Financial
BREAKING BORDERS WITHDIGITAL ASSETS
By Michael Carbonara, Founder and CEO, Ibanera
DIGITAL ASSETS – A RECIPE FOR SPEED AND SECURITY
With a market cap of US$2.68 trillion, cryptocurrency brings a key resource to financial services that can’t be ignored. Beyond the applications that come with decentralized technologies like security and pseudonymity, people around the world find it easier to make payments in digital assets like Tether or Bitcoin across borders because it is secure, instant, and cheaper.
The propelling force of digital assets can be clearly noticed in the UAE, with investors having accumulated US$204 million in capital gains from crypto investments in 2023. This is further witnessed from a business and regulatory point of view. UAE’s leadership in fintech to drive innovation is further seen in fintech investments, having surged by 92% in 2023, while global fintech investments dipped by 48% during the same period. Gone are the days of yesteryear when businesses were forced to wait up to 14 days for intermediaries to complete a simple financial transaction. Digital assets have set a precedent of efficiency that the world must now align with.
THE NEW INDUSTRY BASELINE
Fintech leaders must now ensure that they are regulated, compliant, and fully secure to allow for payments from anywhere in the world, instantaneously 24/7, for any currency, including digital assets. This goal is no longer an ideal of excellence so much as it is an industry standard to keep up with today’s developments. Companies have already begun addressing this, like Paypal, Binance Pay, and others, but with limited functionality. However, this gap will continue to close over time, especially in the next 24 months, with less regulatory uncertainty around digital assets.
CUTTING THE RED TAPE WITH A DIGITAL EDGE
As cross-border payments outpaced regulatory frameworks, businesses are faced with the overinflated governance of regulatory friction. For instance, the World Economic Forum revealed that 75% of institutions surveyed struggled with their financial performance due to different regulatory frameworks in different regions. Finance and money are the keys to economic growth through globalization. Imagine if it took 14 business days to send an email or a message to someone in a different country. That delay would send us back to the pre-internet era, when fax was the new technology. Now, banks are forced to raise their standards to match the functionality of digital assets, bringing us to a more innovative era from a financial perspective.
OPTIMAL TECHNOLOGY SECURED BY REGULATION
The growth of investments in fintech is propelled by encouraging regulations, such as Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) digital asset law and new security law. Such legislative developments were developed not only to keep pace with the rapid developments in international trade and financial markets but to provide security for users of digital assets. Beyond incentives for the use of digital assets in Dubai, such as tax exemptions, the establishment of regulatory bodies such as the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) serves to ensure the innovative efficiency of digital assets in breaking borders without compromising the safety of users from illicit activities such as money laundering.
PROGRESSIVE REGULATION CREATE DIGITAL HUBS
Regulation that encourages innovation and ensures security often breeds hubs through which emerging technologies skyrocket. Such was the case in the UAE with the development of the RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO), the world’s first free zone dedicated to digital and virtual asset companies. As the world’s first and only common law free zone created for digital and virtual asset companies, RAK DAO has facilitated over 170 business activities, enabled B2B crypto payments, and facilitated funding by access to growth, networking, and incubation opportunities. This tailored ecosystem provides a fertile ground for the imagination, creativity, and innovation through which digital asset businesses can thrive.
IT TAKES TIME TO ADAPT
The simple rule with any new technology or innovation is that as time goes on, more people will learn its application. As people become acclimated to technology, the adoption rate increases. In 2007, not having WiFi or smartphones at home was the norm. Fast-forward to today, the norm has shifted to WiFi and smartphone access to a globally connected world.
A NEW PRECEDENT FOR THE FUTURE
Financial institutions must sail on the rising tide of digital assets to keep up with the new precedent for financial innovation. The MENA has been a key driver of this trend, with an estimated US$389.8 billion in cryptocurrency transactions, which stands at 7.2% of global transaction volumes between 2022 and 2023. With a transaction volume of US$36.6 trillion in 2023, digital assets have become a permanent force on the global financial markets that will have to be addressed—just like payments with cards or even tapping to pay.
Financial
RECENT DECISIONS BY THE UAE CENTRAL BANK
Qashio Applauds Uae Central Bank’s Forward‑Looking Resilience Measures


Spokesperson: Armin Moradi, Founder and CEO, Qashio
This is a highly commendable initiative by the UAE Central Bank and a clear demonstration of forward-looking economic leadership.
The proactive resilience package reflects a strong level of preparedness and disciplined planning, reinforcing confidence in the UAE’s financial system at a time when global uncertainty remains a key consideration. Backed by substantial reserves, it sends a powerful signal of stability and prudent oversight.
What is particularly notable is the strength of the top-down support—ensuring that financial institutions are not only protected but also empowered to continue supporting businesses and the wider economy. This approach safeguards the momentum of growth while reinforcing trust across investors, partners, and the broader business community.
Ultimately, this initiative further strengthens the UAE’s position as a resilient and highly trusted economic hub, building on an already robust and dynamic business environment that continues to thrive.
Spokesperson: Abdulla Lahej, Chairman, Amaal
The recent measures by the Central Bank of the UAE signal a clear commitment to sustaining liquidity and credit flow across the economy. With over AED 920 billion in available liquidity and reserves exceeding AED 400 billion, banks are well-positioned to expand mortgage lending. Easing capital buffers and funding ratios will directly support homebuyers through improved loan accessibility and pricing. For the real estate sector, this will translate into stronger mortgage uptake, increased transaction volumes, and renewed investor confidence. Overall, these steps will reinforce market stability while creating favourable conditions for sustained property demand and long-term sector growth.
Financial
BITCOIN STRUGGLES TO BREAK $74,000 RESISTANCE AS ETF INFLOWS RISE

Bitcoin edged higher last week, gaining 11%, yet it continues to struggle to convincingly break through the $74,000 resistance level, according to Simon Peters, crypto analyst at eToro.
US bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $763 million in net inflows over the past week, helping to push prices higher. Strategy, the largest bitcoin treasury company by total holdings, also disclosed another significant purchase of 17,994 bitcoin for approximately $1.28 billion.
Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve meeting this week could prove pivotal in determining whether bitcoin breaks above the $74,000 level or experiences a correction. While markets had previously anticipated a dovish pivot, a sudden spike in oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may prompt the Fed to reconsider its outlook.
“The consensus is for the Fed to hold rates on Wednesday, but if Chairman Powell signals in his press conference that the central bank is prepared to raise rates should oil prices remain elevated or continue rising, this could trigger a sell-off in cryptoasset prices,” said Peters.
The meeting will also see the release of the Federal Reserve’s latest “dot plot”, offering insights into where each Federal Open Market Committee participant believes interest rates should be by the end of the year, next year and over the longer term.
AI tokens surge amid Nvidia comments
Among the biggest movers in the crypto market over the past week were AI-related tokens TAO and FET, both rising 47% as investors rotated into the sector following bullish remarks about artificial intelligence by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Ahead of Nvidia’s GTC AI conference this week, Huang described AI as “essential infrastructure”, stating that every company and nation will build and use it.
These comments have renewed interest in on-chain, decentralised AI networks, pushing tokens such as TAO and FET higher.
Mastercard launches crypto partner program
Mastercard has launched its Mastercard Crypto Partner Program, a new global initiative bringing together more than 85 companies across the crypto ecosystem, including exchanges, stablecoin issuers and blockchain development teams.
The program aims to foster dialogue and collaboration as the crypto sector continues to mature. Participants will work with Mastercard teams to combine the speed and programmability of blockchain technology with Mastercard’s merchant network spanning more than 210 countries.
The initiative builds on Mastercard’s existing digital asset activities, including its Start Path blockchain track, Engage platform and Crypto Card program.
Bitcoin reaches 20 million supply milestone
Bitcoin reached a historic milestone last week when the 20 millionth bitcoin was mined, marking the issuance of more than 95% of the cryptocurrency’s total capped supply of 21 million coins.
The milestone was reached on 10 March at block height 931200, 17 years after the network first launched. Due to Bitcoin’s halving schedule, the remaining one million coins are expected to take approximately another 114 years to be mined, with the final bitcoin projected to enter circulation around the year 2140.
Crossing the 20 million milestone again highlights Bitcoin’s scarcity dynamics. With demand continuing to outpace the new supply issued daily by miners and many holders unwilling to sell at current prices, the market could be positioned for a significant move higher over the coming months and years.
Financial
ABA Legal Highlights UAE’s Legal Framework as Catalyst for the Next Wave of Foreign Investment

In alignment with the UAE’s ambitious vision to evolve into a global hub for business and foreign capital, ABA Legal, a boutique corporate law consultancy headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has announced its bold and strategic expansion of Legal Structure Mapping – a refined core advisory specially mentoring FDI and investors in interpreting and navigating the UAE’s investor-focused legal framework across the region. The move strengthens the firm’s positioning as one of a kind legal resource for foreign investors seeking clarity, compliance, and structured market entry within the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates has rapidly evolved into a leading destination for global business and foreign capital. According to recent government and industry reports, the UAE continues to rank among the top global destinations for foreign direct investment inflows, driven by continuous legal and regulatory modernization. ABA Legal observes that legal clarity, regulatory certainty, and structural reforms are increasingly central to investor decision-making, with businesses placing greater emphasis on well-defined legal pathways, ownership structures, and enforceability before committing capital to new markets.
Commenting on the evolving landscape, Ms. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran, Managing Counsel at ABA Legal, said “The UAE’s legal framework today is not only progressive but highly responsive to global investor expectations. The shift toward full foreign ownership, stronger dispute resolution systems, governance reforms, and IP protection has significantly enhanced legal certainty. At ABA Legal, our core service now is guiding foreign investors through these reforms with clarity and precision, ensuring they can structure, enter, and operate in the UAE market with confidence and long-term security. We aim to become the Legal Mentors for FDIs and Investors UAE interest”
A New Era of Legal Reform
The UAE has entered a new era of legal reform designed to strengthen transparency, predictability, and investor confidence across its commercial ecosystem. One of the most significant developments has been the overhaul of foreign ownership regulations. Sectors that previously required majority UAE national ownership have been widely liberalized, enabling 100% foreign ownership across a growing range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, and professional services. From a legal standpoint, this marks a structural realignment of the corporate framework, giving investors greater control over governance and operations while reducing compliance ambiguity and intermediary dependence. The reforms align the UAE with global best practices and reinforce its appeal for long-term, high-value investment.
Strengthening Contract Enforcement and Dispute Resolution
Investor confidence is closely tied to enforceability and legal certainty. The UAE has modernized commercial laws and strengthened dispute resolution mechanisms to create a secure environment for international business. Specialized courts operating under internationally recognized standards and common law principles, alongside stronger integration with global arbitration systems, ensure disputes are resolved efficiently and impartially. This protects contractual rights, lowers legal risk, and supports long-term cross-border investment strategies.
Governance, Transparency, and Investor Protection
Governance, transparency, and investor protection have also been enhanced through stricter corporate reporting, anti-money laundering, and financial compliance frameworks. These measures reduce regulatory uncertainty and strengthen market credibility by embedding internationally recognized standards into law. Investors benefit from a more stable, accountable, and transparent operating environment.
Free Zones: Tailored Legal Advantages: Free zones continue to play a central role in the UAE’s foreign investment strategy, offering tailored legal and regulatory advantages such as full foreign ownership, capital repatriation, customs exemptions, and flexible employment and residency structures. Designed around priority sectors, these zones combine flexibility with legal certainty and reduced administrative burden.
Modern Commercial Laws, Digital Economy Support, and IP Protection
Recent updates to commercial company regulations, data protection laws, and intellectual property protections further support digital economy and innovation-driven businesses. Together, these reforms create a resilient and adaptable legal ecosystem that not only attracts foreign capital but enables sustainable, knowledge-based growth; with ABA Legal supporting investors through structured legal guidance in this evolving framework.
For global investors seeking stability, transparency, and strategic opportunity, the UAE’s legal framework is more than supportive, it is a dynamic engine for capital inflow, innovation, and knowledge-based economic development, with ABA Legal serving as a strategic legal mentor in this journey.
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