Peaq and Pulsar launch Machine Economy Free Zone for the United Arab Emirates
The far-reaching initiative aims to set the foundations for the Machine Economy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will center on advancing regulation and investment frameworks, deploying robots (Physical AI) and physical infrastructure (DePINs), and driving relevant innovation in the region.
peaq, the Machine Economy computer, and Pulsar Group, a leading Emirati venture studio and consultancy focused on tech and blockchain, unveil the world's first Machine Economy Free Zone, to be launched in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Machine Economy Free Zone (MEFZ) is a sandbox environment for a human-centric Machine Economy as envisioned by peaq — a society in which humans and machines co-exist, co-create value, and thrive together in the Age of Abundance.
The MEFZ includes multiple facets, focusing on four core pillars:
Regulation: As part of the MEFZ, peaq is working on the development and testing of a range of regulatory initiatives and sandboxes, such as compliant tokenization and investment into autonomous machines and robots.
Deployment: peaq is working with Emirati partners to set up physical and virtual sandboxes where founders can experiment with new business models and deploy apps, devices and technologies aimed at powering more advanced smart cities.
Investment: peaq is connecting top apps (DePINs) on peaq with the most visionary investment bodies and institutional partners in the region, enabling them to scale and deploy at lightning speed.
Innovation Hub: peaq is establishing a regional innovation hub focused on supporting DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure) apps in research and development, deployment, and connection with 'demand side' organizations.
Among the first initiatives to be tested in the MEFZ is a framework for Machine Tokenization which aims to lower the barrier to entry for individuals to invest in more expensive robots and machines. A key element in peaq's 'Machine DeFi' vision for a decentralized financial system for robots, vehicles, and machines.
The MEFZ will also include the world's first pilot of 'Universal Basic Ownership (UBO)' – an income stream directly tied to machine-generated profits, with no intermediaries. The goal of the UBO pilot will be to use the MEFZ to test how abundance generated by robots can be directly distributed to individuals and communities affected by job automation. peaq will also make the Emirates the center of its operations, setting up its new headquarters there.
The Machine Economy Free Zone sets the foundation for a Machine Economy in the United Arab Emirates, boosting the nation's smart city and blockchain innovation through community-powered apps, networks and machines, and paves the way to wider global adoption of this vision at a nation-state level.
The Machine Economy is on the proverbial doorstep, driven by the rise of AI and robotics, also known as Physical AI. A world where machines create value autonomously with little to no human interference no longer seems like a utopian dream. Without Web3, though, this transformation can worsen the existing economic situation, with innovation and its benefits concentrated in the hands of a few companies. With peaq, these are the early days of a future where communities co-own, earn from, and govern the machinery the world runs on.
These initiatives are the first on a long list that will create the environment for founders to build, deploy, create revenue, network, raise funds, go to market and scale fast and with full regulatory compliance.
The announcement follows the Machine Economy Days in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which peaq and Pulsar organized last month. The successful events saw several apps (DePINs) building on peaq showcase their applications in action and make the case for Web3 as a vital part of smart cities before a distinguished audience of government officials and business decision-makers. The attendee list included His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Suroor Al Nahyan as well as representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities, Careem, Microsoft, and other top companies and government bodies.
'We're honored to be part of peaq's transformative journey. peaq is redefining what's possible for the future of the Machine Economy. By boldly bridging the physical and digital worlds through a decentralized, scalable, and sustainable Layer-1 blockchain, peaq is laying the foundation for a new era of real-world connectivity and autonomy. This is more than technology—it's a movement, and we're proud to help shape what comes next.' – Alyazi Al Khattal, CEO of Pulsar.
'The Machine Economy is no longer a far-fetched dream, it is a reality quickly shaping up before our very eyes,' says Till Wendler, co-founder of peaq. 'peaq makes this transformation work for everyone — and the Emirates, as one of the most innovative nations in the world, is the perfect place to pilot this vision, setting a template and example for the rest of the world.'
About peaq
peaq is the computer and operating system powering the global, human-centric Machine Economy. peaq empowers people to own and earn from the devices, robots, vehicles and infrastructure they use. The peaq network is designed to be the go-to backbone for the Machine Economy, and is already home to more than 60 applications in 20+ industries and to the millions of devices, and machines that run on them. peaq serves as the permissionless, borderless infrastructure and financial system for increasingly intelligent machines to serve all of humanity as AI-driven job automation increases. An open economy that anyone can opt-in to and share in the Age of Abundance.
For more information, visit peaq or follow peaq on Twitter/X for updates.
About Pulsar
Pulsar is a pioneering venture studio and consultancy based in Abu Dhabi, specializing in helping technology disruptors navigate complex regulatory environments, build strategic partnerships, and accelerate market expansion. Pulsar partners with bold tech disruptors and leaders of the digital economy. By leveraging their expertise in developing strategic frameworks and fostering collaboration with regional partners, Pulsar facilitates their partners' market adoption and growth in the UAE and the region.
For more information, visit Pulsar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Etihad growth continues with 19% passenger uplift to 1.7m in May
Etihad Airways carried 1.7m passengers in May, representing a 19 per cent increase compared to the same month last year. This continued growth reflects the airline's strategic expansion and strong market positioning. Passenger load factor climbed to 87 per cent, up from 84 per cent in May 2024, reinforcing the carrier's ability to optimise capacity while maintaining high demand. Etihad Airways growth The airline's operating fleet now stands at 100 aircraft, supporting its growing network and service enhancements. In the first five months of 2025, 8.4m travellers have flown with Etihad, a 17 per cent rise from the same period in 2024, with the airline maintaining an impressive 87 per cent average passenger load factor. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO, said: 'We saw a pleasing continued growth in our momentum, with May's passenger numbers growing by 19 per cent year-on-year, underlining our position as the fastest-growing Middle East airline. 'Our year-to-date results show more than 8m customers have flown with us in 2025, and our rolling 12-month figure now stands at almost 20m, a testament to the trust placed in Etihad's service. 'We reached an exciting milestone in May as our fleet number reached the 100 mark. As we continue expanding our route network and growing our fleet in the coming months, our focus remains on delivering a seamless and exceptional customer experience.'
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Some Dubai chocolate sold in UK may contain banned ingredients, says regulator
Some Dubai style chocolate being sold in the UK retail market may not meet the country's criteria and may contain banned additives or colouring agents, the British regulator Food Standards Agency (FSA) said on Thursday. However, the authority said that 'most Dubai-style chocolate available in the UK are 'safe' to consume for the British consumers. It advised consumers that some products imported under the Dubai chocolate brand from other countries may have banned ingredients, asking consumers to report it to authorities. Dubai chocolate has gone viral globally and companies in some other countries are also producing similar kinds of products. Made popular on TikTok, people have queued for hours to buy chocolate bars in Germany. The chocolate is filled with pistachios and crispy shredded filo pastry, costing around 25 euros in Germany. Earlier this year, a German court asked a supermarket not to sell a product as 'Dubai chocolate', saying the confectionary should be marked with Dubai brand only if it originated from the emirate. Earlier this year, German authorities confiscated 90kg of luxury Dubai chocolate from a woman at Hamburg airport that was subject to hundreds of euros in import duties. 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you'd use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat,' said Professor Robin May, chief scientific advisor to the FSA. 'As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here. UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this,' he said. The regulator said it is working with local authorities and has identified a number of products that pose a health risk to consumers with allergies. 'Some of these products may also contain additives and colours which aren't allowed on the UK market.' An advisory for consumers in the UK by the regulator said some imported Dubai-style chocolate products may not be intended for sale in the UK and could lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling. By law, it said, labels must list all ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens. 'Products that should not have been imported for sale may not meet the UK's high food safety standards.' The British regulator said it is now studying these products and is working with allergy charities to help raise awareness of the risk with consumers. The FSA pointed out that the food products made to UK standards should have labels in English containing the name of the food (e.g. milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling); a list of ingredients, with allergens emphasised; the weight in grams; expiry date; and the name and address of the UK or EU business. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
World watches as national climate goals loom over Cop30
Leading figures have sounded the alarm as they gathered in the UAE ahead of the next major round of UN climate talks at Cop30, in Brazil. Speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Majid Al Suwaidi, chief of climate investment vehicle, Alterra, warned that the talks are up against 'significant challenges'. 'To date, only 15 updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have been submitted,' Mr Al Suwaidi said. While the original deadline was February, a revised cut off in September is now the last window to submit updated pledges before Cop30 opens in Belem, Brazil, in November. Both Brazil and the UAE laid out robust NDCs ahead of the initial February deadline. 'Ambition and finance go hand in hand,' Mr Al Suwaidi added. 'The world will be watching closely to see whether these NDCs rise to the level of ambition that we truly need.' Mr Al Suwaidi, a seasoned climate negotiator and Cop28 director general, praised Brazil's leadership skill, noting the country's track record of inclusive dialogue and its symbolic role as steward of the Amazon. 'I have great confidence in the Brazilian residency, their diplomatic skills have been evident throughout the climate negotiations, and was on full display during their successful G20 presidency last year.' EU's NDC's on track to meet new deadline Discussions at Cop30 are expected to focus on whether national climate plans will collectively keep humanity on track to meet the Paris Agreement's goals, as well as on the mobilisation of $1.3 trillion in climate finance hammered in at climate talks at Cop29. At Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Marina Silva, Brazil's Minister of Environment, described it as the finance Cop but claimed Cop30 would be the Cop of NDCs. Climate activists hope more can be achieved in Brazil than in Baku. EU ambassador to the UAE, Lucie Berger, confirmed to The National that the bloc is on track to submit its updated contribution by September, but noted that all 27 member states must align through democratic processes. Ms Berger pointed to Cop28 in Dubai as a turning point, where global agreement was reached on transitioning away from fossil fuels and tripling renewable energy capacity. 'We've shown that coalition-building around shared causes works,' she said. 'Now we need to bring that same spirit to Cop30.' Ms Berger also highlighted the Amazon as a fitting host for the summit's 30th milestone. 'We need to see measurable, inclusive progress on nature, biodiversity, and deforestation,' she said. On the ground, she added that the EU and the UAE are looking to co-operate on clean energy projects in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as explore co-operation on carbon trading and pricing. 'I think we're currently looking for more strategic partners and the UAE comes naturally to mind,' she said. What is at stake? For Pacific nations on the front lines of climate disruption, firm national and financial commitments cannot come soon enough. Fiji's ambassador to the UAE, Siddiq Koya, warned that time is running out for communities facing rising seas, worsening storms and crop loss. 'This is the last batch of NDCs that matter,' he said. 'For the Pacific, 1.5°C is not a policy preference – it's a red line for survival.' He stressed the need for finance systems that are accessible and tailored to vulnerable nations' needs. 'We are delivering, but we cannot deliver alone,' he said, mentioning loss of coral reefs, forced relocations and unsustainable rebuilding cycles. Christoph Klarmann, Chargé dÁffaires of the German embassy, echoed those concerns. Recounting a recent landslide in the Swill Village of Blatten caused by glacial melt, he warned: 'Climate change is not just a climate emergency. It is actually a human emergency. The consequences affect water, food, health, security and ultimately peace.' Germany, he added, remains committed to its net zero target by 2045, and views the UAE's new climate law and corporate decarbonisation requirements as positive progress.
