Since the days of the British Empire, the United Kingdom has been one of the world’s largest and most influential economic powerhouses. Even though its financial control over the world has substantially decreased, the country is still one of the most culturally relevant regions in the world, especially when it comes to the adoption of a trend. A survey by London-based law firm Michelmores LLP revealed that 20% of affluent millennials in the United Kingdom have invested in Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies. Keeping this in mind, when the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) proposed a crypto ban, it caught …

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in the United Arab Emirates has drafted a resolution on regulating crypto assets, providing greater clarity for crypto-related projects in the Middle East nation. With the focus usually on China, Japan or the United States, the Middle East is an area that doesn't often get the attention it deserves when it comes to blockchain and cryptocurrencies. However, barring a few highly restrictive countries, such as Iraq and Kuwait, the region generally exhibits a very progressive and supportive stance when it comes to the blockchain industry. Speaking to Cointelegraph, Sukhi Jutla, a blockchain author as …

The use of blockchain to cement ownership rights for real estate and business has been ongoing since 2016, when the technology was first used to organize new forms of registries and registration of transactions. The blocks are used to record information onto the blockchain system, which can then certify the process of transfer of ownership of the property or entity. This process excludes intermediaries that collect commissions in the process of, for example, conducting real estate transactions while also lowering the risk of fraud. Specialized blockchain platforms can prevent data forgery and simplify the process of checking real estate objects …

Dubai-based real estate giant Emaar Properties has released its new blockchain token-based referral and loyalty platform. Real monetary value Emaar, which developed the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, as well as the Dubai Mall, is planning to launch the EMR token for rewarding its customers, local publication Arabian Business reports Oct. 17. Based on JPMorgan’s blockchain platform Quorum, EMR tokens will be redeemable not only within Emaar’s real estate network, including hotels, ecommerce operations and malls, but also can be traded with other users, the report says. According to Arabian Business, both the blockchain platform and EMR token are …

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has published draft regulations for crypto assets. Seeking feedback from the industry –According to an official statement from Oct. 15, the SCA will be collecting public feedback on the draft regulations until Oct. 29 before providing the final drafted legislation regarding the industry. All parties involved in the crypto industry — including investors, brokers, financial analysts, researchers and the media — are invited to provide their feedback on the document, with the SCA adding that the proposals will be taken into consideration for the final regulation. Providing guidance after enforcing …

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Emirates NBD. Middle Eastern news daily Saudi Gazette reported on Oct. 14 that the DCCI, which acts as an international business hub in Dubai, has signed an MoU with Dubai government-owned bank, Emirates NBD. The bank, which is one of the largest banking groups in the Middle East in terms of assets, will provide trade finance solutions for the Digital Silk Road, a Dubai 10X initiative, which uses blockchain technology to digitize trade processes in Dubai. Dubai 10X is a program wherein various departments …

The Department of Economic Development in Dubai has announced its move to a blockchain-based unified business registry platform (UBRP). According to a Saudi Gazette report on Oct. 7, the platform aims to improve the ease of doing business in Dubai and enable license issuers to manage trade licenses and corporate registries. The Silicon Oasis Authority, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre have already joined the platform. The UBRP eventually aims to host a total of 40 government entities. The solution is hosted on the blockchain-as-a-service platform called Dubai Pulse, which is a joint initiative of …

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) will host a competition for developing blockchain software in the social sector. Driving blockchain for awareness and social care The MOCD announced its “Social Blockathon” competition with a total prize fund of $16,300 to encourage the development of blockchain-based applications for educational, social and recreational purposes, the country’s official news agency, Emirates News Agency, reported on Oct. 6. According to the report, the contest submissions are open till Feb. 20, 2020, with the Blockathon inviting programmers, graphic and interface designers to compete in building blockchain software in the areas of awareness …

Blocko, a South Korean blockchain provider, launched in the United Arab Emirates after securing $16 million in funding. Building full-scale enterprise blockchain solutions On Oct. 2, Middle Eastern business publication Arabian Business reported that Blocko has partnered with SEED Group, a member of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum in the UAE. Before launching in the UAE, Blocko raised a total of $16 million through two separate funding rounds. South Korea’s oldest bank, Shinhan Bank, as well as KEB Hana Bank, LB Investment and Dadam Investment are among those who participated in the funding round. The …

United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a blockchain system for recording and sharing healthcare data. The official news agency of the UAE reported the development on Sept. 18, noting that the system aims to improve data integrity. A healthcare data sharing solution Per the report, the platform will “save and share the assessment information of health professionals, including doctors, pharmacists and technicians with local licensing health authorities.” Assistant under-secretary of the Support Services Sector, Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, said: “The Ministry has successfully developed the necessary infrastructure for a blockchain-based decentralized database. In the …

The world’s thirteenth largest sovereign wealth fund, Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Capital, has made an investment in cryptocurrency exchange MidChains. As UAE English language newspaper Gulf News reported on Aug. 11, Mubadala Investment Capital has invested in MidChains, a digital currency trading platform set to launch in late 2019 in Abu Dhabi. The exchange will be located in the international financial center and free zone Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Commenting on the investment, Basil Al Askari, co-founder of MidChains, told the Gulf News: “We’re an exchange. You can think of it similar to a stock exchange, but where you’re …

The national carrier of the United Arab Emirates Etihad Airways has partnered with blockchain-based platform for the travel industry Winding Tree to explore how blockchain can aid in distribution. Logistics see greater adoption of blockchain As Reuters reported on Aug. 8, Etihad joined a range of other leading international airlines that already deploy the Winding Tree platform, including Air Canada, Air France-KLM, and Lufthansa. The product is set to reduce transaction costs for customers, as well as enable companies to publish inventory directly to their customers, among other services. Tristan Thomas, director of digital and innovation at Etihad, told Reuters …