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
Tether recently announced that its USDT stablecoin has been recognized as an accepted virtual asset within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) jurisdiction. At first glance, this might appear to be a straightforward victory for Tether, solidifying its status as the world’s leading stablecoin. However, a closer look reveals a more nuanced story—one that Tether’s press release doesn’t fully explain. This announcement follows Tether’s previous launch of a UAE Dirham…
Read More »First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the largest financial institution in the UAE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Libre Capital, a blockchain-based investment infrastructure firm backed by Further Ventures, to explore collateralized lending using tokenized Real World Assets (RWAs). This partnership aims to revolutionize Net Asset Value (NAV) financing by leveraging tokenized assets and blockchain technology to deliver transparent, efficient, and automated financial solutions. Integrating RWAs into Lending…
Read More »Aethir, a leading GPU-as-a-service platform, has partnered with The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi (ADBC) to foster Web3 innovation in the MENA region. This collaboration will focus on advancing AI and gaming projects through Aethir’s $100 million Ecosystem Fund, which includes GPU subsidies and token grants for eligible ventures in Abu Dhabi and the broader region. Aethir, with its extensive decentralized GPU cloud infrastructure, offers high-performance computing solutions that cater to…
Read More »Emirates NBD, one of the leading banking groups in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, has made a strategic equity investment in Zodia Custody, a prominent digital asset custodian catering to institutional clients. The investment was made through the bank’s Innovation Fund, a corporate venture fund created in 2023 to strengthen Emirates NBD’s digital initiatives and align with the technological advancements of FinTech companies. This move comes…
Read More »Crypto.com, a leading digital asset platform, has acquired UAE-based Orion Principals Limited as part of its ambitious plan to expand its traditional financial services offerings. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. Orion, a licensed financial intermediary regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), is based in Abu Dhabi and connects institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals to global financial markets. The company provides a wide range…
Read More »The TON Foundation, the non-profit organization behind The Open Network (TON) blockchain, has officially registered with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) under its Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations Regime. This significant development reinforces ADGM’s status as a global blockchain hub, as the TON Foundation becomes the second major blockchain project to join, following the IOTA Foundation. ADGM’s Groundbreaking DLT Foundations Regime In November 2023, ADGM introduced the world’s first…
Read More »Mbank has announced a strategic partnership with AE Coin, introducing the first-ever regulated stablecoin in the United Arab Emirates, now available for customers via the AEC Wallet. The launch of AE Coin aligns with the Central Bank of the UAE’s framework for digital payment token services, reflecting the government’s forward-thinking approach to the future of digital finance. This partnership aims to revolutionize Mbank’s financial services, offering a secure, stable, and…
Read More »Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT), has announced the addition of Chainlink to its Digital Asset Lab as a fifth council member. The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, brings Chainlink, a global leader in on-chain finance, verifiable data, and cross-chain interoperability, into collaboration with other founding members, including PwC, Fireblocks, R3, and Chainalysis. This…
Read More »Crypto industry leaders Circle Internet Group Inc. and Binance have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the global adoption of USDC and advancing the development of the digital asset and financial services ecosystems. The collaboration, revealed at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, combines Circle’s trusted, compliant digital dollar with Binance’s massive platform, reaching over 240 million users worldwide. Through this partnership, Binance will integrate USDC across its full suite of…
Read More »The inaugural Bitcoin MENA 2024 wrapped up today after a dynamic second day of thought-provoking sessions and innovative highlights. Recognized as one of the most prominent and globally influential conference brands for advancing Bitcoin and blockchain adoption, the event brought together leaders from across the Bitcoin ecosystem. The conference offered a variety of activations and thought leadership discussions designed for institutional and retail audiences, as well as investors. Before a…
Read More »
