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
In the wake of the sudden $5 billion collapse of Mantra’s OM token, Unlock Blockchain sat down with Jean-Patrick (JP) Mullin, Co-Founder and CEO of Mantra, in Dubai to discuss what happened, what they’ve learned five days later, and how they plan to move forward. This is his first full-length, in-person on-record interview since the event. While he spoke calmly and carefully, the toll of the past few days was…
Read More »As Dubai cements its role as a global hub for blockchain innovation, Binance is doubling down on presence and participation—not just with more tools and trading features, but with something much more community-driven. At TOKEN2049 this year, Binance is bringing back its immersive Clubhouse experience to Madinat Jumeirah. More than a branded space, the Clubhouse is evolving into a strategic platform designed to amplify engagement, foster grassroots momentum, and activate…
Read More »Binance, the global blockchain powerhouse and operator of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has entered into two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Pakistan, marking a significant step in its engagement with the country’s emerging digital asset sector. These MoUs, signed during a high-level visit that included meetings with Pakistan’s newly established National Crypto Council, reflect a joint effort to foster blockchain education, research, and community building. From left to…
Read More »Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users, has announced the integration of Apple Pay and Google Pay to streamline fiat-to-crypto transactions for its users. This move is made possible through a new collaboration with Worldpay®, a leading global payments technology provider. With this integration, Binance users who already have a debit or credit card linked to Apple Pay or Google Pay can now seamlessly buy…
Read More »Gate.io, one of the world’s top cryptocurrency exchanges, has officially expanded its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), launching a fully localized Arabic experience to better serve Arabic-speaking users. This initiative is part of Gate.io’s broader global vision to strengthen its engagement with emerging markets through a culturally attuned and accessible user experience. The company has rolled out a complete Arabic-language platform—including both its website and mobile…
Read More »In a landmark development for the digital asset and Web3 industries, the UAE Central Bank has granted approval to Relm Insurance—the only insurer globally dedicated to emerging sectors—and Liva Insurance, a leading provider across the GCC, for their joint multi-line insurance products: SIGMAWEB3 and SIGMAWEB3 VARA. The approval marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership formed between Relm and Liva in February 2025. The two firms joined forces to…
Read More »In a significant joint enforcement action, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the Registration Authority (RA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) concluded parallel investigations into AC Holding Limited (HAYVN) and its former CEO Christopher Flinos, imposing cumulative financial penalties totaling $12.46 million and issuing permanent regulatory sanctions. According to the FSRA, Flinos engaged in fraudulent trading, falsified company documents to maintain banking relationships, and exceeded the scope of…
Read More »Standard Chartered and OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and global on-chain technology company, have jointly launched a cutting-edge collateral mirroring programme. The initiative allows institutional clients to use cryptocurrencies and tokenised money market funds as off-exchange collateral for trading, significantly improving both security and capital efficiency. The programme leverages Standard Chartered’s role as a Globally Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB), serving as the regulated custodian for client collateral, while OKX facilitates…
Read More »In a major move that bridges the physical and digital worlds, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) have signed an agreement to integrate property tokenization with the emirate’s official real estate registry—a global first. This innovative collaboration comes on the heels of the pilot phase of DLD’s Real Estate Tokenisation Project, an initiative under the REES Real Estate Innovation framework. It reinforces Dubai’s…
Read More »M2 Exchange, a regulated digital asset platform licensed by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), has announced key leadership changes as part of a strategic pivot toward high-net-worth and institutional clients. The company is repositioning itself as a one-stop digital asset finance platform for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and enterprises—signaling its ambition to become the Julius Baer of crypto. The newly announced leadership lineup includes James Greenwood as Chief Executive…
Read More »
