Oman cybersecurity firm partners with Blockchain entity SettleMint

Oman cybersecurity firm partners with Blockchain entity SettleMint

NSSG a Omani cybersecurity firm that specializes in safeguarding digital assets and sensitive information has partnered with Settlemint a blockchain firm that enables enterprises to easily and rapidly build and integrate blockchain applications, while empowering teams with the skills, knowledge, methodologies, guidance and ongoing support they need.

As per an X statement, ” The collaboration aims to introduce and support blockchain transformation in Oman by bridging the gap between people, processes, and technology.

NSSG provides top-tier cybersecurity solutions, expert consulting services and innovative product manufacturing, all working in harmony to safe-guard our clients’ digital assets and privacy. As per their website, “We are committed to achieving excellence through innovation, expertise, and dedication to fulfilling our client’s security needs.”

The signing agreement was in the presence of NSSG’s Chief Technology Officer, Hamza Al Jaafari, and from SettleMint, the VP of EMEA, Sunath Kolazh.

NSSG noted, “We are committed to providing organizations with the skills, knowledge, methodologies, guidance, and ongoing support necessary for successful blockchain implementation.”

Settlemint has been expanding its partnerships in the GCC region. It recently partnered with the Islamic Research and Training Institute, the research arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), have embarked on a journey to build blockchain based Sharia compliant financial products. The first project will be concerned with Sharia compliant subsidy distribution aimed at creating an efficient and transparent system for Sharia-compliant subsidy distribution for its 57 member countries globally, encompassing 1.7 billion people.

Additionally in Qatar, Qatar Financial Authority signed an MOU with Blockchain entity SettleMint to forward digital asset industry.

SettleMint and Saudi IsDB implement blockchain solution for subsidy distribution

SettleMint and Saudi IsDB implement blockchain solution for subsidy distribution

SettleMint announced on its website, that the Islamic Research and Training Institute, the research arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), have embarked on a journey to build blockchain based Sharia compliant financial products.

SettleMint has more than 60 Enterprise blockchain implementations worldwide. It offers a full-fledged Blockchain-Platform-as-a-Service solution.

The first project will be concerned with Sharia compliant subsidy distribution aimed at creating an efficient and transparent system for Sharia-compliant subsidy distribution for its 57 member countries globally, encompassing 1.7 billion people.

According to SettleMint IsDB used the SettleMint blockchain platform for the tokenization of fiat currency to distribute the subsidies in a peer-to-peer manner allowing full transparency and control

Matthew Van Niekerk, Co-Founder and CEO of Settlemint stated, “One of the core values of SettleMint has always been to change the world for the better, and by using the blockchain technology to further financial inclusion and development of the 57 member countries, fits our ambitions to the letter.”

Using blockchain for subsidy distribution allows for full control of spend by subsidy purpose at any time, ensuring IsDB that the aid is being spent as intended. The entire contractual process for Islamic institutions was automated, alleviating the additional administrative and legal complexities and redundancies associated with Sharia-compliant financial products.

SettleMint partnered with Ateon, a Riyadh-based solution provider and systems integrator in the Fintech space.

IsDB automated the entire process of sharia-compliant subsidy distribution, resulting in full transparency and eliminated administrative complexity.

The IsDB said such features would allow for instantaneous clearing and settlement of transactions and asset exchanges, while helping eliminate counterparty risk.

IsDB and SettleMint along with Ateon first started working on the feasibility of the project back in 2017.

IsDB and SettleMint have also worked together to develop and showcase the innovative Smart Stabilization System, a patent pending algorithm designed to enhance stability in financial markets. This solution is being developed by IsDBI and implemented by SettleMint, the Blockchain Transformation company.

Co-Founder, Matthew Van Niekerk, together with Dr. Hilal Houssain, Ph.D., Associate Manager of the Knowledge Solutions Team at the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), delivered a key session at ISDB’s 50th anniversary!

The objective of the SSS is to help stabilize organized asset markets without compromising efficiency. This is done by managing the gap between supply and demand to reduce the volatility of the price while maintaining the role of the gap in equilibrating the market. The patent-pending Smart Stabilization System is unique in managing the pressure on price before the price changes. The System is forward-looking, while most other stabilization systems are backward-looking. Moreover, the SSS is self-financed, and investors’ rights are fully protected.

IsDBI and SettleMint are investigating the use of blockchain and smart contracts to provide autonomous and transparent execution of the SSS.

Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, the Institute’s Acting Director General, welcomed the collaboration on this project as a milestone in the progress of the Islamic fintech industry. He said: “The world is moving fast on the digitalization of financial transactions. This requires a robust stabilization system in place to minimize the instability associated with fast movements of funds, as has been proven by the recent banking crisis. I am pleased that my colleagues are capitalizing on the patent-pending Stabilization System to develop a practical solution to assist our Member Countries in achieving digital transformation with minimum financial instability.”

KSA Bank to patent Blockchain system for CBDCs

KSA Bank to patent Blockchain system for CBDCs

The Saudi Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is working to patent a Blockchain system for smart stabilization for CBDCs and digital assets after receiving a positive evaluation for its Blockchain smart stabilization system patent. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is looking into the patentability of the system.

WIPO has acknowledged the Stabilization System as a novel, inventive, and industrially applicable solution. WIPO also noted its significant potential for international patent recognition.

The Blockchain smart stabilization system will work to enhance the stability of organized asset markets without compromising efficiency. The system will effectively manage the gap between supply and demand to mitigate price volatility while upholding the market-equilibrating role of this gap.

As such Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, expressed his appreciation towards the team’s dedication and hard work, stating, “This recognition from WIPO not only validates our commitment to innovation but also positions IsDBI at the forefront of bolstering the financial stability of the digital and crypto-based economy.”

The Blockchain system for smart stabalization will be utilized in financial assets, digital currencies ad CBDCs using Blockchain technology.

The Blockchain system is self-financed, with no need for substantial capital to achieve its objectives. A prototype is under way after IsDBI signed an agreement with Settlemint. Saudi IsDBI bank started working on this project with Blockchain solution provider Settlemint in May 2023.

Qatar Financial Centre and Blockchain company Settlemint, to tokenize private shares and equity

Qatar Financial Centre and Blockchain company Settlemint, to tokenize private shares and equity

In a recent LinkedIn post, Henk Jan Hoogendoorn, Chief Financial Sector Officer at Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) announced the commencement of next steps with Blockchain solutions provider Settlemint to tokenize private shares and equity for companies.

As noted in the post, “ Next steps on tokenization of private shares / Private Equity discussed with our digital asset lab partner SettleMint both for Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority and any  investment manager that would that would like to tokenize or fractionalize investments.”

Matthew Van Niekerk, Co-founder, SettleMint, commenting on the post stated, ” Thank you for hosting us both physically and digitally for the meeting Henk Jan Hoogendoorn! Really appreciated the opportunity to exchange views on the future of finance, financial markets infrastructure and the tokenization of private securities. Exciting times ahead for the industry!”

In April 2023, Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) signed its second Blockchain MOU with Settlemint, after signing its first with R3. The agreement with Settlemint aimed to work on Blockchain and digital asset initiatives in the financial sector. QFCA and Settlemint agreed to explore potential synergies with industry participants, including financial institutions, fintech firms, and corporate organizations, to accelerate the adoption of blockchain and digital asset business models and solutions.

This announcement also comes immediately after the Qatar Financial Centre launched its digital assets Lab under the name Qatar Innovation dome. The event which was held on Sunday 29th of October 2023 included various keynotes, that explained how the digital assets lab will develop tokenization platforms and ecosystems for everything that has value whether tangible assets or intangible assets including real estate assets, securities, Sukuk, bonds and others in the future utilizing DLT ( distributed ledger technologies), blockchain, and smart contracts.

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Financial Centre in his speech announced that one of the first use cases to be explored within the digital assets lab will be tokenized carbon assets. He goes on to state, “Secondly will be tokenizing private company shares to facilitate trading and management of these shares, as well as transforming Sukuk bonds into digital assets in addition to tokenized real estate to facilitate the buying and selling of real estate assets.”

Qatar launches “QFC Innovation Dome” for Digital assets to tokenize securities, real estate, bonds, shares on Blockchain

Qatar launches “QFC Innovation Dome” for Digital assets to tokenize securities, real estate, bonds, shares on Blockchain

On Sunday October 29th, Qatar announced one of the biggest digital assets initiatives in the country and the GCC region, the Qatar Innovation Dome for digital assets. As per the live event keynotes, the digital assets lab will develop tokenization platforms and ecosystems for everything that has value whether tangible assets or intangible assets including real estate assets, securities, Sukuk, bonds and others in the future utilizing DLT ( distributed ledger technologies), blockchain, and smart contracts.

Present at the launch was His Excellency Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank, and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saud Al-Thani, The Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Central Bank noted in his speech, “ It is my pleasure to be at the launch of the Digital Assets Lab where as a country we are working to discover new tools to increase, enhance our competencies and capabilities in the digital sector. We have achieved strides in digital technology through a number of initiatives chief among them is electronic KYC ( Know your Customers) ad are working to develop and establish an ecosystem for startups and new companies to enhance the role of KYC.”

He added, “We are encouraging entrepreneurship as part and parcel of new financial technology strategy with local, regional and international customers with initiatives such as blockchain and digital assets. These are steps in the direction with initial modules for digital assets, modern databases, and increased internet speed as such as welcome collaboration for the sustainable development of the state of Qatar.”

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Financial Centre in his speech offered a detailed explanation on the technology relevant to this lab, the benefits, pillars and the coding system and tokenization process. He explained, “The digital assets projects leans on three Qatar National strategies, the Qatar National Vision 2030, the Qatar Financial Center strategy and the fintech strategy of the state of Qatar, which aims to make the country a financial commercial hub 2030.”

He explained, “Tokenization is the process of creating tokens that represent tangible and intangible assets using DLT. The tokens could represent tangible assets such as real-estate or intangible assets such as securities. We will also work on fractionalization of assets, and will allow property to be part of those tokenized assets democratizing the process of investment.”

He added, “Smart contract, which are self-implementing contracts built on cryptographic programming systems, will allow the transfer of property, in distributed format.”

He discussed how DLT is an innovative technology that registers transactions, and can be expanded to include investment opportunities. As per Al Jaida, in the first phase tokenization will verify property, second will entail economy of tokens, third will entail development of smart contracts and the application which will manage these digitized tokens after which they will be offered on secondary markets.

As per the objectives of the digital assets lab, it will reinforce innovation and research as well as the establishment of DLT enabled startups, and companies, helping participants transform their ideas into tangible reality. Al Jaida states, “Participants in the digital assets lab will have three to six months to test their ideas, where they will have to meet feasibility requirements, benefits towards fintech ecosystem in Qatar before they graduate.”

The Digital asset lab will offer technology support, operational support, where startups and companies can cooperate with experts, regulators, test their use cases and register their businesses and receive licenses, offering the support from pilot to company formation allowing them to operate in Qatar’s fintech ecosystem.

Al Jaida announced that one of the first use cases to be explored within the digital assets lab will be tokenized carbon assets. He goes on to state, “Secondly will be tokenizing private company shares to facilitate trading and management of these shares, as well as transforming Sukuk bonds into digital assets in addition to tokenized real estate to facilitate the buying and selling of real estate assets.”

He called for continuous suggestions on what else can be tokenized moving forward as well as input into the regulations for digital asset ecosystem.

He then announced the name of the lab, which is the “QFC Innovation Dome”

Michael G. Ryan, the Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority, believes that the digital asset economy has a transformative nature and cooperation will be essential because as promising as it is, it also faces challenges.

He believes that with the equilibrium between innovation and regulatory oversight, confidence and trust will prevail among investors and firms. This is why the digital assets framework that QFCR has developed requires the engagement of all participants. He called for feedback on the digital assets public consultation paper announced in early October 2023, which will be open until January 2nd 2024, as these feedback will play a strong role in their policy decisions.

One of the Blockchain entities participating in QFC Innovation dome is R3. Bryan D’Souza Strategic Alliances & Partner Ecosystem Lead for EMEA at R3 stated in a comment made on the live LinkedIn event, “R3 is proud to be partnering with the QFC for this exciting Digital Assets Lab initiative.” Settlemint Blockchain is also one of the participants.

Prior to this The Qatar, Ministry of Finance, signed an agreement  with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to establish a “Centre of Excellence for the Fourth Industrial Revolution” in Qatar that will help to foster an environment for research and development in technologies that include AI ( artificial intelligence), blockchain, IoT (Internet of Things), renewable energy and others.

Blockchain Settlemint and Saudi Islamic Development Bank partner to stabilize financial assets and digital currencies

Blockchain Settlemint and Saudi Islamic Development Bank partner to stabilize financial assets and digital currencies

Saudi Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is collaborating with the blockchain entity SettleMint to develop a Smart Stabilization System (SSS), an algorithm that aims to maintain the stability of assets traded on organized markets, including financial assets or digital currencies.

SettleMint has more than 60 Enterprise blockchain implementations worldwide. It offers a full-fledged Blockchain-Platform-as-a-Service solution. IsDBI, as the knowledge beacon of the IsDB Group, leads the development of knowledge-based solutions. The Institute has already secured patents for its three innovative fintech mechanisms with great potential for the financial industry.

The objective of the SSS is to help stabilize organized asset markets without compromising efficiency. This is done by managing the gap between supply and demand to reduce the volatility of the price while maintaining the role of the gap in equilibrating the market. The patent-pending Smart Stabilization System is unique in managing the pressure on price before the price changes. The System is forward-looking, while most other stabilization systems are backward-looking. Moreover, the SSS is self-financed, and investors’ rights are fully protected.

IsDBI and SettleMint are investigating the use of blockchain and smart contracts to provide autonomous and transparent execution of the SSS.

Mr. Matthew Van Niekerk, the CEO of SettleMint, stated: “International trading activity has been the cornerstone of economic growth and prosperity for thousands of years. As we find ourselves in times of significant economic uncertainty, it is an honor to support the Islamic Development Bank Institute on the design and implementation of new mechanisms that can enhance the stability, transparency, and efficiency of trading activities globally.”

Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, the Institute’s Acting Director General, welcomed the collaboration on this project as a milestone in the progress of the Islamic fintech industry. He said: “The world is moving fast on the digitalization of financial transactions. This requires a robust stabilization system in place to minimize the instability associated with fast movements of funds, as has been proven by the recent banking crisis. I am pleased that my colleagues are capitalizing on the patent-pending Stabilization System to develop a practical solution to assist our Member Countries in achieving digital transformation with minimum financial instability.”