MENA News
Discover the latest blockchain and crypto news from the MENA region, including updates from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, covering trends, regulations, and developments shaping the industry
The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is seeking public feedback on a proposed amendment to its Rulebook that would formally permit the sale and purchase of fractionalized bonds and sukuk. Released on 4 June 2025, the public consultation marks a pivotal step in the country’s drive to enhance retail and digital investor access to financial markets. If enacted, the regulation would give financial product dealers a framework to conduct…
Read More »BridgeWise, the global leader in AI-driven investment intelligence, has unveiled SignalWise, a cutting-edge personalized alerts and insights platform tailored for digital trading platforms and financial advisors. This launch follows a strategic investment from Emirates NBD in 2023 and was officially announced at Money20/20 Europe. SignalWise empowers trading platforms and investment professionals to deliver timely, transparent, and highly relevant market intelligence that not only boosts client engagement but also triggers action…
Read More »droppRWA, a subsidiary of Web3 infrastructure provider droppGroup, has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s RAFAL Real Estate Co. to execute the Kingdom’s first-ever Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization transaction — a groundbreaking move set to redefine real estate investment and access in the region. This transaction is a strategic inflection point, as the RAFAL pilot will serve as a national feasibility benchmark for the future of tokenized property markets both within…
Read More »Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of the UAE capital, has posted strong growth across key performance indicators in the first quarter of 2025, highlighting its growing influence in global capital markets, and most notably, its deepening role in digital asset innovation and regulation. The results reflect ADGM’s ongoing momentum following a stellar 2024, driven by investor confidence, progressive regulatory frameworks, and the successful expansion of its…
Read More »Emirates Coin Investment LLC (EmCoin) has officially become the first company in the United Arab Emirates to secure a license for virtual asset services from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), which is a major regulatory step for the country’s digital finance sector. This development positions EmCoin at the forefront of the UAE’s growing digital asset landscape, reinforcing the country’s commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and fully regulated environment…
Read More »As the global race to tokenize assets accelerates—projected to hit $16 trillion by 2030—Qatar is positioning itself not just as a participant, but as a potential architect of tomorrow’s financial infrastructure. The Inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable hosted by the Qatar Financial Centre in partnership with Global Stratalogues and Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), alongside the Qatar Economic Forum, industry experts gathered to discuss how to navigate the maze of…
Read More »The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) has emerged as one of the most promising applications of blockchain technology. As institutional interest grows, regulators around the world are moving quickly to provide legal clarity. In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has taken a significant step forward with the launch of its Asset-Referenced Virtual Asset (ARVA) Issuance Rulebook – Category 1, offering a defined path for compliant asset-backed token issuance.…
Read More »XBTO, a global institutional digital asset management leader with a decade-long track record, has received full approval for its Financial Services Permission (FSP) under the 3A licence category from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This approval authorizes XBTO to deliver a broad suite of regulated financial services in and from ADGM, including custody, dealing in investments as matched principal, investment advisory, and arranging…
Read More »The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has officially launched the region’s first “Finfluencer” license — an innovative regulatory milestone aimed at formalizing and supervising digital financial content. This ground-breaking initiative seeks to establish a clear governance framework for individuals offering investment analysis, recommendations, and financial promotions across digital platforms. The initiative is designed to enhance investor protection in the UAE. Strategic Vision Behind the Finfluencer License Commenting on the initiative,…
Read More »As Dubai sharpens its position as a globally compliant hub for virtual assets, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has introduced Version 2.0 of its Compliance and Risk Management Rulebook. This updated framework ushers in a new era of proactive, risk-based Anti-Money Laundering (AML) obligations for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). Following a request from Unlock Blockchain to clarify the latest updates to VARA’s Rulebook, this article was authored by…
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