Liv Bank, the first digital bank in UAE, and a subsidiary of Emirates NBD on its website, has launched its first crypto trading campaign in the UAE, spurring the first outright competition between UAE banking sector and crypto exchanges.

While Liv Bank announced their foray into the crypto trading arena back in March 2025, it is only now that they outrightly showcased it on their website and announced their first campaign.

Utilizing services of both Aquanow crypto exchange in the UAE, as well as Zodia Custody services, UAE Liv Bank have showcased themselves as a trusted partner to invest in crypto. UAE Liv Bank, explains how users in the UAE can trade securely with the Liv app for fees as low as 0.5% with guided modules and the security that Emirates NBD Bank brings.

In its crypto trading campaign, Liv Bank is offering every trade placed of order value USD 50 or more one entry into each of the draws. As they noted, “The more the trades, the better your chances to win! Offering prizes of 100,000 AED during the months of May and June 2025.

Users will be able to trade crypto assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Ripple and others.

According to Liv Bank they have simplified the crypto trading process. There are no seed phrases or downloading digital wallets, all users need to to is use the Liv app, As they note, “With Liv, you can begin with small denominations, learning and growing as you go through guided modules that are designed to help you make informed decisions.”

All users have to do is sign up or log in to the Liv X app, Click on the Wealth tab then simply click Apply on the Crypto tile, and fill out the requested details, and submit. Then users can start accessing all their crypto investments.

In March 2025, Liv digital bank a part of Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region, announced the launch of their cryptocurrency offering within its mobile banking app – Liv X allowing users to buy sell custody and trade cryptocurrencies in partnership with Aquanow, a UAE regulated crypto asset exchange and Zodia Custody also regulated in the UAE.

At the time Liv digital bank noted that it was committed to introducing innovative products to its customers and this new cryptocurrency offering, with crypto infrastructure operated by Aquanow and custody services performed by Zodia Custody.

Infosys an Indian multinational technology company that offers business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services, utilizing its Finacle product offering on Microsoft Azure has provided the first digital bank in UAE (they did not name the bank), which could be Liv Bank, a subsidiary of Emirates NBD, given it has publicized itself as being the first digital bank in the UAE, with Finacle on Cloud, a cloud-native solution that accelerates cloud adoption which works to toward digital banking, integrate decentralized finance (DeFi) into their operations.

As per a Microsoft blog post, the first licensed digital bank in the UAE, aimed to tap into the power of advanced data capabilities to simplify and upgrade the customer experience and provide secure, reliable, and innovative solutions through blockchain and AI technologies. After evaluating various technology platforms, looking for capabilities that would help them successfully integrate traditional finance (TradFi) and DeFi. Their ultimate goal being to redefine the banking landscape by streamlining financial services and integrating AI and blockchain technologies into their operations. To accomplish this, they were seeking a composable architectural design and event-driven API on a cloud-native platform that offered agility and security.

The blog adds, ” Ultimately, after comparing many solutions, they decided they wanted to go beyond the traditionally defined core systems so many financial institutions rely on, and they instead adopted Finacle on Microsoft Azure, thanks to its functional richness, market-specific experience, long-term viability, operational performance, total cost of ownership (TCO), and flexibility.”

“A customer-centric revolution is reshaping corporate banking,” said Sriranga N. Sampathkumar, VP and GM – Middle East and Africa, at Infosys. “This bank is spearheading this change with AI, actively shaping the future of banking through innovation and the strategic integration of digital assets.”


Sampathkumar explained, “The bank’s swift evolution from a digital to an AI-driven bank was made possible by the seamless deployment of the Finacle on Azure.”

Using Finacle the bank can process a vast amount of data and perform sophisticated analytics—all resulting in the ability to innovate and integrate emergent technologies like AI, blockchain, and digital asset management and sit at the forefront of the digital banking evolution.

They also report that Microsoft Azure has been a crucial part of their solution; choosing Azure has reportedly provided them with a high-performing, scalable, and secure foundation upon which to build the bank of the future. The bank has active connectivity and immediate recovery from one site to another, due to the cloud footprint offered by Azure, including Microsoft datacenters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“By using the combined strength of Finacle’s innovative solution suite and Microsoft Azure’s robust cloud platform, this digital bank delivers a distinct, world-class experience, showcasing the essential agility, flexibility, and resilience needed to transform banking,” Sampathkumar said.

This comes as the UAE Bank Federation showcases how UAE banks are moving into the smart banking era with AI and Blockchain technologies among others.

Finstreet Limited, a subsidiary of IHC Group through Sirius International Holding a regulated subsidiary in Abu Dhabi ADGM, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ninety One, a global active investment manager with US$163 billion in assets under management (as of 31st December 2024) to explore innovative collaborations using blockchain technology.

Finstreet Global Markets Limited is, subject to final regulatory approval licensed for the Regulated Activity of Operating a Multilateral Trading Facility; at ADGM as well as subject to final regulatory approval, licensed for the Regulated Activity of Providing Custody, as a Digital Settlement Facility and Central Securities Depository; and is licensed for the Regulated Activities of Operating a Private Financing Platform, Managing a Collective Investment Fund, Advising on Investments or Credit, Arranging Deals in Investments, and Arranging Custody.

This strategic agreement aims to explore innovative collaborations in the development of structured and exchange-traded products, as part of Finstreet’s vision to redefine financial market access by integrating blockchain technology with traditional financial infrastructure platforms.

As per the press release, by combining Ninety One’s global experience with Finstreet’s infrastructure, the collaboration aims to drive growth and innovation in the financial sector, while meeting rising investor demand for private debt instruments.

The partnership will focus on creating and trading structured products and private debt instruments on Finstreet Global Markets, addressing growing market demands for sophisticated investment solutions.

Sunidhi Pasan, Founder & CEO of Finstreet Limited, commented, “This partnership underscores Finstreet’s commitment to redefining financial market access through strategic collaborations. Ninety One’s global expertise complements our vision of delivering robust investment solutions to institutional and professional investors.”

Nicolaas Alberts, Co-Head of the Middle East, Ninety One, said, “Through this MoU, Finstreet and Ninety One are laying the cornerstone for a dynamic, long-term partnership that will create enduring value for stakeholders. Furthermore, this collaboration with Finstreet will allow us to develop liquidity for our private debt solutions, including infrastructure debt, while strategically addressing market needs. Moreover, it reflects our shared ambition to deliver innovative investment solutions and products that unlock long-term value for investors.”

The Hashgraph Group (THG), a Swiss-based global business, venture capital, and technology firm dedicated to the Hedera ecosystem, has strategically invested in AgNext Technologies, a leading agritech company driving innovation in food quality and transparency. With operations spanning India, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. AgNext leverages AI-driven quality assessment and blockchain-enabled traceability to enhance food safety and efficiency across the supply chain.

With this investment, THG joins AgNext’s recent financing round led by Novo Holdings, a holding and investment company headquartered in Denmark, with over US$150 billion in assets under management. Novo Holdings manages the wealth and assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Following its Series A funding in 2021, of $21 million led by Alpha Wave Incubation (AWI), AgNext opened its first international office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. AWI is backed by DisruptAD, which is managed by Falcon Edge and serves as the venture capital arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, ADQ. The funding at the time supported the view that AgNext is uniquely positioned to drive the digitization of quality-based food trade in the MENA region with its pioneering technologies.

Approximately a third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted annually, leading to severe environmental, economic, and social consequences. This not only exacerbates food insecurity but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, waste of resources, and economic losses. Boston Consulting Group estimates global food wastage at $230 billion annually.

Traditional quality checks are slow, error prone, and costly which leads to recalls and loss of trust. AgNext solves this with its patented AI powered solutions, replacing subjective assessments and lab delays with instant on the spot analysis. The solution brings digitized trust to global food supply chains.

Following this strategic investment by THG, AgNext will integrate Hedera’s cutting-edge distributed ledger technology (DLT) into its assurance and traceability platforms and devices – ensuring 100% traceability, transparency, immutability, and efficiency through self-executing smart contracts, eliminating the need for multiple intermediaries that currently populate the supply chains and drive-up end prices. Hedera being the most scalable, cost-efficient, and energy-efficient among blockchain protocols is especially well-suited for food supply chains.

Taranjeet Bhamra, Founder and CEO of AgNext, commented on the investment, saying: “We are excited to welcome The Hashgraph Group as a valued partner in our mission to revolutionize food supply chains. With THG’s expertise and technology, we are poised to enhance our quality assurance frameworks and create robust transaction assurance systems that will foster transparency and trust in the global agriculture and food sectors. This partnership marks a pivotal step in delivering innovative, cutting-edge solutions to our clients.”

AgNext and THG will also collaborate on joint go-to-market initiatives, including co-branded, Hedera-powered embedded devices, which will be offered to clients globally through a new Web3-centric joint venture established in Switzerland.

Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder & CEO of The Hashgraph Group, said: “THG brings deep expertise in designing, developing, and deploying enterprise-grade solutions on the Hedera network, delivered by our team of highly skilled, Hedera-certified engineers. With this strategic co-investment alongside Novo Holdings, we look forward to embarking on the tech-enablement journey with AgNext to drive the convergence of AI and Blockchain/DLT, while jointly bringing to market Hedera-powered AgriTech solutions that will enhance AgNext’s competitive edge in the Web3 era.”

Hedera leverages its unique Hashgraph consensus algorithm to achieve unmatched speed, security, and scalability. With low, predictable fees and a carbon-negative footprint, Hedera is governed by over 30 Council Members from the world’s leading organizations such as Abrdn, Dell, EDF, Hitachi, Google, IBM, Mondelēz, Standard Bank, and TATA, Hedera provides a trusted, quantum-resistant infrastructure for businesses and institutions worldwide.

Anindya Roychowdhury, Head of Global Partnerships at The Hashgraph Group, stated: “I’ve been closely following AgNext’s remarkable growth since its inception, and I’m thrilled that THG is now partnering with them to leverage Hedera as the foundation for their assurance and traceability platforms. With Taranjeet’s visionary leadership and the capabilities of Hedera, we are confident in creating world-leading, Web3-enabled solutions for the AgriTech industry.”

UAE M2, crypto exchange has appointed James Greenwood as Chief Executive Officer, Bill Qian as Managing Director, while Bijan Alizadeh remains as Board Member and Shareholder Representative all committed to expanding their global userbase.

M2 is refocusing their strategy with consolidation driven by their earn product and the increasing demand for yield-oriented and financing solutions. As per the press release the company is doubling down on regulated financial services.
The crypto exchange has ambitions of building a one-stop digital asset financial service platform, serving global users from the Middle East. M2 has transformed its treasury division to cater to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and institutional clients, offering bespoke digital assets solutions tailored to their needs. The M2 team has also been bolstered with specialized expertise, further enhancing M2’s ability to deliver innovative investment options.

James Greenwood is an award-winning leader, with a proven track record in digital technology and financial services. He joins M2 from Bitstamp, the world’s longest-running cryptocurrency exchange, where he served as Chief Technology and Operations Officer. With an impressive career spanning Europe and the Middle East.

James has held several C-suite roles of pivotal importance, such as Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Tandem Bank. Previously, he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives at organizations including Commercial Bank International and Zand Bank, bringing a deep understanding of fintech innovation to his leadership. In addition to his accomplishments in finance, James is a published author, the founder of an award-winning mobile games studio, and a sought-after speaker on digital disruption and innovation.

Bill Qian: Managing Director, M2, a seasoned investor and strategic leader in digital assets, AI, and financial technology, having overseen more than $30 billion in investments across the sector, previously served as Global Head of M&A and Binance Labs at Binance. Now, as Managing Director at M2, he is focused on enhancing the platform’s institutional offering, shaping bespoke investment products, structured yield opportunities, and advanced risk management solutions to serve the evolving needs of family offices, UHNWIs, and enterprises.

“This is a transformative time for M2, and we cannot wait to take on the opportunity,” said Bijan Alizadeh, Board member and Shareholder Representative. “Together with James and Bill, I look forward to re-energizing M2’s mission, while equipping the business with the tools and structures needed to drive innovation and deliver unmatched value to our customers. With a clear vision for sustainable growth and a strong foundation, M2 is poised to lead the next wave of digital asset transformation.”

The UAE governmental entity, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has partnered with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to link the real estate registry to property tokenization through an advanced governance system. The collaboration aims to enable the fractional ownership of real estate assets, allowing a broader base of investors, particularly small investors, to enter Dubai’s real estate market. This contributes to greater economic inclusion and enhances the sector’s appeal to global investments.

This agreement follows the launch of the pilot phase of the “Real Estate Tokenization Project.” 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. As per the announcement, 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.

It was signed in the presence of Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, and Marwan bin Ghalita, Director-General of Dubai Land Department, alongside senior officials from both entities.

The project also supports the objectives of the “Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033” to grow real estate transaction volume to $272 billion equivalent to AED1 trillion, and contributes to the goals of the “Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” which seeks to double the emirate’s GDP over the next decade.

Helal Almarri affirmed that the agreement reflects the spirit of innovation and integration between Dubai’s government and digital sectors, noting that real estate tokenisation represents a qualitative leap toward a more inclusive and transparent investment model.

For his part, Marwan bin Ghalita highlighted the importance of this step in driving real estate innovation, attracting technology companies, and enhancing the sector’s digital infrastructure.

Web3 is a Joke, founded by comedian Mona Shaikh, bridges the gap between comedy and blockchain technology. With sold-out events across the US, UK, Hong Kong, and beyond, the brand has become a global leader in making Web3 accessible through humor.
The event will turn blockchain into belly laughs in Dubai UAE during Token2049 on April 29th at The Kempinski Palm from 6-8pm.

“Web3 is a Joke” Crypto Roast Comedy Night at Token 2049 Dubai side event, will be a transformative experience featuring hilarious comedians, delicious libations and unparalleled networking opportunities designed for crypto, web3 and comedy lovers.

Mona Sheikh, Founder of Web3 is a Joke, notes, ” The mission is to help with mass adoption through comedy. “Web3 is a Joke”, serves as a platform to achieve two big goals: Build trust in crypto and educate through entertainment. We will bring together crypto, Web3 and comedy lovers for a day filled with hilarious crypto roast jokes, tearing down Web3 and rebuilding it with non-stop laughter. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies in both Web2 and Web3 and in all industries. Media entities can also partner.”

Whether you’re looking to break away from the nerdy panels and need something new and exciting to laugh, learn and link, Web3 is a Joke Crypto Roast Comedy Night is where you need to be.

This year’s lineup includes Founder & Roast master Mona Shaikh followed by a hilarious crypto roast with comedians from the US, Dubai and South Asia. Each comedian offers unique insights into the world of crypto comedy. Attendees will have the chance to engage with comedians, network, and connect with sponsors with display booths all designed to entertain, learn and collaborate.

Web3 is a Joke is the perfect gathering for aspiring entrepreneurs, crypto, tech and web3 enthusiasts along with creative minds and
comedy lovers. Whether you’re looking to learn more about web3 and crypto, network with the best or just get some good laughs, you’ll find valuable opportunities to grow and learn.

Secure your spot at our exclusive event on our website by reserving your complimentary ticket today. Tickets are available at www.web3isajoke.io or on Luma. For Sponsorship and media partnership opportunities please email mona@web3isajoke.io.


After the UAE registered company CLS Global FZC LLC, a non-regulated financial services firm known in the cryptocurrency industry as a “market maker,” admitted to fraud in the United States, the company has received its sentence in federal court in Boston for criminal charges relating to its fraudulent manipulation of cryptocurrency trading volume and has been ordered to pay $428,059.

CLS Global has been ordered to pay a total of $428,059 to the government, representing both a fine and seized cryptocurrency. The court also sentenced CLS Global to a term of probation for three years, during which CLS Global is prohibited from participating in U.S. cryptocurrency markets. CLS Global pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit market manipulation and wire fraud and one count of wire fraud in January 2025. It was charged criminally in September 2024.

CLS Global provided “market making” and other services for cryptocurrency companies through its public website and other promotional materials. CLS Global was a company registered in the United Arab Emirates that employed over 50 individuals yet not regulated by UAE virtual asset regulatory authorities.

The charges against CLS Global followed an undercover law enforcement operation targeting cryptocurrency “wash trading,” sham trading activity intended to attract investors. The investigation included the creation of NexFundAI, a purported cryptocurrency company that had a website (https://nexfundai.com) and an Ethereum-based token that traded on the Uniswap cryptocurrency exchange before being disabled by law enforcement.

CLS Global agreed to provide market making services for the NexFundAI token that included “wash trading” to fraudulently attract investors to purchase the token. During several videoconferences between July and August 2024, a CLS Global employee explained that the company could “help with volume generation” so that NexFundAI could meet cryptocurrency exchange listing requirements and attract purchasers of the NexFundAI token. The employee explained that CLS Global used an algorithm that “basically does self-trades, buying and selling. . . from multiple wallets so it’s not visible” and so “it looks like organic buying and selling that is happening.” The employee further explained, “It’s very hard to track. . . . We’ve been doing that for many clients.” The employee also acknowledged, “I know that it’s wash trading and I know people might not be happy about it.”

CLS Global’s employee provided a “Market Making proposal” which, in a section titled “Volume Support,” contained an illustration of the CLS Global “dashboard” that reflected “total volume,” “CLS volume” and “external volume.” Traders employed by CLS Global subsequently bought and sold the NexFundAI token on the Uniswap cryptocurrency exchange using CLS Global’s trading wallets and provided reports on the trading activity created by the “volume generation algorithm.”

As part of its sentence, CLS Global is prohibited from participating in cryptocurrency transactions on trading platforms available to investors located in the United States or providing services to cryptocurrency clients based in the United States, as set forth in the plea agreement. CLS Global is also required to make annual certifications that its business practices conform to these prohibitions.

Targeting UAE AI and Net Zero Strategies, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) together with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), today announced the development and implementation of new energy infrastructure projects. The transformative collaboration includes TAQA signing a 24-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EWEC to build, own, and operate the 1-gigawatt (GW) Al Dhafra Open-Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) project in the UAE.

With 100 percent ownership, TAQA is leading the OCGT project and will undertake the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plant. In addition, TAQA Transmission, part of TAQA Group, will develop advanced power grid infrastructure to integrate the additional generation capacity to new sources of energy demand, enabling access to reliable power with a low carbon footprint.

The projects will support the recently announced EWEC and Masdar world-first project that will enable renewable energy to be dispatched 24 hours a day seven days a week, reaffirming the UAE’s position as a global pioneer in renewable energy deployment and low-carbon infrastructure. Delivering up to 1GW of baseload power every day generated from renewable energy, it will be the largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) in the world.

The collaboration between EWEC, TAQA, and Masdar, will drive investment of around AED36 billion in energy supply infrastructure in Abu Dhabi with around 75 percent of that to be invested in renewable and conventional power generation. The remaining 25 percent will be invested in grid infrastructure, which will be added to the regulated asset base and will receive the regulated return.

Jasim Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of TAQA and Vice Chairman of Masdar, said, “Providing reliable low-carbon power plays an important role in enabling the global energy transition. Through our expertise in power generation and transmission, and as the largest shareholder in Masdar, TAQA plays a central role in advancing clean energy solutions in the UAE, and we remain committed to ensuring reliable, low-carbon power at all times. As a champion of low-carbon power and water, we are proud to be a part of these world-class projects alongside our partner EWEC.”

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, “EWEC is pleased to partner with TAQA on transformative initiatives that will not only power the UAE’s AI ambitions but also accelerate the nation’s energy transition. By creating a future-ready energy framework that integrates next-generation renewable energy technologies and advanced transmission solutions, this collaboration is setting a new global benchmark for sustainable energy systems that balances sustainability with operational excellence. As the UAE transitions into an AI-powered future, we are creating the foundation for a future where advanced technologies can flourish, while meeting the country’s forward-thinking environmental and economic goals.”

ADQ and Energy Capital Markets invest $25.6 billion in energy projects in USA

This comes weeks after Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ joined forces with U.S. private equity firm Energy Capital Partners (ECP) to invest over $25 B in energy projects aimed at powering data centers, primarily in the United States. The investment, structured as a 50-50 partnership, will support the development of 25 GW of new power generation and energy infrastructure. The collaboration is designed to meet the rising energy demands of data centers, hyperscale cloud providers, and other high-consumption industries.

Serenity, a blockchain technology company specializing in secure digital finance solutions, has partnered with MTA Real Estate to develop a secure, blockchain-powered real estate investment portal targeting allowing for crypto to property purchases.

As per the press release, the initiative arrives amid growing momentum for real estate tokenization in the UAE. With growing institutional interest and clear regulatory support for blockchain-based asset infrastructure, the Dubai Land Department expects the market value for tokenized real estate to exceed $16 billion by 2033.

The portal, to be rolled out in phases, will allow qualified crypto users to explore select Dubai real estate listings, complete biometric-based KYC, and execute regulated crypto-to-property purchases through smart contracts. Also crypto buyers who purchase properties using this portal will be eligible for exclusive discounts, which brings in a valid commercial value proposition.

Serenity and MTA’s expertise will bring to market a full-technology stack serving as a blockchain window into property sourcing, transaction facilitation, and compliance with local real-estate regulations. 

“This partnership allows us to extend blockchain’s utility into tangible ‘real-world services’,” said Robert Boris Mofrad, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Serenity. “Dubai is already setting the pace on real estate tokenization – our goal is to operationalize that vision with compliant infrastructure that bridges Web3 and real-world ownership.”

Venket Naga, CEO of Serenity commented, “This agreement brings our ‘real-world services’ vision closer to reality,” said Venket Naga, Co-Founder and CEO of Serenity. “It’s about turning blockchain infrastructure into sustained, revenue-generating use cases – not just for Serenity, but for the entire Web3 ecosystem engaging with real-world assets.”

The platform’s KYC layer, built on Serenity’s decentralized identity protocol, will be integrated with the company’s sAxess biometric card, the world’s first fingerprint-authenticated blockchain multi function cold wallet card. Payments will be conducted through licensed intermediaries or accepted directly by developers that support crypto transactions. Off-plan purchases will be protected under the Dubai Land Department’s escrow framework, ensuring milestone-based fund releases and buyer safeguards.

At MTA Real Estate, we specialize in unlocking high-growth opportunities in Dubai’s real estate market – one of the most secure and lucrative in the world,” said Mohamed Taher Ali, Founder & CEO of MTA Real Estate. “This collaboration empowers crypto investors to diversify their portfolios with stable, income-generating assets backed by full regulatory transparency. Our goal is simple: bridge the gap between digital wealth and real-world property ownership through innovation, speed, and trust.

Serenity’s roadmap for the portal includes smart contracts for automated rent distribution, on-chain storage of ownership records with survivability and inheritance mechanisms, and future integration of DeFi-based mortgage tools.