Latest news with #MarwanAlZarouni
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Code to Corridors: How Dubai is Building a Tech-First Policy and India-Focused Scale
From Code to Corridors (ET Spotlight) 35:13 Min | May 22, 2025, 3:03 PM IST What does it take to turn a sandbox into a globally-competitive innovation ecosystem? In this episode of Live, Work & Play in Dubai, we sit down with Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI at Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), to decode the blueprint behind Dubai's digital transformation—from AI regulation and startup readiness to blockchain strategy and the city's expanding corridor with India. Dr. Marwan shares personal anecdotes, including lea ...Read More rning to code in Arabic at age eight, and unpacks how Dubai's policy approach — agile, feedback-led, and human-centric — is helping entrepreneurs, regulators, and technologists co-create the city's future. From digital identity and single-window platforms to Golden Visas and Unicorn 30, this episode explores how Dubai is not just anticipating the future, but building it. ...Read Less
Campaign ME
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Gaming Matters Dubai: MENA's moment to lead the future of gaming
Attending Gaming Matters Dubai this year felt like a pivotal moment—not just for the Middle East, but for the global gaming industry. Held at the So Uptown Dubai, the event was a high-energy convergence of creators, investors, brands, vendors, developers, and policymakers. It was a clear declaration: MENA is ready to lead the next chapter of gaming. From the opening remarks by Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni of the Dubai DET and Feryal Ahmadi of DMCC, the message was clear — Dubai isn't dabbling in gaming; it's investing deeply, long-term. With its 'Gaming 2033' vision, the city aims to become one of the top 10 global gaming hubs. But as was wisely pointed out, building an ecosystem takes time. This isn't about chasing hype; it's about creating sustainable infrastructure, talent pipelines and cultural relevance. Get your tickets to the Campaign Breakfast Briefing: Marketing Strategies 2025 on May 29, where top industry leaders will gather to unpack game-changing practices within the world of marketing. The global themes were loud and clear: cross-industry convergence, creator monetization, and emerging market innovation. But what was most encouraging was the commitment to localisation—whether through language, IP, or distribution. Joe Zoghbi from Tencent's Level Infinite shared how PUBG MOBILE is integrating MENA pop culture into its games including custom voice demands from local influencers. That's not just smar — it's essential. At Ampverse, we've seen the power of hyper-local community building. It's how you create emotional resonance — and long-term loyalty. A hot topic throughout the sessions was the role of AI in transforming game development and marketing. From reducing content creation costs to enabling more genre diversity beyond the usual RPGs and FPS titles, AI is making gaming more accessible. And as Warren Cho of Microsoft highlighted, AI is also reshaping how we identify and engage gamer cohorts — something we're already exploring at Ampverse. Meanwhile, indie studios are thriving. Their agility and risk-taking are driving user growth and platform innovation. Timo Krueger from Nielsen called them true disruptors—and I agree. The industry needs their edge. The line between gaming and mainstream entertainment isn't just blurring — it's vanishing. Whether it's the huge success of the recent Minecraftmovie, Arkane becoming a Netflix series or Xbox partnering with Gucci, gaming IP is now full-spectrum culture. Sanjog Gupta of JioStar nailed it: we're not in a 'battle for attention' anymore — we're in a war for passion. Gaming is winning that war because it offers interactivity, community, and storytelling in one package. Langer Lee from TikTok Gaming reinforced something we've been watching closely: the creator economy is decentralising. It's no longer just about mega-influencers — it's about enabling a diverse, dynamic long tail of creators. TikTok Live Studio and frictionless creation tools are making that happen. Monetisation was rightly called the lifeblood of this ecosystem. At Ampverse, we're doubling down on platforms and programs that empower creators to build sustainable careers — not just go viral once. In Dubai, esports isn't just a trend — it's a strategic pillar. Eisa Sharif from the Dubai Sports Council said it best: 'Gamers are absolutely athletes.' The ambition to make Dubai a global esports hub is backed by real investment in talent, infrastructure, and event IP. Add to that the shift in production quality—now rivalling F1 or Premier League broadcasts—and you have a product that can attract both fanatics and first-timers. Monetisation models are evolving fast. As Marc Donnadieu of e& pointed out, the average gamer plays 3–5 hours a day — but how you capture value during that time is changing. Direct-to-consumer (D2C), season passes, DLCs, and community-based commerce are the new norm. One powerful insight: 'If you don't own the relationship with the end user, you don't own your future.' That struck a chord. At Ampverse, that's central to how we think about our virtual world development and community management. Gaming Matters Dubai was a resounding reminder: the MENA region isn't just participating in gaming—it's shaping its future. From cultural integration and creator empowerment to AI disruption and esports excellence, the momentum is undeniable. The world is finally waking up to what we've known for years: gaming matters. And right now, it matters most in MENA. By Charlie Baillie, CEO, Ampverse Group
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Built in Dubai, made for the world: Inside the city's blockchain boom
Live Events Digital assets as payments Decentralised Finance (DeFi) Smart contracts ET Spotlight (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Perhaps the best way to understand Dubai's evolution in the 'future-tech' space is through a story shared by Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, Head of the Dubai Blockchain Centre.'Back in 2014, when we hosted Dubai's first blockchain conference, people would ask, 'What's blockchain?'' Fast forward to 2024, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks third globally in crypto and blockchain adoption (Henley Index), with Dubai at the epicentre — home to 400 blockchain firms, a dedicated National Blockchain Centre, accelerators, incubators, and a growing list of real-world use cases in decentralised finance (Defi) and smart embrace of a sector often met with global regulatory skepticism isn't accidental. It's rooted in the city's push to diversify from oil and position itself as a hub for emerging tech. The strategy builds on its key advantages: progressive regulation, government buy-in, talent, energy and infrastructure readiness, and patient capital. Companies such as Ripple, Coinbase, and Polygon are not just operating in Dubai — they're building innovative use cases for the world from here. Some examples include blockchain-enabled Digital ID system 'UAE Pass' and the real estate tokenisation pilot by Dubai Land blockchain ecosystem is built on a solid facilitation pyramid — regulation, infrastructure, and Khurana, Founder of Reflexical, highlights that, unlike many jurisdictions, Dubai has never reversed its liberal approach to blockchain and digital assets. Legal clarity is provided by the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), while the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) — the world's first digital assets regulator — acts as a regulatory sandbox for real-world testing. Free zones such as DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) and DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) add further flexibility. For instance, DIFC's Digital Assets Law sets out clear rules for digital asset management and regulatory clarity has spurred ecosystem development. At the apex is the Dubai Blockchain Centre, which has the mandate to educate government bodies, regulators, and businesses, making blockchain accessible and enabling real-world applications. Area 2071 is an innovation hotspot, a co-creation space where innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs use labs, incubators, and networks to solve concrete problems laid down by Dubai's Centennial Vision to Gaurav Dubey, CEO of TDeFi and a blockchain investor, startups coming into Dubai must engage with incubators and accelerators. He is part of a DMCC accelerator programme that offers no-cost access to mentorship, credits from big tech companies, and government-led pilot projects. The DIFC Innovation Hub has recently partnered with Ripple to create a platform connecting tech firms, regulators, VCs, and educational per Khurana, Dubai thrives on its micro-communities. Events, including Token2049, Future Blockchain Summit, and various hackathons, create consistent engagement and learning environments to Khurana, blockchain has experimented with a lot of use cases — from the metaverse to non-fungible tokens or NFTs — but has found firm ground in three areas in Dubai:Dubey points out that digital assets/crypto payments are now mainstream in Dubai. Residents can use crypto to pay taxes, buy property, shop for luxury items, pay credit card bills, or even pay salaries. The DIFC now supports tokens such as USDC and EURC. Ripple also recently became the first company licensed by the DFSA to explore tokenised payments. The upcoming launch of the Digital Dirham will further strengthen this to Dr. Al Zarouni, blockchain-based smart contracts, especially when combined with artificial intelligence (AI), are emerging as a major area of adoption. Dubai Land Department's real estate tokenisation pilot allows for fractional property ownership — a market estimated to be worth $16 billion by 2033. Developers such as DAMAC now accept crypto payments using smart contracts, streamlining property is another promising frontier. Dr. Marwan mentions Circular Protocol, a decentralised science (DeSci) startup working on automating clinical trials and ensuring transparent, tamper-proof data auditing. Smart contracts are also being used for auto-processing insurance claims. As he puts it, 'Blockchain use cases are being built in Dubai to be exported to the world.'According to Sumanta Roy, Head of Tata Consultancy Services, Middle East and Africa, 'There is growing synergy between India's blockchain talent and Dubai's enabling environment.' In 2024, Dubai Internet City partnered with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) to support Indian entrepreneurs. DIFC also signed an MoU with NASSCOM to bolster fintech collaboration. T-Hub has partnered with Dubai CommerCity to provide Indian startups with regulatory, infrastructure, and market access Dr. Marwan, a key area of collaboration is the UAE's blockchain-powered digital ID platform, UAE Pass, and India's Aadhaar framework. Dubai can offer a good opportunity for Indian firms to build Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-inspired blockchain payment — this could particularly benefit Dubai's retail and small and medium enterprise (SME) sectors, as most UPI transactions are small-scale (under ₹500).In short, several opportunities exist for blockchain startups in Dubai's government ecosystem, real estate, DeFi, DeSci, in creating new solutions in a 'sandboxing environment' and India-Dubai tech collaboration. Our interviewees highlighted some practical tips for building and growing in Dubai –a) Selection of free zones based on activity and facilities offered. For example, the DMCC hosts 500+ crypto/Web3 firms (50 of which are Indian). It provides flexible licensing to crypto trading, mining, and DeFi services with a 0% corporate tax in free zones.b) Adapting to the evolving regulations from the Central Bank, VARA, and free zones. In February 2025, VARA strengthened its monitoring of unlicensed exchanges, calling for mandatory third-party audits for smart contracts in DeFi.c) Embedding in the micro-communities and various incubator, accelerator, and mentorship blockchain journey is steadily moving from potential to execution. Backed by government support and a growing ecosystem, the city is laying the groundwork for practical applications. For businesses exploring use cases in finance, real estate, or digital assets, Dubai offers a testbed where ideas can be built, scaled, and brought to the global market. Dubai is the only place where your landlord, lawyer, and latte could all be on article is authored by Shraddha this link for more on Business in Dubai.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Middle East Blockchain Awards 2025 honours regional trailblazers in Web3 at Iconic Dubai Ceremony
The second edition of the MEBA, officially named a side event of TOKEN2049 Dubai, the global flagship gathering for the web3 and blockchain industry Organised by Hoko Agency Middle East, MEBA was supported by OKX, a global blockchain leader and the awards' headline sponsor. AI technology took centre stage, with all event assets generated by Hum(AI)n Assets – a fusion of AI speed and human creativity. Dubai, UAE: The second edition of the Middle East Blockchain Awards (MEBA) took place on 29 April at the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in Dubai, celebrating the region's leading innovators in the Web 3.0 space. Held on the sidelines of TOKEN2049 Dubai — the global flagship event for the Web3 and blockchain industry — the awards ceremony brought together government officials, tech pioneers, and industry leaders from around the world. This 2025 edition of MEBA goes beyond web3 and blockchain, placing AI firmly centre stage — as this transformative technology starts to revolutionize not only web3 development, but also our global digital experience. As well as awards recognising AI innovation, all in-event content and media materials were produced by Hum(AI)n assets, a brand new project which combines the speed of AI with the very best work of human creative professionals. Dubai was chosen to host the second edition of MEBA in recognition of its global leadership in digital innovation and blockchain adoption. With its advanced infrastructure, forward-thinking regulations, and strong government support, the city has rapidly become a thriving hub for Web3 enterprises and digital asset pioneers. Hosting MEBA in Dubai highlights the UAE's central role in shaping the future of technology, finance, and digital transformation on a global scale. Max Palethorpe, Founder and CEO of Hoko Agency, the official organizers of MEBA, said: 'The second edition of the Middle East Blockchain Awards marks another milestone in the region's Web3 journey. Hosting MEBA in Dubai—an epicenter for blockchain innovation—underscores the UAE's growing influence on the global digital economy. This year's winners have set new benchmarks in creativity, impact, and excellence, and we're proud to celebrate the talent shaping the future of blockchain across the Middle East. We're excited to see how this community continues to push boundaries and lead on the world stage.' A panel of esteemed experts selected the winners across each category. The panel included Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI for the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and CEO of Dubai Blockchain Centre (DBCC); Jumana Al Darwish, award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of The Happy Box; Megan Plisky, Web3 leader and strategic advisor; Scott Melker, host of The Wolf of All Streets podcast and Crypto TownHall; Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General of the Dubai Digital Assets Association and Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis; and Jorge Sebastiao, Co-Founder of the Global Blockchain Organization and EcoX. Winners announced during the MEBA ceremony were: Launched to recognise and reward outstanding achievements in blockchain and Web 3.0, MEBA is organised by Hoko Agency Middle East and supported by OKX, the global blockchain technology leader and headline sponsor of the awards. About Hoko Abu Dhabi Hoko Agency is a diversified and innovative company that owns and operates a diverse portfolio of businesses within the sectors of Finance, Blockchain, Entertainment, Sport and F&B. Hoko strives to be the best-in-class in each of their service lines; offering quality products, world class service and fitting solutions that go beyond the industry's expectations.
CairoScene
30-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Middle East Blockchain Awards 2025 Celebrates Web3 Innovators in Dubai
Organised by Hoko Agency and sponsored by OKX, the ceremony emphasised AI's growing role in blockchain development. Apr 30, 2025 The second Middle East Blockchain Awards (MEBA) honoured regional Web3 leaders on April 29th 2025 at Dubai's Burj Al Arab, coinciding with the global TOKEN2049 summit. Organised by Hoko Agency and sponsored by OKX, the ceremony emphasised AI's growing role in blockchain development, with all event content produced by Hum(AI)n Assets, a hybrid AI-human creative initiative. Dubai was selected for its progressive digital infrastructure and regulatory framework, cementing its status as a blockchain hub. A panel including Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni (Dubai Blockchain Centre) and Jumana Al Darwish (The Happy Box) judged winners across 10 categories. The Middle East Blockchain Awards 2025 honoured 10 innovators across Web3 and AI, with Astro Armadillos claiming Best GameFi Project, Hash AI winning Best RWA Tokenization, and PropChain (powered by named Most Promising Web3 Ecosystem. Chainsight secured Best Blockchain Development Solution, while Ran Neuner was crowned Top Crypto Influencer. Real Vision took Best Web3 Financial Community, Nikita Sachdev earned Most Influential Woman in Blockchain, and Credibility X won Most Promising Crypto Media Agency. Crystal Intelligence claimed Best Blockchain Analytics Solution, and Acme Worawat was named Most Influential Person in Blockchain.
