M2 Crypto exchange in Abu Dhabi gets new CEO in just two years

M2 Crypto exchange in Abu Dhabi gets new CEO in just two years

Stefan Kimmel, the CEO of M2, regulated crypto exchange out of Abu Dhabi UAE, has moved on to a board position and has been replaced by Saadeddine Zaher.
As per the announcement, Stefan will remain an integral part of the M2 family as he joins the Board of Directors and takes on a new role within the broader Group, where he will focus on the development of digital asset projects.

Stefan Kimmel said, “Building M2 from the ground up has been an incredible journey, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together. As I transition to my new role, I remain committed to supporting M2 in this exciting phase of its evolution. I look forward to contributing to our future projects and continuing to serve our stakeholders in this dynamic industry.”

Saadeddine Zaher will be the new CEO of M2. He has an extensive career in the banking sector. Saadeddine Zaher added, “It is an honor to join M2 at such a pivotal time in its journey. The foundation laid by Stefan and the team is incredibly strong, and I look forward to building upon it to ensure we continue to deliver innovative solutions and value to our clients and stakeholders. M2 is uniquely positioned to lead in the digital asset space, and I’m excited to lead the company into this next chapter.”

In July M2 announced M2 launched what it calls a simplified pathway for UAE residents to buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through a direct integration with their bank account.

AED Stablecoin beats Tether to it and receives UAE Central Bank in principle approval

AED Stablecoin beats Tether to it and receives UAE Central Bank in principle approval

AED Stablecoin LLC announced that the Central Bank of UAE has provided it with in principle approval to launch and establish its own stablecoin, AE Coin. This comes after the Central Bank of UAE announced the “Payment Token Services Regulation”; Circular No. 2/2024, dated 7 June 2024, to be licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE.

As per the press release, the license will enable AED Stablecoin to be the first-ever entity in the UAE to issue AED Stable Coins, in line with the government’s forward-thinking vision and the UAE’s Digital Government Strategy 2025, AE Coin promises to revolutionize financial services by offering unparalleled stability, security, and efficiency.

AE Coin will utilizes fiat-backed stability and Blockchain technology. Each coin will be backed by the AED Dirham.

The press release adds, that AE Coin enables fast, low-cost transactions, all while operating under the regulatory oversight of the Central Bank of the UAE. It’s the future of a seamless, secure, and innovative digital economy.

Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin, stated: “We are very pleased to have received the approval of the Central Bank of the UAE to start issuing AE Coin, in accordance with the “Payment Token Services Regulation” Circular. As the first-ever stablecoin regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE, AE Coin will be revolutionizing the digital currency landscape, providing users with an unparalleled blend of financial freedom, unwavering stability, and top-tier security.”

It offers DeFi Integration by integrating with decentralized finance platforms (DeFi). In addition, it provides Enhanced Security and Transparency. AE Coin’s state-of-the-art blockchain technology ensures multi-layer encryption, meaning every transaction is securely recorded on the blockchain, ensuring trust and security.

Lastly it is adhering to Global Regulatory Compliance, with complete regulatory oversight from the Central Bank of the UAE, AE Coin assures users that it adheres to the highest standards of security and compliance in digital finance.

Companies in the UAE can use AE Coin’s stable and regulated currency for instant payments to other companies in the UAE holding AE Coin wallets, improving cash flow management and reducing transaction costs.

For individuals looking to invest, save, or use digital currency for everyday transactions, AE Coin’s intuitive and secure platform makes it easy for anyone to get started. Individuals using AE Coin will enjoy instant, hassle-free transactions without any delays and fees compared to traditional banking.

As a digital currency, AE Coin is designed to support the UAE’s growing digital economy, enabling easier, more secure payments that contribute to the country’s financial innovation. Lastly, AE Coin is designed to foster economic growth, providing individuals and businesses with new opportunities to thrive in the digital economy.

AE Coin’s strategy focuses on forming strategic partnerships with major financial institutions, payment gateways, and technology providers to ensure widespread adoption. AE Coin’s ambitious roadmap includes integration with decentralized applications (dApps), listings on major exchanges, and ongoing technological advancements.

Tether had also previously announced it was seeking a license to launch its own AED stablecoin.

Blockchain analytics platform Elliptic opens office in UAE

Blockchain analytics platform Elliptic opens office in UAE

Elliptic a blockchain analytics and digital asset risk management, has opened its new regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an increasing number of its client base is from the MENA region.

Over the past 11 years, Elliptic has pioneered blockchain analytics, setting the standard for real-time multi-asset screening and investigative technologies and delivering the industry’s most scalable, efficient, and performant solutions to empower financial institutions, crypto businesses, governments, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to navigate the complex world of digital assets.

As per the press release, Elliptic’s establishment of a new regional headquarters in the UAE reflects its global growth strategy for continued revenue expansion and underscores the importance of the region in setting the agenda for building comprehensive risk management frameworks.

“The UAE has firmly established itself as a leading authority for digital asset risk management, providing clarity and support for crypto businesses and financial institutions. As a result, the region has become a thriving hub for digital innovation, making the UAE the ideal location for our new regional headquarters,” says Simone Maini, CEO of Elliptic.

“This strategic expansion comes at a pivotal moment as Elliptic surpasses the milestone of serving over 500 clients, including an increasing number in the Middle East. By establishing a presence in UAE, we are well-positioned to further our hyper-growth trajectory and deliver our industry-leading blockchain analytics solutions to a growing number of crypto exchanges, financial institutions, and regulatory authorities in need of robust risk management tools.”

GCEX licensed in UAE has launched enhanced market data feed solution

GCEX licensed in UAE has launched enhanced market data feed solution

GCEX (GCEX Group), a UAE VARA regulated digital prime brokerage renowned for providing brokers, funds and professional traders with access to deep liquidity, has announced the launch of its enhanced market data feed solution covering all supported product underliers. This expansive offering includes Equity Index CFDs, Energy CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Spot Crypto, Spot FX and Bullion, providing clients with unrestricted access to real-time market data.

The new data feed from the firm, which is regulated as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) by VARA, allows for seamless redistribution to clients, enhancing flexibility and connectivity for brokers, hedge funds, and professional traders.

In tandem with this, GCEX has announced the release of its improved CFD product, offering market-leading spreads that set new industry standards. The enhanced CFD product offers market-leading spreads on major indices and commodities, including DAX 30 with target spread of 0.45, US 30 with target spread of 0.9 and US and UK Oil with target spread of 0.01 among many others.

“At GCEX, our mission is to empower clients with unparalleled trading solutions,” said Lars Holst, Founder and CEO of GCEX. “The release of our comprehensive market data feed and competitive CFD product is a testament to our commitment to innovation and client-centric services. We understand the critical role that timely and accurate market data together with market-leading spreads play in trading strategies, and we’re excited to provide these solutions.”

This launch marks another significant milestone in GCEX’s continuous efforts to enhance its full-service offering, which combines access to deep liquidity on digital assets and FX, alongside spot trading and conversion of digital assets, and now, unrestricted access to essential market data.

The company also offers a comprehensive range of Forex brokerage and crypto-native technology solutions under its XplorDigital suite. XplorDigital features innovative plug-and-play solutions, ‘Crypto in a Box’ and ‘Broker in a Box’ which encompass technology-agnostic platforms addressing regulation while covering regulated custody solutions, staking solutions, safety of funds, tier 1 and deep liquidity, connectivity to the biggest price makers, advanced risk management, and innovative technology partnerships.

MultiBank receives crypto exchange license from Dubai’s regulator

MultiBank receives crypto exchange license from Dubai’s regulator

MultiBank Group, a financial traditional derivatives institution worldwide headquartered in Dubai, has received a full VASP license for broker and exchange services from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) through its UAE subsidiary MEX Digital FZE operating under the MultiBank.io brand.

The Group has robust net assets of over US$583 million with over 1 million traders across 90 countries. Multibank Group boasts daily trading volumes averaging in excess of US$15.6 Billion per day and is one of the most regulated financial institutions worldwide with over 15 regulators, in 5 continents, with an unblemished record since its inception in 2005 now holds 15 regulatory licenses worldwide.

Naser Taher, Chairman of MultiBank Group, said, “Our vision at MultiBank Group is to create an ecosystem to facilitate integration between the financial derivatives markets and the crypto markets. We are happy to have been awarded dual licenses, affirming our steadfast commitment to regulatory compliance and excellence worldwide. This milestone strengthens our dedication to creating a secure and transparent environment for the global cryptocurrency community and marks a significant chapter in our evolution from Forex to the forefront of the crypto economy.”

With a VASP License from VARA for exchange and broker-dealer activities, MultiBank.io is set to accelerate its growth as a premier digital asset exchange, contributing significantly to Dubai’s burgeoning blockchain ecosystem. The company’s expansion strategy includes bolstering its team, elevating its service offerings, and forging strategic partnerships, all aimed at driving the advancement of the cryptocurrency industry in the region.

Tether holdings of U.S. treasury bills surpasses that of UAE

Tether holdings of U.S. treasury bills surpasses that of UAE

Tether stablecoin on its 10th anniversary announced that it was one of the top 20 largest buyers of U.S. Treasury bills, surpassing the holdings of UAE. The company also announced that it had surpassed 350 million users just a decade after its 2014 launch.

According to recent data released by the company, Tether’s user base expanded by 24% over the past year alone, jumping from approximately 282 million users in October 2023 to its current level. This growth is even more striking when compared to October 2022, when the platform had roughly 141 million users, less than half of today’s figure.

With a current market capitalization of $119.8 billion, Tether’s USDT token significantly outpaces all other stablecoins in circulation.

The company reports substantial holdings in U.S. Treasuries, positioning itself as a significant player in government securities markets. “As of its Q2 2024 Attestation, Tether had direct and indirect exposure to over $97 billion in U.S. Treasuries,” the company stated. “This makes Tether one of the top 20 largest buyers of U.S. Treasury bills, surpassing the holdings of countries like Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.”

Tether argues that its significant Treasury holdings strengthen the dollar’s international influence, with USDt serving as a trusted digital representation of the world’s reserve currency.

Tether recently announced it would be launching a UAE Dirham backed stablecoin.

Crystal Intelligence to provide UAE BitOasis crypto broker with AML and monitoring solutions

Crystal Intelligence to provide UAE BitOasis crypto broker with AML and monitoring solutions

Crystal Intelligence, blockchain analytics, compliance, and risk monitoring firm has partnered with UAE crypto broker BitOasis to offer Crystal’s cutting-edge anti-money laundering (AML) and transaction monitoring solutions, and hyper-local approach to blockchain analytics.

As per the release, this will further strengthen BitOasis’ capacity to safeguard its users and ensure robust compliance with relevant rules and regulations. Crystal’s technology will provide BitOasis near real-time analytics and insights to help prevent fraud, further strengthening the platform’s compliance framework.

BitOasis since 2016 has processed over $6 billion in trading volume.

“The UAE, with its progressive regulations, is poised to become the crypto capital of the world. With our blockchain intelligence expertise, we want to empower licensed firms like BitOasis to keep the platform and their customers safe,” says Navin Gupta, CEO of Crystal. “We’re proud to be partnering with a leading platform in the region and believe that BitOasis is setting the standard for focusing on building out a robust suite of compliance tools, including Crystal.”

“Crystal brings a unique mix of deep analytical compliance capabilities with a user-friendly interface that our team can immediately benefit from,” says Ola Doudin, CEO and Co-founder of BitOasis. “This collaboration underscores our continued commitment to providing a secure and safe trading environment for our users.”

Recently, Crystal announced the opening of its office in Dubai with the goal of delivering exceptional service for the many partners it has within the area.

UAE Federal government exempts virtual assets and crypto from taxation

UAE Federal government exempts virtual assets and crypto from taxation

The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) published on October 2nd 2024 the amended version of the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree Law No. 8 2017 on Value added tax and has exempted virtual assets and investment fund management.

The amendments which are implemented following the Cabinet Decision No. (100) of 2024 will be effective from November 15th 2024.

These amendments aim to enhance clarity, provide further details on key provisions and procedures, and align with earlier changes in the Decree-Law and other relevant tax legislation.

When it comes to financial services, the decree noted that the management of investment funds and the transfer and ownership of virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies as well as conversion of virtual assets will be exempt from value added taxation. The exceptions on conversion of virtual assets and transfer and ownership of virtual assets are treated as effective from 1 January 2018.

According to PWC, the UAE has defined virtual assets as digital representation of value that can be digitally traded or converted and can be used for investment purposes and does not include digital representations of fiat currencies or financial securities.

PWC notes, “Businesses dealing with virtual assets should analyze the impact of the exemption on their (retrospective) VAT position, especially in respect to their input tax recovery. Voluntary disclosures may be required to correct historic returns.

PWC adds, “In particular fund managers, funds and companies dealing with virtual assets should assess whether their services are within the scope of the VAT exemption and also analyse the impact of that on the input tax recovery.”

According to the recent report from Henley&Partners the UAE leads in this year’s crypto adoption Index, as it is listed among top 12 countries while leading when it comes to public adoption, and innovation and technology. The report notes that one of the top reasons for UAE’s crypto growth is its low-tax jurisdiction which offers an attractive environment for crypto businesses.

For example, when it came to public adoption of crypto, the UAE ranked second following only USA. It is the only Arab country in the top 12 for this year. As per the Index findings, the UAE stands out as a leading jurisdiction for crypto investors. Public interest is high, with a substantial portion of the population owning cryptocurrencies. This enthusiasm is matched by strong government support and a thriving start-up scene.

Bitcoin mining firm, Mining Grid opens showroom in UAE

Bitcoin mining firm, Mining Grid opens showroom in UAE

Mining Grid, a blockchain and Bitcoin mining solutions provider has announced the opening of its showroom in Al Quoz Dubai UAE, and its “Mining Race”. The Mining Race is a global program designed to empower the community to actively participate in the primary mining market, contributing to the decentralized blockchain network.

The platform not only offers access to mining opportunities but also fosters awareness and education about Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency adoption. The Mining Race awarded the highest achievers within its community, celebrating innovation, success, and teamwork.

Additionally, Mining Grid’s newly launched showroom in Dubai will serve as a hub for crypto enthusiasts to explore the latest technologies providing hands-on demonstrations of advanced mining equipment.

Solaiman Al-Rifai, Founder and Board Member, Mining Grid said, “Mining Grid’s initiatives, such as the Mining Race and the new showroom, are aligned with the growing movement toward widespread Bitcoin adoption and the blockchain’s potential to reshape industries. As more businesses and individuals embrace the power of decentralization, the future of finance is poised for a digital transformation.”

Rami Alsridi, Founder and CEO, Mining Grid said, “Bitcoin has grown from just a few cents to a market cap of $1.3 trillion, connecting communities worldwide. Through the Mining Race, we aim to unite the crypto community and build a stronger, decentralized future.”

This comes as other entities such as Phoenix Group, the Blockchain and bitcoin mining entity launched from the UAE.

UAE Cypher Capital participates in $12 million round for AI and XR Social Nexus

UAE Cypher Capital participates in $12 million round for AI and XR Social Nexus

UAE based Cypher Capital multi-strategy crypto investment firm, participated in a $12 million private funding round for SecondLive, an  AI and XR Social Nexus. This latest funding will allow SecondLive to continue its rapid growth, supported by Cypher Capital’s investment, by enhancing its innovative AI-generation ability to create virtual spaces for large-scale events and  spatial web infrastructure building, as well as focusing on building social networks and supporting creator economic activities.

The funding round was led by Crypto.com, with additional contributions from Spark Digital, MetaEstate, TAISU Ventures, NewTribe Capital, BitValue Capital, Titans Ventures, Newave Capital, and CSP DAO, bringing SecondLive’s total financing to $15 million.

SecondLive is the leading AI and XR Social Nexus, using GenAI to craft virtual autonomous worlds for crypto enthusiasts, creators, AI fans, and business partners across Web2 and Web3. With over 5 million registered users and 1.81 million UGC & AIGC digital assets, the platform covers eight major public chains, including BNB Chain, Ethereum, and TON. 

“SecondLive is revolutionizing the way users interact within digital environments and the spatial web,” said Bill Qian, Chairman of Cypher Capital. “They are at the forefront of utilizing AI to create dynamic, user-generated virtual spaces, opening up the future of Web3 to the spatial web and a variety of applications that aligns with Cypher Capital’s vision for the future of Web3.”

The platform’s use of AI within various social and role-playing scenarios has positioned SecondLive at the forefront of innovation in the spatial web, offering customizable Avatars, explorable virtual spaces, no-code creator tools, and the Secondlive Marketplace for trading digital assets. With its expansive user base and robust technological framework, the platform can lead the next wave of advancements in digital identity and asset creation.

Recently Cypher Capital also invested in an AI and Blockchain startup called SxT ( Space and Time).