During the Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) symposium, “Higher Ed AI & Digital Transformation,” Educhain, Canadian blockchain digital credential solutions provider, presented their Blockchain credential solution announcing their partnership with Sharjah Maritime Academy.

As part of its commitment to digital transformation, Sharjah Maritime Academy has partnered with Educhain to implement secure digital credentialing, ensuring that students can access, share, and verify their academic records seamlessly. The academy is also preparing to introduce micro-credentials, allowing students to receive verifiable certifications for specialized skills and achievements, further enhancing their employability.

The event highlighted how institutions are leveraging AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and blockchain technology to streamline academic operations and enhance learning experiences.

The symposium featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University; Amina Abdulrahim, Executive Director of ICT & IT Security at American University of Sharjah; Dr. Nadia Alqabanji, IT Director at Zayed University; and Inas Abou Sharkh, Director of IT at Ajman University. They shared insights on how AI is transforming student engagement, academic decision-making, and institutional efficiency. A key theme throughout the discussions was that incorporating digital technologies is no longer an option but a necessity for universities seeking long-term growth and relevance.


Among the key technology innovators featured at the symposium, Educhain presented its blockchain-powered credentialing solutions, demonstrating how universities worldwide are leveraging its technology to issue secure, verifiable digital documents.

Rahil Ahmed, VP of Sales at Educhain, highlighted how top universities in the region are already utilizing Educhain’s platform to issue tamper-proof degrees, transcripts, student ID cards, and micro-credentials. “Academic credentials must evolve to be more secure, efficient, and accessible. With blockchain, institutions can issue verifiable digital records that students own, eliminating the risk of document fraud while streamlining verification processes for employers and universities worldwide,” said Rahil Ahmed.

Educhain’s blockchain-backed infrastructure ensures that academic documents are tamper-proof and instantly verifiable, eliminating manual validation bottlenecks and improving overall institutional efficiency.

Reflecting on the significance of the symposium and SMA’s digital initiatives, Muhammad Affan, IT Director at SMA and the event’s organizer, stated: “At Sharjah Maritime Academy, we recognize that AI and digital transformation are not just trends but fundamental shifts in how education must evolve. This symposium is a stepping stone toward integrating cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future of learning and academic administration.”

CoinMENA, a regulated crypto trading platform in the UAE and Bahrain, serving the MENA region, has launched an innovative crypto campaign “Your Future, Your Choice” Partnering with creative agency Bigsea, the campaign uses sharp satire to critique today’s harsh economic realities.
The crypto exchange‘s bold approach addresses two universal challenges: rising living costs and the struggle to grow savings. Through two short films, the campaign humorously highlights modern-day financial struggles with relatable scenarios and a touch of mobster menace.


The films utilize metaphors for painfully familiar scenarios. In the first film, a young man looking to pay his rent is strongarmed by mobsters into emptying his wallet, a situation many can relate to as rent prices rise year after year. In the second film, the same man tries to grow his savings, only to watch helplessly as a mobster clerk and his gang pocket his hard-earned cash, leaving
him with a single coin in “interest.” The scene cleverly reflects how difficult it is for the average person to grow their savings.


Enter Bitcoin, Enter CoinMENA


The campaign flips the script with a call to action: “Don’t get bullied by inflation” and “Don’t get bullied for wanting more.” Instead of settling for the status quo, CoinMENA positions Bitcoin as a reliable alternative, one that protects against inflation and serves as the best
savings vehicle in the digital era.


Founders Dina Sam’an and Talal Tabbaa highlight the bold vision behind the campaign, “We wanted to tell it like it is. Bitcoin is humanity’s first purposefully engineered money, designed to preserve and appreciate in value, unlike fiat money, which is designed to
depreciate and lose value continuously. It represents hope for everyone struggling with the rising cost of living, offering an alternative way to save your time and energy.”

Serge Asaad, CEO of Bigsea, explains the creative inspiration stating, “This campaign is about giving people a moment of realization, that the ‘old way’ is not working out for them. CoinMENA offers not just an alternative, but a real sense of control and optimism
for the future. That’s where the satire comes in: we wanted to make people laugh, then think, and ultimately act.”


CoinMENA’s films deliver a simple yet powerful message: when rising living costs and the struggle to save leave you feeling powerless, choose Bitcoin with CoinMENA and take back control. As the signoff powerfully states: “Your Future, Your Choice.”

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has expanded the scope of the “Digital Document Authentication” project, enhancing access to authenticated documents and enabling direct verification of their validity and effectiveness through the website and smart application. The project utilizes AI technology as well as blockchain for efficient and seamless transactions.

As per the press release, the project supports the transition to fully digitized documents issued by the Judicial Department, using digital authentication mechanisms to verify document validity by scanning the embedded digital authentication code. Users can access information on documents such as powers of attorney, declarations, commercial contracts, marriage contracts, court correspondences, and enforcement orders through approved digital channels.

Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, ADJD Undersecretary, highlighted that the Digital Document Authentication project aligns with the Judicial Department’s strategic priorities, aiming to enhance customer satisfaction by providing innovative legal services that ensure swift justice and easy access to services via digital platforms.

The project actually started in 2021, when ADJD announced the launch allowing documents issued by the Department’s systems to be approved in an integrated digital way compatible with the UAE PASS digital identity system to authenticate documents.

At the time the UAE Ministry of Justice had announced its adoption of Blockchain technology for the authentication services being offered.

More recently the Ministry of Justice in Bahrain also announced it would be using blockchain for its notarization services with private entities.

Hex Trust, a UAE regulated digital assets financial service provider specializing in custody, staking, and market services, has successfully secured a strategic funding round led by Morgan Creek Digital with participation from global investors including Injective. Hex Trust’s total funding to date is over $100 million. This latest investment marks a pivotal milestone as Hex Trust prepares for its Series C raise anticipated for later in 2025.

As per the press release, the funding will be deployed on strategic opportunities in Hex Trust’s expanding staking and markets businesses, including potential strategic acquisitions. The funding enhances Hex Trust’s ability to scale operations and further establish itself as a market leader in institutional digital asset services.

“The funding paves the way for our Series C investment round as we continue to expand, innovate and enhance the digital asset services we provide to our rapidly growing institutional client base.” – Alessio Quaglini, CEO & Co-founder, Hex Trust.

“We are pleased to support Hex Trust in their recent strategic financing round. With over 300 institutional clients and more than US$5 billion in assets under custody, we believe Hex Trust has demonstrated its capability to address the complex needs of institutional clients. We think their focus on regulatory compliance, security, and seamless integration with legacy institutional portfolios has positioned them to serve the growing demand in the digital asset ecosystem in APAC and beyond. With this financing, we have conviction in the team’s disciplined approach and ability to continue expanding their market presence.”– Xavier Segura, GP, Morgan Creek Digital.

This strategic funding establishes a strong foundation for the upcoming Series C raise, and reinforces Hex Trust’s commitment to providing institutions with secure, scalable, and innovative digital asset solutions.

UAE regulated, digital asset custodian, Tungsten Custody Solutions Ltd, will support UAE MANTRA (OM) Blockchain with its custodial services.

As per the press release, the collaboration will enable institutional clients to securely custody OM tokens while leveraging Tungsten’s regulated framework, ensuring the highest levels of security, transparency, and compliance. Tungsten Custody’s collaboration with MANTRA reinforces its commitment to supporting the broader MANTRA blockchain ecosystem that empowers developers and institutions to seamlessly participate in the evolving real world asset (RWA) tokenization space.

MANTRA is a purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain for real-world assets, capable of adherence to real world regulatory requirements. The OM token is the core utility and governance token of the MANTRA Chain ecosystem and powers various features of the blockchain. By integrating with Tungsten Custody, institutional investors and funds can now access regulated custody, enhanced accessibility, and robust infrastructure.
Jose J. Perez Aguinaga, SEO of Tungsten, commented, “The integration of MANTRA (OM) into our custody services, along with our collaboration with the MANTRA , represents a key milestone in our mission to provide institutional investors with secure, compliant, and scalable digital asset solutions. As blockchain adoption expands, regulated custody is essential for bridging institutional finance with decentralised ecosystems. Tungsten Custody is proud to support MANTRA’s vision and provide the infrastructure needed for institutional participation in tokenised economies.”

John Patrick Mullin, Co-Founder & CEO of MANTRA, added, “At MANTRA we firmly believe that institutional adoption is best driven through a commitment to security, regulation and compliance. The integration of OM into Tungsten Custody’s growing portfolio of supported assets, underscores a shared commitment to bridging traditional finance with blockchain-powered institutional services – particularly in the United Arab Emirates – a key region for MANTRA.”

Mantra Blockchain tokenization platform has been making strong strides in the UAE tokenization ecosystem especially with its recent agreement with DAMAC to tokenize $1 billion worth of assets.

Tether Operations Limited, has partnered with UAE Reelly Tech, a real estate B2B platform allowing over 30,000 local and international agents on Reelly Tech’s platform to leverage the power of USDT, streamlining processes and driving efficiency in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.

One of the other aspects of the collaboration as per the press release is that Tether and Reelly Tech will develop a comprehensive interactive educational series to be promoted on Reelly Tech’s platform. This initiative aims to assist agents in exploring the transformative potential of stablecoins in property transactions and understanding the various practical applications, such as USDT transfers for real estate purchases, with confidence and security.

Reelly offers in-depth analysis of more than 1,450 projects and AI solutions for generating branded presentations, enabling agents to save countless hours. For developers, the one-stop solution simplifies communication with agents, reduces marketing costs, and offers real-time analytics on agent performance. The company plays a pivotal role in the real estate developer market, where agents facilitate approximately 95% of all property transactions in the UAE. Uniquely positioned to integrate with this key channel, it ensures developers can capitalize on every lead.

The collaboration between Tether and Reelly Tech aligns with Tether’s broader mission to foster blockchain innovation and education globally. In recent months, Tether has made significant strides in the Middle East, including the acceptance of USD₮ by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) as an Accepted Virtual Asset (“AVA”) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) as well as collaborations such as its work with RAK DAO in Ras Al Khaimah to promote education on Bitcoin and stablecoins.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Reelly Tech to drive blockchain innovation in the UAE’s rapidly evolving real estate sector. This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing resilient digital economies by empowering individuals and businesses with the tools and knowledge to thrive in a digital world. Together, we aim to streamline real estate transactions, promote sustainable growth, and set new benchmarks for innovation in the region.”

Vitaliy Ryzhak, CEO of Reelly, said, “The joint launch of the training program is only the first step. The UAE real estate market is experiencing dynamic growth, attracting large amounts of capital from around the world. We aim to make international real estate investment safe, efficient, and easy. To do this, we plan to create tools to open up new opportunities for using USDT in real estate transactions.”

The Ministry of Interior have teamed up with Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority to collaborate for combating virtual asset financial crimes.

As per the press release, this agreement highlights the UAE’s commitment to safeguarding its financial system while fostering leadership in the digital economy.

The MoU aims to unify efforts in information sharing on virtual asset service providers, illicit transactions, and unlawful practices. By facilitating a rapid and secure exchange of data between VARA and the Ministry of Interior, the agreement ensures that the virtual assets sector in the UAE remains secure, innovative, and aligned with international standards.

As part of the collaboration, both entities will develop joint training programs, specialized task forces, and electronic platforms to monitor and detect suspicious activities. These initiatives aim to strengthen the regulatory framework, ensuring that only compliant virtual asset service providers operate in Dubai, thereby enhancing financial system integrity and consumer confidence.

Consumer protection is high up the list for both the UAE Ministry of Interior and VARA as is the combatting of money laundering efforts, and maintaining financial stability in the UAE.

Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to integrated collaboration with national institutions to enhance security and deliver services that reflect the UAE government’s vision and global standing. He highlighted the importance of institutional cooperation to achieve shared strategic goals and develop a robust regulatory framework.

This MoU marks a significant milestone in our collective mission to build a secure and well-regulated virtual assets ecosystem, said Matthew White, CEO of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. By deepening our collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, we are reinforcing measures to detect and prevent financial crimes in the virtual assets space. This partnership ensures that Dubai continues to lead by example fostering innovation while safeguarding the integrity of the emirate’s financial ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we are not only enhancing the security of virtual assets but also cementing Dubai’s position as a global hub for responsible digital finance.

During the years between 2022 and 2024 Dubai Police revealed that they had conducted money laundering financial investigation cases including $16.3 million ( 60 million AED) in virtual assets, or crypto asset cases. This did not include a case where The Dubai Economic Security Center disrupted a $49 million crypto money laundering operation. Both investigations led to a total of $65.3 million crypto money laundering investigation cases.

The UAE National Team for Reviewing the Impact of Data Centers on the Energy Sector recently held its first meeting at the Dubai headquarters of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) to explore the development of data centers in the UAE and their influence on the local energy sector.

According to a recent Research and Markets report, the United Arab Emirates Data Center Market was valued at USD 1.26 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 3.33 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 17.58%.

Global cloud providers such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle, and Alibaba are establishing and expanding their operations in the UAE data center market. AWS continues to grow its cloud footprint, capitalizing on the expanding digital economy of the country, while Microsoft has expanded its cloud operations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAE data center market is primarily dominated by regional operators, including Khazna Data Centers, Gulf Data Hub, Moro Hub, and du. The global operator Equinix also has a significant presence in the market. The UAE data center market is also witnessing several new entrants which include Quantum Switch Tamasuk and Pure Data Centres, with Khazna Data Centers holds the highest market share of over 59% in the UAE as of H1 2024.

Given the oncoming growth in datacenter market in the UAE, the UAE National team meeting, highlighted the challenges facing data centers and ways to make them more sustainable, in addition to the importance of adopting global best practices to ensure the efficient operation of these centers.

Attending the meeting was His Excellency Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, His Excellency Eng Saif Ghubash, Assistant Undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources at MoEI, in addition to members of the team which comprises representatives of MoEI, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Digital Dubai Authority, Digital Sharjah Authority, Sharjah Digital Department, Department of Digital Ajman, the Electronic Government Authority of Ras Al Khaimah, Smart Umm Al Quwain Department, and Fujairah Digital Government.

The team will be responsible for analyzing and reviewing the impact of data centers on energy demand, evaluating the local market and projected economic return for this key sector as well as, identifying all data centers in the country and classifying them according to specific standards. The team will also be conducting a geographical study of the distribution of current and future data centers in the country to ensure optimal infrastructure distribution, performing benchmark comparisons to review global best practices in data centers, and working on developing a federal policy aimed at regulating the operation of local data centers.

During the meeting, His Excellency Eng Sherif Al Olama said, “The formation of the UAE National Team for Reviewing the Impact of Data Centers on the Energy Sector comes as part of the country’s strategic directions towards digital transformation and enhancing sustainability in the energy sector. It is expected to contribute to the development of policies and regulations that support the sustainability of the sector and maintain the competitiveness of the UAE in the field of digital infrastructure.

He noted the need to develop innovative solutions to ensure a balance between the demands of technological development and the sustainability of energy resources, in alignment with the national goals in the field of energy and sustainability.

He also highlighted the importance of establishing a comprehensive framework that includes analytical studies and clear recommendations based on accurate data, which will contribute to making strategic decisions capable of achieving the country’s energy goals, particularly in clean and renewable energy.

This comes as Roland Berger’s recent report ” Who Pays For Tech” discusses the fact that addressing the energy challenge requires regulatory measures, technological innovation, and appropriate cloud processing pricing. Enforcing energy efficiency regulations, deploying new cooling and computing technologies, and leveraging AI to optimize data center operations will be crucial in balancing technological progress with environmental sustainability, ensuring that digital services do not impose unsustainable costs on the planet.

UAE set to launch XRG energy investment company

The UAE government is also working on its energy needs with the launch of XRG, an international energy investment company that will focus on projects across the spectrum, from gas to chemicals to low carbon fuels to energy infrastructure. The energy investment company was launched by ADNOC in November 2025 with the aim to have $80 billion in assets under management by 2035.

XRG was launched by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and ADNOC. He noted at the time that global energy demand is set to rise dramatically, increasing from 9,000 GW to 15,000 GW by 2035 and potentially reaching 35,000 GW by 2050—a staggering 250% increase. The rise of AI applications like ChatGPT, which consumes ten times the energy of a single Google search, is accelerating this trajectory.

Without diversified energy solutions, meeting this demand sustainably will be nearly impossible. XRG hopes to address this by optimizing energy production and usage across the spectrum—from traditional fuels to low-carbon alternatives and advanced infrastructure.

It is estimated that global spending on construction of new data centers is expected to surpass US$49 billion by 2030 (source: MicKinsey & Company). With over US$1.0 trillion funding gap in renewable energy, it is believed to be an opportune time to lay the groundwork to power the advancement of compute infrastructure for a vibrant digital economy.

HODLER Investments and EHC Investment create NEXGEN to supply critical energy infrastructure

HODLER INVESTMENTS, a UAE based investment company, headquartered in the Dubai, which includes in its portfolio energy, AI, and digital asset mining startups such as PermianChain, Brox Equity and others; and Abu Dhabi’s EHC Investment which leads multiple businesses with operations and investments across the energy, infrastructure, firefighting technology and system integration services signed a strategic partnership to launch NEXGEN.

NEXGEN aims to support the creation of a compliant digital energy market to supply critical energy infrastructure that will monetize wasted energy such as flared gas in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt for hosting global data center operators, reducing carbon emissions and contributing the Digital Energy Infrastructure (DEI) Fund, a local decarbonization innovation fund.

The strategic partnership with EHC Investment comes after HODLER announced its ongoing plans for a $500 million Digital Energy Infrastructure (DEI) Fund with the participation of UAE based GEWAN holding. The DEI will be established as a closed-ended Fund, subject to compliance and regulatory approvals. The DEI Fund has already secured soft commitments from lead investors and in-kind contributions in addition to offtake partners seeking energy and connectivity for A.I. and digital asset mining operations.

UAE Everdome, interactive metaverse experience creators, and Immerso, an Eros Innovation company- home to Eros Media and Eros Now, and a global leader in AI innovation and intellectual property (IP), have joined forces to enrich metaverse entertainment experience.

As per the press release, the partnership combines Immerso’s exceptional IP portfolio, featuring an extensive library of over 12,000 film titles, with Everdome’s immersive technology. Together, they aim to transform how audiences engage with entertainment in the digital era. The initial focus will be on integrating Indian cinema’s vast library of films, stars, directors, and influencers into immersive virtual worlds, together, Immerso and Everdome will offer audiences entirely new ways to connect with entertainment.

Backed by Eros Innovation, Eros Media World boasts a 30% market share in the Indian film industry, selling 2.7 billion tickets annually and reaching a global audience in the billions. This partnership unlocks the potential to become the world’s largest film market for metaverse engagement.

Jeremy Lopez, CEO of Everdome, commented, “This partnership propels Everdome’s vision to merge the metaverse with AI tools and intellectual property, setting the stage for the creation of interactive, metaverse-native IP experiences for brands on a global scale. With nearly 50 years of Bollywood history under their belt and a strong commitment to the metaverse and immersive computing, Immerso is the perfect partner as Everdome steps into its next chapter.”

Swaneet Singh, CEO of Immerso added, “We firmly believe in the transformative potential of virtual experiences and Web3 in reshaping the way users connect. By combining immersive experiences with AI-powered hybrid content and user-generated creation, we’re opening up new possibilities – and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this innovation alongside Everdome.’’

Immerso is positioned to lead large-scale innovation in AI, entertainment, and the metaverse. As one of the first AI Intellectual Property (AIIP) companies, Immerso owns over a trillion AI tokens and has trained models across all LLM platforms. This foundation, coupled with initiatives such as establishing India’s first AI Park and a billion-dollar investment in a Malaysian AI park and film studio, showcases Immerso’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital experiences.

Everdome, recognized for its expertise in creating immersive and accessible digital experiences, is bringing real use cases and larger audiences to the metaverse. With a proven track record of collaborations with global brands like the Alpine Web3, and Binance Fan Token Everdome is well-versed in bringing established IPs to life in new and engaging ways.

The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has partnered with Shiba Inu, whose official mascot is DogeCoin, to advance Web3 solutions in energy infrastructure using Shibu Inu’s decentralized operating system.

As per a press release on UAE Ministry of Energy website, the partnership will leverage Shiba Inu’s broad range of Web3 technologies to support public service efficiency, green infrastructure enhancements, and citizen-focused governance models. Shiba Inu’s Operational System (ShibOS) will unify development across MoEI operations.

As per Shiba Inu website, the next gen operating system delivers turnkey solutions for Web2 to Web3 transitions. The Shib Alpha Layer
is a modular rollup abstraction layer for ultra-fast transactions, achieving sub-100ms finality and high TPS to power a global network state. While the FHE-Powered Identity Stack offers a privacy-first on-chain solution providing verifiable credentials and one-time KYC, secured by fully homomorphic encryption.

H.E. Engineer Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, noted that the partnership is a pivotal moment in their journey to redefining governmental services. He added that the Ministry aims to deliver transformative solutions that benefit both citizens and the wider community with sustainability, connectivity and digital excellence.

Shytoshi Kusama, Lead Visionary for the Shiba Inu team, added “We’re thrilled the Ministry sees Shiba Inu as a cornerstone for next-generation infrastructure.” He believes this showcases the power of Shiba Inu in delivering groundbreaking solutions.

The UAE government launched its Blockchain Strategy 2021 back in 2018 to capitalize on Blockchain technology and transform 50% of government transactions. The UAE government had expected that this strategy would save more than $3 billion in transactions and document processing, $108 million in printed documents annually, and 77 million work hours.

In January 2025, MarkNtel Advisors noted that the blockchain industry in the UAE is experiencing remarkable growth, with an annual rate of 42%.

Over the past week, blockchain initiatives have seen renewed momentum, with significant developments such as the UAE KYC Blockchain platform, led by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and powered by Norbloc Blockchain, welcoming its first insurance member, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI).

Recently, the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have joined forces to promote the use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, within the real estate and property technology (Proptech) sectors.

This all comes as Elon Musk was reported to be considering using blockchain technology at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to track Federal government spending. Blockchain might be used to monitor federal spending, make payments, secure data and manage government buildings.

DOGE’s goal is to update federal software and technology to boost efficiency and productivity within the federal government.