Middle East

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/giza-pyramids-cairo-egypt-general-view-725234323?src=ADrjKYhuSqlicqSg-1BKjw-1-17Middle East

Egypt Lifts Ban, Will Allow Licensed Cryptocurrency Companies

John BiggsMay 29, 2019

Egypt is considering legislation that would let the central bank issue licenses for cryptocurrency-related activities.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/kuwait-city-02252018-watching-over-beautiful-1033351084?src=5hkzjyC3uVQ4lY7HDAdnRg-1-0Ripple

National Bank of Kuwait Taps Ripple for New Remittance Service

Yogita KhatriDec 28, 2018

National Bank of Kuwait has joined Ripple’s blockchain-based payments network seeking faster cross-border money transfers.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/modern-bahrain-dinars-banknotes-close-background-233118265?src=9InUt7LCnIaLGftcdTyBoQ-1-12&studio=1Exchanges

Crypto Exchange Rain Raises from BitMEX, Opens Trading In Middle East

William FoxleyJul 31, 2019

BitMEX Ventures-backed crypto exchange Rain opens for business following a two-year sandbox program under Bahraini central bank

Ripple

UAE Remittance Firm Launching Ripple-Based Payments in Q1 2019

Yogita KhatriDec 13, 2018

Abu Dhabi-based money transmitter UAE Exchange is working with Ripple to launch blockchain remittances to Asia early next year.

Exchanges

Middle East’s First Central Bank-Backed Crypto Exchange to Launch in 2019

Leigh CuenOct 9, 2018

After a year in the Central Bank of Bahrain's regulatory sandbox, Rain Financial is gearing up to offer crypto on-ramps from all regional currencies.

Exchanges

Abu Dhabi Markets Watchdog Mulls Crypto Exchange Regulations

Wolfie Zhao

Abu Dhabi's markets regulator is considering drawing up a supervisory framework for cryptocurrency exchange operations.

Middle East

Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance Says It Does Not Recognize Bitcoin

Sujha Sundararajan

Kuwait's Ministry of Finance has reportedly said it does not recognize bitcoin, and that financial institutions may not trade the cryptocurrency.

Real Estate

Dubai Land Department Launches Blockchain Real Estate Initiative

Marc Hochstein

The Dubai Land Department is framing a new real estate blockchain as a way to build investor confidence and add conveniences for tenants.

Middle East

Bahrain’s Bank ABC Joins R3 Distributed Ledger Consortium

Wolfie Zhao

Bahrain-based Arab Banking Corporation, also known as Bank ABC, has revealed it is joining the R3 distributed ledger consortium.

Startups

Blockchain Startup ArabianChain Nets $817k from New Investor

Wolfie Zhao

A UAE-based public blockchain startup has received $817,000 in funding from a private investor.

Payments

Blockchain and the Birth of a New Financial Instrument

Noelle Acheson

A less-hyped blockchain trial in the Middle East could come to have a big impact on banking.

Payments

UAE’s Emirates Islamic Bank Launches Blockchain Check Service

Stan Higgins

A trial that examines how blockchain could play a role in paper check management is moving forward at Emirates NBD.

Startups

BitOasis Expands Credit Card Bitcoin Buying to 5 New Countries

Pete Rizzo

Dubai-based bitcoin startup BitOasis is expanding its presence outside the UAE with a new announcement.

IBM

Dubai Government Taps IBM For City-Wide Blockchain Pilot Push

Pete Rizzo

Dubai has announced new strategic partnerships as part of its quest to put all government documents on blockchains by 2020.

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