In a move aimed at establishing robust, equitable energy systems, PermianChain Technologies Inc. (“PermianChain”) a WealthTech startup focused on natural resources tokenization and digital energy monetization and Saudi based Ejada Business for Energy a renewable energy developer (“Ejada”) have partnered to shape the future of renewable energy through distributed energy in Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region. The agreement promises to revolutionize how renewable energy projects are developed and executed.

The partnership grants Ejada exclusive representation in Saudi Arabia for PermianChain’s innovative WealthTech platform-as-a-service. This platform offers sustainable finance opportunities and cutting-edge digital asset mining services. Ejada, a leading provider and developer of renewable energy services in the Saudi market, is poised to drive a substantial transformation within the regional energy sector.

Abdulrahman AlNimri, CEO of Ejada, stated, “Our steadfast commitment to strategically accelerate renewable energy in Saudi Arabia makes this partnership with PermianChain a pivotal step in maintaining Ejada’s competitive edge in regional energy system development. We aim to contribute significantly to economic and social growth.” Mr. AlNimri went on to emphasize that “the digital energy value chain, harnessed by the PermianChain platform, streamlines sustainable finance, offering new avenues for natural wealth creation and enabling unprecedented treasury optimization for both public and private sectors.”

PermianChain, known for its expertise in natural resource tokenization and digital asset mining, envisions itself as the gateway for investors and Web3 enthusiasts eager to participate in the burgeoning digital energy revolution. The PermianChain platform services are poised to unlock fresh opportunities for natural wealth creation. Mohamed El-Masri, founder and CEO at PermianChain Technologies, noted, “Our dedication to the PermianChain mission of building, managing, and operating a distributed digital energy market for decentralized compute applications has brought this partnership with Ejada in Saudi Arabia to fruition. We see promising opportunities in ambitious mega projects such as NEOM and smart cities, which rely heavily on AI and IoT technology, with increasing adoption of blockchain and digital assets in the region.”

An Invest Saudi report revealed that the Saudi market’s data center industry is rapidly expanding, with an expected market size of USD 19 billion by 2030. The Kingdom’s plans to expand traditional data center capacity to over 1GW, involving capital investments of USD 11 billion into the sector, underline the immense potential of the market. Both PermianChain and Ejada are determined to pioneer Saudi’s digital asset and blockchain data center market, to establish a strong presence in the GCC region, paving the way for expansion into the broader Middle East and Africa. This endeavor is contingent upon obtaining the necessary regulatory licenses to operate PermianChain’s holistic WealthTech platform, offering sustainable investments and digital asset mining services.

As of this announcement, PermianChain and Ejada have plans to develop, construct, and operate an initial 25 MW solar power plant. A portion of the power generation capacity will be allocated to users of PermianChain Miner, creating an exclusive offtake opportunity for low-cost power to drive digital asset mining and compute applications. This innovative approach allows regional investors to actively participate in building equitable energy systems while optimizing treasury.

What distinguishes this partnership is its unyielding dedication to the communities where energy projects are based. By pioneering a strict approach that ensures energy is consumed where it’s produced, PermianChain and Ejada aim to foster local development, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate sustainable growth in often overlooked regions.

This transformative alliance embodies the broader global shift toward clean energy, decentralized power generation, and the empowerment of underserved areas. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in realizing a future where energy is equitable, sustainable, and accessible to all.

UBITQUITY, a blockchain and real estate technology company for Real World Assets for web3 is thrilled has partnered with BENMARG Group, a luxury real estate agency based in Dubai, UAE. This to enhance the luxury real estate market by showcasing BENMARG Group’s exquisite property listings on CryptoListing, a prominent platform for real estate transactions using cryptocurrencies as well as enabled cryptocurrency transactions for these luxury properties through UBITQUITY’s innovative UbitquityPay service.

BENMARG Group is renowned for curating an exclusive portfolio of luxury real estate offerings in Dubai and beyond. The company’s commitment to delivering exceptional properties that cater to the most discerning clientele aligns perfectly with the capabilities of CryptoListing and UbitquityPay.

CryptoListing, a bleeding-edge platform, provides a secure and transparent environment for the purchase and sale of real estate using cryptocurrencies. This collaboration will allow BENMARG Group to tap into the growing global market of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors who seek luxury properties as a store of value and investment.

UBITQUITY, LLC’s UbitquityPay service is designed to streamline cryptocurrency transactions for real estate, offering both buyers and sellers a simplified and efficient process. This service will enable BENMARG Group’s clients to seamlessly complete cryptocurrency transactions when purchasing these high-end properties.

“We are excited to collaborate with UBITQUITY, LLC, to bring our luxury real estate listings to the CryptoListing platform. This partnership allows us to cater to a tech-savvy and global audience while providing a secure and efficient way to transact in cryptocurrencies,” said George Gabriel of BENMARG Group.

“BENMARG Group’s commitment to excellence in luxury real estate aligns perfectly with our mission to bring innovation to the real estate industry. We look forward to enabling seamless cryptocurrency transactions for their prestigious properties through UbitquityPay,” said Nathan Wosnack, Founder & CEO of UBITQUITY.

Representatives from both BENMARG Group and UBITQUITY are currently at the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai, UAE.

Concurrently UBITQUITY and Women in Blockchain Canada have joined Forces to Fundraise and Forge Enterprise Partnerships as well as bring its tech innovations to MENA at Future Blockchain Summit.

Crypto exchange Bybit, which recently launched its headquarters out of Dubai UAE, but is still seeking its regulatory license has once again forged a partnership with DMCC ( Dubai Multi Commodities Center) to launch a $100K hackathon to develop the Web3 ecosystem in Dubai.

The hackathon will take place in Dubai on 22 November 2023 and is the latest milestone between DMCC and Bybit since both sides announced a strategic partnership in June to accelerate the mass adoption of crypto and web3 in Dubai.

During the final stage, up to 10 teams will compete to develop creative technical solutions to a range of challenges within the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), gaming and information security.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC said: “Dubai is fast consolidating its position as the most important Web3 hub in the region, and the DMCC-Bybit hackathon is the perfect testament of this in action. As Dubai continues its transition into an innovation-driven and knowledge-based economy, furthering the development of Web3 technologies is vital. This will be the largest hackathon of its kind in the region, pioneering the latest technical innovation in areas such as AI and gaming. We are delighted to continue our partnership with Bybit as we look to boost our Web3 community at DMCC Crypto Centre.”

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit added: “Tapping into the high levels of Web3 innovation taking place in Dubai is a key pillar of our strategy as we continue growing our global market share. This partnership with DMCC is enabling us to do exactly that, so we are excited to host the largest hackathons that this region has seen and further build our symbiotic relationship with the DMCC Crypto Centre.”

Prior to this Bybit contributed $250K scholarship fund to the American Univeristy of Sharjah.

The new partnership for the hackathon comes as Bybit suspends its services in the United Kingdom after financial regulator’s final warning. Bybit had also announced a similar winding down of services in Canada in May 2023.

Blockchain data security solutions provider, ZorroSign, Inc., has partnered with UAE Vision Tech Solutions. This partnership will unite ZorroSign’s data security platform and blockchain technologies with Vison Tech Solution’s IT infrastructure and services across the GCC region.

Initially as a reseller, Vision Tech Solutions will bring ZorroSign to new companies and new markets as the partnership deepens with integrated capabilities and technology alignment.

“We are thrilled to partner with Rajab and his team at Vision Tech,” said Shamsh Hadi, CEO and co-founder of ZorroSign. “Their customer service focus and top quality IT services map well to ZorroSign’s values and data security strengths. We are eager to see what our combined technology solutions can achieve for companies in the UAE, the larger Middle East and North Africa region, and later into Europe.”

ZorroSign was founded with a commitment to advancing technology while advancing sustainability, and ZorroSign’s goal is to help customers adopt sustainable practices and securely transform paper-based workflows into digital workflows. This conscientious approach to operations helps to decrease costs, lower resource consumption, reduce data errors, and increase productivity. Businesses, educational institutions, financial organizations, governments, IT firms, legal service providers, real estate companies, and others use ZorroSign to privately and securely manage their digital transactions.

“Vision Tech aspires to be a global leader in Information Technology, driving technological advancements and delivering sustainable solutions that improve the lives of people around the world,” added Rajab Virani, CEO at Vision Tech Solutions. “ZorroSign is an ideal technology partner for us—not only bringing a practical, scalable blockchain solution to data security and digital signatures, but doing so with an overarching commitment to sustainability.”

ZorroSign today has an extensive customer base for its data security and digital signature solutions built on blockchain in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, India, Sri Lanka, the United States, and Canada. The technology company is aggressively expanding into European markets next and seeking new strategic alliances across the EU and UK in 2023.

The Hashgraph Association, the non-profit organization accelerating the broad adoption of the Hedera network globally, has partnered with Dar Blockchain to nurture projects, facilitate growth, and profoundly shape the MENA technology landscape. The partnership focuses on the education and nurturing of Web3 talent within the region through facilitating meetups, hackathons, and university groups, as well as publishing a monthly podcast. Through their focus on Web3 talent, The Hashgraph Association and Dar Blockchain will strive to advance innovation within the region, furthering the expansion of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain across the globe.

Together, Dar Blockchain and The Hashgraph Association will work to provide insight into blockchain ecosystems, as well as promote the Hedera network, the most innovative, sustainable, enterprise-grade public ledger for the decentralized economy. To foster curiosity and capabilities within the MENA region, Dar Blockchain and The Hashgraph Association are partnering to host four hackathons, starting in October 2023.

These events are part of a broader strategy that includes community-building activities and a sourcing phase for an upcoming incubation program tailored for the North African community. This incubation program, to be announced soon, will further support and nurture promising projects emerging from these hackathons. In addition to the hackathons, the collaboration will offer bespoke training sessions, fueling the growth of communities and enterprises, while showcasing the endless possibilities of Web3.

Mohamed Mnif and Jaafar Saied the Co-founders of Dar Blockchain, said: “At Dar Blockchain, our foundation is built on the belief that education is the cornerstone of innovation. We were established with a clear vision: to support and nurture local talents while forging a vital connection between our local Web3 ecosystem and the global blockchain landscape. By providing training sessions that dive into the Hedera Network, and setting up chapters in local universities to connect students from different backgrounds, Dar Blockchain and The Hashgraph Association will lay the foundation for the true realization of DLT. This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators across the MENA region, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to drive the widespread adoption of Web3 technologies on a global scale.”

Recently, the MENA region has been a frontrunner for Web3 growth and innovation. In October 2022, it was announced that the region was home to the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets. In August 2023, the Dubai AI and Web 3.0 Campus committed to cutting license fees of Web3 and AI firms by 90% in an effort to encourage the move of companies and organizations to the city. 

Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association, said: “The Hashgraph Association’s partnership with Dar Blockchain will accelerate the mass adoption of DLT in the MENA region. With the favorable outlook on crypto in the region, we wish to support this growth and ensure its continued upward momentum. It is a result of this openness to Web3 that we are partnering with Dar Blockchain and committing to advance the MENA Web3 industry.”

With each event and initiative, Dar Blockchain and The Hashgraph Association hope to provide a starting point for those interested in the world of Web3. By establishing ways to support Web3 talent in MENA, The Hashgraph Association and Dar Blockchain will further advance MENA’s blockchain boom and its position as a leader in the field. More details about the collaboration can be found at: Darblockchain.io

UAE based Ghaf Labs, a boutique consultancy and advisory firm specializing in web3 ventures partners with Sui Foundation, a Blockchain Foundation that supports the growth and proliferation of the Sui blockchain protocol (“Sui”) and associated ecosystem.

Sui is a Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform designed from the bottom up to make digital asset ownership fast, private, secure, and accessible to everyone.

This strategic alliance is aimed at driving Sui Foundation’s expansion within the UAE and the MENA region, fostering the growth of web3 adoption.

Established in 2019, Ghaf Capital Partners, a private investment firm, has solidified its position as a pioneering player in the web3 investment space, boasting an impressive portfolio of 75 portfolio companies. The team’s extensive business background and strong web2 exposure have uniquely positioned them to navigate the dynamic landscapes of both traditional and blockchain-based industries.

In response to the growing demand from companies seeking exposure in the MENA region, Ghaf Capital introduced Ghaf Labs, a boutique advisory and consultancy service dedicated to web3 ventures. The Labs’ philosophy is centered on providing personalized attention to a select number of clients each year, ensuring that their unique needs and goals are met with utmost precision and care.

As part of this groundbreaking partnership, Sui Foundation will be supported holistically through Ghaf’s expertise and market insights. With ambitious plans to expand its ecosystem in the UAE, Sui Foundation aims to tap into the region through a series of direct objectives, such as university partnerships, discussions with regulators, organizing regional hackathons and supporting local web3 projects.

Sui Foundation shall kick off its presence in the region by participating in some of the most prominent web3 summits in the UAE for Q4 2023, such as, Future Blockchain Summit, World Blockchain Summit and Global Blockchain Congress.

Sui Foundation will also host a monthly meet up in Dubai called “Sui Connect” which will act as an enabler for community building while fostering local ecosystem stimulation.

“We are delighted to partner with Sui Foundation on their journey to become the leading choice for web3 partnerships,” said Sheikh Al Mualla bin Ahmed Al Mualla, Co-founder of Ghaf Labs. “Their team’s commitment to excellence and groundbreaking innovations aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering the growth of web3 technologies in the MENA region,” Said Feras Al Sadek, Co-founder of Ghaf Labs.

Greg Siourounis, Managing Director at Sui Foundation, also expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “Together with Ghaf Labs, we are poised to ignite an era of transformative advancements in web3 technologies in the MENA region and beyond, bringing Sui’s state-of-the-art blockchain-based technologies to bear addressing real world challenges that have not been solved by traditional centralized networks. We believe our shared vision will pave the way for building a global decentralized web3 ecosystem based on the most advanced technologies and inclusive of all people.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dubai regulated virtual asset broker and exchange TOKO FZE a creation of international law firm DLA Piper, has partnered with  Virtuzone, a pioneer in business solutions and corporate services for the region. The partnership will include the establishment of a tokenized equity crowd funding platform will further cement Dubai’s standing at the forefront of financial innovative and as a destination for early stage and fast growth companies seeking a supportive business environment.

TOKO has just received a fully operational license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA).The partnership with Virtuzone is set to transform early-stage private equity fund raising using blockchain technology to bring enhanced transparency, accessibility, and opportunity for both investors and the businesses seeking to raise funds. Across a variety of compelling businesses, investors will have greater insight, information and access to private equities for their portfolio and the expectation of greater liquidity that comes with this digital transformation.Scott Thiel, Managing Director of TOKO, says “The VARA regulatory framework has been custom designed for virtual asset transactions, providing a robust and clear route to market that is going to support the transformation of investments and facilitate financial inclusion.  We are excited to be partnering with Virtuzone in tokenising early-stage equity investments. At TOKO, we believe in improving the world and reshaping the virtual asset management landscape through cutting-edge technology, regulatory compliance, and a user-centric approach, and this partnership with Virtuzone provides a wonderful platform to achieve this”.By tokenising early equity offerings, TOKO and Virtuzone will open up access to a broader range of investors, allowing both institutional and individual investors to participate in a more accessible and transparent manner.The partnership is poised to take full advantage of VARA’s regulatory framework to drive positive change in the financial services sector. It will create a revolutionary platform for SME-sized companies, enabling them to engage in early equity fundraising with ease.Neil Petch, Chairman and Co-founder of Virtuzone, says: “Since our founding 14 years ago, our mission remains the same – to ease the way for entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs and equip them with all the tools they need to succeed. We are therefore thrilled to partner with TOKO, under the VARA regulatory framework, and introduce tokenised equity offerings, which we believe will make Dubai an even more attractive destination for startups and entrepreneurs seeking funding, as well as for angel investors and venture capitalists looking to be part of Dubai’s thriving business sector. Our strategic collaboration with TOKO also aligns with the UAE’s National Entrepreneurship Agenda, which aims to establish the UAE as home to 10 unicorn companies by 2031.”This partnership between TOKO and Virtuzone represents a transformative step forward in the evolution of Dubai’s innovative financial landscape. By introducing tokenised early equity fund offerings, the collaboration will not only empower businesses but also create exciting opportunities for investors.

Saudi’s fintech entity Geidea just announced that it has partnered with UAE based Blockchainenabled payments platform Magnati, and FAB ( First Abu Dhabi Bank) to offer digital payments in KSA, this comes after Geidea had partnered with Blockchain payments platform WadzPay in 2022.

As per the recent announcement, The collaboration has the potential to be transformative in the Saudi payments space and is set to create exceptional value for clients, bridging the gap between advanced financial solutions and accessibility, while ensuring enhanced affordability, said the statement.

With a focus on innovation and technology, Magnati offers Payment as a Platform services that cater to a wide range of industries and businesses, encompassing integrated payment solutions, secure transaction processing, and comprehensive e-commerce solutions.

Launched in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2008, Geidea provides over 700,000 payment terminals (POS) across the region and serves over 139,000 trusted merchants including regional and international brands, SMEs as well as e-commerce players.

Magnati CEO Ramana Kumar said the Geidea collaboration is a testament to its commitment to serving the clients’ expansion goals in Saudi Arabia. Kumar added, “Together, we aim to revolutionise the payment landscape by introducing innovative solutions, seamless integrations, and unparalleled customer experiences. Leveraging Geidea’s innovation and Magnati’s fintech expertise, we are poised to unlock the full potential of digital payments.”

Geidea Chief Business Officer Abdullah Alshowier expressed delight at the strategic alliance sealed with FAB and Magnati to support clients in Saudi Arabia. “This collaboration will empower merchants with Geidea’s state-of-the-art payment solutions, seamlessly accepting a wide spectrum of digital payments through a unified platform. We are enthusiastic about collaborating with FAB and Magnati to drive innovation, amplify services, and extend our collective presence in the GCC region,” he added.

In June 2022 Magnati had launched its MetaV, a virtual marketplace that that provides users with richer visual and sensory information, as well as improved quality of information to shop, learn, play games, attend concerts and more online.

The platform built on Magnati’s blockchain aims to accelerate the move from two-dimensional to multi-dimensional online commerce by enabling consumers to experience e-commerce in a new, immersive way.

Prior to that Geidea had expanded its operations into the United Arab Emirates and through a partnership with  Magnati.

But this is not the first partnership between Geidea and a blockchain enabled payments platform. Prior to this in November 2022, Geidea partnered with UAE based WadzPay,a blockchain enabled payments platform as well.  Geidea utilized WadzPay technology for the issuance of an e-money wallet, specifically for Hajj and Umrah, to be used in over one million point-of-sale (POS) terminals deployed across multiple merchants throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

WadzPay blockchain-based payment solutions allow Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to set up their own e-Money wallets on their mobile devices to be used for their expenses. Once the wallet is loaded, the pilgrim is ready to spend in Saudi Arabia with lower transaction fees and a user-friendly refund process.

The product is in final live testing and will be licensed soon. According to a tweet last week by WadzPay community member, “ We are getting closer to launch in KSA as licenses ad testing are in the final stretch. Q3 will see live terminals on WadzPay platform.”

So Geidea is moving forward with enabling blockchain digital asset payments from two major players in the region.

UAE based RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO) and Blockchain AI empowered platform Humans.ai  have partnered to drive artificial intelligence innovation in the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) UAE. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifies the launch of an operational collaboration that will reshape AI technology within the world’s first Free Zone dedicated to global digital and virtual asset companies.

The strategic alliance aims to provide exclusive incentive packages to the first AI-focused companies establishing themselves in RAK DAO. These companies will gain access to RAK DAO’s partner ecosystem, offering services like toolkits, Dapps, tech solutions (including Humans.ai), investment opportunities, venture capital partners, banking, and licensing.

This partnership intends to create a robust blockchain framework that empowers AI companies in RAK DAO. This framework ensures secure governance and operation of AI models while maintaining transparency. Additionally, companies will tap into Humans.ai’s network, products, services, tools, and tech support to enhance operational efficiency and capabilities.

Sabin Dima, Humans.ai’s Founder and CEO, emphasized the significance of the partnership in fostering innovation, technological advancement, and economic growth. The combined expertise of Humans.ai and RAK’s visionary support will establish an ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship and AI adoption, thereby impacting the global AI landscape.

Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK DAO, underscored the partnership’s role in propelling Ras Al Khaimah to the forefront of AI technology. The collaboration will explore avenues to accelerate AI advancement, including joint Accelerators, Venture Studios, and similar initiatives that catalyze AI-driven entrepreneurship.

Humans.ai is in the UAE after partnering with UAE based blockchain consultancy studio Deca4 in Dubai.

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

Humans.ai aims to scale the company’s innovative wrapped AI NFTs on the Hedera blockchain as a growing community of projects, applications, and ecosystem tools provide compelling reasons to choose Hedera to bring AI NFTs to the masses.