SwissBorg crypto wealth management app launches in UAE

SwissBorg crypto wealth management app launches in UAE

SwissBorg, a cryptocurrency wealth management app, has launched in the UAE, to offer a secure way to invest and earn interest on assets through Web 3.0. The award-winning app’s formula for mass adoption is two-fold, simplicity and automation, to help anyone regardless of age or skills, become a community member. 

As per the press release, SwissBorg brings more than six years of expertise to the UAE, introducing a digital asset management app that takes the guesswork out of crypto investments. 

In the first year of its operation, the organization raised $54 million via a successful Initial Coin Offering across 146 countries from 25,000 individual contributors across the globe. The platform has 700,000 active users across multiple countries, having established strong relationships with various banks with fiat gateways for 16 currencies and credit cards.

 According to Gemini’s 2022 report ‘Global State of Crypto’, 35% of the UAE population have adopted some form of crypto tokens, compared to 17% uptake in developed nations. And of the part of the population that has not yet invested, 32% are likely to purchase crypto in 2023. A third of the crypto owners use it to make in-person purchases at brick-and-mortar retailers, compared to just 19% of owners globally.

Anthony Lesoismier, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at SwissBorg, commented on the launch, said: “We are pioneering a new era in asset management and private banking supported by blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies assets. We see cryptocurrencies as a serious investment, and our goal is to provide a variety of long-lasting crypto financial products that everyone can use to participate in the largest wealth transition in human history. The UAE serves as our perfect Middle Eastern launch pad because it is the region’s commercial, technological and cultural hub. Our extensive experience will enable UAE investors to make more confident cryptocurrency investments.”

Alexander Fazel, Chief Partnerships Officer added: “The UAE is on a trajectory to becoming the crypto capital of the world by gathering industry leaders from all corners of the globe. At SwissBorg, our goal is to be the bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance and contribute to a world where one community will reshape centuries of broken finance. We’re at the crossroads of a new era and are forever grateful to be a part of this vibrant community. We are bringing in people from all walks of life and there is nothing more rewarding than having teenagers to senior citizens with the same purpose. SwissBorg will redesign the Bank of the Future layer by layer by educating new crypto investors in the UAE to be a part of this paradigm shift.”

SwissBorg has entered partnerships with local leaders Crypto Oasis in the UAE and is also currently raising funds in the region for a strategic round focusing on short to long-term value creation.  

SwissBorg is also one of first companies to give complete transparency on Proof of Assets and Proof of Liabilities trackable at any time in real-time using blockchain technology, creating new norms to restore trust among centralized exchanges in the wake of the recent FTX incident. 

SwissBorg seperates between custodial service and exchange, as such it does not hold custody of users’ funds and instead uses FireBlocks a trusted custodian with MPC technology.  

Binance, Kraken, LMAX, Bitfinex, and SwissBorg, are connected to the order management system (OMS), which actively searches for the best pricing for its users resulting in the platform becoming their main trading account.

 Users can start investing in three simple steps — upload their personal information and proof of identity, which is completely automated, make a deposit with their credit card or cryptos and they can then start investing.

4 percent of FTX Global Clients based out of UAE

4 percent of FTX Global Clients based out of UAE

Bloomberg  just published a piece today November 27th 2022 that is rocking the UAE crypto ecosystem and is one of the most read pieces on Bloomberg as of now. As per the article roughly 4 percent of FTX’s global client base is in the UAE. This comes as no shock. LaraontheBlock had noted in an article on November 11th 2022 that VARA had suspended FTX’s crypto exchange license. The article at that time also noted that FTX MENA users brought in high revenues for FTX and was considered as the third biggest revenue region for FTX. 

Ben Bartenstein the author writes in the Bloomberg article, “Several crypto hedge funds recently launched in the UAE had dumped all of their client money on FTX, forcing an insane struggle to exit the platform before halting withdrawals to avert their own collapse, according to those familiar with the matter.”

The article also notes that roughly 4% of FTX’s global clients are based in the UAE, according to court filings in the company’s bankruptcy case, making it one of the ten most impacted jurisdictions.

The article adds that UAE officials have privately raised concerns about the pace of regulatory approvals that they may have moved too quickly and failed to identify the Three Arrows Capital and FTX blasts, people familiar with the matter said.

It goes on to state that Dubai’s VARA plans to announce its CEO in the coming weeks and intends to hold further consultations with key stakeholders before the end of the year. This information was provided by people familiar with the matter.

What the article fails to mention but was published in a separate piece recently on LaraontheBlock was that VARA is carrying out an investigation into the FTX impact on local UAE Market not limited to FTX MENA alone.

As VARA stated on its platform, ” VARA is following a developing matter involving the potential insolvency and alleged fraudulent behavior of an affiliate of a VASP licensed for participation in the MVP Phase. 

Does Q9 Capital crypto investment platform have a provisional approval from Dubai’s virtual asset regulator? Don’t think so

Does Q9 Capital crypto investment platform have a provisional approval from Dubai’s virtual asset regulator? Don’t think so

On October 27th 2022, Q9 Capital published a press release where they unilaterally announced that they had received a provisional virtual asset approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). LaraontheBlock since then has continuously been checking VARA’s website and no Q9 to be seen anywhere. Q9 is a crypto investment management platform offering capabilities to crypto and TradFi firms. So it should be on VARA’s website under TradFi, DeFi Asset Managers section, but it isn’t.

VARA lists all the entities which have applied for a license and have provisional approval. So for example on VARA’s website under Native Crypto Exchanges, users can see Binance [Issued MVP Licence], BitOasis, Bybit, CoinMENA, Crypto.com, FTX Exchange FZE [Suspended MVP License], GCEX, Huobi, MidChains and OKX.

Then under TradFi DeFi Custodians, you have the recently approved Hex Trust [Issued MVP Licence], Komainu [Issued MVP Licence] and then you have those who applied and have a provisionary license but not a full MVP one that include Monstera and Zamp.

In TradFi | DeFi Asset Managers there is Brevan Howard, Fintonia Group, NineBlocks and NOIA Capital. While under TradFi | DeFi Financial Services you have Amber Group, Equiti, Scallop, and TPS Capital

With Native Crypto-Content | DLT Platforms listed are Calvin Cheng Web3.0 Holdings and Woonkly Labs while in TradEcon | DeFi Services there is BRE Holdings, Eros Investments, Hike, and Prypto

Two weeks since the announcement and no Q9. This is despite the fact that VARA is quick to update its website when it has approved or provided preliminary approvals or MVP licenses. In addition in many cases it also publishes a press release.

Q9 had stated that this approval came as it expanded into the UAE and applied for a full operating license in accordance with VARA requirements.  As per the release, Q9 products and strategies can be created and executed on Q9’s platform, such as systematic investment portfolios and white-labeled offerings, within VARA’s framework and distributed globally in an automated, transparent, regulated and compliant manner.

The release added, the full operating license, once received, will allow Q9 to extend products and services to qualified investors and financial service providers. Q9 will also establish a regional hub in Dubai to contribute to developing the ever-expanding virtual asset ecosystem both in Dubai and globally.

The press release even goes on to say that the provisional approval is a major milestone that follows a number of registrations for Q9’s local entities in Hong Kong and Dubai. As a regulation-led platform with robust compliance and security controls that have consumer protection and market integrity at its core, the registration further strengthens Q9’s position.

James Quinn, Managing Partner of Q9, noted “Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority is a testament to the country’s forward-looking stance on digital assets and its willingness to support the industry through collaboration. We look forward to participating in the authority’s robust compliance framework and continue building partnerships as we expand our presence in Dubai to roll out additional services and enhanced products for the region.”

But until LaraontheBlock, sees the Q9 name on VARA’s website, Q9 ‘s provisional preliminary approval is still hanging in the wind!

UAE HayVN wants to buy FTX Pay because of its strong relationships, are they serious?

UAE HayVN wants to buy FTX Pay because of its strong relationships, are they serious?

It is all over the news that UAE HayVN, regulated virtual asset trading platform is considering to bid for FTX Pay, FTX crypto exchange’s payment business. The reason the CEO of HayVN gives is that FTX Pay is valuable because of its relationships with establish companies such as MasterCard. Well is that a valid reason, given that most of these established companies have severed their relationships with FTX Pay, while it is actually Visa that was a partner and not MasterCard.

UAE National newspaper came out with a story that UAE HayVN regulated by ADGM is interested in purchasing FTX Pay  to integrate it with HayVN Pay infrastructure according to statements made by Christopher Flinos, co-founder and chief executive of Hayvn.

As he told the UAE National, “We are pleased to learn that some of the FTX businesses have solvent balance sheets, responsible management and valuable franchises. We are open to a discussion with their bankers, Perella Weinberg, as soon as they have the court’s approval to proceed.”

FTX Pay is an application that allows merchants to accept both cryptocurrency and fiat payments for a flat 1 per cent transaction fee with no minimum or upfront costs, according to its website.

In the interview Flinos did not disclose the amount Hayvn was willing to pay for FTX’s payments business, but said its plan to bid for the company had been approved by the Hayvn board and “back-channel discussions” had begun to indicate their interest. “It will be a public process but we want to be more ahead of the others for when that drops.”

Flinos believes FTX Pay is valuable because of its relationships with established companies such as Mastercard. He states, “From the advisers’ perspective, they want to know that the bidders have got money; tick, we have got money. They want to know that the bidders have got a good business; tick, we have got a good business, we are regulated, we have a game plan, we can value it [and] we know what it is worth to us. Because Sam Bankman-Fried had such a strong presence as an individual and was the darling of the industry, then companies like MasterCard had arrangements with FTX Pay.”

He adds “I am basically not buying it for its tech, as we have got better tech. I am buying it for the relationships that it has and the presence that it has with these people, so it is less risky.”

Hayvn Pay is a regulated financial network for blockchain-based currencies and works with UAE companies such as DAMAC Properties, developer Nakheel and the Dubai government, allowing people to buy property using cryptocurrency.  Earlier Hayvn had partnered with WooCommerce, an open source, e-commerce platform.

The CEO notes, “Acquiring FTX Pay will help solidify our position as the global leader in cryptocurrency payment solutions.”

But does HayVN know that VISA severed this relationship in the aftermath of FTX debacle and fall?

Yes, VISA had teamed up global crypto exchange FTX to offer debit cards in 40 countries with a focus on Latin America, Asia and Europe. But Visa terminated this partnership and their global agreements with FTX as well as their U.S. debit card program which is being wound down by their issuer.

Other companies have sought to distance themselves from FTX, such as BitPay.  Even Stripe removed the press release on its website that talks about its partnership with FTX for seamless payment, as has Nuvei a company that provides on and off ramp payment services to FTX users.

As for Reddit it also had a partnership with FTX to integrate Reddit’s Community Points in the US, EU, Australia, and other global markets. The partnership featured the integration of FTX Pay as a white-label payment and exchange solution to support users onboarding Community Points, but is surely now also a thing of the past.

So where are the partnerships that were forged with FTX Pay and if you purchase FTX Pay does that mean that the former partnerships come to life again? If the purchase is not for the technology, but for the relationships, severed ones, will it be so easy to revive them?

I really don’t know why HayVN whose technology is as they say better than FTX’s, and which is regulated by UAE ADGM would want to get into the position of purchasing an unregulated, bankrupt and partner less  sub entity of FTX. Beats me

UAE DMCC goes all in on tokenized Gold

UAE DMCC goes all in on tokenized Gold

In the past week, UAE’s Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has signed two partnership agreements with Gold tokenization entities. DMCC signed an MOU with Asian digital gold platform, SafeGold, to develop an ecosystem in the MENA for gold backed digital certificates starting from the UAE and then spreading across MENA.

The MENA region is home to a $20 billion gold market. Gold is a high-growth industry in the UAE; according to the World Gold Council, UAE gold consumption surged by 57 percent in 2021.

As per the announcement Gold bars will be physically stored in secure vaults, and verified by warrants issued on DMCC’s Tradeflow platform, a transparent central registry of ownership for gold and commodities stored in UAE facilities. The digital certificates that are backed by gold can then be traded on SafeGold’s platform, providing investors with greater levels of transparency and confidence.

Gaurav Mathur, Founder and MD, SafeGold, noted that the UAE is an ideal hub for a global digital gold platform.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO, DMCC, added “Given the increased ease of trading digital assets, especially in gold and precious metals, our collaboration with SafeGold is a vital step towards consolidating an ecosystem for digital gold at the global level. Partnerships built on trust and transparency is vital in serving the entire gold industry, and DMCC is perfectly positioned to drive these efforts given our extensive knowledge in gold, world-class infrastructure across the entire gold value chain and ongoing work in blockchain and web3 sectors.”

The DMCC had also announced its partnership with Comtech Gold to digitize the trade of gold through tokenization which will also be registered on DMCC’s TradeFlow platform. Comtech Gold Tokens (“CGO”) will be created on the XinFin Protocol (XDC) blockchain network based on the deposit of physical gold bars located in DMCC-approved vaults.

Each gold bar will be backed by a Tradeflow warrant, meaning that the increased ease of trading a tokenized asset is combined with the additional security, transparency, and real-asset allocation provided by the Tradeflow warrant.

With each token representing one gram of gold, investors and traders will be able to buy as little as one gram, democratizing the asset class by making it more accessible. The tokens are Shariah compliant and fully backed by physical gold in the form of 1kg gold bars of 999.9 purity from globally-renowned brands. In line with international best practices for transparency in the precious metals sector, each bar will feature unique ID numbers and certificates direct from the refiners.

 

Ahmed Bin Sulayem,  believes that the  partnership with Comtech Gold  for tokenized gold bullion  using  blockchain solutions will drive long-term growth in global trade across industries and asset classes.

Navin D’Souza, Chief Executive Officer at ComTech Gold, said: “A partnership with DMCC is an exciting moment for us as we continue to grow with 122 kgs of gold already tokenized. Tradeflow warrants add the security, control, and transparency to the gold tokens necessary to build investor trust and confidence. This, along with the Shariah certification, makes Comtech Gold Tokens (CGO) an ideal and robust product developed on blockchain technology for regional and international investors.”

In My previous article ‘ UAE the new home for Gold backed tokens’ on LaraontheBlock it was noted that the UAE has become home to Gold tokenization entities from around the globe and this could be the market that many crypto enthusiasts are looking for amidst the bearish crypto and financial markets.

UAE HAYVN Pay and WooCommerce offer plug in crypto payments

UAE HAYVN Pay and WooCommerce offer plug in crypto payments

UAE based HAYVN Pay, a regulated financial network for cryptocurrencies, has partnered with WooCommerce, the leading open source, ecommerce platform to offer a plug-in, allowing WooCommerce merchants to create an additional revenue stream by accepting cryptocurrency payments from customers globally. 

HAYVN Pay is a simple to install, trusted plugin which allows businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments, and then get paid in traditional currency. Verified for compliance and trusted by leading institutions globally, it represents an expansion of HAYVN’s offering as a regulated cryptocurrency focused financial institution.

Christopher Flinos, HAYVN’s Chief Executive Officer, stated. “Our goal is to ensure that within two years, 75% of the world’s e-commerce and point-of-sale transactions have a cryptocurrency payment option available for the customer. Partnering with WooCommerce, who capture 93% of the WordPress e-commerce market, is another important milestone in delivering on that vision”. 

WooCommerce is the leading open source, ecommerce platform, powering 25% of the top million online stores built with WordPress. WooCommerce empowers anyone, anywhere, to sell anything with truly unlimited extensibility, flexibility, and control over how they build and evolve their business.

 Keala Gaines, Payments General Manager, WooCommerce commented.” We are excited to work with HAVYN Pay to deliver an innovative, global crypto payment solution for WooCommerce merchants. HAVYN Pay allows our merchants to begin accepting crypto payments quickly, efficiently, and with the many of the benefits of crypto without touching it directly.”

DeFi crypto custodian Komainu receives MVP license from Dubai virtual asset regulator

DeFi crypto custodian Komainu receives MVP license from Dubai virtual asset regulator

Komainu, listed on VARA website as a DeFi (Decentralized Finance) digital asset custodian has received its minimum viable product license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This is following the issuance of its provisional approval in July 2022. This is a interesting development given the recent FTX scandal and the migration of crypto wallets from centralized exchanges to self custody.

Komainu can now offer an approved range of virtual asset related services to institutional investors in Dubai within an internationally benchmarked legislative framework for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) following completion of its readiness requirements.

The transition to an MVP license, from a provisional approval received earlier this year, means the firm can provide institutional clients in the UAE with Virtual Assets Custodial Services and Virtual Assets Management Services.

Komainu MEA is the first ‘dedicated’ institutional digital asset custodian to receive its MVP license approval from VARA.

Helal Saeed Al-Marri, chairman of VARA stated, “In this current phase of heightened global appreciation for responsible virtual asset participant, VARA is pleased to on board our first tradFi VASP Komainu to join the MVP phase of the regulatory regime. Participation from the VA specialist ventures of deeply respected global financial institutions, allows VARA the opportunity to structure interoperable guidelines and risk mitigation levers for secure market operations.”

Nicolas Bertrand, CEO of Komainu, commented: “Komainu actively works with regulators, partners, and our clients to make sure that our platform and the overall industry is held to the highest of standards to facilitate the wide adoption of virtual assets by institutions. With the full MVP license now granted by VARA, we look forward to launching our services in the MEA region and assist institutions gain exposure to virtual assets, whilst relying to secure and regulated virtual asset custody services.”

Komainu’s CEO is currently attending the AIM Investment Summit in Dubai UAE.

Dubai VC Helion Ventures partners with metaverse VMeta3

Dubai VC Helion Ventures partners with metaverse VMeta3

Dubai VC Helion Ventures has partnered and invested in VMeta3, the First High-Poly Modeling Technique Metaverse to provide a life-like experience with “Any-Fi” economic incentive into the new mindset of Behavior to Earn. 

VMeta3 is the first metaverse related project to be part of Helion Ventures. VMeta3 envisions a world where users can freely create and explore digital worlds, own virtual property, conduct business, buy and sell goods, interact with the AI of their digital avatars, and much more.

The Co-Founder and CEO of Helion Ventures Oliver von Wolff stated,  “The metaverse is the next big thing in web3 and it is exciting to get on board its growth by investing in an interesting and creative project such as VMeta3”.

Jobs Chang, Founder and CEO of VMeta3  adds,  “The Dubai Metaverse Strategy aims to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the metaverse community, and we are pleased to receive investment and partner with Helion Ventures to take this vision forward and be present in Dubai. I always say: Never predict the future, instead create the future! Through our cooperation, this is exactly what we aim to do”.

Muhammad Hamza, MENA CEO, explained, “VMeta3 aims to provide the First High-Poly Modelling Technique Metaverse to provide a lifelike experience for its users and provide standards such as protection of IP for artists that is challenging the industry today. VMeta3 will be launching its Alpha by Q1 2023. The token sale is now open for potential partners and pioneers who want to be a part of our eco-system via Helion Ventures, Dubai”.

Helion Ventures is a venture capital based in Dubai, to be regulated by DIFC. They focus on investing in early-stage tokens/coins, Fintech/Blockchain projects, Metaverse, and DeFi in the MENA region and Africa.  They have been a part of the region’s Ecosystem with strong connections and roots in the Middle East ever since 1999.

VMeta3 provides unique NFT standards that ensure the IP of the actual artist is protected by the encrypted file in the blockchain whereas each NFT that is minted from VMeta3 will be initiated from VMeta3 timestamp. The project envisions a world where users can freely create and explore digital worlds, own virtual property, conduct business, buy and sell goods, interact with the AI of their digital avatars, and much more. By building and providing a life-like experience in the digital world, VMeta3 allows their users to strive and live in a digital ecosystem in the comforts of their computer and mobile devices.

Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority to look into impact of FTX exposure in local market

Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority to look into impact of FTX exposure in local market

Dubai’s Virtual Asset regulatory Authority (VARA) has issued a statement with regards to FTX exchange. It reiterates that is has revoked the approval of FTX license as well as suspended its MVP License. As per the market notification, while FTX MENA had not commence local operations, VARA will be looking into the impact of FTX on domestic market exposure not limited to FTX MENA

As per the statement, On November 11, 2022, one hundred and thirty-four [134] entities related to, and including, FTX Trading Ltd., FTX Exchange FZE, and Alameda Research [Bahamas] Ltd. [collectively, the “Debtors”] filed a petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code.

FTX Exchange FZE [FTX MENA], one of the aforementioned entities, had received approval from VARA for a Minimum Viable Product [MVP] licence on 15-Jul-2022 – the Approval was revoked as of 10-Nov-2022 and the Licence stands suspended in consequence.

FTX MENA was in the readiness preparatory phase and had not received VARA approval to commence operations, on board clients or service the market in the MVP Phase of the regulatory regime. Client Money Account with a domestic bank account had also not been secured – which is a pre-requisite for VARA to authorise any VASP operations in the UAE.

As such, the FTX MENA is confirmed to have no client exposure.

Further, in line with VARA’s principles of mitigating market and investor risk, all Virtual Asset Service Providers [VASPs] that have engaged with VARA to participate in Dubai’s regulated ecosystem, have been asked to provide disclosures to determine the severity of domestic market exposure, and contagion scale across the UAE. Details sought include:

·       Exposure to the FTX group of companies referenced in the 11-Nov-2022 bankruptcy filing, including holdings of the FTT token and any other assets

·       Nature and risk of the exposure; alongside the scale/magnitude; and impact/severity and manageability;

·       UAE residents that are impacted, including number of users and magnitude of exposure – both retail and institutional clients [not limited to FTX MENA];

Detailed action plans to mitigate the exposure highlighted above.

Following receipt of the information, VARA will publish a summary closure statement on impact within the VARA Regime. 

VARA also published the following statement, ” The MVP Phase is in its readiness preparatory stage to allow for approved licensees to fulfil all pre-conditions required to undertake MVP market operations within the VARA Regime. As such, no MVP licensees are permitted to provide any regulated services/activities to their specifically authorized market segment(s) until after VARA’s operationalization of the MVP Phase. VARA is following a developing matter involving the potential insolvency, and alleged fraudulent behavior of an affiliate of a Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) licensed for participation in the MVP Phase. The situation has been, and will continue to remain closely monitored for latest updates to ensure that timely and substantive actions are taken within the Emirate of Dubai to protect investors and all market participants, backed by active enforcement of regulatory requirements relating to custody and segregation of client money; insurance and liquidity cover; and in general all aspects pertaining to market abuse prevention.”

It is obvious that while FTX MENA had not commenced operations, there were a number of entities and individuals utilizing FTX international platform. This is well noted given that the MENA region was the third biggest revenue generator for FTX not in terms of number of customers but in terms of volume of trades. 

UAE the new home for Gold-backed tokens

UAE the new home for Gold-backed tokens

In March 12022, the market capitalization of gold-backed tokens exceeded $1 billion for the first time.

As gold-backed tokens continue to increase in popularity, the UAE appears to be becoming a hotbed for the physical gold investment alternative.

Startups from the region and globally are setting up in the country as gold-backed tokens witness a growth surpassing that of cryptocurrencies. The market cap of gold-backed tokens has exceeded $1 billion — a far cry from $100 million in 2020.

A gold-backed cryptocurrency is a digital currency that is backed by physical gold. The currency’s value is based on the current market value of gold and can be used for transactions like any other cryptocurrency.

Bullion gold experts estimate that 20 to 40 percent of the $11 trillion global gold market passes through Dubai every year. These findings can be attributed to entities embracing gold tokenization and commodity token exchanges.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of Dubai’s Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) asserts the pivotal role that Dubai plays in the global trade market due to its location and its refineries and sees

He states, “Gold plays a critical role in boosting the economies of producing countries and nations with large jewelry manufacturing sectors. Arguably the most important industrial use of gold is in the manufacture of electronics, so as technology improves, demand for gold from the tech sector is also rising rapidly. DMCC is at the center of precious metals and Blockchain technology.”

Gold token growth in UAE

Most of the entities developing gold tokens have chosen the UAE because of its positive crypto stance, its regulations, its gold hub, and the region’s affinity to Shariah compliant commodities.

Ben Sharon, the CEO of Illumishare SRG, says the UAE is the biggest blockchain hub in the world, with many top blockchain companies moving their headquarters to the country.

“We found partners that share the same beliefs as we do,” said Sharon, “We know that together we will make the world a better place where money will provide both stability and opportunities.”

The Abu Dhabi-based blockchain startup developed the SRG token based on a digital gold standard to open the crypto market to the masses. The gold that will be utilized for SRG will be held in the UAE in a bank in Abu Dhabi.

The project is supported by the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan from the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi.

While others such as Comtech, view the UAE and Dubai in particular as the center of gold trade and  blockchain technology. Comtech, is digitizing gold on XDC blockchain network.

ComTech’s Global Marketing Director, Zulfiqar Naqvi, opines, “Our vision is to turn it from the City of Gold to the City of E-Gold.” There reserves are now 122 KG of gold bars in just five months. The 122 Gold bars, 1 kg each with purity of 999.9, are securely stored with Emirates Transguard.

Blockchain tokenization entity Aurus also set up in Dubai’s DMCC because Dubai is a city at the forefront of innovation, blockchain technology, adding to the scalability of their ecosystem. Aurus seeks to democratize the precious metals market using tokenization.

Mark Gesterkamp explains, “We want gold, silver and platinum to be traded by more people earning them passive rewards. At the moment we are onboarding local and region partners including crypto exchanges, bullion refineries and brokers, as well as expanding Aurus precious metal backed tokens to the global retail market.

The attraction of UAE also stems from it being at the center of a strong Islamic investment front. Australian based Marhaba DeFi Islamic compliant platform, better known as MRBH with an operational license in UAE recently launched its TijariX token commodity exchange. TijariX has already commenced with the listing of gold tokens.

Mohammed Naquib, Founder and CEO MRHB Network, explains, “The Islamic community has been using gold as a means of currency and store of value from the earliest days of Islam. Yet it was always difficult to ensure secure storage of physical gold, and liquidate it when needed. Tokenized gold solves these problems while Islamic compliant platform assures adherence to Islamic practice.”

Even entities operating gold refineries in Dubai have incorporated gold tokenization into their business model. UAE REIT Development which is currently building a gold refinery to be launched in 2023 will offer tokenized gold and a tokenized gold exchange. 

Karen Kriska, Vice President of Customer Relations at REIT Development says, “We will digitally mint 85 percent of the value of the gold into tokens. So if someone wants to stake their gold in the form of GoldCoin, they would stake it in our Goldexchange.com. “We will never allow our liquidity to increase to a point were those staking cannot make 0.5 percent in transaction fees per month or 6 percent a year      unless, of course, we increase the gold reserves.”

Why tokenize Gold

Every entity that has chosen to tokenize gold has attributed their interest to different factors. Some believe that it is easier to convince people to buy tokenized gold rather than crypto, while others see gold as an already well accepted investment commodity in need of a more open and accessible marketplace.

Ben Sharon, CEO of IllumiShare explains that only 4.2 percent of the world population has adopted crypto because they are unable to identify the real value behind crypto.  Yet when it comes to gold is has always been seen as a reliable asset in terms of store of value

By combining gold with technology and cash, IllumiShare is creating an additional hedge, defining a new crypto category and redefining money in the process. Sharon explains, “This is the reason we call SRG a Trust token.”

Comteq’s Naqvi sees gold as an investment product that is easier to understand and standardize. He says, “Gold has been used as an investment product for centuries as well as being a product close to people.”  Comteq built their gold token with two aspects in mind speed, and security which is attractive to investors.

Gesterkamp, from Aurus believes that tokenization of gold makes a more inclusive and efficient precious metals market attracting younger demographics while offering easy accumulation, wider payments and ability to be utilized in DeFi and GameFi applications. Gesterkamp adds, “The increased transaction from tokenized gold implies more fees collected and as such more yield generated to ecosystem partners.”

He adds, “We also believe there is a chance that precious metals will be used to back up CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) besides a basket of currencies.”

Islamic compliant tokenized precious metal exchange TejariX believes tokenized gold will attract low risk crypto investors as well as long standing investors in traditional gold. Naquib also believes it will make gold trading accessible to the masses and is a better alternative to dollar backed stablecoins. He states, “Using TejariX platform we plan to offer Gold & Silver Standard (GSS) bullion tokens to investors around the world at 0.03% transaction fee. Each token is worth 1 gram of precious metal, and investors can buy in increments of 1/18.”

Bin Sulayam emphasizes that the tokenization of gold may increase given that gold has always been a favorite of investors and has better performed during periods of higher inflation and economic crisis. He asserts, “Tokenized gold combines the benefits of cryptocurrencies with the underlying value of the precious metal. Tokenizing precious metals allows greater democratization of the asset class through easier access, increased liquidity, faster settlement, lower cost, and in some cases, enhanced risk management.”

The Future of Gold tokens

The Future of gold backed tokens looks bright globally opens up an opportunity for the UAE to play a pivotal role. With the World Gold council plan to make gold more liquid, starting with $500 billion in gold bars in UK utilizing blockchain technology for tracking and developing gold tokens, the tokenization of precious metals is just starting.

You can also read this on Cointelgraph MENA in arabic