As decentralized finance gains global traction, DeFi Technologies’ compliance strategy is setting a new benchmark in digital asset management. By aligning its infrastructure with regulatory requirements and future-proofing through quantum security, the company is redefining how traditional investors access and trust the decentralized economy.

How Infrastructure Experience Drives DeFi Technologies Compliance Vision

Chase Ergen’s background in satellite and telecom shaped his outlook on digital finance. Having worked on cryptographic systems at Dish Network in his teens, he grew fascinated with decentralized architecture. Discovering Bitcoin in 2010, he was less intrigued by the asset than the protocol powering it: a transparent, distributed network with real-time data security.

“Blockchain, telecom, and quantum encryption all share the same foundation: secure information over distributed systems,” says Ergen. “We’re connecting that legacy with next-gen finance.”

His early exposure to encryption now influences DeFi Technologies’ investment in quantum-secure systems, a critical step as AI and quantum computing become central to fintech’s evolution.

Making DeFi Accessible — Without Compromising Compliance

As the first Nasdaq-listed digital asset manager of its kind, DeFi Technologies has built trust frameworks that rival traditional institutions. With third-party audits, financial disclosures, and partnerships with tier-1 custodians, the firm ensures compliance while offering exposure to high-liquidity, secure protocols like Ethereum and Solana.

Importantly, DeFi doesn’t operate in a silo. “We collaborate with protocol developers to better assess risks and governance,” Ergen explains. Their DeFi Alpha division also creates volatility-aware trading strategies, marrying performance with regulatory alignment.

Strategic Growth: From Bitcoin Mining to 1,000 ETPs

The team behind DeFi Technologies co-founded HIVE Blockchain, the first publicly listed Bitcoin miner. They also introduced XBT Tracker to Nasdaq Stockholm in 2015—well ahead of institutional crypto adoption. That experience now fuels their product strategy.

Through Valour, the company has launched over 65 exchange-traded products (ETPs) and aims to cross 100 by the end of 2025. By 2030, they plan to offer 1,000 globally, covering everything from tokenized assets to stablecoins and quantum-secure infrastructure.

“We’re not just issuing crypto products,” says Ergen. “We’re building rails for the next wave of financial infrastructure.”

A Diversified Revenue Model, Built for Sustainability

DeFi Technologies earns fees through assets under management (AUM), similar to traditional fund managers. ETPs offer liquid, regulated access to crypto markets, while internal divisions like Stillman Digital (institutional services) and Reflexivity (research) further enhance revenue and agility.

Unlike speculative token-based projects, their model focuses on infrastructure, compliance, and risk-mitigated growth—elements that attract both retail and institutional clients.

Scaling Globally, Region by Region

As DeFi scales, compliance by jurisdiction is vital. The company is publicly listed in North America, active in Europe, and recently expanded into the UAE, which it views as a global regulatory innovation hub. According to Ergen, “Dubai and Abu Dhabi are shaping the narrative for secure and compliant crypto adoption.”

This flexible, region-by-region approach allows DeFi Technologies to grow responsibly without stalling innovation.

Planning for a Quantum-Driven Future

DeFi Technologies’ roadmap is future-oriented—both in product and security. The company is closely aligned with BTQ Technologies, a quantum cybersecurity firm chaired by CEO Olivier Roussy Newton. As quantum threats rise, the need for next-gen security becomes urgent.

“We’re not waiting for threats to arrive,” says Ergen. “We’re protecting the financial infrastructure of tomorrow—today.”

Check this out, previous news: Blockchain Applications Beyond Cryptocurrency in GCC Finance

The post Why DeFi Technologies Is Betting on Quantum and Global Compliance appeared first on The Integrator.

Dubai will kick off GITEX 3.0 edition next month as it transports audience into the next digital universe

The global digital economy is in full velocity mode, embracing the return of the world’s largest, most inclusive tech and start-up event, which opens next month in Dubai with unrivalled record capacity, its continued expansion fuelling the installation of three additional sold-out halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

GITEX GLOBAL 2022 will take place from 10-14 October, outperforming its previous edition as it prepares to host more than 4,500 companies and over 100,000 attendees from 170 countries, spanning 26 halls and two million sq. ft, matching the scale of 33 football fields.

The remarkable growth of the annual five-day event is spurred by ebullient market demand across all industry sectors, with no less than 1,400 new exhibitors among the global line-up of companies and start-ups showcasing ground-breaking applications in the metaverse, AI, Web 3.0, blockchain, 6G, cloud computing , fintech, and big data.

With the participation of more than 250 government entities leading strategic digital projects and public-private partnerships, and 800-plus start-ups seeking their next big break in North Star Dubai, the GITEX 3.0 edition will unite the world’s most influential ecosystems advancing business, economy, society and culture.

“As the curious audience attempts to make sense of the real versus virtual world we are creating, GITEX GLOBAL takes the helm in partnering with global tech leaders to empower, enlighten and enthuse everyone on the metamorphosis of the digital economy,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre, GITEX GLOBAL’s organiser.

“GITEX GLOBAL will cut through the hype and emotions, gathering the best minds in all businesses around the world to debate, challenge and rationalise the impact of this tech fusion on society and our future. This is GITEX 3.0.”

GITEX 3.0 series includes launches of Global DevSlam and X-VERSE

With a fully immersive deep dive into the digital universe, GITEX GLOBAL presents its 3.0 edition with Ai Everything, North Star Dubai (formerly GITEX Future Stars), Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.

Two new events will also be launched this year, selling out to a global audience within two months: Global DevSlam, and X-VERSE.

Committed to creating a thriving home in the UAE for international coders and developers and advancing the digital economy, Global DevSlam is the Middle East’s largest ever coder and developer meetup, connecting 10,000 coders alongside developers from the world’s biggest tech companies, including Anaconda, AWS, Google, Instagram, Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat.

The fully subscribed event is supported by Coders (HQ) and inspired by the UAE’s mission of building the world’s best coder and developer ecosystem, with the country now offering its long-term residency Golden Visa to 100,000 qualified coders from around the world.

Global DevSlam also welcomes the worldwide python community with the launch of Pycon MEA, featuring a line-up of renowned Python masters coming together for the first time in the region.
Setting another first, X-VERSE, in partnership with Decentraland, curates one of the world’s most immersive metaverse journeys, providing a never before seen experience into the greatest shifts and the most potentially disruptive industry applications of the metaverse.

With real-world case-studies and never-seen-before virtual experiences across manufacturing, gaming, education, healthcare, retail and the future of work, X-VERSE will enable global enterprises to understand and adopt this nascent technological development.

North Star Dubai shines with unstoppable start-up entrepreneurship momentum

Launched as GITEX Future Stars in 2016, the newly renamed North Star Dubai in 2022 underlines the ongoing evolution of the global start-up ecosystem, and the important role start-ups play in advancing innovation and international business collaboration.

North Star Dubai, with its strategic partner the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, is amplifying this trend, with the world’s largest start-up event adding another hall with 30 percent extra capacity, bringing together more than 800 exhibitors from 60 countries with over 600 investors in a thriving, innovative entrepreneur ecosystem.

Smashing geographic boundaries, North Star Dubai also introduces ‘Africa Fast 100’, the largest ever gathering of African start-ups to be hosted outside Africa, connecting investors with Unicorn prospects from the world’s fast-rising tech incubator.

International footprint and power-packed conference programme

GITEX GLOBAL’s vast international footprint is highlighted by new national pavilions from Cyprus, Ethiopia, the European Union, Kuwait, Uganda, and Turkey. The United States, France, Germany, the UK, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria, and Brazil, are among those with increased presence to showcase their national technology prowess and leading innovations.

Inspirational insights and unparalleled knowledge sharing will also come to the fore, as 14 dedicated conference tracks deliver more than 500 hours of thought-provoking talks, case studies, industry trends, and workshops.

A stellar line-up of more than 1,000 government ministers, global technology leaders and experts will share their perspectives on major trends, from A.I., cloud computing, crypto, 6G, and the metaverse, to the new frontier of future mobility, from flying cars to electric aircraft.

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GITEX GLOBAL 2022 and its seven co-located events will take place from 10-14 October 2022, its largest ever edition featuring more than 4,000 exhibitors from 80 countries spanning 25 fully booked halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The annual five-day event, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, covers three additional halls this year, opening up two million sq. ft of ground-breaking applications covering AI, cloud computing, big data, web 3.0, blockchain, cybersecurity, metaverse, fintech, 6G, and future mobility, under the ‘Enter the Next Digital Universe’ theme.

With the participation of more than 230 government entities leading strategic digital projects and public-private partnerships, 1,000 speakers across 14 conference verticals, and 800-plus start-ups seeking to become the next international Unicorn, GITEX GLOBAL 2022 will unite the world’s most influential ecosystems advancing business, economy, society and culture.

Seven co-located events including launches of Global DevSlam and X-VERSE
With a fully immersive deep dive into the digital universe, GITEX GLOBAL 2022’s returning co-located events include Ai Everything, North Star Dubai (formerly GITEX Future Stars), Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.

Two new events will also launch this year: Global DevSlam, and X-VERSE.  Committed to creating a thriving home in the UAE for international coders and developers and advancing the digital economy, Global DevSlam aims to connect 6,000 coders alongside developers from the world’s biggest tech companies, including Anaconda, AWS, Google, Instagram, Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat.

Meanwhile, X-VERSE is set to be the world’s largest curated web 3.0 immersive journey providing a first-hand look into the greatest shifts and the most potentially disruptive industry applications of the metaverse – a network of 3D virtual worlds.

With nearly 25 real-world metaverse case-studies and never-seen-before virtual experiences across manufacturing, gaming, education, healthcare, retail and the future of work, X-VERSE will enable global enterprises to understand and adopt this nascent technological development.

African start-ups share centre-stage at North Star Dubai

Launched as GITEX Future Stars in 2016, the newly named North Star Dubai in 2022 reflects the ongoing evolution of the global start-up ecosystem, and the important role start-ups play in advancing innovation and international business collaboration.

This year, the world’s largest start-up event reflects this trend by bringing together more than 800 exhibitors from 60 countries with over 600 investors in a thriving innovative entrepreneur ecosystem.

Along with a specially curated matchmaking programme, North Star Dubai will for the first time introduce ‘Africa Fast 100’, the largest ever gathering of African start-ups to be hosted outside Africa, connecting investors with Unicorn prospects from the world’s second largest continent.

North Star Dubai’s highly popular Supernova four-day start-up competition also returns, inviting the best local, regional, and international start-ups to showcase their disruptive ideas and compete for the ultimate prize of US$200,000.

As the host city, Dubai is one of the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced cities. GITEX GLOBAL is aligned with Dubai’s digital transformation strategy, based on cutting-edge applications in A.I., the metaverse, smart cities and attracting the best ICT talent and coders.

International footprint and power-packed conference programme

GITEX GLOBAL’s vast international footprint is underlined by the presence of 33 country pavilions, including new pavilions from Cyprus, Ethiopia, the European Union, Kuwait, Uganda, and Turkey.  The United States, France, Germany, the UK, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria, and Brazil, are among those with increased presence to showcase their national technology prowess and leading innovations.

Inspirational insights and unparalleled knowledge sharing will also come to the fore, as 14 dedicated conference tracks deliver more than 500 hours of thought-provoking talks, case studies, industry trends, and workshops.

A stellar line-up of more than 1,000 government ministers, global technology leaders and experts will share their perspectives on major trends, from A.I., cloud computing, crypto, 6G, and the metaverse, to the new frontier of future mobility, from flying cars to electric aircraft.

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To cooperate on the Metaverse, a partnership agreement has been made with Shamrock Inc., headquartered in Italy, the parent company of MetaCosmos. The MetaCosmos system is a set of open protocols for the underlying standard of the Metaverse, where users can build their own independent economic, social, and entertainment Metaverse systems.

FTFT Capital is also strategically cooperating with the company, ByTrade, a licensed digital asset exchange headquartered in Lithuania, to develop the Asian market jointly. The digital asset exchange company is known for its ease of use and high safety factor. It has more than 1.5 million registered users globally.

The company hopes that these alliances will further FTFT Capital’s unit FTFTX operating the new platform for aggregate trading information expansion in the Metaverse and within its current capabilities.

“Each of these organizations complements our extensive expertise and we believe in their potential to develop creative global solutions. The partnerships reflect our shared commitment to the growth of the Metaverse and digital assets,” said Ola Lind, Chief Strategy Officer of FTFT Group, CEO, and Director of FTFT Capital.

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Congratulations on becoming the UAE Ambassador for the Global Blockchain Business Council 2022. Could you tell us more about the news?

As one of the three GBBC ambassadors representing the UAE, alongside Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan and Makki Ibrahim, I am truly honored to be a part of the Global Blockchain Business Council this year. I am confident that I will help the organization achieve its overall goal and create a positive impact through my contributions and guidance.

According to you, what are the pace and prospects of growth within the Middle East’s fintech space?

I believe the FinTech industry in the Middle East is growing at a fast pace; Across the region, within 2022, estimates predict 465 fintech companies in the Middle East will raise more than two billion dollars in venture capital investment, compared to the over $80 million raised by 30 FinTech in 2017.

Ola Lind, Director, FTFT Capital

Much of the region’s investment has moved to some of the more active fintech industries. Payments and remittances start-ups, regtech, online lending, digital banking, insurtech, crowdfunding, blockchain, and cryptocurrency enterprises seem to be the most emerging sectors in the region. Nonetheless, the bulk of investment continues to go to the payments industry: around 85 percent of fintech businesses in the Middle East and Africa region operate in the payments, transfers, and remittances space.

Further growth prospects are promising within the Middle East due to an ecosystem conducive to new financial alternatives, an ecosystem where the government is at the center of efforts to drive innovation as part of a more extensive remit, and an ecosystem particularly interested in attracting international talent as a means of stimulating innovation domestically. Additionally, the demographics of the area and its geographic position as a “gateway” linking East and West support fintech development and growth.

Is there any specific Cryptocurrency you are personally enthusiastic about?

I think the entire crypto world is fascinating and can change the world. Though we’ve been exposed to cryptocurrencies for a while now, we are just getting started. There is a lot more to discover and a long way to go. I am specifically more drawn to Filecoin. I have reasons to believe that the technology backing it has the power to potentially revolutionize several industries in the future.

What advice would you give to people investing or looking to invest within Cryptocurrencies?

People need to learn about different types of currencies and what each currency represents, after which they will be able to make an informed decision on where to invest. Secondly, it is beneficial to use readily available software, apps, or other technologies once you’re trading to monitor financial markets and get relevant insights about industries. That being said, Solana and Filecoin are of interest to me.

The post The Middle East Becomes One of the Most Significant Fintech Hubs appeared first on The Integrator.

The partnership is alive since 2017 and it claimed they are supporting start-ups to transform their ideas into working prototypes, resulting in numerous integrations. In 2020, Emirates NBD announced its integration with Norbloc, a global leader in blockchain KYC technology and participant of the 2017 FinTech Accelerator Programme, for the UAE KYC Blockchain Platform.

As part of its partnership with DIFC FinTech Hive, Emirates NBD was also a key partner of AccelerateHer, a female-focused career mentorship program targeted at developing young women in the industry professionally and personally.

Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer, Emirates NBD comments, “With the support of the DIFC FinTech Hive, Emirates NBD is constantly looking to discover and launch relevant FinTechs, who can help us accelerate our digital transformation journey and develop solutions that optimize not just customer experience but also our internal operations. We look forward to playing an active role in encouraging innovative partnerships in the UAE and the wider region and are excited to see further collaborations develop and thrive.”

Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President, DIFC Fintech Hive, said, “This year, Emirates NBD had access to a pool of 44 FinTech solutions and we are pleased to have hosted a pitch day for Emirates NBD to select the solutions they would like to take forward and work with. We look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership with the bank.”

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Thank you, Mr. Tamer for sparing time with The Integrator. We are excited to understand more about EDCH with this interview session!

We understand EDCH is one of the prominent companies that help telecom operators with VAS and generate revenues for their business. Give insights into the areas you focus in the industry

EDCH is a UAE-based service provider that has a presence in nearly 10 countries across all regions and helps numerous telecom operators in their business. We help telecom operators provide international roaming services, protect their roaming business hassle-free by providing them with data and financial clearing and settlement services.

Tamer Abou-alam, VP, EDCH

Apart from that, we help our customers generate value for their subscribers in different areas like A2P messaging, Fintech and SIM, and E-sim businesses. Each of these solutions helps create more revenue for the telecommunication business of these operators as we study numerous factors and introduce tailored services for our customers.

You are seemingly offering services outside the UAE and across the globe. Tell us about the countries you offer services and operators you are associated with

We are the trusted partner for many MNOs spread around the world. We support our customers with a high level of customized services across all our services portfolio in roaming, A2P Messaging, Fintech, and SIM/E-sim business.

Which are the key areas EDCH concentrates on roaming clearance?

When it comes to using roaming services, we support telcos with data, financial clearing, and settlement services with a high level of customizations and BI tools to our customers. We always thrive to improve our offering to support new technologies like 5G, IoT, complex roaming agreements, and blockchain.

What kinds of FinTech and enterprise messaging services do you provide?

We had found a huge business scope with fintech in different regions especially in Africa and Asia. We collaborate with telecom operators to create futuristic mobile payment solutions such as e-wallet and aim to connect them together via an international money remittance hub.

How do you work with telcos in the A2P messaging space?

Enterprise messaging is all about profit-oriented mediation between telecom operators and enterprises on SMS services. Network operators carry text messages of various enterprises i.e., financial, banking, healthcare, automobile, etc. to their customers. EDCH simplifies the handling of this complex business to telcos by working between both categories of service providers and integrating them into prospective business models.

How about the use of modern technologies such as AI, Data Analytics, and Cloud in your business?

We make use of AI tools in different services offering especially for roaming services. We also offer most of our services in a cloud environment or locally if required by the local market regulations.

Tell us about EDCH’s business prospects for the next two, three years

Global expansion is our primary goal and hence the current approach to strengthen our business with local resources and expand our commercial presence in all those geographical locations to support telcos around the globe. While keeping EDCH as a reliable hub between global telecommunication service providers, we wish to bring in the latest technology and practices all within the telecom ecosystem.

Do you face challenges in the business?

The pandemic had severely reduced international traveling of people and that impacted the roaming services globally. The hazy days are over as COVID-19 fears are fading away and the global travel restrictions are being relaxed. We also realize the potential in developing services to support telcos in other growing areas outside of the roaming scope yet still within the ecosystem. We forecast a bright future with continuing roaming services and other uniquely productive solutions offered to our partners.

The post EDCH Brings the VAS Revolution Into the Global Telecom Industry Besides Offering Intelligent Roaming appeared first on The Integrator.

“In the new internet age people are generally more conscious about their data, this a perfect opportunity to empower the user to start owning their digital identity. The Exodus is a great place to start because the phone is the most personal device, and it is also the place where all your data originates from. I’m excited about the opportunity it brings to decentralize the internet and reshape it for the modern user,” said HTC’s Chief Crypto Officer Phil Chen.

The advent of Bitcoin and Ethereum brought with it the idea of digital scarcity and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Today, HTC has partnered with the world’s first and most popular NFT game on the blockchain, Cryptokitties, to exclusively distribute it on mobile via selected HTC devices, starting with the U12+. This is a significant first step in creating a platform and distribution channel for creatives who make unique digital goods. Mobile is the most prevalent device in the history of humankind and for digital assets and apps to reach their potential, mobile will need to be the main point of distribution. The partnership with Cryptokitties is the beginning of a non- fungible, collectible marketplace and crypto gaming app store.

“We understand the potential of digital scarcity and uniqueness. With Exodus, HTC aims to be a general blockchain asset marketplace. We are here to invite all developers to distribute their blockchain game, collectible and NFT concept through us. We believe there is a paradigm shift and the pendulum is swinging back to ownership and the value of content,” adds Chen. HTC is also announcing two partnerships to accelerate advancement in the space – Animoca, the distributor of Cryptokitties and Bitmark, the crypto based digital ownership project.

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Verified Digital IDs managed via a convenient mobile app

Blockchain technology is ideal for supporting digital transactions that are based on trusted and verified identities, without exposing sensitive data to the threat of hacking and cyber-attack. With Trust ID Network, user control is facilitated via the ID Wallet, a convenient and secure mobile app. Here users can add personal data to their digital identity, have it certified, and give consent to share it with chosen service providers. Only ‘attestations’ issued by trusted parties are stored on the blockchain, keeping personal data under sole control of users.

Banks can lead the creation of new Digital ID ecosystems

To comply with new regulations*, financial institutions must implement robust KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, rigorous data privacy and protection as well as strong customer authentication. They are therefore ideally positioned to lead the self-sovereign Digital ID revolution.  Other service providers that rely on verified customer identities, such as public services, mobile operators and airlines, can also reap significant benefits, including the opportunity to share ID management costs. As further stakeholders join a self-sovereign ID ecosystem, richer identities are built, supporting an even wider range of use cases.

Gemalto builds on the unique features of R3’s Corda blockchain platform

Gemalto deploys its Trust ID Network application and data protection solutions on the latest version of the Corda platform, the world’s foremost enterprise blockchain solution built by R3.  It provides full privacy, security and immutability along with a streamlined integration for service providers and the ability to support mission critical identity services. R3 already works with over 200 financial institutions and other partners worldwide.

A wide range of stakeholders are being invited to participate in one of several Trust ID Network pilots that will launch later this year.

*In the EU, relevant regulations include AMLD 4 & 5, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and PSD2 (second Payment Services Directive)

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