The 2nd edition of Dubai FinTech Summit (DFS) organized by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, concluded with resounding success. The 3rd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit will be held on 7-8 May 2025, also under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum.


From government officials and policy makers to start-up founders, the two-day Summit, held at Madinat Jumeirah, brought together an unprecedented gathering of more than 8,000 decision-makers from 118 countries around the world. These included over 300 thought leaders participating in 125 discussions across five stages and over 200 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies. Over 20 government dignitaries were also in attendance, including the Mayor of Seoul, Central Bank Governors, and Deputy Governors.


His Excellency, Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, commented: “The Dubai FinTech Summit is not just a gathering, it is a platform for transformative discussions and collective action. The Dubai FinTech Summit stands as a beacon of impact, progress, and collaboration, creating unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. Dubai is at the forefront of shaping the future of finance and will continue to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for FinTech firms.”

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Authority, opened day two of the Summit, followed by two fireside chats with His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Department of Economy and Tourism, and Yie-Hsin Hung, President and Chief Executive Officer at State Street Global Advisors.


During his opening remarks, Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “Today, we are experiencing an extraordinary period of technological transformation where FinTech defines how we transact, how we save, and how we manage our financial lives. FinTech is also defining how traditional financial services companies operate. In recent years, we have seen FinTech revenues grow globally six-fold. We have also seen growing mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies, which is allowing for its market capitalization to exceed USD 3trn. This year, FinTech is again expected to garner and secure an additional 5 per cent of global financial service
revenues. In the next two years, digital payments are expected to increase over 10trn dollars, and by 2030, north of 25 per cent of banking valuations are expected to be driven by FinTech.


Dubai FinTech Summit offers a unique platform to explore the opportunities ahead of us, which is why, at DIFC, our strategy is firmly focused on being at the heart of this FinTech revolution. During our 20 years of operations, we have always embraced innovation. It is part of our X factor. We do not simply talk about it but engage with it; with the talent, with the investors and the regulators to execute it. Our visionary leadership has always enabled Dubai and DIFC to take a leading role in driving the future of finance and innovation. For this reason, we have built the region’s most comprehensive proposition that enables our clients to do and achieve great things in a place that integrates FinTech firmly into its DNA. In a place that attracts talented entrepreneurs, encourages collaboration, and provides global connectivity: a gateway between the east and the west, and a true nexus point for the global markets.”


Over 50 international associations participated in the Summit this year, including Africa FinTech Network, Business France, FinTech Philippines Association, European Blockchain Association, Global FinTech Alliance (GFA), Hong Kong FinTech Industry Association, International Digital Economy Association, Invest Seoul, Luxembourg Institute of Financial Technology (LHOFT), Swiss Finance & Technology Association and Women in Web3 Association, among others.


This year’s Summit saw the participation of over 1,000 investors, including more than 10 top executives from some of the world’s biggest banks, managing over USD 7trn in assets under management (AUM). In addition, over 40 FinTech and blockchain unicorns, with a combined market capitalisation of over USD 400bn were also present.


During the two days, over 30 side events were hosted by local, regional, and international partners of the Summit. Panels on the second day included a deep dive into some of the most pressing topics within the financial technology landscape, ranging from High Interest Rates and Macroeconomic Volatility, Institutional Adoption and other.


Dubai FinTech Summit also witnessed the signing of more than 50 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with global financial leaders, as well as several key announcements from attending businesses. Nik Storonsky, Founder and CEO of Revolut announced expansion plans in the MEASA region, marking a significant step towards fostering financial inclusion through cutting-edge technology. Revolut is a global neobank and financial technology company with headquarters in the UK that offers banking services for retail customers and
businesses.
Recognizing the potential of operating in the region’s largest financial ecosystem, State Street Global Advisors’ CEO, Yie-Hsin Hung, also announced that the firm is making a welcome return to DIFC. Based on the region’s expanding opportunities, coupled with DIFC’s 20-year track record as a leading hub for finance and growth, DIFC has continued to draw in an extensive list of banks, advisors, high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds seeking exposure to the region’s fast-growth markets within a future-forward regulated environment.


Dyna.Ai, the Singapore-headquartered firm announced the launch of its operations across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America, aiming to transform businesses with AI. The company offers a suite of solutions for digital banking, risk management, audience communication, and employee productivity to address current financial challenges. In the MEA region, offices will be opened in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. Dyna Athena, a newly launched AI platform, will provide revolutionary communication and interaction between customers, which will include features such as text-to-speech, language and speech processing. Dyna
Avatar, a brand-new humanoid customer assistant, capable of real-time voice-activated conversations in Arabic, English, Chinese, Japanese and Thai, was also launched at the Summit.


Among several notable presentations, Crypto Oasis provided an insightful update on the UAE’s dynamic and ever- evolving blockchain ecosystem. According to the presentation, active companies have surged by 13 per cent year- on-year, reaching 2,040 organizations, with a healthy mix of 71 per cent native and 29 per cent non-native blockchain companies contributing to the ecosystem. There has also been a marked increase in the industry workforce, with over 10,600 individuals working in the blockchain space. One of the key factors driving the crypto industry has been an increase in regulatory clarity, which has helped to attract global brands such as Bybit, Crypto.com, and OKX, which each received Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses from VARA.


In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to position Dubai as the top four global financial hubs by 2033, DFS is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation, central to transforming the global FinTech sector.

The Summit presented a unique opportunity for attendees to explore emerging FinTech trends and their potential to drive financial progress in the MEASA region. The 2nd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit was supported by over 150 global corporate partners. Visa as Founding Partner & Co-Host; Emirates NBD as Premium Banking Partner; e& life as Powered By sponsor; Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) as Strategic Banking Partner; Finvasia as Lead Sponsor; SC Ventures as Strategic Venture Partner; Dynatech AI as Powered By sponsor; and Mashreq as Diamond Sponsor; Ripple, Deloitte, Nasdaq, Mastercard, Pay10, Bitpanda, and Alpheya as Platinum Sponsors; AWS & Integra, and Dubai Financial Market among others.

InvoiceMate, a blockchain and AI-powered invoice financing enabler and retail technology provider 24SEVEN, partner to boost the UAE’s retail economy. The partnership will support the retail supply chain across the UAE. Both entities will strive to strengthen financial inclusion for thousands of SMEs by combining retail and payments data with blockchain financing solutions.

UAE SMEs typically face challenges with invoicing and cash flow, with around 60 percent of invoices settled late and B2B payments taking an average of more than 40 days to be settled. InvoiceMate’s blockchain invoicing and financing solutions will converge with 24SEVEN’s retail hardware and software technology, to enable new ways for retailers and their suppliers to manage capital. With the UAE’s total annual retail market expected to broach $100 billion by the end of 2024, innovative solutions to meet retailer and supplier needs can further bolster this economic upsurge.

Jarrar Shah, Co-Founder and CEO of 24SEVEN said, “It’s no secret that cash flow is critical, but until now it’s been particularly difficult for SMEs in the UAE retail sector to access the financing they need. We’re excited to bring InvoiceMate’s game changing blockchain financing solutions to our retail partners. Through this partnership we will be able to provide better access to finance for retailers and suppliers and support their daily operations.”

Muhammad Salman Anjum, Founder and CEO of InvoiceMate added, “Combining 24SEVEN’s expertise and sales data, with InvoiceMate’s blockchain and AI technology is a winning combination to boost the UAE’s retail economy. Stakeholders across the retail supply chain will be able to access the cash they need, when they need it, and turbocharge their daily operations.”

24SEVEN will enable real-time data at the Point-of-Sale (POS) through its Optima hardware devices and bespoke software, while credit scoring these stores using their AI-powered credit scoring application. InvoiceMate’s embedded financial technology will ‘plug in’ to enhance the options available for invoicing and working capital management. 

Blockchain financing provides a number of advantages over traditional invoicing processes. Firstly, it reduces the risk of fraud or manipulation, as invoices are recorded on a transparent, immutable and secure blockchain ledger. Processing is also faster, so decisions can be made quicker to provide businesses with necessary working capital, improving liquidity for retail operations. And, by using real-time retail data directly from the point-of-sale rather than credit history or collateral, blockchain invoice financing can be more inclusive and flexible.

UAE Sharjah Islamic Bank has joined the Blockchain fraud platform haifin platform alliance. This makes it the fourteenth member to join, demonstrating its commitment to accelerating the collective banking sector efforts to improve risk management procedures and reinforce trust in lending practices. Haifin was previously known as UAE Trade Connect.

By joining the haifin platform alliance, Sharjah Islamic Bank emphasizes the importance of mutual cooperation in combating challenges through the haifin digital trade platform, supported by blockchain technology and artificial intelligence from “e& Enterprise Fintech,” a subsidiary of e&, and is steadfastly expanding in adopting innovative practices and working to increase the level of security, transparency, and efficiency in its financial operations by verifying commercial financing deals in real-time and preventing potential fraud through duplicative transactions.


Hakam Abu Zarour, COO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, stated, “Joining the haifin platform alliance aligns with our commitment to leverage technology to enhance risk management, as we strive to adopt the best technologies to deliver an unparalleled customer experience, considering it the optimal way to succeed in the bank’s growth plans and ensure their continuity.”


Abu Zarour, also noted that the haifin platform offers innovative collaborative solutions that bridge the gap in commercial financing and enhance trust in lending for our customers.


On his part, Zulqarnain Javaid, the CEO of “haifin,” added, “We are thrilled to welcome Sharjah Islamic Bank to the haifin Consortium. Together, we are poised to drive meaningful change and propel digital innovation across the banking sector. They will make a meaningful contribution to the Consortium’s expansion while strengthening the security and transparency of the banking ecosystem by de-risking trade finance and driving digital solutions.


He added that through collaboration and technology, haifin continues to pave the way for a digital future, setting global standards for secure and transparent financial transactions.”

Genesis Digital Assets Limited (GDA),a Bitcoin mining company with a presence in the UAE, is opening a new data center in Argentina powered by YPF Luz, a leading company in electric power generation.

The announcement comes during a period of expansion by GDA, which now operates 20 industrial-scale data centers across North America, South America, Europe, and Central Asia. The company’s first facility in South America is located in Rincón de Los Sauces, in the Neuquén Province and has a total capacity of 7 MW and 1 MW of backup.

The Bajo del Toro Thermal Power Plant, composed of YPF, Equinor and YPF Luz, will power 1,200 bitcoin mining machines, and efficiently monetize stranded gas, which would otherwise be flared into the atmosphere.

Speaking from the company’s Dubai office today, Abdumalik Mirakhmedov, Executive President of GDA, said: “We believe that Argentina is an important country for Bitcoin mining, given its abundance of energy sources and business-friendly environment.

“The opening of our first data center in South America is an important step in our geographic diversification efforts. And this will be yet another opportunity to show the world that Bitcoin mining can have a positive effect on the environment and can be fully integrated into local communities.”    

With an abundance of energy, a favorable political climate, and a strong crypto ethos, Argentina is becoming increasingly important for Bitcoin mining and the broader industry.

For the new data center, GDA will use the electricity generated from stranded gas provided YPF Luz, an electric power generation company that has been leading the energy transition since 2013.

As stated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, methane gas adversely impacts the environment as it is responsible for approximately a third of the warming the world is experiencing. Methane mitigation techniques, such as the utilization of stranded gas, are important to reduce emissions and combat global warming.

“In 2022, we were the first Argentine company to generate electrical energy for cryptocurrency mining from flare gas, an innovative solution in line with YPF’s energy transition needs,” said Martín Mandarano, CEO of YPF Luz. “This project with GDA allows us to bring YPF and Equinor, two companies committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their exploration activities, an adaptable and sustainable flare gas use solution.”

UAE based Param Labs, an independent Web3 Blockchain gaming and technology studio raises $7 million in strategic funding round led by Animoca Brands. Other investors included Delphi Ventures, Mechanism Capital, P2 ventures, Merit Circle, TRGC, MH Ventures, and UAE based Cypher Capital.

,Param Labs boasts a fairly robust online community. The company said it has more than 2.5 million followers on X across all its pages, in addition to 500,000 Discord users, according to a statement. The platform also has 300,000 daily active users, said Param Labs.

“This collaboration aligns with our shared vision to redefine the gaming landscape, ensuring that gamers are the true owners of their digital assets,” Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu said in the statement.

The availability of funds of this type will play a significant role in strengthening blockchain enabled Param Labs’ efforts to create a gaming world solely for native PARAM tokens. This supports the general mission to open the gates to the luminary members of the gaming world to own their assets.

Anthony Anderson, founder and CEO of Param Labs and Kiraverse, emphasized the importance of the strategic investment and partnership with Animoca Brands: “This investment marks a significant milestone for Param Labs’ ecosystem development and the broader Web3 gaming landscape. Our vision is aligned with that of Animoca Brands and we’re thrilled to collaborate on the creation of valuable products at the forefront of gaming’s innovative shift to digital ownership. With our new funding, we’ll continue to invest in building out and scaling our current products while also advancing our ecosystem initiatives and fostering community involvement.”

The investment in Param Labs announced today further expands the presence of Animoca Brands in MENA, following a partnership with NEOM to drive Web3 in the region, and with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to establish a physical office and Web3 hub in Riyadh.

Param Labs aims to build a gaming ecosystem that will be governed by its native PARAM token, which will soon be launched, the company also said. The company’s first game, “Kiraverse,” is a play-to-earn, multiplayer shooter.

UAE headquartered, Phoenix Group PLC a provider of web3, crypto, and blockchain technologies in the region, announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024 with a Q1 net income of $66.2 million, a growth of 166% year-on-year.

As per the press release, total assets surged by 237% year-over-year, soaring to $879.3 million from $261 million. ⁠The quarter-over-quarter growth in total assets stands at 5%, while revenue experienced an 18% quarter-on-quarter increase, reaching $68.9 million.

In addition gGross profit saw a robust 82.8% quarter-on-quarter rise, amounting to $23.28 million, while tTotal comprehensive income expanded by 312% year-on-year to $102.28 million and by 33.7% quarter-on-quarter. As such the earnings per share for Q1 2024 amounted to $0.011.

We are immensely proud of the remarkable strides we have made in the first quarter of 2024,” stated Seyed Mohammad Alizadehfard, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Phoenix Group. “Our robust financial results underscore the resilience and effectiveness of our business model, as well as our dedication to delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders. As we move forward, our commitment to innovation, strategic investments, and sustainability remains strong. We are confident that these focal points will not only help us achieve our long-term objectives but will also further cement our standing as a pivotal player in the web3 domain.”

Echoing this sentiment Mr. Munaf Ali, Co-founder & Group Managing Director added “Sustainability is a core principle that underpins our operations. We are diligently focusing on optimized energy solutions and exploring new technologies to minimize the environmental footprint of our crypto mining activities. We are convinced that responsible business practices are critical for long-term success, and we remain dedicated to advancing to a more sustainable future for the industry.”

Tether Operations Limited, creators of USDT digital currency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO). As per the press release this is the first step towards the launch of several strategic initiatives to help foster the adoption of Bitcoin technology and stablecoins in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) UAE.

In collaboration with RAK DAO, Tether will help facilitate crypto payment adoption in the region and design blockchain-focused education programs.

Through its recently launched educational arm, Tether Edu, Tether will develop initiatives for individuals of varying skill levels covering cutting-edge fields such as Bitcoin, blockchain, peer-to-peer technologies, stablecoin adoption, and real-world use cases of crypto.

To date, RAK DAO has attracted interest from more than 100 businesses, as well as many Indian based tech entities. As a result, Tether will collaborate closely with RAK DAO on comprehensive initiatives designed to educate and empower local businesses, opening up new avenues for growth and innovation.

“Tether is proud to collaborate with RAK DAO to realize the promise of Bitcoin and blockchain technology in the region,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “As home to the world’s first and only free zone dedicated to the proliferation of digital asset endeavors, Ras Al Khaimah is in a prime position to become the region’s leading hub of blockchain technology and innovation, and Tether is committed to working with RAK DAO to make this dream a reality.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK DAO, stated: “This collaboration with Tether marks a pivotal moment in RAK DAO’s journey towards becoming a leading hub for blockchain innovation. By harnessing the power of Bitcoin technology and cryptocurrencies, we aim to drive economic growth, foster financial inclusion, and position RAK DAO as a global leader in the digital economy.”

ADQ backed Silal, Abu Dhabi’s leading blockchain enabled Agrifood and technology company, has inaugurated its automated packhouse in Al Ain, spanning 12,000 square meters. The facility represents a significant step in fresh produce packaging technology, underscoring Silal’s commitment to quality, innovation, safety and sustainability.

In September 2023 ,UAE based Silal, which enhances agriculture and food safety in Abu Dhabi by diversifying and stimulating food production sources via technology, research and knowledge transfer initiatives for farmer, launched its blockchain powered traceability platform to trace the lifecycle of food from farm to fork.

With the inauguration of Silal’s packhouse it now has a total capacity of 325 tons per day, capable of producing over 180,000 packs daily, and equipped with 28 precooling chambers and 9 cold stores, Silal has optimized every aspect of the packaging process. This state-of-the-art facility ensures the highest quality standards but also demonstrates Silal’s dedication to efficiency and service excellence.

Silal’s investment in this cutting-edge infrastructure which includes utilization of blockchain technology reflects its vision to champion economic development while catering to the evolving needs of consumers. The packhouse represents a milestone in Silal’s ongoing mission to redefine standards in the fresh produce industry, setting a benchmark for quality, and efficiency.

In October 2023 ADQ also acquired a majority stake in SAFCO Group, a leading food and beverage distributor in the UAE.

Fils, a UAE based enterprise-grade digital infrastructure provider enabling companies to embed sustainability and climate action into their business models using technologies such as Blockchain has partnered with Arab Financial Services (AFS), the Middle East and Africa region’s leading digital payment solutions provider and fintech enabler.

As per the press release, the collaboration marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable practices and driving climate action across industries in the region. Leveraging Fils’s state-of-the-art fintech technology and AFS’s expertise and regional leadership position in digital payments, the partnership will be key to helping integrate sustainability seamlessly into businesses’ operations, customer journeys, and financial transactions.

AFS, which has offices in Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, and the UAE, offers digital payments solutions and fintech, serving over 60 clients across more than 20 countries in the Middle East and Africa region. Fils’ partnership with AFS enables a significant proportion of banks, financial institutions, and organizations in the MEA to track and mitigate their emissions, aiding the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

Samer Soliman, CEO of AFS commented, “We are proud to join forces with Fils in a strategic partnership to drive sustainable solutions within the digital payments landscape. This collaboration directly supports our ESG strategic goals by accelerating their implementation. As a leading digital payments provider, we embrace the responsibility to drive sustainability not only for ourselves but also empower our partners and clients to achieve their own environmental ambitions.”

Nameer Khan, CEO of Fils, said, “We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with Arab Financial Services. By combining our advanced digital infrastructure with AFS’s leadership in electronic payments outsourcing, we have a unique opportunity to drive positive change across industries in the MENA region. Our shared commitment to sustainability and climate action will not only transform business operations but also redefine the landscape of responsible finance in the region and beyond.”

Key highlights of the partnership between Fils and AFS include:

  • Sustainable Digital Transformation: Fils’ enterprise-grade digital infrastructure will empower AFS to seamlessly integrate sustainability and climate action into its payments ecosystem. This includes developing innovative solutions that contribute to reduced carbon footprints and environmental impact.  
  • Green Financial Products: The collaboration will explore opportunities to introduce sustainable financial products, with a specific focus on Islamic Credit Cards. By incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, both organisations aim to set new industry standards for responsible and ethical financial services.
  • Enhanced Customer Experiences: Fils and AFS will work together to enhance customer journeys by providing eco-friendly and sustainable options for electronic payments. This includes the development of user-friendly interfaces that promote responsible consumer choices and a positive environmental impact.
  • Industry Leadership in Sustainability: As pioneers in their respective fields, Fils and AFS will lead the financial and digital industries in the MENA region towards a more sustainable future. By combining their strengths, the partnership seeks to inspire businesses to prioritise sustainability in their business strategies and take measurable action to tackle climate change.

Fils’ partnership with AFS is hot on the heels of an impressive roster of collaborations so far this year. Exciting partnerships with e& Enterprise, Mashreq Bank and Flowcarbon have cemented Fils’ place as a global leader in sustainable financial infrastructure.

In addition Fils recently announced its expansion into Pakistan through a partnership with TPS, a digital banking and payments solution provider that powers banks, digital banks, FinTechs, payment processors, merchants, and telecoms around the world. The collaboration aims to make a lasting impact on the international stage, embedding climate action at the core of digital financial services.

Blockdaemon, an institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure company, has expanded its presence in the UAE, setting up an office and establishing an entity in Abu Dhabi under Registration Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Prior to that Blockdaemon became of corporate member of the crypto Oasis ecosystem in Dubai.

Blockdaemon is known for their independent blockchain node infrastructure that delivers institutional-grade security and monitoring. They drive the blockchain economy forward by making it easier to deploy nodes and creating scalable enterprise blockchain solutions via APIs, high availability clusters, auto-decentralization and auto-healing of nodes.

The expansion to operate and provide Web3 infrastructure solutions in the UAE will include making available its node and validator infrastructure solutions locally, as well as their self-hosted MPC wallet technology.

“This marks a significant stride for Blockdaemon in bolstering its presence in the UAE and deepening our partnership with local regulators and clients,” said Amor Sexton, COO of Blockdaemon. “With Blockdaemon receiving approval from the Registration Authority of ADGM, we are not only solidifying our foothold in the region as the leading Web3 infrastructure provider but also affirming our commitment to supporting institutions with blockchain infrastructure. This approval underscores our dedication to operating with integrity and trustworthiness.”

Konstantin Richter, CEO and Founder of Blockdaemon commented, “As we continue to expand our operations and deepen our partnerships across the globe, this milestone paves the way for greater collaboration and innovation in the UAE’s vibrant blockchain ecosystem. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain steadfast in our mission to empower businesses and organizations with secure and scalable blockchain infrastructure solutions.”

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM said, “We congratulate Blockdaemon on receiving their licensing from ADGM to establish their presence in Abu Dhabi. The decision of a prominent institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure company to expand in this region with ADGM underscores the progressive regulatory environment offered by our international financial centre, as well as the significant potential and demand within the blockchain and Web3 sub-cluster and associated services. ADGM has been a pioneer in creating an ecosystem conducive to the growth and success of companies like Blockdaemon, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunities they can unlock within this region.”

Blockdaemon expanded into the Asia-Pacific region in February 2022 and shortly thereafter in March 2022, expanded to the EMEA region.

More and more blockchain infrastructure providers are setting up in the UAE specifically in Abu Dhabi. They include names such as IoTa which recently set up its headquarters in ADGM.