BlockByBlock | The Top 20 CEOs In The UAE
Unlock releases a list of the UAE's top 20 CEOs. MENA startups raise millions in March. Sanabil pledges $2 billion to blockchain-led VCs. Scala promises $100 million to promising startups.
In This Week’s Issue
⚡ MENA startups raise $247 million in March 2023, taking 2023’s Q1 funding to a total of $1.1 billion.
💸 Sanabil, the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, allocates $2 billion annually for private investment in venture capital firms with direct ties to crypto, blockchain and Web3.
🌟 Scalo Technologies, a Singapore-based VC firm specializing in tech, moves its headquarters to Dubai and pledges $100 million to promising startups.
💥 Unlock Blockchain releases its list of MENA’s Top 20 CEOs in Blockchain with prizes awarded based on 11,000 votes.
Local Developments
Blockchain Movements In The GCC 👇
Sanabil, the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, allocates $2 billion annually for private investment in venture capital firms with direct ties to crypto, blockchain and Web3.
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) begins ‘closely following’ CBDCs and blockchain-based know-your-customer solutions.
MENA startups raise $247 million in March 2023, taking 2023’s Q1 funding to a total of $1.1 billion.
“The CBK is closely following the experiences of other countries that are issuing CBDCs, as well as the debates taking place among stakeholders in various countries regarding the various pros and cons. Accordingly, it has formed a team of experts from various fields within the CBK to study the topic,” said Basel A. Al-Haroon, governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait.
Key Industry Development
Unlock Releases The Top 20 Performing CEOs In Blockchain & Crypto 🌟
Unlock Blockchain, an established media company in the UAE, issued a voting process on its 28 nominees for Top 20 Performing CEOs in the MENA region.
Despite receiving up to 11,000 votes from the blockchain community, Unlock remains cautious about the results. “The voting process may not always reflect the reality of the situation. Some deserving individuals may have not been nominated due to various reasons,” the company said in its release.
That said, here are the top 20 CEOS and their companies:
Dr. Khalid Tahhan - Digital Digits LLC
Kokila Alagh - KARM Legal Consultants
Nasser Al Agha - Crypto Miners
Jeetu Kataria - DIFX
Waqas Nakhwa - Aqar Chain
Waqas Hasan Mizra - Avanza Innovations
Matthias Mende - Bonuz Inc.
Christian Borel - Seba Bank
Melanie Mohr - WOM Protocol
Marwan Alzarouni - Dubai Blockchain Center
Ola Lind - FTFT Capital Investment LLC
Gilson Ribeiro Da Costa - VAR Compliance
Fatma Elsafty - Meta Essence
Khalil Alami - Telr
Mohammed Mahfoudh - Deca4 Advisory
Christopher Flinos - HAYVN
Saeed Hareb Aldarmaki - Sheesha Finance
Anjo de Heus - Playtreks
We interviewed Anjo a couple of editions ago. Check out the interview here!
Mehtap Onder - GCEX
Vineet Budki - Cypher Capital
Congratulations to the winners and thank you for helping build the local blockchain ecosystem. We’d also like to extend a thank you to all the CEOs who have been achieving the same goal but operating “under the radar;” you are not forgotten and your feats have not gone unnoticed.
Startup Action
Updates From The Startup Ecosystem 💸
Zero Two, a digital assets infrastructure company, opens its offices and begins offering its services in Abu Dhabi.
Scalo Technologies, a Singapore-based VC firm specializing in tech, moves its headquarters to Dubai and pledges $100 million to promising startups.
Ghaf Labs and Republic Crypto, two blockchain advisory, consultancy and incubating firms, partner to offer their services to the MENA’s blockchain and Web3 entities.
Blockchain Trends
Global Trends 📉
LayerZero, a cross-chain interoperability protocol, raises $120 million in a Series B funding and acquires a $3 billion valuation.
More than 50 legislative items relating to crypto and digital asset policy make their debut on Capitol Hill.
The Bank of England begins building a team of as many as 30 people to develop the nation’s central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Upcoming Events
Blockchain Events By AgoraGroup 🔴
The Global Blockchain Congress will be hosted by AgoraGroup in London, England, on July 24th & 25th, 2023.
Blockchain Events Across The UAE 🔵
Blockchain Economy will be hosted between October 2nd to October 5th in Dubai, the UAE.
The Future Blockchain Summit will be hosted between October 17th and October 20th in Dubai, the UAE.