Laser Digital, a UAE regulated crypto broker and investment manager service provider, as well as an investor in Mantra Chain, the L1 Blockchain tokenization platform, has made a statement confirming their support for Mantra OM Token after its 90 percent fall in the past 48 hours.

Laser Digital noted that it had no involvement in the recent price collapse of $OM token. They stated, ” Assertions circulating on social media that link Laser to ‘investor selling’ are factually incorrect and misleading. 3/ On-chain movements of $OM linked to Laser wallets have been flagged publicly. We want to be absolutely clear: Laser has not deposited any $OM tokens to OKX. The wallets being referenced to OKX are not Laser wallets.”

The company emphasized that they are here to help grow the ecosystems they back. They stated, ” We remain fully aligned with our counterparties, and our core $OM investment remains locked. We have zero interest in putting pressure on the token or destabilizing the project. Transparency matters. We’re proud to support innovation and responsible growth in crypto markets — and that means showing up with facts when confusion and inaccurate information arises.”

This comes after Shorooq also made a similar claim with regards to Mantra Chain and its token.

Brikyland Technologies, a blockchain-based real estate tokenization platform, and Abu Dhabi based Inovartic Investments, an innovation and technologies driven investment firm, have signed joint venture partnership aimed at jointly exploring, developing, and implementing tokenized real estate and green asset backed investment technologies in UAE. The venture is expected to roll out projects in key real estate developments and green asset backed initiatives across the UAE, with further announcements to follow in the coming months.

As per the press release, the collaboration is set to leverage blockchain, smart contract infrastructure, and digital asset frameworks to unlock new models of fractional ownership, liquidity, and transparency in the real estate and sustainable investment space. The joint venture will operate in full compliance with ADGM’s evolving regulatory environment governing virtual assets and digital finance.

The two parties seek to develop a UAE based tokenization platform for premium real estate and green assets that will enable compliant fractional ownership structures using blockchain and smart contracts. They will also work to introduce innovative investment vehicles aligned with ESG principles and sustainability mandates and collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure alignment with national digital asset policies.

The agreement follows the UAE–Vietnam Business Forum held on April 10, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, where both entities reaffirmed their commitment to advancing technology cooperation. This partnership reflects that vision by strengthening cross-border collaboration in emerging technologies and green finance.

“This partnership with Brikyland Technologies is a natural extension of our vision to drive the next generation of asset backed investment solutions rooted in transparency, sustainability, and technological advancement,” said Anwar Hussein, Managing Partner and Co Founder of Inovartic Investments. “Together, we are laying the foundation for a new era of real estate investment and green asset monetization in the UAE.”

Dr. Dang Ha Lam, Founder Chairman and CEO of Brikyland Technologies, added, “Our technology is designed to make real estate and green assets more accessible and tradable. Partnering with Inovartic opens up strategic opportunities to expand our footprint in the UAE with a focus on institutional grade solutions and compliance-first innovation.”

Saif Aldarmaki Chairman and Co Founder of Inovartic Investments, also noted that the partnership reflects the share commitment to advancing cross-border innovation and sustainable investment. He notes, “By integrating Brikyland’s blockchain technology, we aim to pioneer next-generation asset-backed financial solutions that align with the UAE’s digital economy vision and deepen our commercial ties with Vietnam.”

Founding Advisor of Brikyland Technologies Dr Phillip Thai Pham (BA MIT, Dr. Standford) commented, “We welcome this strategic joint venture as a timely and progressive step that aligns with Vietnam’s commitment to fostering global partnerships in innovation and sustainable development. The collaboration between Brickyland and Inovartic reflects the spirit of cooperation highlighted during the UAE–Vietnam Business Forum. We believe this initiative will open new investment channels, create high impact technological applications, and strengthen the economic bridge between our two nations.”

Mantra Chain, the Layer one tokenization platform, regulated in the UAE by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, has shed almost $10 billion dollars in less than 24 hours on April 13th 2025. The OM token price dropped from around $6 dollars to 0.37 in a matter of hours.

The incident reminded many of FTX, Luna, and other failed projects that were either ponzy scams or worse, but until now there are many sides to the story and many fingers assigning blame and culprit status.

So what has happened?

The Mantra Chain side of story

John Patrick Mullin, the CEO and Co-Founder of Mantra was quick to make a statement on X and LinkedIn what happened. He noted that they had determined that the $OM Token market movements were triggered by reckless force closures initiated by centralized exchanges on OM account holders.

He stated, “The timing and depth of the crash suggest that a very sudden closure of account positions was initiated without sufficient warning or notice. That this happened during low-liquidity hours on a Sunday evening UTC (early morning Asia time) points to a degree of negligence at best, or possibly intentional market positioning taken by centralized exchanges.”

He noted that Centralized exchange partners play an important role in providing liquidity to projects like ours. He explained, “We work closely with them; however they continue to exercise enormously high levels of discretion. When discretionary powers are exercised without due internal and external oversight, dislocations like what recently happened can and will occur, hurting both projects and investors alike.”

He was adamant that the dislocation was not caused by the team, or Mantra Association, or advisors or investors. He explained, “Tokens remain locked and subject to the published vesting periods. OM’s Tokenomics remain intact, as shared last week in our latest token report. Our token wallet addresses are online and visible.”

He added that in the coming hours there will be a community meeting on X to discuss the events.

Crypto exchanges side of story

The Founder and CEO of OKX sees it quite differently, on X he noted, “ It’s a big scandal to the whole crypto industry. All of the onchain unlock and deposit data is public, all major exchanges’ collateral and liquidation data can be investigated. OKX will make all of the reports ready!”

He also shared a post which noted that before the $OM token crash, 17 wallets deposited $277 million ( 43.6 million $OM) to exchanges, which is 4.5% of circulating supply. Two of those wallets are linked to Laser Digital an investor and partner of Mantra Chain.

In March 2024 MANTRA Chain raised $11 million led by UAE based Shorooq Partners with investors including Three-point capital, Forte Securities, VirtuZone, Hex Trust and GameFi Ventures

While it seems the CEO of Mantra Chain mostly blames Binance. Binance issued a statement stating that the $OM Token had experienced price volatilities and their initial findings indicate that the development are a result of cross-exchange liquidations. Since October 2024 Binance had implemented various risk control measures including reducing leverage levels with regards to $OM Token.

Additionally, since January 2025, Binance introduced a pop-up warning on the OM spot trading page to inform users of major changes in the token’s Tokenomics, particularly a significant increase in supply. That warning has now been updated to emphasize that OM’s price is subject to very high volatility.

The Community take on the Story

Being_maximus expressed what he believes is the community take on the events with $OM Token, he explained that the community believes this could be linked to a team Shake-Up: Rumors of key “Kabal team” resignations rocked investor confidence, triggering panic selling,  Tokenomics Concerns, allegations surfaced that the team controls up to 90% of the token supply, raising fears of insider selling and manipulation. A proposal for supply inflation only added fuel to the fire, and Airdrop Discontent: Community members (“Omies”) expressed frustration over poor airdrop allocations and vesting terms. OTC sales by insiders may have worsened the sell pressure.

Investors have reached out to Mantra Chain and Binance, with one stating on X “I invested $3,500,000 into your RWA token, $OM. That investment is now worth barely $200,000, a drop of over 90%. My intention was to support the future of RWAs. I conducted thorough due diligence, and the supposed partnership with a leading UAE property company was a key factor in my investment decision — a claim that gave the illusion of credibility and legitimacy.”

He added that it is clear that these funds were funneled into the pockets of the Binance and $OM Teams. As he stated,, “It’s now clear that those funds were funneled into the pockets of the Binance and $OM teams in what looks like a well orchestrated liquidity exit. Had I known that my investment would be used to subsidize insiders instead of advancing the RWA ecosystem, I never would’ve engaged with this project. If this situation is not acknowledged and addressed appropriately, I will have no choice but to escalate this through formal legal channels. My crypto legal representatives at Burwick Law will be in touch.”

The Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority take

The most important take will be that of the UAE regulator VARA given that Mantra Chain is regulated in the UAE. Lara on the Block reached out, and was advised that no comments could be made at this time as investigations are ongoing.

The whole situation reminds us of a recent spat that took place in the UAE, a few weeks back between UAE based Dohrnii Labs, and Blynex crypto exchange.

But it could also be a reminder to the sagas of FTX, when VARA had to suspend its license.

As Own and Dinari partner to bring $1 billion worth of U.S. equities on-chain, increasing the current tokenized equities market by more than 66x by the end of 2025, its tokenized equities will be distributed through UAE regulated Fasset licensed token exchange platform in the UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, the EU, Turkey and Pakistan.

Backed by Fasset, Own is the first Ethereum Layer 2 protocol built for the creation, management and distribution of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Dinari’s technology simplifies the issuance and distribution of fully-backed tokenized assets, offering access to over 100 stocks, ETFs, and REITs, including MSTR, TSLA, NVDA, SPY, META, AAPL, GOOGL, MSFT, and AMZN.

“U.S. equities have created trillions in wealth, but for most of the world, they remain effectively out of reach,” said José Fernando Pereira, Executive Director of Own. “This partnership creates direct access to these markets for global investors without the premium fees and extra steps that have limited participation.”

Own is incubated by the Own Foundation in partnership with Fasset, holding the largest portfolio of regulatory licenses and authorizations in high-growth markets. With Fasset’s support, Own has full permission to distribute and market virtual assets in rising economies, local banking rails for seamless transactions, fiat on/off-ramp infrastructure, and established trust with local regulators and central banks.


Through this partnership, investors can access fractional shares with lower fees, minimal entry barriers, and near-instant settlement, unlocking U.S. markets in ways that were previously out of reach.

“Tokenized real-world assets are one of the most in-demand digital asset use cases globally,” Mohammad Raafi Hossain, CEO and Co-Founder of Fasset, said. “We have already seen growing investor demand for these high-quality, compliant assets, and this partnership will fuel greater liquidity and market depth for tokenized assets.”

This follows a +1,000% month-on-month increase in tokenized US equities transactions on Fasset, driven by one of the largest on-chain equity settlements to date via Arbitrum and Dinari. The equities tokenized by Dinari on Own will be available for trading in conjunction with Own’s mainnet launch in Q4 of 2025.

“Dinari dShares enable investors around the world to access U.S. public markets without ever having to leave their preferred ecosystems and applications,” Gabriel Otte, Co-Founder of Dinari added. “We’re thrilled to partner with Fasset and Own Chain to deliver value to investors and grow the tokenized asset space together.”

Tokinvest, Dubai VARA regulated tokenization platform for (RWA) investing, and Evolution Stables, an equine syndication platform based in New Zealand will bring to market a new asset class, the tokenized exposure to professionally leased racehorses, starting with a Summer 2025 launch. Investor rights are being outlined in the virtual asset whitepaper being filed with Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA).

Tokinvest and Evolution Stables have developed a platform that focuses on proven horses in the early stages of their racing careers—many with prior earnings—removing many of the pain points traditionally associated with traditional ownership and delivering the thrill of participation from day one. Investors purchase a token representing a fixed-term lease (typically 12 months) with a pre-defined share of any earnings from the horse’s racing activity.

Scott Thiel, CEO & Co-Founder of Tokinvest, said, “This partnership with Evolution Stables represents the next step in broadening the Tokinvest ecosystem. By turning elite equine performance into a regulated, tokenized financial product, we’re offering something totally new—fractional access to a market that’s historically been difficult to enter. This is about turning passion into investment opportunity in a way that’s secure, transparent, and forward-looking.”

Initial offerings will be based on racehorses in New Zealand, a region known for punching well above its weight in elite Group One racing. New Zealand-bred horses win 22% of Group One races in Australia despite making up just 7% of the field, and have also claimed 38% of Group One victories in Hong Kong over the past four years.

Deep ties with respected trainers, syndicators, studs, and breeders—such as Woburn Farm, who helped prepare Hong Kong superstar Lucky Sweynesse, and Forsman Racing, trainers of Group 1 winners Aegon, Legarto, and Mustang Valley—further reinforce the calibre of horses associated with the Tokinvest platform.

Digital-syndication enables racehorse owners to lease out stakes while retaining full control and ownership. Investors pay a fixed price that reflects the horse’s quality, form, and earning potential—removing complexity and eliminating the need for ongoing contracts or admin. Evolution Stables, an authorised syndicator under New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), manages compliance, payments, and performance tracking. Tokinvest delivers a seamless, secure investment experience through its regulated platform, ensuring every transaction is transparent and compliant.

Alex Baddeley, CEO of Evolution Stables, added, “Digital-syndication helps balance the needs of modern investors with those of existing owners—offering steady income to owners without giving up equity or control, while providing investors with a transparent, accessible entry point into an exciting asset class. Together with Tokinvest, we’re building a new model that unlocks opportunity on both sides of the track.”

Investors’ downside risk is mitigated through the fixed-price model, while still allowing them to participate in the upside potential of ownership over the lease term. If a horse is sold during the lease period, the investor is bought out at a predetermined, equitable value. If the horse is retired or deregistered due to unforeseen circumstances—such as injury—the lease is terminated. Returns are not guaranteed and remain subject to horse performance and other external factors, but this innovative ownership model helps reduce many of the risks traditionally associated with racehorse ownership.

Adrian Stanley, Owner of Woburn Farm, said, “Ownership models in this industry haven’t changed or advanced in years. They still work well for existing participants, but with an ageing ownership base and the next generation of investors looking for digital-first solutions, the time for change is now.

“The interest is there—people want to invest—and with New Zealand being the perfect breeding ground for world-class bloodstock, the opportunity is clear. But barriers like limited access, liquidity, and knowledge have always held back growth.

Evolution Stables’ model, which balances the needs of both buyers and sellers, has the potential to be a real game changer—not just for us, but for the wider industry. We’re proud to support it and excited to see where it goes.”

Stephen Gray, Group One-winning Trainer from Stephen Gray Racing, added, “We were lucky enough to compete at the 2018 Dubai Carnival, where one of our horses, Newlands, placed. We’d love to return one day, and we see Evolution Stables’ digital-syndication model as a great way to strengthen the connections between international racing and new investors. Giving people a chance to come along for the ride through this kind of model is a fantastic way to grow the sport and bring fresh energy into the game.”

Prior to this in March 2025, UAE Tokinvest, announced its participation with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority and Dubai Future Foundation, in the pilot for tokenizing property deeds and titles in Dubai.

Antier, a Blockchain Development Company, has announced the expansion of its Real Estate Tokenization Platform Development services to the UAE region to accelerate the adoption of tokenization. Antier is already engaged with partners and clients in the UAE to develop tokenized marketplaces aligned with Dubai’s long-term digital asset strategy.

Antier has carried out over 100 successful RWA tokenization platform implementation in more than 20 countries and as the tokenized asset market is expected to hit $16 trillion by 2030 (Boston Consulting Group).

“We’re building the infrastructure to revolutionize property ownership, not just by changing perceptions but by creating real empowerment, accessibility, and diverse investment opportunities,” said Vikram R Singh, CEO and Founder of Antier.

With real estate tokenization projected to grow significantly, market insights suggest that tokenized real estate could make up 7% of total property transactions in Dubai alone, reaching an estimated $16 billion by 2033. Antier sees this as a pivotal moment to bridge the gap between traditional real estate markets and the future of digital assets.

As per the press release, the tokenization initiative will benefit a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including, real estate development firms
Property brokers and investment companies, fintech organizations, individual and institutional investors, tech-driven real estate platforms and comprehensive Tokenization Solutions: A Stack of Innovation

Antier offers end-to-end tokenization platform services designed to address the specific challenges and opportunities within the real estate market, including, fractional Ownership Platforms: For investors to buy and trade fractional shares of real estate assets and fractionalize access to high-value properties.

The tokenization platform also offers Blockchain-powered title management to unlock transparent and secure property deed registration through the blockchain, liquidity enhancement which creates accessible investment opportunities for a wider range of investors and makes real estate trading more fluid and seamless and regulatory compliance that navigates stringent regulatory requirements to ensure full compliance with financial standards.

The firm has successfully implemented tokenization platforms for clients in Switzerland, UAE, UK, Singapore, and the U.S., including enterprise-grade solutions for institutional asset managers, real estate developers, and government agencies.

“We view security as the core of everything we do. It’s not an add-on; it’s our promise. Our platform integrates multi-layered protection mechanisms, including encryption, multi-signature authentication, and rigorous regulatory checks to ensure every transaction is secure, transparent, and compliant,” added Vikram R Singh.

Antier will be competing with multiple tokenization players including Mantra Blockchain which recently signed a $1 billion deal with DAMAC, as well as Stobox which was recently licensed in Qatar.

Stobox, a blockchain enabled tokenization provider, has received a license in Qatar by Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) .

As per the press release, this milestone reinforces Stobox’s pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The license will allow Stobox to bring its technology and expertise to one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.

Qatar Financial Centre houses businesses, from start-ups to large corporations, like Deutsche Bank, Citibank, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, among its clients. Now, these companies can access Stobox’s innovative tokenization frameworks and blockchain-powered financial solutions.

In addition to its operational license, Stobox has secured a business license to provide consulting services, technology solutions, and customer support.

“Securing this license marks a transformative moment for Stobox. It affirms our leadership in tokenization and unlocks access to government-supported initiatives, business development opportunities, and partnerships with major banks and investors. We’re committed to building a robust tokenization ecosystem in Qatar and throughout MENA,” said Ross Shemeliak, COO and Co-Founder.

Additionally, Stobox will introduce products to Qatar’s tokenization ecosystem such as Stobox 4 – an ecosystem where users can manage a diverse portfolio of assets with unparalleled security and ease. It accommodates an extensive range of cryptocurrencies while also pioneering the tokenization of real-world assets, transforming traditionally illiquid investments into accessible, liquid opportunities.
Turn-Key Solutions to Tokenize Your Real-World Assets.


It will also introduce the Stobox Decentralized Identity (DID) framework fortifies the integrity of tokenized transactions, ensuring that only credentialed and authorized participants can issue, transfer, or redeem digital assets. It aligns with global regulatory frameworks while streamlining compliance operations.

Additionally the company operates the STV3 Protocol delivers a secure, efficient, and scalable framework for managing tokenized assets. It integrates cutting-edge innovations for improved performance, regulatory compliance, and automated governance, thus providing a robust ruleset for modern digital asset ecosystems.

Stobox has already tokenized the world’s largest shrimp farm in collaboration with Qatar’s ICM Capital, a prominent conglomerate in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This project exemplifies the transformative potential of tokenization in the region.

Stobox is also working in the UAE and has initiated partnerships there.

The Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) unveiling its new symbol for the UAE’s national currency, the Dirham has committed to the launch of the Digital Dirham as a CBDC. The CBDC project launched in 2023 has witnessed huge progress and will incorporate a Digital Dirham wallet. As per the press release, it seems that the Digital Dirham is already being used for B2B purposes and will be issued for retail segment in fourth quarter of 2025.

As per the press release the new Dirham Symbol and Digital Dirham will strengthen UAE’s positions as a leading global financial hub. The Digital Dirham was a key initiative the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Program and was incorporated by Federal Decree-Law No. (54) of 2023 amending certain provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2018 concerning the Central Bank and Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities which considers the Digital Dirham as a legal tender in all payment outlets and channels alongside the physical currency.

H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of UAE, said, “We are proud to unveil today the new symbol for the UAE’s national currency the “Dirham” in both its physical and digital forms, and the design of the Digital Dirham wallet. This reflects the significant advancements in the implementation of the Digital Dirham program and a leap towards realizing the CBUAE’s vision.”

UAE Digital Dirham CBDC Benefits

Built on Blockchain technology, the CBDC will incorporate high levels of security and efficiency and will be used for tokenization purposes as well as payments on smart contracts for complex transactions.

Banks, financial institutions, exchange houses, finance companies and fintech companies will issue the Digital Dirham CBDC to both individuals and businesses.

The Central Bank of UAE has also developed an integrated and secure platform for the issuance, circulation, and use of the Digital Dirham, the Digital Dirham wallet. The wallet will enable a number of financial transactions, including retail, wholesale, and cross-border payments, money transfers and withdrawals, top-ups, and redemption of the Digital Dirham when needed. This ensures a seamless and convenient user experience, in line with industry best standards and practices.

Balama also explained that the Blockchain based Digital Dirham will enhance financial stability, inclusion, resilience, and combatting financial crime. He also noted that it would further enable the development of innovative digital products, services, and new business models, while reducing cost and increasing access to international markets.

The Dirham Symbol both in physical and digital format

As for the new Symbol it will be applied for both the physical form of the currency and the digital form. The letter was chosen, derived from the English name of the Dirham, to serve as an international symbol representing the nation’s currency, incorporating two horizontal lines that embody the stability of the UAE Dirham and inspired by the UAE flag, to enhance financial and monetary stability.

On the other hand, the Digital Dirham symbol features a circle surrounding the physical currency symbol, using the colors of the UAE flag to reflect pride and national identity. The symbol choice serves as evidence of the national currency’s global reach and openness to a more prosperous future, and commitment to developing an innovative local financial ecosystem with a global perspective.

Paul Kayrouz, Chief Fintech Officer at Central Bank of UAE, noted in a Linkedin post, that the launch is a new era for Fintech in the UAE. He stated, ” We unveiled the new symbol for the UAE Dirham (AED), a major step in strengthening the currency’s digital and global presence. This symbol will streamline financial transactions, enhance recognition in international markets, and support the UAE’s vision as a global fintech and financial hub.”

UAE had previously also issued regulations for AED backed stablecoins that would also be used as legal tender in the country. With the launch of the Digital Dirham, the UAE becomes the fourth country to have launched a CBDC out of 134 countries who are either researching, piloting, canceling or have inactive CBDCs.

The announcement comes as nearly a third of central banks have pushed back launching digital versions of their currencies, a new survey Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) think tank and German-based banknote firm Giesecke+Devrient  showed in February 2025, although a desire to protect their money-minting powers mean most still intend to go ahead.

U.S. President Donald Trump banned work on a digital dollar in one of his first moves after becoming president in January.

UAE ADGM, the leading International Financial Centre (IFC) of the UAE’s capital, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chainlink, the standard for onchain finance, to help advance tokenization frameworks by supporting innovative projects under ADGM’s Registration Authority. Leveraging Chainlink’s technical expertise, industry insights, and a suite of advanced services the entities will maximize the utility of tokenized assets while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Chainlink’s market-leading services, including blockchain interoperability and verifiable data solutions, are facilitating liquidity across global markets, enabling over $19 trillion in transaction value.

Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, CEO of ADGM Registration Authority said, “This strategic alliance is a significant step in further solidifying ADGM’s leadership in enabling blockchain innovation and enhancing alignment in the regulatory approach globally. By collaborating with Chainlink, we are aiming to set a global benchmark that spearheads transparency, security, and trust across the blockchain space.

Under the MoU, ADGM and Chainlink will foster a dialogue on regulatory matters in blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies. The agreement also outlines a series of events and workshops aimed at educating the UAE ecosystem on key topics related to blockchain and AI, such as tokenization, cross-chain interoperability, proof of reserves, and emerging blockchain standards.

Angie Walker, Global Head of Banking and Capital Markets at Chainlink Labs and Senior Executive Officer at Chainlink Labs Abu Dhabi said, “ADGM has developed a robust environment where tokenisation projects can thrive. Our alliance will elevate the blockchain ecosystem in the UAE, driving greater innovation and adoption. We are excited to see projects under the purview of ADGM Registration Authority adopt the Chainlink standard, enabling seamless compliance, enhanced connectivity across markets, and highly secure on-chain services.

Chainlink has been active in the MENA region. In February 2025 Saudi based 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 announced its partnership with Chainlink.

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 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.

UAE Tokinvest, a VARA regulated marketplace for real world asset tokenization, is participating with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority and Dubai Future Foundation, in the pilot for tokenizing property deeds and titles in Dubai.

The pilot announced this week is in line with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched the pilot phase of the ‘Real Estate Tokenization Project for property title deeds. The initiative, introduced under the Real Estate Innovation Initiative ‘REES,’ establishes DLD as the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to implement tokenization on property title deeds. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through Sandbox Real Estate.

DLD anticipates that this groundbreaking initiative will drive significant growth in the real estate tokenization sector, with its market value projected to reach AED 60 billion equivalent to $16 billion by 2033, representing 7% of Dubai’s total real estate transactions.

Scott Thiel, CEO & Co-Founder of Tokinvest, has shared his perspective on the significance of this milestone with Lara on the Block noting, “Dubai continues to set the global benchmark for real estate innovation, and the launch of the Real Estate Tokenization Project by the Dubai Land Department marks a transformative moment for the sector. The initiative not only reinforces Dubai’s leadership in blockchain adoption but also paves the way for a more inclusive, liquid, and efficient real estate market.”

He added that Tokinvest is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution. He explained, ” We are proud to be collaborating with key stakeholders in shaping the future of tokenized real estate. Through our regulatory expertise and technology-driven approach, we are excited to contribute to the success of this pilot, bringing real-world assets onto the blockchain in a secure and compliant manner. Tokenisation is no longer a concept, it’s a reality that will open up Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors like never before.”

Tokinvest is looking forward to working closely with the DLD, VARA, and other industry pioneers to establish best practices and drive meaningful adoption. Thiel notes, “This is the beginning of a new era for real estate investment in Dubai, and Tokinvest is committed to playing a key role in this transformation.”

Already Tokinvest, has carried out strategic partnerships connecting 1 billion people to tokenized real estate, investment funds, and alternative assets. The partnerships cross geographies that include UAE, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond to establish a global tokenization infrastructure. They include UDPN (Hong Kong): Developing a tokenized deposit and stablecoin infrastructure to power virtual asset adoption across MENA and Africa, InvestaX (Singapore): A MAS-licensed digital securities platform, enabling investors to access global RWAs and compliant security token offerings, Archax (UK), The first FCA-regulated digital securities exchange, providing brokerage, custody, and liquidity for tokenized assets in institutional markets, and HKVAX (Hong Kong): A regulated SFC-licensed virtual asset exchange, bridging institutional finance with blockchain-based asset issuance as well as Fasset (UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, the EU, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain and others) and StegX (EEA), A Frankfurt-based real estate tokenization marketplace, providing European investors with access to Dubai’s booming property sector.

Scott Thiel, CEO & Co-Founder of Tokinvest, said, “This isn’t just about partnerships; this is about building a global ecosystem that enables seamless access to tokenized real-world assets across multiple jurisdictions. With our expanding network, Tokinvest is positioning itself as a leader in unlocking previously inaccessible investment opportunities and redefining how people engage with high-value assets. Our reach now extends to potentially over 1 billion people, and we are only getting started.”

In the near future, Tokinvest is gearing up for the launch of its platform in April 2025, where investors will be able to access exclusive tokenised property investments in Dubai. Through its strategic partnerships, strong regulatory backing, and best-in-class technology, Tokinvest is paving the way for a new era of accessible, transparent, and efficient investing.