In a landmark transaction that reshapes the regional cryptocurrency landscape, Turkish exchange Paribu has acquired a majority stake in Sharia-compliant platform CoinMENA, valuing the Dubai- and Bahrain-licensed exchange at up to $240 million. This deal represents not only Türkiye’s largest fintech transaction to date but also its first cross-border acquisition of a digital asset platform, signaling a strategic pivot toward international expansion in the competitive crypto markets of the Middle East.
about Paribu Acquires CoinMENA in $240M Deal, Türkiye's Largest Fintech DealVARA
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekTokinvest & Singularry Partner on Regulated RWA Investing
In a landmark partnership that bridges traditional finance with Web3 innovation, Tokinvest, a VARA-licensed platform for tokenised real-world assets (RWAs), has joined forces with Singularry SuperApp to integrate regulated investment infrastructure directly into the AI-powered DeFi interface. This collaboration aims to democratize access to tokenised assets like real estate and commodities, eliminating the technical barriers of blockchain technology and marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of digital asset investing.
about Tokinvest & Singularry Partner on Regulated RWA InvestingAI Compliance in Web3: Medici Expert at Blockchain Life 2025
As global regulators intensify oversight of the crypto sector, Medici Expert, a UAE-based legal and compliance consultancy, is poised to showcase AI-driven compliance solutions at Blockchain Life 2025 in Dubai. The firm’s presentation on October 28-29 will demonstrate how artificial intelligence is transforming regulatory compliance in digital finance, offering Web3 businesses automated tools to navigate complex global regulations efficiently and cost-effectively.
about AI Compliance in Web3: Medici Expert at Blockchain Life 2025Medici Expert to Showcase AI Compliance Tools at Blockchain Life 2025
As regulatory pressures mount across the Web3 landscape, Medici Expert, a UAE-based legal and compliance consultancy specializing in fintech and digital assets, is positioning artificial intelligence as the key to navigating complex global frameworks. The firm will showcase its AI-driven compliance tools at Blockchain Life 2025 in Dubai on October 28-29, demonstrating how automated systems can transform regulatory adherence for crypto companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. This presentation comes at a critical juncture as the industry seeks scalable solutions to balance innovation with compliance requirements.
about Medici Expert to Showcase AI Compliance Tools at Blockchain Life 2025Dubai Regulates Onchain Robotics with peaq Partnership
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has forged a strategic partnership with decentralized physical infrastructure protocol peaq to develop comprehensive regulations for onchain robotics and tokenized machines. This collaboration represents Dubai’s latest initiative to position itself as a global hub for the emerging machine economy, focusing on peaq’s Machine Economy Free Zone as a controlled testing environment where robotics and artificial intelligence can function within decentralized networks.
about Dubai Regulates Onchain Robotics with peaq PartnershipNYC Launches First Municipal Crypto Office to Boost Blockchain
New York City has established the nation’s first municipal Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology, creating a centralized hub for blockchain innovation within City Hall. Mayor Eric Adams’ Executive Order 57 positions the city to streamline crypto adoption while navigating the complex regulatory landscape of America’s financial capital, offering companies a single point of contact for blockchain projects across multiple agencies.
about NYC Launches First Municipal Crypto Office to Boost BlockchainDubai Fines 19 Crypto Firms, Approves BitGo MENA License
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has taken significant enforcement action against 19 digital asset companies while simultaneously granting BitGo’s MENA entity a broker-dealer license. The dual announcement highlights the regulator’s balanced approach of cracking down on non-compliance while welcoming regulated operators. This development comes weeks after BitGo secured regulatory approval in Germany, expanding its global regulated footprint.
about Dubai Fines 19 Crypto Firms, Approves BitGo MENA LicenseDubai Fines 19 Crypto Firms for Unlicensed Operations
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has imposed significant fines on 19 cryptocurrency companies for operating without proper licenses, with penalties reaching up to $163,000 per violation. This regulatory crackdown, which includes both financial penalties and cease-and-desist orders, signals Dubai’s determination to establish a secure digital asset environment and protect investors in its rapidly growing virtual assets market.
about Dubai Fines 19 Crypto Firms for Unlicensed OperationsUAE Airlines Now Accept Crypto for Flight Bookings
UAE-based airlines and travel agencies, including Emirates, Air Arabia, Travala, and Alternative Airlines, have begun accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins for flight bookings. This initiative targets tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads, offering multiple payment options such as direct checkout or gift cards. The UAE’s forward-thinking regulatory approach, exemplified by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), is fostering the expansion of crypto-powered services in the travel industry, including loyalty programs and flight tickets. This positions the UAE as a global leader in crypto adoption for aviation and tourism.
about UAE Airlines Now Accept Crypto for Flight BookingsDubai Leads Global Crypto Regulation with First Options License
Dubai has solidified its role as a global crypto hub with the approval of the first-ever cryptocurrency options license by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The license, granted to Laser Digital, a Nomura-backed firm, allows institutional investors to trade crypto options under a regulated framework, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to innovation and compliance. Simultaneously, the US CFTC has launched a listed spot crypto trading initiative, aiming to bring spot and futures trading under unified federal oversight. These developments mark significant progress in institutionalizing crypto markets, offering investors greater clarity and security in both Dubai and the US.
about Dubai Leads Global Crypto Regulation with First Options LicenseRakbank First UAE Bank to Offer Crypto Trading
Rakbank, the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah, has become the UAE’s first conventional bank to provide retail crypto trading services via its mobile banking app. Partnering with Bitpanda, a VARA-regulated platform, the bank enables customers to buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies directly from their AED accounts, eliminating forex fees and complex transfers. The service, currently invitation-only, streamlines crypto access by integrating it into existing banking infrastructure. Group CEO Raheel Ahmed emphasized the offering’s regulatory compliance and customer-centric design, while Bitpanda’s Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad highlighted its role in advancing regulated digital asset adoption in UAE banking. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in bridging traditional finance with crypto services.
about Rakbank First UAE Bank to Offer Crypto TradingRipple & Ctrl Alt Partner for Dubai Real Estate Tokenization
Ripple and Ctrl Alt have joined forces to back the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) Real Estate Tokenization Project, enabling secure and compliant asset infrastructure in the UAE. Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has secured Ctrl Alt as its first major custody partner in the region, expanding its global reach. The collaboration highlights Dubai’s leadership in digital asset innovation, with the DLD becoming the first Middle Eastern government authority to tokenize property deeds on a public blockchain (XRPL). Ctrl Alt’s recent VASP license from Dubai’s VARA ensures regulatory compliance for tokenized real-world assets. The initiative aims to boost fractional ownership, investor participation, and operational efficiency in real estate. Ripple’s growing footprint in the UAE includes a DFSA license for crypto payments and the acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road.
about Ripple & Ctrl Alt Partner for Dubai Real Estate Tokenization