Dubai

Tether has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, opening a new route for blockchain education, tokenization and digital payment initiatives across one of Dubai’s largest business districts. The agreement connects Tether with a network of more than 26,000 companies spanning commodities, financial services, technology and international trade. DMCC generates approximately 15% of Dubai’s foreign direct investment, giving the partnership reach beyond the city’s crypto-native sector. Tether and DMCC will explore specialized workshops, blockchain advisory sessions, digital…

Crypto.com Secures UAE Payment Milestone Crypto.com has become the first virtual asset service provider to receive a Stored Value Facilities license from the Central Bank of the UAE, giving the exchange a regulated route to support digital-asset payments for government services. The license was granted to Foris DAX Middle East FZE, Crypto.com’s UAE entity. It allows the company to activate its partnership with the Dubai Department of Finance, giving UAE residents the ability to pay government fees using virtual assets…

Ripple has opened a new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre, strengthening its presence in a region that has become an important part of its global business. The move comes six years after Ripple first established its Dubai office. The company is expanding its local capacity as banks, fintechs, crypto firms, and payment companies in the region look for regulated blockchain payment and custody infrastructure. The new hub gives Ripple more room to grow…

Capital Gathering, the private community connecting the region’s active founders, investors, and C-level executives across Web3, AI, and emerging tech, is hosting its third edition in Dubai. The theme: Prediction Markets, one of the fastest-growing verticals in finance right now. With Token2049 Dubai postponed, the community didn’t disperse. Capital Gathering continues the momentum. The evening takes place at Birds, a fine dining venue 63 floors above the city with Burj Khalifa views with no panels and no pitch decks. The…

A viral wave of UAE commentary spread on X (Twitter) this week as the Iran strike aftermath continues to shape Gulf information flows since early April. Posts ranged from a supposed Sharjah secession claim to opinion-driven warnings about Dubai facing permanent geopolitical risk. UAE Constitution Bars Emirate Secession The UAE Constitution, ratified in 1971, prevents any of the seven emirates from withdrawing from the federation. Article 4 explicitly forbids secession or territorial transfer. Sharjah’s ruler, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad…

The landscape of the Middle East and North Africa changed dramatically when the United States and Israel joined forces and attacked Iran. The whole world then became involved in the conflict. Some tried to be a mediator and tell both sides to calm down. Others chose sides and expressed their support or disapproval. While countries try to figure out issues associated with oil prices, sanctions, migration, and the threat of nuclear war, ordinary people (the most vulnerable members of any…

One of the largest annual crypto-oriented events, Token2049 in Dubai, has reportedly been rescheduled for next year. According to Wu Blockchain, the Dubai TOKEN2049 conference will be hled on the 21st and 22nd of April in 2027. It was originally supposed to take place in April this year. Per the official statement: This decision was not taken lightly. Preparations for the event were progressing strongly. However, ensuring the global crypto industry can gther safely, and at the scale and quality…

The Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), which is the main watchdog for cryptocurrency-related businesses in Dubai, has issued a formal cease and desist order to KuCoin and MEXC. The regulator argued that it had come to its attention that the popular trading platforms “may be providing Virtual Asset activities to Dubai residents without the necessary regulatory approvals and misrepresenting” their legal statuses. Aside from the cease and desist issued to all unlicensed VA activities, the official statement on KuCoin reads…

Animoca Brands announced on 16 February 2026 that it has received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), positioning the firm to run regulated virtual-asset services from the Emirate. The announcement frames the approval as a milestone for expanding operations in Dubai and the broader Middle East. The scope matters because the licence is not described as a generic market entry. It is presented as authorization to commence operations and to provide two…