, transparency, and worldwide appeal.

Kazuya Saginawa, CEO of Bitgrit, underscored the partnership’s strategic vision, “Teaming up with Changer is a game-changer for Bitgrit. Their trusted custody solutions allow us to confidently scale our decentralized AI ecosystem and position Bitgrit as a pioneer in the AI-on-chain revolution. This alliance solidifies our mission to securely bring advanced AI onto the blockchain, which will create immense value for developers, businesses, and investors across the globe.”

The event also served as an official announcement for the launch of the BGR Network by Bitgrit’s COO Saksham Kukreja. The BGR Network is a purpose-built blockchain ecosystem for AI applications. It allows AI models and datasets to be securely tokenized, owned, and traded on-chain, offering unprecedented transparency, ownership, and monetization avenues for AI creators and enterprises. Its ability to connect with other established blockchain systems makes it a pioneering infrastructure for the next wave of AI development.

Saksham Kukreja COO of Bitgrit added, “Our collaboration with Changer is fundamental to establishing a trusted, secure, and regulatory-compliant AI economy on the blockchain. This is not only a major achievement for Bitgrit but also a compelling example for the global Web3 community of how regulated partnerships in progressive jurisdictions like ADGM can catalyze sustainable and truly impactful innovation.”

The cooperation between these two regulated firms within ADGM underscores how supportive regulatory environments can powerfully drive innovation, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in the advancement of blockchain and artificial intelligence.

Saudi based Oumla Blockchain has partnered with Chainlink

Saudi based Oumla Blockchain has partnered with Chainlink

Oumla, a Layer 1 blockchain platform that allows applications to be built on any blockchain with ease, as well as offers a secure vault infrastructure for storing digital assets has announced its partnership with Chainlink.

Chainlink Labs is one of the primary contributing developers of Chainlink, the standard for onchain finance, verifiable data, and cross-chain interoperability. Chainlink is unifying liquidity across global markets and has enabled over $17 trillion in transaction value across the blockchain economy. Major financial market infrastructures and institutions, such as Swift, Fidelity International, and ANZ Bank, as well as top DeFi protocols including Aave, GMX, and Lido, use Chainlink to power next-generation applications for banking, asset management, and other major sectors.

In an X post Oumla stated, “We are pleased to announce that Oumla is partnering with chainlink and adopting the Chainlink standard on OumlaChain, a compliance-focused, permissioned blockchain in Saudi Arabia.”

The post adds, ” Bringing Chainlink SmartData to OumlaChain empowers enterprises, financial institutions, and government entities to move onchain, supporting the Kingdom’s blockchain innovation and digital transformation.”

Oumla in KSA, offers an intuitive infrastructure that caters to both businesses and government entities. The platform offers a suite of APIs and SDKs, enabling developers to build applications on top of any blockchain, including Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-based networks, without the need to master complex, low-level blockchain-specific protocols.

Oumla already partnered with Avalanche Blockchain

Prior to this announcement, Oumla partnered with Avalanche Blockchain to create Saudi Arabia’s first Layer on Blockchain fully hosted in the country.

At the time Oumla stated, “This collaboration will support startups and SMEs, driving technological innovation across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. It will bring a secure, locally-hosted blockchain platform closer to home, we’re paving the way for growth and innovation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. This partnership is part of our larger mission to develop the products the region needs to thrive in Web3 and blockchain technology, preparing the MENA market for a seamless transition into the digital future.
We’re excited to bring this vision to life and drive the next wave of technological transformation!”

Adaverce, the venture capital fund and Web3 accelerator with a base in KSA, invested in Oumla. In 2024 Adaverse published its first Web3 ecosystem report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showcasing growth, opportunities, as well as challenges. Since its inception, Adaverse has funded 54+ startups across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

In addition Outlier Ventures has also chosen Oumla for its Spark accelerator program.

Chainlink has a presence in the UAE

In December 2024, Chainlink Labs, expanded its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and set up an office and an entity in Abu Dhabi under the Registration Authority of ADGM.

At the same time, UAE Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, added a fifth council member of its Digital Asset Lab – Chainlink.

Blockchain cybersecurity entity partners with Abu Dhabi Blockchain center

Blockchain cybersecurity entity partners with Abu Dhabi Blockchain center

The Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center (ADBC) and Verichains, an entity in finance and blockchain cybersecurity, have partnered to support blockchain developers, businesses, and institutions throughout every stage of their journey, from early development to operational maturity. This partnership reflects a shared vision to provide a secure foundation to promote and develop blockchain technologies in the region, unlocking its potential for economic growth and technological leadership.


“Blockchain innovation can only thrive when it’s built on a foundation of trust and security,” said Abdullah Dhaheri, CEO of The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi. “This partnership with Verichains brings unparalleled expertise to the region, ensuring that blockchain companies have access to the technical support needed to develop and grow their project. Announcing this initiative at Bitcoin MENA 2024 underscores our commitment to fostering a secure and vibrant blockchain ecosystem for the MENA region.”

Through its comprehensive security services, Verichains will enable developers to tackle key challenges at every stage of the development cycle:

Early Design and Architecture Review: Assisting teams in designing secure and scalable blockchain systems from the ground up, helping projects avoid costly codebase rework.

Audits and Pre-Deployment Assessments: Identifying vulnerabilities in the protocol and smart contracts before projects go live, providing technical assurance for developers, users and investors alike.

Post-Deployment Services: Offering regular penetration testing, threat modeling, and security assessments to keep live projects resilient to emerging risks.

Incident Response Services: Providing rapid response and mitigation services for projects facing security threats, minimizing downtime and protecting assets.

“We are thrilled to bring our world-class security expertise to foster a secure and trusted blockchain ecosystem in the region, fully supporting ADBC’s vision of driving innovation and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in blockchain technology and decentralized ecosystems”, said Thanh Nguyen, Founder of Verichains.

The Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center has signed several partnerships over the past few months. One of them was with Aethir to push forward AI, blockchain and gaming startups.

Siraj Finance and ASSNTURE in UAE partner to pilot tokenization solutions

Siraj Finance and ASSNTURE in UAE partner to pilot tokenization solutions

Siraj Finance PJSC, a private joint stock company based in Abu Dhabi and regulated by the UAE Central Bank, offering a multitude of financial products, designed in compliance with Islamic Shari’ah principles and ASSNTURE Limited a registered in Abu Dhabi ADGM ( Abu Dhabi Global Market) as a technology startup providing Asset Tokenization and Digital Assets Infrastructure Solutions signed a strategic partnership during ADWF ( Abu Dhabi Finance Week), to explore solutions in asset tokenization and digital assets.

As per the announcement, this collaboration represents a shared commitment to leveraging blockchain technology to redefine financial services, with a focus on enabling secure, efficient, and compliant tokenization of real-world assets.

Siraj Finance and ASSNTURE aim to combine their expertise to pilot and commercialize asset tokenization solutions that align with the regulatory frameworks of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). By integrating cutting-edge blockchain technology, the two entities intend to provide clients with alternative liquidity solutions and expand access to high-value assets for a broader range of investors.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Mohamed Rusan Fyroze, CEO of Siraj Finance said, “This collaboration highlights Siraj Finance’s vision to lead the adoption of next-generation financial solutions in the UAE, aligning with our mission to empower businesses and individuals with innovative and compliant tools.”

Mr. Ihsan Khelef, Founder and Managing Director of ASSNTURE Limited added, “Partnering with Siraj Finance during ADFW reflects ASSNTURE’s dedication to building a robust ecosystem for tokenized assets. Together, we are setting the foundation for a new era in financial services.”

In October 2024, ASSNTURE launched “TradeDesk,” a blockchain-based platform designed to revolutionize the management and settlement of trade finance transactions for finished goods, raw materials, and commodities.

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, 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.

UNDP partners with DFINITY Foundation to develop trust credentials

UNDP partners with DFINITY Foundation to develop trust credentials

UNDP ( United Nations Development Program) has partnered with the DFINITY Foundation, which will leverages the Internet Computer blockchain technology to further develop and implement the Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC) initiative. This collaboration underscores a significant step towards enhancing digital trust and financial inclusion for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) globally.

This framework – the Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC) launched in collaboration with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and other partners when implemented in several countries, will not only enhance domestic access to financing for MSMEs but also unlock access to trade financing across participating countries due to the enhanced cross-border trust in the data provided. The UTC solution aims to stimulate the adoption of digital technologies, which will include blockchain-based solutions, with the view to ultimately build a vibrant and sustainable financial ecosystem that empowers MSMEs.

The DFINITY Foundation will utilize its expertise in decentralized compute platforms and digital identity solutions to develop and test the prototype for a robust data infrastructure (platform) for the UTC pilot initiative in Cambodia. This infrastructure will ensure the secure storage and management of digital credentials, enhancing the trust and reliability of the UTC system.

“The partnership with the DFINITY Foundation marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to advance digital inclusion and economic empowerment for MSMEs in Cambodia,” stated Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support. “By harnessing cutting-edge technology, we can create a more secure and accessible digital credentialing system that will drive sustainable development and economic growth.”

The DFINITY Foundation is the creator and major contributor to the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP), the underlying technology that will be instrumental in building a decentralized and tamper-proof data infrastructure, providing the high level of security and transparency needed for the UTC initiative to succeed. This collaboration will not only benefit Cambodian MSMEs but after the pilot in Cambodia, this project plans to scale to 10 countries.

“MSMEs represent the backbone of most economies, and the UTC initiative represents a unique opportunity to bring transparency and increase inclusion within a financial system that often fails to cater to their needs”, stated Dominic Williams, Chief Scientist and Founder of the DFINITY Foundation. “By utilizing the Internet Computer blockchain technology, the UTC initiative is set to benefit from over a thousand person-years of research and development and will be supported by some of the leading cryptographers and experts in the field of digital identity”.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the UNDP to leverage technology and innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.

In 2023 DFINITY launched its GCC hub and supported a UAE recycling project.

UAE Blockchain venture capital firm partners with Landvault for AI metaverse innovations

UAE Blockchain venture capital firm partners with Landvault for AI metaverse innovations

 UAE Blockchain and technology venture capital firm , Masary Capital has partnered with Landvault, a tech company specializing in AI-powered immersive experiences and digital twins for Fortune 500 companies and government organizations.

Masary Capital is led by Mr. Khalil Abdulla of the Wafi Group conglomerate and features an esteemed board, including Meshal Abdullah Bin Hussain, Chief Information Officer at the UAE Ministry of Finance, along with many other industry experts.

Masary Capital aims to accelerate companies by serving as a bridge for innovative enterprises that align with the region’s strategic goals.

Landvault has a portfolio featuring collaborations with the Abu Dhabi Government, Yas Marina Circuit, various Dubai ministries, the Saudi Government, sovereign funds, and private enterprises across the MENA region. The company continues to lead technological advancements in immersive experiences and AI-powered digital twins.

These experiences are leveraged by government entities for a variety of purposes, including marketing, promotion, and internal analytics. They align with the Dubai Metaverse Strategy established by the government of Dubai in 2022, which aims to position Dubai as one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies and a global hub for the metaverse community.

At a private event in April 2024, Landvault unveiled their new tech stack designed to build immersive experiences. This includes an AI creation tool that accelerates the production of digital environments, a publishing platform that deploys digital twins on the web in minutes, and a comprehensive analytics platform.

“Joining forces with Masary and Mr. Khalil is a great achievement for Landvault and will accelerate our go-to market and ability to drive change in the public and private sector of the MENA region. Having their backing is a great vote of confidence” says Sam Huber, CEO of Landvault.

“We are impressed with Landvault’s commitment to the region and their innovative technology. We’re excited to partner with them to accelerate the rollout of this technology across the region,” says Khalil Abdulla, CEO at Masary Capital.

RWA a tokenization platform partners with Blockchain L1 layers Hybrid

RWA a tokenization platform partners with Blockchain L1 layers Hybrid

RWA Inc. a tokenization platform, which according to its website has six trade licenses in the UAE, has partnered with L1 blockchain solution HYBRID. As per the medium post, the partnership will streamline the tokenization process and enable users to leverage advanced AI features. It is noted that RWA is neither licensed by FSRA in ADGM ( Abu Dhabi Global Market) nor by VARA ( Dubai Virtual asset regulatory authority).

In their website they claim to have licenses to buy and sell real estate, commodities, collectibles, private equity, and DePin ( Decentralized Physical Networks)

One of the primary features of RWA is its Launchpad. This unique marketplace includes everything needed to bring Real World Assets onto a blockchain.

RWA Inc has partnered with HYBRID is a layer 1 programmable blockchain focused on the growing AI agent sector. AI agents continue to be popular due to their capabilities and autonomininty. HYBRID combines these benefits with blockchain security and efficiency to elevate the UX and drive innovation

Users can leverage HYBRID’s unique features such as the Atlas AI agent to reduce their workload and enhance their blockchain analysis results. In this way, HYBRID enables anyone to conduct real-time analysis and create powerful data layers to power effective future AI solutions.
RWA Inc. and HYBRID seek to introduce a new era of convenience and efficiency via AI integrations. In the future, the RWA community will gain access to the most advanced AI tools via HYBRID features. In addition, HYBRID Users will gain the ability to create powerful AI tokenization protocols that empower anyone to convert regulated assets securely.

Prior to its announcement of partnership with HYBRID, RWA announced its partnership with Mantra Chain another Layer 1 blockchain, seeking to be licensed in the UAE.

After VARA’s initial approval for digital asset broker license, DKK partners with UAE Seed Group

After VARA’s initial approval for digital asset broker license, DKK partners with UAE Seed Group

DKK partner, an emerging markets FX liquidity specialist firm, which recently received initial approval for digital asset broker license from Dubai’s Virtual asset regulatory authority, has partnered with UAE Seed Group, a company of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, based in Dubai.

As per the press release, the partnership offers a significant step towards achieving seamless financial interoperability across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the broader Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). The companies will work together to enable transparent and efficient transactions and processes for global financial institutions, promoting digital solutions and financial inclusivity.

DKK Partners was recently granted initial approval to offer digital asset broker dealer services by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The initial approval allows DKK FZE to move forward in the licensing process and offer customers in Dubai and the UAE access to stablecoin blockchain technology, utilizing USDT and USDC.

The Seed Group specializes in diversified business interests and operates across a group of companies, within different sectors such as technology, real estate, healthcare and more. Fostering innovation is what the Seed Group strives for, focusing on investment activities and strategic partnerships.

Hisham Al Gurg, the CEO of Seed Group stated, “We are pleased to work alongside DKK Partners in delivering forex risk management, liquidity solutions, and expedited collections to the rapidly growing markets across Dubai and the MENA region. This joint alliance will allow DKK Partners to deliver seamless interoperability customised to the growing demands of local businesses and government institutions. We are optimistic about how this partnership will unfold in the coming months.”

Khalid Talukder, Co-Founder and CEO of DKK Partners commented, “It is an extremely exciting time for us at DKK Partners as the new partnership grants us access to the offices of key decision-makers in Dubai and the UAE’s largest and most prestigious businesses. We were looking for a key strategic partner based in Dubai that has wide-reaching access in the UAE and GCC, and Seed Group was absolutely the ideal match. This partnership will enable us to showcase our business model and the immediate advantages we offer, perfectly aligning with our three-year growth and expansion strategy.”