Latest news with #ScottThiel
Crypto Insight
a day ago
- Business
- Crypto Insight
Dubai real estate sales hit $18B in May amid tokenization push
Dubai's real estate market surged in May, posting record sales volumes and transaction values that signal growing investor confidence and potential readiness for property tokenization. According to data shared in a press release with Cointelegraph by real estate platform Property Finder, Dubai's real estate sector reached a total sales value of 66.8 billion dirhams (about $18.2 billion) across 18,700 transactions in May. The figures indicate a 44% year-on-year surge in transaction value and a 6% rise in sales volume. The growth was driven by both primary and secondary market activity. Primary sales saw a 314% spike in value compared to May 2024, while secondary sales rose 21% in value. The performance comes amid an accelerating push into real estate tokenization, which opens up the market to more investors and reshapes the dynamics of property ownership. Dubai's real estate market performance signals tokenization readiness Scott Thiel, the co-founder and CEO of the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform Tokinvest, told Cointelegraph that the record-breaking performance of Dubai's real estate market signals the city's readiness for real estate innovation like tokenization. 'It reinforces what we already knew, Dubai is becoming one of the most active and attractive real estate markets globally,' Thiel told Cointelegraph. 'When you see 60 billion dirhams in transactions in a single month, it's a strong signal that the market is liquid, dynamic and ready for innovation.' The executive added that real estate tokenization is no longer a futuristic concept but an active development gaining steam. Thiel added that the volume presents a perfect launchpad for fractionalization — dividing properties in smaller, more affordable shares — to meet investor demand locally and internationally. Thiel added that tokenization will not just follow market growth but will help accelerate it. 'Tokenisation won't just accompany the next record, we believe, it will help drive it,' he said. Regulators back tokenized assets Dubai's real estate boom in May coincided with major regulatory and industry developments to modernize how properties are sold and bought. On May 1, Dubai's MultiBank Group, real-estate giant MAG and blockchain provider Mavryk signed a $3 billion RWA agreement. The deal will bring MAG's luxury real-estate projects into the blockchain using a regulated RWA marketplace. On May 19, the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), Dubai's crypto regulator, updated its guidelines to include provisions for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Lawyer Irina Heaver told Cointelegraph these rules give issuers and exchanges a clear path to launch and trade tokenized real estate assets. On May 25, the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and the Dubai Future Foundation launched a tokenized real estate project in the Middle East and North Africa region. The government institutions launched a platform that allows investors to buy tokenized shares in 'ready-to-own properties in Dubai.' Source:
Arabian Business
19-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai's once-elite racehorse market now open for fractional ownership with digital tokens
Racehorse investment in the UAE, historically an exclusive market accessible only to the royals and super wealthy, is set for a revolutionary change, with two real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation platforms from Dubai and New Zealand teaming up to offer fractional investment in the equestrian sports. Tokinvest, the Dubai-based leading marketplace for RWA tokenisation, and DSG Group, a New Zealand-based blockchain-powered tokenisation platform, will offer tokenised investment opportunities in racehorses, stables, and siring rights to open up this traditionally exclusive market accessible to a wider investor base. The combine's tokenised 'syndicated ownership' model for the sector will also simplify asset management and enhance liquidity by making fractional shares of racehorses transferable, aiming to tap into the UAE's globally popular and booming equine market. 'The UAE's equestrian industry is one of the most prestigious in the world, with events like the Dubai World Cup attracting global attention and contributing significantly to the country's sports economy. Tokenisation has the potential to redefine racehorse ownership by introducing fractional investment, making this traditionally exclusive market accessible to a wider investor base,' Scott Thiel, Co-Founder and CEO of Tokinvest, told Arabian Business. Thiel said their partnership will leverage blockchain technology to create a seamless, globally accessible investment platform in Dubai's racehorse sector – known as the 'King of Sports'. The DSG Group, which recently partnered with Evolution Stables to tokenise racehorse ownership via digital syndication under the supervision of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), is set to replicate the model in Dubai in partnership with Tokinvest. 🏇 Tokenised Racehorse Investments Are Here 🏇 Tokinvest x DSG Group are revolutionising racehorse investments with blockchain-powered fractional investment. Read more. — Tokinvest (@Tokinvest_Cap) February 25, 2025 Redefining racehorse ownership Thiel said the Tokinvest-DSG partnership will roll out a multi-channel strategy to bridge the gap between traditional equestrian investors and the digital asset community. 'By combining storytelling and strategic partnerships, we aim to redefine racehorse ownership for a new generation of investors,' he said. Sports sector experts said the blockchain-based investment initiative in the horse race sector could be a game changer, as it will lower entry barriers, enabling more investors to participate without the financial burden of full ownership. This will also enhance liquidity, making traditionally illiquid assets like racehorses tradeable investment opportunities and attracting new capital into the sector, they said Thiel said: 'At Tokinvest, we're not just embracing this change—we're driving it.' He said tokenisation will drastically change the 'limited' or 'exclusive syndicate' model prevalent historically in the sector by allowing everyone to purchase digital shares in a horse at fractional costs. 'Our focus is on retail investors looking to diversify their portfolios with alternative assets, and institutional investors such as Funds and asset managers seeking exposure to the growing sports and entertainment sector,' he said. Web3-savvy investors eager for regulated real-world asset (RWA) opportunities will also be the combine's target group, Thiel said. Promoting global investor participation in Dubai's racehorse sports The Tokinvest chief executive said the platform will root for global participation as long as investors comply with local and international regulations. 'One of the biggest advantages of tokenisation is its borderless nature. Investors no longer need to be physically in the UAE to own a stake in a high-value racehorse,' he said. Industry watchers said with blockchain-backed security, transparency, and compliance, investors can buy, sell, or trade ownership stakes digitally. Dubai's leadership in Web3 innovation and regulatory clarity makes it the perfect gateway for international investors looking to explore real-world asset tokenisation, they said. Thiel said Tokinvest has established a network of regulated virtual asset brokers that provide access to 1.6 billion people. He said the UAE's progressive stance on digital assets, with clear frameworks for blockchain-based investments, will be a major advantage for the promotion of global investments in Dubai's equine sector. 'The UAE's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) is actively shaping the legal landscape for digital asset ownership, making Dubai a global hub for tokenised investments,' he said. Thiel said Tokinvest will also work closely with asset owners to provide investor protection through bankruptcy and claims remote structures. He said the partnership will work with industry specialists, those with many years or decades-long track records of successfully managing racehorses, to promote their initiative. 'These highly regarded industry players are well known and trusted in the industry and have an existing audience base,' he said.
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
HKVAX and Tokinvest announce strategic alliance
Dubai, UAE/Hong Kong — Tokinvest, a leading marketplace for real-world asset tokenisation, and HKVAX, a virtual asset trading platform, have announced a landmark partnership aimed at transforming global digital asset markets. By strategically linking Hong Kong's established financial infrastructure with Dubai's rapidly expanding virtual asset ecosystem, this alliance paves the way for a new era of tokenised investments. This partnership unites two of the world's most dynamic financial centres in their pursuit of digital asset innovation. Hong Kong, Asia's premier financial hub, has long been at the forefront of regulatory advancements in virtual assets. Meanwhile, Dubai has emerged as the Middle East's leading digital asset centre, thanks to its progressive regulatory framework and commitment to blockchain technology. By bringing together HKVAX's SFC-regulated platform in Hong Kong and Tokinvest's VARA-licensed broker-dealer operations in Dubai, this collaboration establishes a cross-regional tokenisation corridor. The alliance will enable seamless token offerings, asset structuring, and secondary market trading, providing institutional investors with greater market accessibility while ensuring regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. A Bridge Between Asia and the Middle East The partnership is set to drive cross-border liquidity, enhance market efficiency, and unlock new investment opportunities in tokenised real-world assets (RWAs), such as real estate, private equity, and alternative assets. In an industry that is still in its early stages, this strategic collaboration marks a significant step towards mainstream adoption of regulated digital asset markets. Industry Leaders on the Partnership "This strategic bridge between Hong Kong and Dubai represents more than just a partnership – it's a gateway to seamless digital asset flows between two of Asia's most dynamic financial centers." said Sam Fok, Co-founder and COO of HKVAX. "Through our collaboration with Tokinvest, we're creating new pathways for institutional investors while upholding the highest regulatory standards in both markets." Scott Thiel, CEO of Tokinvest, added: 'Tokenisation is the future of finance, but to reach its full potential, we need strong regulatory frameworks and seamless market connectivity. This partnership with HKVAX creates a vital link between two global financial powerhouses, enabling investors to access previously untapped opportunities with greater security, liquidity, and efficiency. The future of real-world asset tokenisation is borderless, and this is just the beginning.' About Tokinvest Tokinvest is a regulated, pioneering marketplace that connects real-world asset issuers with investors globally. Our advanced platform simplifies the investment process by creating virtual tokens representing rights to assets and providing comprehensive lifecycle services from ideation to trading to asset servicing. Headquartered in Dubai, we leverage the region's robust regulatory environment to offer all investors access to the most desirable assets. About HKVAX Hong Kong Virtual Asset Exchange (HKVAX) is a virtual asset trading platform licensed by Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission under Type 1 (Dealing in securities) and Type 7 (Providing automated trading services), along with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) licence. HKVAX aims to be a key global player in virtual finance, headquartered in Hong Kong. Beyond OTC trading, exchange, and custody services, HKVAX focuses on Security Token Offerings (STO) and Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization. It combines traditional finance with blockchain technology to serve institutional and professional investors. HKVAX prioritizes security and compliance. It actively cooperates with regulators to promote industry standards and forms strategic alliances with brokers, Money Service Operators (MSOs), Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) issuers, and other platforms to build a compliant virtual asset ecosystem. Through these efforts, HKVAX drives Hong Kong's financial innovation and advances the global virtual asset market.
Arabian Business
11-02-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Tokinvest report highlights Dubai's role in real-world asset tokenisation
The real-world assets (RWA) tokenisation market reached only $15.2 billion by the end of 2024, far below earlier projections of $1.5 trillion, an industry report revealed. The report by Tokinvest, a Dubai-based regulated marketplace for tokenised RWAs, however, said conservative estimates still anticipate a market size of $2 trillion by 2030. The report also shed light on the opportunities and challenges within this growing sector and provides a roadmap for making tokenised investments accessible to everyone. It said with its progressive regulatory environment, Dubai has positioned itself as a global hub for web3 innovation, with leading players having chosen to establish its headquarters in Dubai. 'It also reflects the emirate's commitment to fostering a safe, supportive, and dynamic ecosystem for tokenisation,' Tokinvest said. Scott Thiel, CEO and Co-Founder of Tokinvest said the report is a wake-up call for the financial world. 'Tokenisation isn't just a buzzword; it's a real opportunity to give more people access to valuable investments like real estate, commodities, and private funds. To make this happen, we need global collaboration between regulators, industry leaders, and technology providers,' he said. Thiel said Dubai is setting an example with its forward-thinking approach, and Tokinvest is proud to be part of this journey. The report also outlined practical steps to unlock the full potential of tokenisation such as building scalable and interoperable blockchain systems tailored to different types of assets, replacing traditional structures like SPVs with smart contract-based solutions to simplify asset management and designing innovative tokenised products that bring new opportunities to both retail and institutional investors.
