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Dubai does for crypto what Silicon Valley did for tech — Gov’t affairs firm CEO

NH Management’s Tao Xiao explained that VARA’s objective is not to hinder progress but to secure the market’s integrity.

Although Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has deployed comprehensive requirements for the crypto space, professionals working in licensing believe that the lengthy process is worth it. 

Cointelegraph contacted crypto licensing executives working in Dubai to get their thoughts on the local licensing process and laws.

Tao Xiao, managing partner of business consulting firm NH Management, told Cointelegraph that VARA’s crypto licensing process can take up to a year. Xiao, who previously worked at Dubai’s Chamber of Commerce, said the process demands meticulous attention to detail and strong compliance measures. Xiao said:

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Montenegro Court Revokes Earlier Decision To Extradite Do Kwon to US, Citing Procedural Violations

Montenegro Court Revokes Earlier Decision To Extradite Do Kwon to US, Citing Procedural Violations

An appellate court in Montenegro overturns an earlier ruling that approved the extradition of disgraced Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon to the United States. Kwon is facing criminal charges arising from the collapse of the stablecoin TerraUSD and cryptocurrency Luna that wiped out $40 billion worth of investor funds in 2022. In March last year, […]

The post Montenegro Court Revokes Earlier Decision To Extradite Do Kwon to US, Citing Procedural Violations appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Nexo Secures Preliminary VARA Approval to Launch Crypto Lending and Brokerage Services in Dubai

Nexo Secures Preliminary VARA Approval to Launch Crypto Lending and Brokerage Services in DubaiOn Tuesday, Nexo announced its Dubai entity, Nexo DWTC, had secured preliminary approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to engage in virtual asset lending, borrowing, and broker-dealer activities within the UAE’s most populous city. Nexo Gains Initial VARA Approval for Dubai Crypto Operations The crypto lender Nexo received a provisional “Initial Approval [IA]” […]

Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Binance, crypto firms optimistic about UAE amid potential US regulatory shift

Ghaf Capital managing partner Feras Al Sadek argued that the UAE’s “regulation by education” sets it apart from other jurisdictions.

Binance and other cryptocurrency firms based in the United Arab Emirates are optimistic that the country will remain a hotspot for virtual assets despite a potential shift to the United States should the Western superpower become a more crypto-friendly jurisdiction.

The “regulation by enforcement” regime in the U.S. has pushed global crypto firms to move to locations such as the UAE, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Singapore. However, the idea that companies could potentially return to the U.S. should there be a change in direction was floated during a panel discussion on Dec. 11 at the Global Blockchain Congress event in Dubai .

Highlighting the UAE’s approach toward technology and innovation, Alex Chehade, Binance’s general manager for the Middle East and North Africa, said the local government has built infrastructures around numerous initiatives that encompass not just AI but also Web3, sustainability and other verticals:

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Dubai regulator grants crypto license to Bahrain’s CoinMENA

The permit allows CoinMENA to provide retail and institutional customers in the United Arab Emirates with the ability to deposit and withdraw in UAE dirhams.

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has awarded a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license to Bahrain-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange CoinMENA to operate and offer services in and from the Emirates.

The license acquired by CoinMENA FZE, the Dubai subsidiary of CoinMENA B.S.C., permits the platform to offer virtual asset broker-dealer services, the Dec. 12 announcement shared with Cointelegraph said. It comes a year after the platform obtained a provisional license from the Dubai regulator.

The exchange said it is already in partnership with digital banking platform Zand.

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Dubai awards conditional crypto license to climate-friendly Web3 firm

AYA is a climate-focused launchpad that supports innovations around sustainability, such as reforestation, nature credits, mangrove conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) granted a conditional license to Enjinstarter’s AYA platform for offering crypto asset and investment services. 

On Dec. 11, the Dubai arm of Web3 launchpad and advisory firm Enjinstarter received a crypto license subject to fulfilling certain conditions before the commencement of services. After meeting all the requirements of VARA, the platform will be subject to regulatory verification and approval. The announcement read:

Enjinstarter has not yet responded to Cointelegraph’s request for comments about the outstanding regulatory prerequisites. However, in the official announcement, Prakash Somosundram, the co-founder and CEO of Enjinstarter and the AYA foundation, shared the company’s willingness to comply with the process laid out by VARA.

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Judge Bars Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao From Leaving the US Until His Sentencing Slated for February

Judge Bars Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao From Leaving the US Until His Sentencing Slated for February

A judge has ruled that former Binance chief executive Changpeng Zhao is a flight risk and has banned him from leaving the US until he’s sentenced in February. In a new court filing, Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida made a ruling in favor of the prosecution, who claimed Zhao’s wealth and citizenship with other nations that […]

The post Judge Bars Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao From Leaving the US Until His Sentencing Slated for February appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Binance says decision to pull Abu Dhabi licensing bid unrelated to US settlement

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to one felony count in the United States in November, may not be able to return to the UAE before being sentenced.

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance’s unit in Abu Dhabi has pulled an application with the Emirate’s financial regulator, a move it claims was unrelated to the firm’s November settlement with authorities in the United States.

In a statement to Cointelegraph on Dec. 7, a Binance spokesperson said the exchange had chosen not to move forward with an application with Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority following an assessment of its “global licensing needs.” The agreement, withdrawn by BV Investment Management in November, would have allowed Binance to manage a collective investment fund.

The spokesperson said Binance’s decision was “unrelated” to a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities, in which Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pleaded guilty to one felony charge and stepped down as CEO. Binance’s former head of regional markets, Richard Teng, succeeded CZ and told Cointelegraph the exchange was “totally different” following the deal.

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Phoenix seals $380M deal with WhatsMiner for green Bitcoin mining

Phoenix Group is acquiring hydro cooling mining equipment from WhatsMiner worth over $136 million, with the option of an additional $246 million purchase.

United Arab Emirates firm Phoenix Group has disclosed a new purchase of hardware equipment from WhatsMiner, aimed at expanding its portfolio of hydro cooling rigs. According to an announcement on Dec. 7, the $380 million deal represents WhatsMiner’s largest order in two years.

Under the agreement, Phoenix received mining equipment valued at $136 million, with an additional option worth $246 million available. WhatsMiner's line of hydro cooling equipment was released in 2022, with current prices ranging from $1,008 to $2,484, according to the company's website.

WhatsMiner's hydro cooling hardware uses a closed-loop water system, preserving the volume and quality of water inside pipes. According to the company, the system offers more efficient heat transfer since water is a more effective heat conductor than air or oil. The benefits of this system include a reduction in operational costs and a minimized environmental impact, the company claims.

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency

Bitcoin miner Phoenix surges 50% after $371M Abu Dhabi IPO

Crypto mining firm Phoenix Group has debuted trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, with the stock opening at $0.6.

Cryptocurrency mining firm Phoenix Group has debuted trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), becoming one of the Middle East’s first publicly listed industry firms.

The Phoenix Group stock (PHX) opened at 2.25 dirhams (AED) — or $0.6 — on Dec. The PHX stock has soared as much as 50% from the initial public offering (IPO) price of 1.50 AED, or $0.41, as per the Phoenix IPO prospectus.

The public listing comes a few weeks after Phoenix Group successfully closed its IPO with an oversubscription of 33 times on Nov.

The Phoenix cryptocurrency miner aims to use the IPO proceeds to fund its future growth and deliver positive returns for investors. According to Phoenix Group co-founder and CEO Bijan Alizadeh, the company’s ambitions are anchored by four pillars, including “innovation in Bitcoin mining, renewable energy ventures, advanced manufacturing capabilities and strategic acquisitions.”

Founded in 2015 by Alizadeh and Munaf Ali, Phoenix is a major company in the Middle East blockchain industry, collaborating with major authorities in the region. In August 2023, Phoenix signed an agreement to build a $300 million crypto-mining farm in Oman, in the presence of Omani Minister of Transport Saeed Al Maawali and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange, Hisham Malak.

Related: CZ challenges US gov’t attempt to restrict travel before sentencing date

One of the main aspects of Phoenix’s vision is its commitment to sustainability in cryptocurrency mining, or using renewable sources for cryptocurrency mining. 95% of Phoenix’s power comes from renewables, primarily hydropower, Alizadeh said in September 2023.

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Analyst Forecasts BTC to Reach $1 Million in 10 Years, Envisions It as Future Reserve Currency