Chainalysis joins Emirates NBD’s digital asset lab

Chainalysis joins Emirates NBD’s digital asset lab

Chainalysis the blockchain data platform, has joined Emirates NBD, digital asset Lab. Chainalysis, the blockchain data platform, will join professional services firm PwC, digital asset transfer and direct custody technology platform Fireblocks, and R3, an enterprise Distributed ledger technology platform, as founding council members of the Lab.

According to the press release, Chainalysis’ expertise in blockchain analysis and compliance will strengthen the Digital Asset Lab by contributing to the development of innovative financial products and services that are compliant and secure.

As a national bank known for innovation, Emirates NBD plans to leverage Chainalysis’ analytics and investigative capabilities to further discern market trends and customer needs, while enhancing the integrity of the bank’s digital asset initiatives.

The strategic alliance demonstrates Emirates NBD’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.

Miguel Rio Tinto, Group Chief Digital and Information Officer at Emirates NBD, said, “As a leading local bank that has always been committed to innovation, Emirates NBD is proud to partner with Chainalysis and welcomes the company to the Digital Asset Lab to pave the way for pioneering solutions in the financial sector. By partnering with Chainalysis, the bank aims to provide a more transparent and reliable digital finance environment for customers, thereby fostering greater trust and confidence in the bank’s digital offerings.”

Nicola Buonanno, VP Southern EMEA at Chainalysis, added, “Financial institutions play a pivotal role in sculpting the future of digital assets, offering secure avenues for investor engagement with the right risk mitigation measures. Chainalysis is excited to collaborate with Emirates NBD through its Digital Asset Lab, leveraging its data and solutions to facilitate safe and transparent digital asset services. Together with the Emirates NBD, we aim to forge a resilient financial sector, fostering confidence and further advancing the UAE’s leadership in digital assets innovation.”

The Digital Asset Lab was announced in May 2023 at the Dubai FinTech Summit, with the goal of enabling and accelerating digital asset and financial services innovation in the UAE. As a bank committed to providing customers greater access to a wide range of financial products, Emirates NBD is establishing a robust platform with industry experts for the development of innovative ideas in financial services using digital assets and its underlying technologies.

The Lab focuses purely on digital assets and how underlying technologies can be leveraged to enable customers to effectively manage their financial services requirements in the evolving and dynamic environment of digital assets.

After its crypto broker license in UAE, WadzPay now seeks license for stablecoin issuance

After its crypto broker license in UAE, WadzPay now seeks license for stablecoin issuance

WadzPay, a fintech blockchain based technology for virtual asset payment solutions, has announced its entrance into the Stablecoin business. According to the press release, this will shift Wadzpay’s strategy from one of being a virtual asset payments company to a blockchain financial services solutions provider. The new solutions will be organized as a new business and new brand. To ensure regulatory compliance, WadzPay will set up a new entity and will pursue approvals in UAE, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

WadzPay recently was granted a license for crypto brokerage by Dubai’s virtual asset regulatory authority, pending finalizing some requirements.

The decision to venture into the Stablecoin market comes as a response to the increasing demand for secure, transparent, and efficient digital payment solutions worldwide. WadzPay will introduce two main products: Stable Coin as a Service and its own regulated USD$ Stablecoin, designed for local and international payments, cross border remittances, and settlements of on-chain transactions related to RWA.

According to recent market research by Bernstein, the global market for stablecoins is projected to grow from $125 billion to almost $3 trillion in next 5 years. This growth is fueled by factors such as the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, cross-border remittances, and the need for stable digital assets to mitigate volatility risks in cryptocurrency markets.

By leveraging blockchain technology, WadzPay aims to provide users with a reliable alternative to traditional fiat currencies, offering stability, convenience, and speed at lower cost in transactions for merchants, businesses and individuals worldwide. With a focus on compliance and regulations, WadzPay is poised to address the growing demand for stablecoins while ensuring security and regulatory compliance in its operations. Apart from the traditional use cases, WadzPay will add some new and innovative uses of stablecoins to the mix.

With this strategic move, WadzPay aims to innovate in solving foreign exchange problems and will introduce an innovative first-in-market business model, setting itself apart from competitors. WadzPay will build a world class team under the new leadership to drive this business.

Founder & Group CEO of WadzPay, Mr. Anish Jain, emphasized the strategic significance of this expansion, stating, “Our entry into the stablecoin business reflects our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and staying at the forefront of technological innovation. With the growing adoption of virtual assets, particularly stablecoins, we see tremendous potential for growth and are excited to offer our expertise in this space, while remaining committed to compliance and regulations.”

Leading the initiative is Mr. Jason Sarria-Solis as the President – Emerging & New Business in charge of the stablecoin business. With over 20 years of experience in the technology and fintech industry, Mr. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of driving business growth and innovation. He has led multiple projects spanning from founding and scaling a successful telecom startup in the UK to leading digital banking, embedded finance, and blockchain projects in Asia.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Jason Sarria-Solis expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to join WadzPay at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey. The stablecoin market presents immense opportunities for disruption and advancement in the payments, remittance, and on-chain settlement space, and I look forward to leading our team in delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of our users and drive the company’s growth.”

WadzPay remains committed to its mission of revolutionizing the virtual asset financial services landscape with blockchain technology, and the expansion into the stablecoin business marks a significant milestone in this journey. With a focus on technological excellence, customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships, the company is poised to emerge as a key player in the financial services ecosystem.

Cardano is in the UAE with Dubai Blockchain center

Cardano is in the UAE with Dubai Blockchain center

The Cardano Foundation has today announced a strategic partnership with Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), a leader in technological innovation. This exciting collaboration is set to empower and expand the Cardano community, welcoming both current enthusiasts and newcomers to explore the unique aspects of the Cardano technology. The partnership will establish a certification program tailored for Cardano enthusiasts. This initiative will offer specialized training seminars designed to educate, certify individuals and organizations on the advanced features and enterprise applications of the Cardano blockchain.

Both the Cardano Foundation and the Dubai Blockchain Center are deeply committed to advancing education and understanding of blockchain technology. This partnership will leverage educational materials developed by the Cardano Foundation’s subject matter experts, incorporating content from the Cardano Academy to create customized, in-person training seminars. This long-term collaboration aims to significantly enhance the knowledge and adoption of blockchain technology across the MENA region, working towards an offering of certified courses.

Speaking about the partnership today, Frederik Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, stated, “We’re excited to sign and to announce this partnership with Dubai Blockchain Center today. Blockchain is a vital technology that has the potential to change the course of how society operates for the betterment of all. Education is essential to achieving that change. By partnering with noted and established leaders in the space, particularly one as successful, prestigious, and visionary as Dubai Blockchain Center, we are able to expand the reach and the efficacy of that educational focus.”

Dr Marwan Alzarouni, CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center and Senior Advisor to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, added, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Cardano Foundation—especially as this aligns with DBCC’s mission to promote education, training, and research in blockchain technology. This collaboration aims to provide a new generation of blockchain enthusiasts with customized educational programs and revolutionary technology solutions designed specifically for supporting the application and understanding of Cardano’s advanced blockchain technology. Together, we are committed to helping improve the level of blockchain integration in a variety of sectors to catalyze their innovation, plus enhance their level of impact and adoption at an international level.”

The partnership also deepens the growing connections between the Cardano Foundation and some of the most influential institutions and stakeholders in both Dubai and the Middle East. In 2023, the Cardano Foundation brought its renowned blockchain conference, the Cardano Summit, to Dubai for the first time. This year, it will once again return to Dubai to host the Cardano Summit from the 23rd to the 24th of October. 

Frederik Gregaard concluded: “Dubai is increasingly being recognized as one of the leading locations for blockchain technology, with a continued investment in and dedication to the advancement of blockchain utility. By deepening our connections in Dubai and this region, the Cardano Foundation will continue to drive forward the adoption and operational resilience of this key technology.”

Dubai Blockchain center also recently partnered with BitLayer a Layer 2 bitcoin platform.

UAE and Bahrain regulated CoinMENA allows crypto users to send USDT on TON Blockchain

UAE and Bahrain regulated CoinMENA allows crypto users to send USDT on TON Blockchain

UAE and Bahrain regulated CoinMENA crypto broker has added Telegram’s The Open Network (TON) to its platform, allowing users to send USDT via the TON blockchain. According to the announcement CoinMENA becomes the first regional platform to enable USDT withdrawals via the TON network.

TON joins Ethereum’s ERC-20 and TRON’s TRC-20 as the third blockchain available to CoinMENA users for sending USDT.

CoinMENA Co-Founder and Managing Director Dina Sam’an expressed her excitement in a LinkedIn post saying “Users can seamlessly swap their local currencies to USDT at the most competitive market rates and send them to over 900 million Telegram users. I am extremely excited and proud of the team for mobilizing quickly and becoming the first regional platform to enable USDT withdrawals via TON just 10 days after Tether announced launching USDT on TON.”

CoinMENA Co-Founder and CEO Talal Tabbaa added “Stablecoins, particularly USDT, stand out as crypto’s “killer app,” constituting approximately 70% of on-chain transactions and providing access to U.S. dollars for millions worldwide. The rapid adoption of USDT regionally is unsurprising, given its superior and more convenient experience compared to traditional USD wire transfers. Additionally, with many regional currencies pegged to the dollar, using USDT as a medium of exchange mitigates exposure to FX risk. I’m thrilled about this addition and proud that CoinMENA is leading the charge as the first crypto company to offer this in the region”

The announcement adds that this aligns with CoinMENA’s mission to become the simplest and safest way to onboard people onto crypto by providing a reliable onramp to stablecoins, the most popular use case thus far.

CoinMENA has had a string of partnership announcements with formidable players over the past months. The crypto broker recently partnered with Zodia Markets, enhancing liquidity for its platform. It also partnered with Network international to offer secure onramp from Fiat to crypto, and even partnered with Onramp Bitcoin.

PWC MENA report features Fils carbon credit tokenization use cases

PWC MENA report features Fils carbon credit tokenization use cases

 UAE based Fils, an enterprise-grade digital infrastructure provider enabling companies to embed sustainability and climate action into their business models, has featured in a new PWC Middle East report on Carbon credit tokenization: Pioneering a sustainable future. 

It has been estimated that the carbon credits market will expand to US$100 billion by 2030, by Morgan Stanley, a global leader in financial services. The PwC Middle East report examines the tokenization of carbon credits and how financial institutions can become game-changing players in leveraging this process to combat climate change.  

The report emphasizes the practical deployment of carbon credit tokenization- as demonstrated by Fils – showcasing how the fintech’s technology is being used by several of its banking clientele.

Since its launch ahead of COP28 last year, Fils has embedded digital tools to businesses across various sectors, enabling them to integrate climate initiatives into their workflows.

A case study featuring in the report reveals that their innovative software has enabled major fintechs, such as Magnati in the UAE and Geidea in the KSA, and banks such as Mashreq, to process payments that automatically offset carbon emissions, simplifying eco-friendly transactions and ensuring business transparency. Fils also uses advanced analytics for carbon emission calculations in corporate spending, offering a clear view of environmental impact. This approach exemplifies Fils’ efficient method to incorporate climate action into business models, contributing to a sustainable future in finance and positioning Fils as a foundational force in building a global community of sustainability-minded businesses.

“We are incredibly proud that Fils’ efforts and achievements in integrating climate action into business models have been recognized and used as a case study in this report.” said Nameer Khan, CEO of Fils. “Since our inception, we have been instrumental in assisting financial institutions to effectively incorporate climate action into their operations. This report not only showcases our technology through our real world case studies but also amplifies our reach, giving us a larger platform to inform others about what we do and expand into new regions. It’s a testament to our continued commitment to sustainability and the growing impact of our solutions on a global scale,” he added.

PwC Middle East’s report talks about the emergence of tokenization, its role in enhancing financial services, how tokenized carbon credits are creating game changing opportunities by building a more transparent, efficient and accessible market for carbon credits, in turn driving growth and therefore supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement to drop emissions by 45% by 2030.

Commenting on the report, Serena Sebastiani, Virtual Assets Consulting Leader at PwC Middle East said, “This report underscores the critical role of informed partnerships in advancing climate action.”

She added, “By merging insights from Fils’ application of technology with our strategic overview, the report aims to educate financial institutions about the benefits of tokenisation applied to carbon credits, driving a shift towards how the world of finance can play a big role in saving our planet, one token at a time. “

Fils has established strategic partnerships with significant financial institutions in the region, including Magnati in the UAE, Geidea in KSA, and Mashreq Bank, enabling millions of merchants worldwide to reduce their environmental impact. 

crypto companies to have streamlined regulatory process in UAE

crypto companies to have streamlined regulatory process in UAE

Nucleus AI (https://besocial.ai), offering advanced artificial intelligence solutions, has partnered with the Dubai Blockchain Center (https://blockchaincenter.ae) to revolutionize how blockchain and crypto companies establish operations in Dubai by streamlining the regulatory processes.

“We are at the cusp of a transformative era where blockchain and artificial intelligence converge to create unprecedented opportunities,” said Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in harnessing the synergies of these revolutionary technologies to foster an ecosystem that empowers businesses and drives innovation within Area 2071, Dubai, the UAE and beyond.”

At the core of this initiative lies Nucleus AI’s advanced AI platform, which enables enterprises, SMEs, and government entities to transform their existing knowledge bases into intelligent systems capable of understanding and acting upon complex data relationships.

“Our platform allows enterprises to deploy sophisticated AI-driven processes that operate across multiple tiers, drastically improving efficiency and effectiveness,” stated Raakin Iqbal, CEO and Co-founder of Nucleus AI. “We’re fundamentally enhancing how organizations manage and utilize their knowledge assets.”

“Our Pre-AGI technology doesn’t just automate – it innovates, making each regulatory interaction smarter and more effective,” Iqbal explained. “We’re pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in streamlining operational landscapes.”

The partnership will enable an AI-driven proof-of-concept that guides blockchain and crypto companies through the entire regulatory journey – from initial inquiry to final licensing – with unprecedented efficiency. Key capabilities include:

– Intelligent Reasoning: Applying complex logic to understand nuanced regulations and processes.

– Dynamic Knowledge Bases: Continuously updated to ensure adherence to the latest policies.

– Autonomous Action Models: Leveraging datasets and reasoning to autonomously navigate processes while ensuring compliance.

– Multilingual Support: Facilitating global adoption with AI-powered support across 25+ languages.

At the core of this initiative is an AI-powered interface that combines conversational AI with action-driven modeling to shepherd companies through every step, from initial inquiry to final licensing. “Nucleus AI’s platform ingests complex knowledge bases and autonomously executes actions based on logical inferencing – making it ideal for streamlining this intricate regulatory journey,” stated Kiran Ali, Co-founder.

“Our partnership with the Dubai Blockchain Center showcases how advanced AI can revolutionize regulatory frameworks through reasoning and autonomous execution,” Iqbal said. “We’re developing systems that deeply understand operational nuances to radically simplify business establishment.”

The Dubai Blockchain Center’s visionary leadership echoes this innovative spirit: “In our pursuit to position Dubai as a beacon for the blockchain sector, we aim to create an environment conducive to growth,” Dr. Alzarouni stated. “Our initiatives make it seamless for blockchain and crypto companies to operate here, fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives.”

Dyna AI tech company joins Dubai Fintech Summit

Dyna AI tech company joins Dubai Fintech Summit

Dyna.Ai, an artificial intelligence technology service company headquartered in Singapore, has joined the Dubai FinTech Summit, organised by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global Financial Centre in the MEASA region, as a Powered By sponsor.

Dyna.Ai focuses on leveraging cutting-edge AI techniques to foster business digitalisation and ‘intelligentisation’. The company serves a wide range of institutions including traditional banks, digital banks, FinTech companies, insurance firms, and various other types of organisations. Dyna.Ai will be making its global debut at the Dubai FinTech Summit, and showcasing its innovative AI solutions, especially those designed for the Arabian market.

Tomas Skoumal, Chairman and Co-President of Dyna.Ai, said, “Dyna.Ai is thrilled to be part of the Dubai FinTech Summit, a platform that embodies the fusion of innovation and finance. As an artificial intelligence technology service company, we are committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing, customer acquisition, decision making, and risk management for businesses worldwide. With our presence extending across pivotal regions including the Middle East and beyond, we are eager to join forces, innovate, and enact significant transformations in the FinTech arena at this esteemed event.”

In line with the D33 Agenda to position Dubai as the top four global financial hub by 2033, the 2nd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation, pivotal to transforming the global FinTech sector. It presents a unique opportunity to explore emerging FinTech trends and their potential to drive financial progress in the MEASA region.

The Dubai FinTech Summit, scheduled for 6-7 May 2024, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, will see an unprecedented gathering of over 8,000 decision-makers, over 300 thought leaders and over 200 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies.

Pravica launches S3 testnet for CBDCs and stablecoins on sui blockchain

Pravica launches S3 testnet for CBDCs and stablecoins on sui blockchain

Money Tokenization built on blockchain just got an enormous boost with the launch of UAE and Egyptian based Pravica’s S3 (Stablecoin Studio on Sui) testnet during the CV Summit Africa 2024.

Less than two months after publicizing the launch of S3.Money on the Sui Blockchain, The S3 testnet is now up and running, welcoming developers and financial community to start building tokenized money whether CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) or stablecoins.

According to Pravica blog post, the S3 platform is set to revolutionize the global payment processing landscape by allowing money to be tokenized in a versatile and user-friendly way swiftly and securely. The premise is financial empowerment with blockchain based money tokenization, because the future of money is all about innovation and accessibility.
Mohamed Abdou Founder and CEO of Pravica, explaining the concept states, “With S3, issuing and managing CBDC or stablecoins are a matter of clicks!”


S3 Money is a solution that caters not only to up and coming stablecoin issuers such as central banks, retail banks, and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) projects, but also to existing stablecoin issuers including the creators of Tether (USDT), Circle (USDC) by offering them the ability to simplify, quickly issue, manage and create different treasury layers for their respective stablecoins.

As per Pravica, gone are the days of building and auditing smart contracts, S3’s innovation solution on Sui, bring stablecoins to life through a streamlined process of stablecoin issuance just by defining the parameters.


S3 also helps to maintain the stablecoin ecosystem through S3’s intuitive management dashboard. The dashboard monitors supply and demand in real-time, tracking transactions easily and allowing for adjustments along the way.


Pravica has introduced a feature in S3, called ‘Relations’, which allows clients to establish a secure, multi-layered hierarchy for sub-wallets within a client’s stablecoin ecosystem. Imagine creating permissioned access structures for different user groups, or designating sub-wallets for specific departments within your organization.
The platform enhances treasury command with built-in proof-of-reserve functionality and seamless integration with on-chain oracles. Integrated KYC/AML features prioritize compliance, strengthening due diligence with qualified identity verification services.
All this has been enabled because S3 leverages the secure and blazing-fast Sui blockchain for unparalleled stability and transaction speed.
The one-stop streamlined experience is unparalleled because of the intuitive capable administration with role-based controls, that allow the effortless configuration and management of tokenized money.


As Abdou explains, “Based on the adoption we are already seeing and our deep experience with international payment systems, we are convinced that stablecoins will revolutionize the global payments industry.”

This comes as Pravica has rebranded, revamped and restructured their offering into a more comprehensive blockchain infrastructure solution provider. Pravica is offering solutions for a trustworthy and transformative digital landscape utilizing secure, efficient, and innovative blockchain solutions.

Oman Sovereign fund launches $180 million tech fund with UAE ADQ

Oman Sovereign fund launches $180 million tech fund with UAE ADQ

Oman Investment Authority represented by ITHCA Group which invests in IT sectors such as cybersecurity, blockchain and data analytics has launched a $180 million technology fund, the Jasoor tech Fund, with Abu Dhabi’s ADQ an Abu Dhabi investment and holding company.

The Jasoor tech fund is focused on small to medium sized startups in sectors such as fintech, edtech, healthtech, cleantech, food agriculture and logistics.

This commitment is part of broader framework agreement signed between both parties in 2022.  The Fund aims to bolster the digital economy in the Sultanate as well as the wider MENA region by supporting high-growth technology companies. Its core focus will be on innovative technology companies established in the Sultanate, in addition to technology startups in other countries in the region. It will undertake investments high-growth technology companies at various stages of development that have established business models. 

In 2022, ADQ and OIA identified investment opportunities worth over USD 8 billion in key sectors of Oman’s economy. The partnership aims to contribute to increased economic cooperation and trade between both nations. ADQ has also made investments in blockchain startups.

His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ADQ:stated, “Building on ADQ’s strategic partnership with OIA established in 2022, the launch of Jasoor Fund reinforces our commitment to make investments that unlock the potential of key sectors of the economy, while creating lasting value for stakeholders. Together, we will continue to advance trade and promote investments that will contribute to the growth of both economies.”

His Excellency Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority added, “The establishment of a technology-focused fund with ADQ marks a pivotal moment for Oman’s technology sector. Through this strategic partnership and the significant commitment by ADQ which underpins it, we are setting the stage for a new era of innovation and growth that will propel both nations into a future powered by digital transformation and technological advancement.”

Said Abdullah Al Mandhari, Chief Executive Officer of ITHCA Group also noted, “The establishment of the Jasoor Fund aligns with our venture capital investment strategy, focusing on funding contemporary, emerging and cutting-edge technological projects, while also providing Omani youth with opportunities to develop their ventures and expand globally.

GCEX crypto broker in UK reports lower revenues in 2023

GCEX crypto broker in UK reports lower revenues in 2023

GC Exchange GCEX a licensed crypto broker in Dubai UAE announced that its GCEX’s UK entity a crypto broker has submitted its accounts for y/e 31 December 2023, reporting a turnover of £2.30 million equivalent to $2.8 million. This is a decline in volume from £4.46m ($5.58 million) the previous year.

As per the press release, this is largely attributed to the crypto winter and follows an exceptional growth year for GCEX y/e 2022. However, despite the drop in turnover for y/e 2023, the company has steadily increased revenue on a monthly basis since the beginning of 2023, a trend that has continued into the current year.

The UK entity reported a loss before tax of £387,429 but remained committed to its growth objectives, as evidenced by its ongoing development of technology solutions and the distribution of £1.80m during the year to its parent company, GCEX Holding Limited, aimed at supporting the international expansion of the GCEX Group.

Lars Holst, Founder and CEO, GCEX added, “The crypto winter had a huge impact across the industry, and GCEX was no exception. However, in response to the decline in revenue, we have been resilient and adaptive, navigating our costs effectively and diversifying revenue streams such as introducing staking services for institutional and professional clients.

“We don’t run risk and don’t do lending or borrowing and we continue to have significant excess Tier 1 capital in our UK entity. Following a successful Q1 2024, We are now back to profitability and continue to execute on our long-term plans, investing and expanding in our global business.”

Over the last financial year, GCEX Group, with headquarters in London, has broadened its product offering, enhanced its technology and strengthened partnerships with Tier 1, trusted Liquidity Providers as well as digital asset custody solutions. The Group secured two additional regulatory licenses: an investment firm in Denmark regulated by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority and a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Dubai, UAE regulated by VARA.

GCEX Group enables institutional and professional clients to access deep liquidity in FX and CFDs on digital assets, as well as digital assets spot trading and conversion, and offers a broad range of Forex brokerage and crypto-native technology solutions – XplorDigital.