Reef Labs launches $10 million accelerator program for Web3 projects in MENA

Reef Labs launches $10 million accelerator program for Web3 projects in MENA

Reef Labs has announced the launch of a $10 million accelerator program for Web3 projects building on the Reef Chain in the Middle East region.

The program, managed by Reef Labs, aims to support, incubate, and invest in promising Middle East-based Web3 developers, teams, and projects building on the Reef Chain.

The Accelerator Program seeks to drive Reef’s vision for growth, making it the de-facto blockchain in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Ideas selected as part of this initiative will benefit from the financial support provided by Reef’s venture partners, along with mentorship, marketing, and business development assistance from Reef Labs. Additionally, these ecosystem projects can leverage Reef’s global community to promote their ideas and achievements to other Web3 developers and blockchain enthusiasts.

Denko Mancheski, CEO of Reef, said about this new initiative, “We’re launching the Reef Accelerator Program with the aim of welcoming the brightest minds in the Web3.0 industry. The Reef team has been working with Web3 developers in the Middle East region for some time now, and is extremely excited by the talent and innovation we witness. Through our recently conceptualized Reef Labs initiative, we will choose the best Middle Eastern projects, empower them to realize their full potential and integrate them into the current Reef ecosystem of NFT, DeFi, Metaverse, and GameFi projects. It will also enable us to drive the growth of the Web3 industry in the Middle East and emerge as this region’s de-facto blockchain”.

The Reef Accelerator Program is poised to solidify Reef Chain’s position as the most developer-friendly blockchain solution for web2 businesses transitioning into the web3 space in the MENA region, ultimately propelling the upcoming wave of innovation and Web3 adoption.

This program amount of $10 million will be part of the $20 million developer support fund that Reef had announced earlier.

UAE’s DMCC crypto center partners with US enterprise Blockchain service provider Ankr

UAE’s DMCC crypto center partners with US enterprise Blockchain service provider Ankr

In a recent announcement, UAE’s DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Center), partnered with USA based ANKR, an enterprise blockchain infrastructure and services provider. As per the partnership, they will provide support for over 550 Web3 member businesses in DMCC crypto center through development of innovative products, infrastructure and advisory incubation.

 

Ankr’s solutions will be made available to businesses within the DMCC Crypto Center, empowering them with access to a wide variety of products and services, such as application-specific blockchain engineering, node infrastructure, Web3 gaming solutions, NFT marketplace solutions, staking, and decentralized finance products. These offerings will enable businesses to fast-track their development and go to market with every resource they need to thrive in emerging Web3 ecosystems.

 

“The partnership with the Dubai Multi Commodities Center is a testament to our commitment to drive the global proliferation of blockchain technology,” said Chandler Song, Ankr’s CEO. “Dubai is a critical hub for Web3 innovation, and by providing DMCC Crypto Center member businesses with industry-leading solutions, we can cultivate the next generation of Web3 businesses, applications, and experiences that have the capacity to take industry adoption to the next billion users.”

 

DMCC Executive Chairman and CEO, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, added, “By offering a comprehensive ecosystem that enables Web3 businesses to scale efficiently and with confidence, the DMCC Crypto Centre has become home to the highest concentration of crypto and Web3 firms in the MENA region. In expanding our platform through this key collaboration with Ankr, we are further enhancing our capabilities and the value we add to Web3 entrepreneurs and multinationals alike. We look forward to working with Ankr and activating their expertise and suite of services to continue to reinforce Dubai’s status as a global Web3 hub.”

Dubai Virtual Asset regulator CEO speaks on the current and future status of regulations at VARA

Dubai Virtual Asset regulator CEO speaks on the current and future status of regulations at VARA

During DACOM (The Digital Asset Compliance and Market Integrity Summit) hosted by Solidus Labs, a crypto-native market surveillance and risk monitoring hub tailored for digital assets, in Abu Dhabi on May 4th 2023, Dubai’s virtual asset regulator CEO stated that only 50 percent of Dubai’s legacy VASPs (those who were operating before VARA was set up) applying for license at VARA will need to be regulated. He also talked about the opportunity to launch regulation and compliance as a service for small business and entrepreneurs.

Henson Orser, CEO of Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, VARA, discussing VARA’s licensing journey with strong legal risk compliance, stated, “Currently we have three cohorts that are passing through several processes and routes to being fully licensed, the Minimum Viable product cohort that includes global operators who were with us from day one.  There are also legacy VASPs (Virtual Asset Service Providers), several hundred of them who have been performing virtual asset activities in Dubai before VARA came along. We are in the process of registering them and believe half of them will need regulatory licenses.” He mentions that there are also new applicants who will join the regulatory process going forward.

Orser added, “VARA is offering a nuanced approach to virtual asset regulation that does not need to define a token or coin as a security or commodity to fall into an existing framework but covers any activity in a way that affords investor protection and have compliance in such a way that we hope other global regulators would be comfortable with by design and principle.”

According to Orser, VARA is currently looking at several hundred VASPs within their ecosystem which entails a lot of compliance and risk officers, as well as general counsels and legal advisors. He mentions given the fact that there are many micro businesses and entrepreneurs there is a great opportunity for regulation and compliance as a service offering. As he states, “Regulation and compliance as a service offering will mutualize cost and leverage expertise.” 

Orser believes the most important thing is that VARA is building a hub of global financial services with innovation and technology at the cross roads of the world including within it a strong compliance risk management and legal framework which he says “ VARA will stand out as a foundational principle and will be a thriving fixture of the community.”

As for the future, Orser states that from a regulatory standpoint once there is a steady state on licensing, supervision, and enforcement for the three existing cohorts today, VARA given it is technology agnostic and a promoter of innovation, will launch a regulatory sandbox to have a framework for product development of the future.

He states that the future will include tokenization of real world assets, including real estate, as well as micro financing, royalty rights for creators and publishers, with smart contracts for movies /music, permissioned DeFi (Decentralized Finance), gaming and the metaverse. Here he sees, “A billion users will start to challenge the boundaries of title and value” and finally interoperability, transfers identity and more.

In his final words he believes that many innovators and developers are coming to Dubai because of the growth oriented environment and open minded regulator which encourages compliant operators without sacrificing core principle of investor protection, FATF Compliance and risk. Accordingly he believes, “Blockchain technology is here to stay and its applications will infiltrate more than we can imagine same goes for gaming metaverse and all things Web3.”

UAE EnjinStarter first Web3 Launchpad globally to be initially licensed by regulator

UAE EnjinStarter first Web3 Launchpad globally to be initially licensed by regulator

UAE based EnjinStarter MENA, a web3 Launchpad and incubator, has become the first launchpad globally to receive initial approval by Dubai’s virtual asset regulatory authority.

According to the unilateral announcement, EnjinStarter will continue to undertake the in-depth process of applying for a licence, in accordance with VARA requirements.

With the Middle East and North Africa considered to be a booming Web3 market, Enjinstarter is seeking a foothold in the region as it aims to be the premier Launchpad and incubator for Web3 metaverse, gaming, and entertainment experiences.

Enjinstarter has ambitious plans to be the go-to provider for Web3 adoption in the region, including the addition of more portfolio projects focusing on impact and sustainability initiatives that complement the UAE’s commitment to climate action.

“This is an important step for Enjinstarter. Getting initial approval and continuing with our license application makes clear our commitment to achieving the highest standards of accountability and transparency in the Web3 space. We are committed to   conforming to VARA’s high standards and know this will only accelerate our growth in the Middle East and beyond,” said Prakash Somosundram, co-founder and CEO of Enjinstarter.

“Dubai has been laser-focused on establishing itself as a global hub for Web3. It continues to provide much-needed leadership in terms of regulation and innovation, especially with initiatives such as VARA’s own foray into The Sandbox. We are looking forward to getting started here and contributing to Dubai’s growing Web3 ecosystem,” added Vasseh Ahmed, Enjinstarter MENA’s managing director.

Crypto Oasis launches the Green Block initiative in commitment to Cop28 in UAE

Crypto Oasis launches the Green Block initiative in commitment to Cop28 in UAE

Crypto Oasis launched its crypto Oasis report for Q2 of 2023 announcing the Green Block initiative as part of its commitment to the UAE’s Environmentally Sustainable goals. This comes as the UAE hosts the COP28 in December 2023.

Crypto Oasis, a blockchain ecosystem fostering innovation in the UAE, has witnessed a significant growth in the blockchain crypto ecosystem in the UAE.

In its second edition of the Crypto Oasis Ecosystem report for Q2 2023, it noted that there were now over 1,800 organizations in the blockchain and crypto industry within the country with over 8,650 employees working in crypto blockchain, metaverse, and Web3 ecosystem.

The numbers are up from the ones shared in Crypto Oasis’s annual report of 2022 published in October. At that time there were 1,400 blockchain and crypto entities in the country employing 7000 people. This shows that 400 new entities registered their companies in the UAE over the past 8 months employing an extra 1,650 people in the sector.

In Crypto Oasis Q2 2023 report, native organizations made up 70.5% of total blockchain crypto entities, while in October 2022 report they stood at 66%. There has been an increase of 4.5% of native entities in just 8 months. Dubai’s DMCC is still home to the majority of blockchain and crypto entities with 600 registered companies, followed by Dubai Economic Department with 420 plus, and IFZA freezone with 200 and DIFC with 110. 

The Crypto Oasis report was published in partnership with DLT Science Foundation and Roland Berger.

To build on the successes of the past years, Crypto Oasis announced in their report the launch of a new initiative, the “Green Block”, an ecosystem for the ESG (Economic Sustainable Goals) part of Web3 to foster a sustainable future by bringing together innovators and entrepreneurs to develop and implement solutions that promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

The Green Block focuses on promoting, leading, and connecting this part of the industry to align with the goals of the UAE.

Saqr Ereiqat, Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis told LaraontheBlock, “We will be launching the Green Block initiative formally during the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai being held in October. Since this is a UAE centric report and one of the primary themes of the country this year is ESG we follow suit in our report and are currently working on the Green Block initiative in Web3 for COP28.”

Blockchain technology holds particular promise in the fight against climate change for three key reasons: it can amplify voluntary carbon markets to channel billions of dollars towards green investments, facilitate the widespread adoption of parametric insurance for climate events and accelerate development of open data infrastructure necessary to help coordinate global actors.

Blockchain crypto veteren James Bernard appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at UAE’s RAK Digital Assets Oasis

Blockchain crypto veteren James Bernard appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at UAE’s RAK Digital Assets Oasis

UAE’s latest digital asset and Web3 free zone in Ras Al Khaimah, RAK DAO, has appointed James Bernard at its Chief Commercial Officer. Bernard has been working in the digital asset blockchain sector since 2015. In the UAE he worked within Dubai’s DMCC and later on as an advisor to several Web3 blockchain entities within the UAE.

James will be responsible for all commercial activities, the implementation of business strategies and the development of partnerships, supporting entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses across new and emerging tech sectors, digital assets, and web3, metaverse, AI, NFT, DApp, AI, blockchain, tokenization as well as many others. 

He was a founding member in 2015 of the Global Blockchain Council in Dubai, and leading DMCC’s Crypto strategy, developing early proof of concepts for various Web 3.0-powered ventures including Diamond Track and Trace, and property leasing applications, while also launching crypto asset licenses and making significant contributions to regional regulatory environment.

Commenting on James’ appointment, Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK Digital Assets Oasis, said: “James brings with him a wealth of experience across the web3, digital assets and future tech landscape, enabling us to develop truly ground-breaking, strategically positioned models to support these sectors and tap into the growing global tech-enabled markets. We aim to open our doors to the companies of the future in the second quarter of 2023 and at such a crucial point in our emergence as innovation-enablers, we have no doubt that James’ formidable knowledge and experience will help us reach our ambitious targets.”

James Bernard, CCO of RAK Digital Assets Oasis, said: “I am thrilled to be part of RAK Digital Assets Oasis. With our forward-leaning approach to maximizing opportunities in disruptive technologies, the free zone is committed to supporting, empowering, and partnering with global leaders, entrepreneurial talent and innovators, building transformative solutions and creating impact.”

GEM Digital investment adds $50 million to its $10 million investment in UAE metaverse project

GEM Digital investment adds $50 million to its $10 million investment in UAE metaverse project

Bahamas based digital asset investment firm GEM Digital, which invests in tokens, has added $50 million to its $10 million investment in UAE Everdome Everdome a hyper-realistic metaverse that will bring brands and people together.Everdome had also received investment from BNBChain, OKx, and Unreal engine.

Everdome will use the proceeds of the investment to boost infrastructure and allow heavy traffic loads in a high-fidelity environment. As per Everdome announcement the first $10 million received from GEM Digital has already been drawn down by Everdome for the development of the metaverse project.

GEM’s increased investment commitment follows Everdome’s recent change of management in appointing Jeremy Lopez as CEO, and clearly demonstrates their strongest support of the new management’s previous track record and commitment to the vision of our project moving forward.

Jeremy developed the relationship with GEM during his previous role as COO, while also assisting in the partnership with Alfa Romeo F1 Team and securing OKX as a key strategic partner.

Investment will be completely focused on the fundamentals necessary to take Everdome to the next level of success, including product development, scalability and growth. These fundamentals include core product delivery, to ensure Everdome opens to the public as soon as possible, infrastructure boosting to allow heavy traffic loads in a high-fidelity environment, tools for users to create and build inside Everdome as well as growth in users and partners.

GEM‘s investment comes in the form of a further structured token subscription agreement. Everdome will control the timing and the number of drawdowns under this facility, and has no minimum drawdown obligation.

At its discretion, Everdome has the ability to sell up to 200% of their average daily volume, in tokens across multiple exchanges to GEM Digital.

Everdome CEO, Jeremy Lopez stated, ‘’The expansion of the investment commitment from GEM Digital is a huge show of faith in Everdome’s concept, our growth to date, and the capacity of the management team to quickly scale the company across multiple fronts, in marketing, infrastructure, product releases and partnership acquisitions, taking Everdome from concept to a business with real ROI and a vibrantly active metaverse community on a global scale. GEM has been much more than a financial partner; they have been supportive throughout our partnership discussions and have helped open doors with new partners and exchanges.’’

USA based Blockchain enterprise entity and UAE Blockchain Suvik tech to bring Web3 technologies to UAE

USA based Blockchain enterprise entity and UAE Blockchain Suvik tech to bring Web3 technologies to UAE

Blockedge Technologies Inc., an enterprise blockchain technology platform, and UAE based Suvik Technologies FZE, a public blockchain technology company, have signed an MOU ( Memorandum of Understanding) to form a joint venture out of Dubai UAE. The join venture will create tools that empower organization to migrate to Web3 technologies.

Blockedge brings its infrastructure automation platform, expertise to develop decentralized applications and interoperable blockchain solutions. At the same time, Suvik group brings its proprietary trading system for crypto assets and Plugin – a Decentralized Oracle Platform built on XDC Network.

“Web3 is all about building system-backed trust to facilitate trusted peer-to-peer transactions,” said Srinivas Mahankali, Chief Business Officer of Blockedge Technologies Inc. “To accelerate the adoption of Web3 technologies globally, we have come together to leverage each other’s strengths to create the required infrastructure layer to encourage and empower over 1000 organizations in the next three years,” he added.

Vinod Khurana, Co-Founder of Plugin Decentralized Oracle on XDC Network and CEO of Suvik Group added, “The creation of the joint venture between Blockedge and Suvik has come at the right time and place and has the potential to add immense value to the blockchain ecosystem. With this venture, we aim to launch decentralized applications across industries, with an initial focus on Agriculture, Healthcare, Supply chain, and E-commerce”.

The partnership will be converted into a 55:45 joint venture based in Dubai, specifically focusing on the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and North America.

UAE sovereign wealth fund launches its digital asset entity as part of its Web3 strategy

UAE sovereign wealth fund launches its digital asset entity as part of its Web3 strategy

Zero Two, an ADQ sovereign wealth fund  entity, has launched its digital assets business in Abu Dhabi UAE to offer latest generation technologies. Zero Two will build and operate data center and offer digital asset management services as part of ADQ’s digital asset strategy. The name “Zero Two” is derived from the significance of the numerals 0 and 2 in Web3 technology.

Zero Two aims to become a trusted partner to companies seeking to capitalize on the broad innovative scope and transformative potential the technology offers. The company’s services range from developing power infrastructure to sourcing and testing latest generation technologies, to building and operating data centers, and providing digital assets management services.

Zero Two was created to develop, operate and invest in best-in-class technologies accelerating and supporting the digital asset and Web3 ecosystem in the region, which comprises concepts such as decentralization and token-based economics.

Commenting on the start of the company’s operations, Ahmed Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer at Zero Two, said: “Digital assets hold vast potential that is only beginning to be explored and leveraged. Zero Two enters the market with a robust and broad business model catering to rapidly emerging demand and a demonstrated commitment to meeting the highest standards of security and compliance. We are confident that our offering that utilizes excess power from the local power grid, which is the first of its kind in the UAE and the wider region, will not only meet the needs of our clients but also exceed their expectations with regards to the various benefits that can be derived from deploying distributed ledger technologies.”

This is not the first digital assets entity to be owned by ADQ. ADQ also registered FSI ( FS Innovation) which entered into an agreement with USA based Marathon digital holdings, a digital asset mining entities to establish and operate one or more mining facilities for digital assets. The business entity will be in the field of digital asset/crypto mining. The initial phase will consist of two digital asset mining sites comprising 250 MW (megawatts) in Abu Dhabi UAE. Marathon Holdings will own 20% of the joint company in UAE only. The cost of the project will be $406 million.

In September 2022, Abu Dhabi’s ADQ and Further Ventures, an investment firm back by ADQ launched a $200 million fund focused on Fintech, digital assets and supplychain.  As per the news, entrepreneurs and experienced executives who choose to launch their next venture with Further will have access to product and engineering resources for concept development; seed capital required to take the business to Series A; and reserved capital for following on through multiple rounds of funding beyond capital investment.

UAE SEED group partners with two new Blockchain Web3 entities

UAE SEED group partners with two new Blockchain Web3 entities

Over the years, UAE SEED Group has partnered with several or more blockchain and crypto entities as part of its business development activities for the region. Recently SEED Group has partnered with Canadian Blockchain Web 3.0 metaverse company TerraZero technologies, as well as with Farm to Plate , a blockchain-powered SaaS platform built to empower the food supply chain with end-to-end transparency and trust.

 As part of the partnership with TerraZero, Seed Group will help bring its services to SMEs and businesses in the UAE and the Middle East and help them make inroads into the high-potential world of Metaverse.

In reflecting upon the partnership, Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, states, “The Metaverse will become an integral part of all businesses sooner than we realize. The launch of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy was a major step in the direction of turning Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 Metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the Metaverse community. Our partnership with TerraZero seeks to further empower this aim of the emirate. I believe the association will prove fruitful to not just businesses in the UAE but to the regional economic ecosystem on the whole.”

“It is clear where innovation is taking place when it pertains to the future of the Internet and the Metaverse. This is a monumental moment for the industry, and TerraZero sees massive growth potential. Our partnership with the Seed Group will empower the next generation of enterprise businesses and brands to monetize and progress their ecommerce and omnichannel strategies, just as much as we can open the door for legacy corporations and government entities to meaningfully connect with their audiences–and create new ways to build equity in all forms,” says TerraZero CEO Dan Reitzik.

In addition Seed Group onboarded Farm to Plate as its new strategic partner, with an aim to help and guide it to bring its solutions to the UAE and the region. Seed Group will facilitate Farm to Plate’s growth with guidance on how to reach the right audience, access top decision-makers in the government as well as private sectors, and contribute to adding the latest technological innovations in the region.

Farm to Plate is transforming how the food and beverage industry operates through a digital platform that empowers stakeholders to better manage their food supply chain – with visibility from farm to plate. Built by global software developer Paramount Software Solutions, one of the top award-winning tech companies in Atlanta, the Farm To Plate platform uses emerging technologies like Blockchain to work with customers’ existing software assets and provide customisable, secure, web-based visibility of the food and beverage supply chain. With Farm to Plate, stakeholders now have one view of their entire chain of supply – eliminating any chances of data fudging or misalignment. At the same time, the use of blockchain ensures direct financial transactions, secure data management and access controls – creating a truly secure digital ecosystem.