The DLT Science Foundation Makes its Public Launch to Revolutionize Industries and Society

LONDON, Mar 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The DLT Science Foundation (DSF), a global, non-profit organization, launched today with the goals of expanding knowledge and adoption of, and removing barriers to, fundamental breakthroughs in the field of distributed ledger technology (DLT).

Central to the Foundation's plan to support the responsible adoption of DLT is a comprehensive set of programmes that will offer support in three key areas:

– Education – for students, executives and developers: courses, labs and educational material
– Innovation – for entrepreneurs: open innovation programs, accelerators, workshops, hackathons, industry-academia knowledge transfer
– Research – for academics, Postdocs and PhDs: grants and fellowships

This support will be provided by the Foundation itself and through the use of grants to members of the DSF University Network. This network will feature a diverse array of leading universities from all over the world. Initially, the network comprises Indian Institute of Technology Madras, London School of Economics, National University of Singapore, University College London, and University of Zurich.

Other institutions that share the DSF's vision of promoting DLT are invited to join the DSF University Network and enjoy exclusive access to proprietary tools providing valuable insight into the crypto market and data for research purposes.

The DSF has been initially supported by Hedera, the open-source, leaderless proof-of-stake network, which will also lend valuable DLT expertise to the DSF University Network.

The first call for grant proposals opens today, offering funding up to 5 million US dollars for eligible individuals and organizations.

The DSF was conceived by two visionaries: Professor Paolo Tasca and Nikhil Vadgama. Prof. Tasca is a renowned economist who possesses a wealth of experience in both the industry and regulatory aspects of distributed systems. He is the founder of the acclaimed UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies (CBT). Nikhil Vadgama is a Senior Technology Executive, the Deputy Director of UCL CBT, and a distinguished educator and lecturer at UCL who has received numerous accolades for his work.

Similar to the technology it advocates for, the DSF is a decentralized entity consisting of a global network of scientists and top experts in DLT.

The DSF programs will address real-world grand challenges and will be run through an innovative open collaborative innovation model between academia, industry and government to spur the translation of fundamental research into innovative commercial and societal solutions.

Paolo Tasca, Chairman and co-founder of the DSF said: "After two years of hard work and dedication, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the DLT Science Foundation. It is a privilege to work alongside talented and passionate individuals who will help make the DLT Science Foundation a leading voice in the world of emerging digital technologies. I am eager to witness the groundbreaking innovations that will emerge from our efforts. The DLT Science Foundation aims to drive innovation, foster new collaborative models between academia, industry, and government, and promote the responsible adoption of DLT in business and society. I am excited to continue this journey with our team, partners, and supporters, and I am confident that together, we will unlock the full potential of DLT and create a better future for all."

"The DSF has a unique opportunity to provide unmatched support and empowerment to academics and educators in universities. Drawing from our own experiences and the challenges we have faced, we have developed grant programs that are specifically designed to address the needs of the DLT community. We are excited to collaborate with educators and academics to continuously improve and enhance these programs, and to create a platform for unprecedented growth and success in the field of DLT research, education and innovation," said Director and co-founder Nikhil Vadgama.

"We are thrilled to join the DSF University Network and connect with other top universities around the world," said Nicholas Mac Gregor Garcia, Co-Director of the NUS FinTech Lab. "NUS is not only one of the top Asian universities, but also one of the world's best in CoinDesk's blockchain university rankings. We are leaders in blockchain education, offering 37 blockchain-related courses in all levels from Executive Education to PhD. We are committed to driving cutting-edge research in blockchain and crypto, and we believe that partnering with the DSF will allow us to do just that. We look forward to using DSF resources and tools to further our projects and contribute to the network's mission of advancing the field of blockchain. We hope to share our expertise and bring our unique perspective to the table, creating a mutually beneficial relationship."

Pradeep Iyer, member of the Board of Directors of the Hedera Governing Council, representing Avery Dennison, said, "To me, the promise of "web3" is deeply compelling – particularly to enable amazing technological developments that can support effective, efficient societal self-orchestration. The colossal magnitude, scope and diversity of data can be effectively consumed only by architecturing a robust, secure, trusted DLT foundation that can scale globally. Such a complex undertaking to me is a clarion call for assembling a solid academic community of best-in-class researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs who can credibly help inform supportive government policy. It is epochal to see this coming together under the auspices of DSF – a worldwide coalition of powerful neural energy."

Claudio Tessone, Head of the University of Zurich Blockchain Center (UZH BCC) (and Professor of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies) said: "As a large-scale interdisciplinary centre which aims at the creation of high quality research and education through a critical understanding on distributed ledger technologies, the UZH Blockchain Center is proud to join the DSF University Network. Entering this initiative allows us to pool our resources with other leading global institutions. UZH BCC specializes in impactful academic production with a worldwide reputation, as highlighted by the last CoinDesk blockchain university ranking. We are confident that DSF resources and tools will allow us to produce outputs of high value to the industry and the advancement of this fascinating space."

To join the DLT Science Foundation's University Network today and accelerate the development of education, research and innovation in academia and beyond, visit https://www.dltscience.org/.

About the DLT Science Foundation

The DLT Science Foundation (DSF) is committed to driving the growth of distributed ledger technology in business and society by empowering education, innovation, and research through its academic network and partnerships with industry leaders. Discover how the DLT Science Foundation can support your journey into distributed ledger technology.

Visit: https://www.dltscience.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLT_Science
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dltscience/about/

Media Contact:
comms@dltscience.org

SOURCE: DSF OPCO LTD

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

The DLT Science Foundation Makes its Public Launch to Revolutionize Industries and Society with Distributed Ledger Technology

LONDON, Mar 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The DLT Science Foundation (DSF) (www.dltscience.org), a global, non-profit organisation, launched today with the goals of expanding knowledge and adoption of, and removing barriers to, fundamental breakthroughs in the field of distributed ledger technology (DLT).

Central to the Foundation's plan to support the responsible adoption of DLT is a comprehensive set of programmes that will offer support in three key areas:

– Education – for students, executives and developers: courses, labs and educational material
– Innovation – for entrepreneurs: open innovation programs, accelerators, workshops, hackathons, industry-academia knowledge transfer
– Research – for academics, Postdocs and PhDs: grants and fellowships

This support will be provided by the Foundation itself and through the use of grants to members of the DSF University Network. This network will feature a diverse array of leading universities from all over the world. Initially, the network comprises Indian Institute of Technology Madras, London School of Economics, National University of Singapore, University College London, and University of Zurich.

Other institutions that share the DSF's vision of promoting DLT are invited to join the DSF University Network and enjoy exclusive access to proprietary tools providing valuable insight into the crypto market and data for research purposes.

The DSF has been initially supported by Hedera (https://hedera.com), the open-source, leaderless proof-of-stake network, which will also lend valuable DLT expertise to the DSF University Network.

The first call for grant proposals opens today, offering funding up to 5 million US dollars for eligible individuals and organisations.

The DSF was conceived by two visionaries: Professor Paolo Tasca and Nikhil Vadgama. Prof. Tasca is a renowned economist who possesses a wealth of experience in both the industry and regulatory aspects of distributed systems. He is the founder of the acclaimed UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies (CBT). Nikhil Vadgama is a Senior Technology Executive, the Deputy Director of UCL CBT, and a distinguished educator and lecturer at UCL who has received numerous accolades for his work.

Similar to the technology it advocates for, the DSF is a decentralized entity consisting of a global network of scientists and top experts in DLT.

The DSF programs will address real-world grand challenges and will be run through an innovative open collaborative innovation model between academia, industry and government to spur the translation of fundamental research into innovative commercial and societal solutions.

Paolo Tasca, Chairman and co-founder of the DSF said, "After two years of hard work and dedication, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the DLT Science Foundation. It is a privilege to work alongside talented and passionate individuals who will help make the DLT Science Foundation a leading voice in the world of emerging digital technologies. I am eager to witness the groundbreaking innovations that will emerge from our efforts. The DLT Science Foundation aims to drive innovation, foster new collaborative models between academia, industry, and government, and promote the responsible adoption of DLT in business and society. I am excited to continue this journey with our team, partners, and supporters, and I am confident that together, we will unlock the full potential of DLT and create a better future for all."

"The DSF has a unique opportunity to provide unmatched support and empowerment to academics and educators in universities. Drawing from our own experiences and the challenges we have faced, we have developed grant programs that are specifically designed to address the needs of the DLT community. We are excited to collaborate with educators and academics to continuously improve and enhance these programs, and to create a platform for unprecedented growth and success in the field of DLT research, education and innovation," said Director and co-founder Nikhil Vadgama.

"We are thrilled to join the DSF University Network and connect with other top universities around the world," said Nicholas Mac Gregor Garcia, Co-Director of the NUS FinTech Lab. "NUS is not only one of the top Asian universities, but also one of the world's best in CoinDesk's blockchain university rankings. We are leaders in blockchain education, offering 37 blockchain related courses in all levels from Executive Education to PhD. We are committed to driving cutting-edge research in blockchain and crypto, and we believe that partnering with the DSF will allow us to do just that. We look forward to using DSF resources and tools to further our projects and contribute to the network's mission of advancing the field of blockchain. We hope to share our expertise and bring our unique perspective to the table, creating a mutually beneficial relationship."

Pradeep Iyer, member of the Board of Directors of the Hedera Governing Council, representing Avery Dennison, said, "To me, the promise of "web3 is deeply compelling – particularly to enable amazing technological developments that can support effective, efficient societal self-orchestration. The colossal magnitude, scope and diversity of data can be effectively consumed only by architecturing a robust, secure, trusted DLT foundation that can scale globally. Such a complex undertaking to me is a clarion call for assembling a solid academic community of best-in-class researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs who can credibly help inform supportive government policy. It is epochal to see this coming together under the auspices of DSF – a worldwide coalition of powerful neural energy."

Claudio Tessone, Head of the University of Zurich Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies Center (UZH BCC), said, "As a large-scale interdisciplinary centre which aims at the creation of high quality research and education through a critical understanding on distributed ledger technologies, the UZH Blockchain Center is proud to join the DSF University Network. Entering this initiative allows us to pool our resources with other leading global institutions. UZH BCC specialises in impactful academic production with a worldwide reputation, as highlighted by the last CoinDesk blockchain university ranking. We are confident that DSF resources and tools will allow us to produce outputs of high value to the industry and the advancement of this fascinating space."

To join the DLT Science Foundation's University Network today and accelerate the development of education, research and innovation in academia and beyond, visit www.dltscience.org/.

About the DLT Science Foundation

The DLT Science Foundation (DSF) is committed to driving the growth of distributed ledger technology in business and society by empowering education, innovation, and research through its academic network and partnerships with industry leaders.

Discover how the DLT Science Foundation can support your journey into distributed ledger technology.

Visit: https://www.dltscience.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLT_Science
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dltscience/about/

Media Contact
pr@hedera.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

A Reimagined Vision of The Future of Digital Banking

DUBAI, Mar 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – "Our challenges have changed but we still share similarities with ancient banking times, when we were all looking for fast-paced abilities to adapt banking delivery to our lifestyle challenges," said Noelia Romanillos – Head of Financial Services GTM South Europe & UKI at ServiceNow – at this year's 2nd Annual Future Banks Summit MENA which took place last week at Swissotel Al Murooj, Dubai, UAE. In a highly digitalized world, we tend to notice an ongoing trend – every aspect of society is going through a technological transformation, especially when we're looking at banking and finance. Today, both individuals and corporations have the ability – round-the-clock – to look into their financial information, make payments and proposals, and perform a whole host of transactions with the click of a few buttons.

This month, Verve Management hosted its 2nd Annual Future Banks Summit MENA, where attendees explored the path to fintech transformation within the region, eventually making it a global leader in finance. This has much to do with the region embracing advances in technology, to steer the industry toward the direction of delivering efficient products and services to a young demographic in order to meet the expectations of the digital consumer. Concerning untapped potential, the region is well-positioned to become a sizeable territory for effective digital banking innovation, which is what key industry professionals focused on throughout the course of the two-day summit.

This heightened digitalization can, however, be a double-edged sword. Through the course of his keynote discussion on the era of digitalization, Vilmos Lorincz – Managing Director of Data Products at Lloyds Banking Group UK – provided the attendees with insight on rethinking business strategies in order to flourish within the ecosystem. "The compliance level is just the baseline; it's really important that you protect the data of people, ethically." He said, emphasizing the importance of data protection. The distinguished use of digitalization within the BFSI sector pushes the requirement for substantial regulations in order to eradicate any negative outcomes on both the workforce and the end consumer.

Through digitalization, the banking sector is viable to both innovation and a rise in entrepreneurship; however, some corporations are still wary about going digital due to the high level of risk involved. "Security and compliance must become part of the culture of organizations to mitigate risk truly," said Kiran Bafna – Managing Director – APAC, India & Japan at Thomson Reuters – on his views surrounding the steps taken to enable cultural change in a truly modern technological ecosystem. "Only if technological integration is in line with an organization's vision, true integration can take place," he added.

Some of the corporations in continual support of the Future Banks Summit MENA this year were our Gold Sponsors – Kissflow, ServiceNow & Enfint; our Silver Sponsor – Confirmation.com; our Bronze Sponsors – eMudhra, Keyless Technologies, Creatio + Banza, & Thought Machine; our Networking Sponsor – Trejhara; and our Associate Sponsor – System Technologies.
All in all, Verve Management was honored to be in the presence of some of the most renowned thought leaders – both internationally and regionally – focused on one goal, which was to explore the MENA region's financial landscape and the process through which it is driven by innovation and technological advancement.

Verve Management
Isha – Marketing Executive
isha@verve-management.com
Dubai, UAE

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Think Equity: Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA) – Path to Profitability

NEW YORK, Mar 14, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Think Equity, LLC ("Think Equity") issues research report on Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) ("SoPa"), Southeast Asia's (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem.

Click Here (on Society Pass website) to view the full Think Equity research report. https://thesocietypass.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ThinkEquity_SocietyPass_Initiation_ResearchReport_26Sep2022.pdf

Summary Points:

– Path to Profitability – Revenues are forecast to grow from $6 million in 2022 to $42 million in 2023. The company is well capitalized, with an estimated cash position of $20 million. Monthly cash burn has declined from an average of $1.2 million for the nine months through September 2022 to $150K by December 2022. The company's objective is to achieve operational breakeven by the second quarter of 2023. The company's target EBITDA for 2023 is 10%.

– Holding Company – The group has acquired eight companies, seven of which were in 2022. Management targets 7 to 10 acquisitions in 2023. The company has pivoted away from organically developing a loyalty platform to making acquisitions. The acquisition model focuses on three KPIs – revenues, users, and merchants. Revenues have grown from $10,000 in 2019 to $50,000 in 2020, $520,000 in 2021, and $6.1 million in 2022. In addition, the company has on-boarded 3.3 million registered consumers and 200,000 registered merchants.

– Loyalty – The company beta launched its loyalty platform in June 2022 and plans a hard launch in the second quarter of 2023. The company has an impending digital wallet partnership with Alipay, the payments arm of the Alibaba Group. The company intends to build out the loyalty app with its digital wallet partnership with Alipay into a de facto payments platform for Southeast Asia.

– Lifestyle – Society Pass acquired Leflair, based in Vietnam, out of bankruptcy in 2021. The company has rebuilt the platform, onboarding users and merchants. Up from $500,000 in revenues in 2021, Leflair generated over $2 million in sales in 2022. The company intends to spin out Leflair as a separate publicly listed company in 2023.

– Food and Beverage Delivery – The company acquired three F&B delivery companies in Vietnam and Philippines in 2022. The company generated $100,000 in food and beverage delivery in 2022. The company is not investing in food and beverage delivery as it is inherently an unprofitable business. But the company has on-boarded 700K registered users onto its platform. That's in addition to the 1.5 million registered users on-boarded via the Leflair acquisition.

– Telcoms – Gorilla is a Singapore-based, blockchain/web3 technology-enabled mobile virtual network operator. Society Pass acquired it for its technology. The company is taking that blockchain/Web three technology and infusing it into the rest of the ecosystem.

– Digital Media – Thoughtful Media, a leading influencer advertising company in Southeast Asia, generated $6.5 million in sales in 2022. Thoughtful Media has over 200 channels on its multichannel network and over 300 influencers. The company targets to grow revenues from $6.5 million in 2022 to $30 million by 2023, with a target 15% EBITDA margin.

– Travel – With NusaTrip acquisition, Society Pass has on-boarded a total of 3.3 million registered users and over 200,000 registered merchants. An estimated 99% of business at NusaTrip is airlines versus 1% hotels. The revenue rate earned from selling airline tickets is 2% – 3% compared to 7% – 20% for hotels. NusaTrip plans to change the revenue mix from 99%/1% to 80%/20% by the end of the year.

– Valuation – Our 12-month price target is $6 based on 4x FY23 sales per share estimate. This valuation multiple is within the peer group valuation range.

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa's data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam's leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company's management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company's initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Turkish Arab Financial Forum to be Held on March 13, 2023

DUBAI, Mar 10, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Crypto Oasis will be participating in the upcoming Turkish Arab Financial Forum to be held on March 13, 2023, at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The event is being organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of Türkiye and the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office and Unlock Blockchain.

The forum aims to bring together high-level participants from Turkiye and the Arab world, including senior government officials, investors, VCs, asset managers, private equity firms, Fintech leaders, finance and investment leaders, investment bankers, and representatives of major regional and international financial institutions. The event will focus on the latest developments and opportunities in fintech, with a particular emphasis on the intersection and partnership between Fintech and traditional banking.

The forum will see participations from some of the leading banks and Fintech firms in Turkey and the UAE, including Denizbank, HalkBank, Turkiye Finans, PayFix, Ininal, Paycell and more than 20 fintech companies' member of TODEB.

As a key participant of the event, Crypto Oasis will be represented by its co-founder Saqr Ereiqat who will moderate a panel discussion on "The role of DeFi and crypto assets in Turkish-Arab financial partnership" along with Managing Director of GCEX, Mehtap Onder, Senior Executive Officer of SEBA Bank AG ADGM, Christian Borel and CEO of VAF compliance, Gilson Costa.

"Participating in the Turkish Arab Financial Forum is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the digital asset space in the UAE and to contribute to the growing financial ties between Türkiye and the UAE," said Saqr Ereiqat, Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis.

The upcoming forum presents a significant opportunity, as it marks the first such gathering since the United Arab Emirates and Turkey signed an agreement aimed at promoting increased trade between the two nations over the next five years. The event will offer a unique platform for participants to network and share insights on the latest trends and opportunities in the fintech space.

For more information on the event, please visit this link, www.iktissadevents.com/event/turkish-arab-financial-forum/.

About Crypto Oasis

The Crypto Oasis is a MENA focused Blockchain Ecosystem headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The core elements needed for its growth are Talent, Capital, and Infrastructure. The Ecosystems stakeholders include Investors & Collectors, Start-Ups & Projects, Corporates, Science & Research Institutions, Service Providers and Government Entities & Associations. Crypto Oasis' vision is to be one of the leading Blockchain Ecosystems in the world. Today it is the fastest growing Blockchain Ecosystem in the world, with more than 1,650+ organisations identified in the UAE alone with more than 8,300+ individuals working in the space. www.cryptooasis.ae

About Turkish Arab Forum

The forum represents a natural extension of the esteemed Turkish Arab Economic Forum, renowned for its commitment to fostering enhanced economic and trade relations between the Arab States and Turkey. This occasion will serve as a platform for high-level discussions, with a particular emphasis on fintech and digital payment innovation. The forum will explore prospective partnerships between financial institutions spanning the Arab States and Turkey, while simultaneously striving to advance and augment economic and investment cooperation between these sectors.

For more information contact:
Faisal Zaidi
Crypto Oasis
faisal@cryptooasis.ae
+971552000840

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Crypto Oasis Launches Cove Beach Venue in the Metaverse with Exscape at Annual Ecosystem Night

DUBAI, UAE, Mar 7, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Crypto Oasis, the fastest growing WEB3 ecosystem in the world, hosted top organisations and players from the global industry at its annual Ecosystem Night on the 2nd of March 2023. The event aimed to celebrate the most recent advancements in the global and local WEB3 ecosystem, showcasing cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking ideas in the world of crypto and blockchain.

Highlights
– Crypto Oasis hosted top organisations and players in the regional Ecosystem for its annual Ecosystem Night
– Exscape was the co-host for the evening and the creator of the entire Cove Beach Venue in the Metaverse that provided a unique immersive experience
– The Founders Mural at Cove Beach designed and created by Faisal Zaidi was tokenised into 100 pieces of art representing annual memberships to Cove Beach

The prestigious event in its second year took place at Cove Beach, the stunning venue that forms part of the famous Caesars Palace in Bluewaters Island. As one of the most popular locations in the city, it attracts visitors from all over the world. At the event, Crypto Oasis launched several WEB3 integrations with the venue.

The first was the creation of Cove Beach in the Metaverse by Exscape. The initiative was created and developed in less than 6 weeks with a hyper realistic environment for people to walk around and visit the venue using a VR headset from anywhere in the world. Exscape, the co-host for the Crypto Oasis Ecosystem night is a metaverse-based social platform as well as a metaverse builder that concentrates on creating experiences for the public at high end venues like Cove Beach.

The second integration was the launch of the Cove Beach NFT based membership programme for those interested in buying an annual membership to the venue. A large 12.5m wall at the venue has been converted into the Founders Mural by Faisal Zaidi and which was digitalised and fractionalised into 100 pieces. Each sold digital artwork represents its counterpart on the physical wall and will grant the owner an annual membership to the Cove Beach Club.

"We are excited to integrate Cove Beach, our go-to destination for our annual Ecosystem Night, into the world of WEB3 through the launch of the Metaverse experience and Memberships as NFTs. The Cove Beach Metaverse will provide members with an exclusive and immersive experience that blurs the boundaries between the physical and virtual world, while the Membership NFTs will let holders own a piece of the Cove Beach through the fractionalised mural at the venue," said Ralf Glabischnig, Founder of the Crypto Oasis.

"We're thrilled to have partnered with Crypto Oasis to launch the Cove Beach Metaverse and our Annual Membership NFTs," said Adel Ghazzawi, Co-Founder of Cove Beach. "The Metaverse is the future of social interaction, and the NFTs is the future of financial interaction. We're excited to offer our members an unparalleled experience that merges the physical and digital worlds. The WEB3 community is a very important part of the society of Dubai and they are an integral part of the audience that visits our venue."

Exscape CEO, Mehdi Cherif stated, "We are delighted to have partnered with Crypto Oasis on this exciting initiative. The Cove Beach venue in the Metaverse offers users a glimpse of what is possible within the Metaverse, and we look forward to working with Crypto Oasis to develop more innovative and engaging experiences for our users." Exscape is a cutting-edge Metaverse that offers users an immersive and interactive virtual world.

With the venue being replicated in the Metaverse, attendees can choose to visit and experience Cove Beach however they prefer. Crypto Oasis' and Exscape's expertise in WEB3 combined with Cove Beach's reputation for delivering world-class entertainment and hospitality has translated into an unparalleled WEB3 experience for the public.

The NFTs for the annual membership to Cove Beach that were physically represented as part of the Founders Mural which are available to be purchased at cryptooasis.ae/membership.

About the Crypto Oasis

The Crypto Oasis is a MENA focused Blockchain Ecosystem headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The core elements needed for its growth are Talent, Capital, and Infrastructure. The Ecosystems stakeholders include Investors & Collectors, Start-Ups & Projects, Corporates, Science & Research Institutions, Service Providers and Government Entities & Associations. Crypto Oasis' vision is to be one of the leading Blockchain Ecosystems in the world. Today it is the fastest growing Blockchain Ecosystem in the world, with more than 1,650+ organisations identified in the UAE alone with more than 8,300+ individuals working in the space. www.cryptooasis.ae

About Exscape

Exscape is a Metaverse based social network where users can interact with each other through a highly immersive and interactive virtual environments enabling them to form virtual communities, play games, listen to music, watch videos, discover new places, share experiences, transact and engage in social activities like never before.

About Cove Beach

Cove Beach is one of the most happening beach clubs in Dubai. The popular beach club was relocated from Jumeirah Beach Hotel to Caesars Palace, Bluewaters Island in November 2018. With the stunning azure waters of the Arabian Sea serving as the backdrop, Cove Beach Dubai invites you for the ultimate retreat, whether you want to party or just relax and unwind. With a picturesque beachside setting, Cove Beach Dubai Bluewaters features a restaurant, lounge and swimming pools. The venue exudes a Mediterranean vibe and offers a range of personalised services that make guests feel like royalty.

For more information contact:
Faisal Zaidi
Crypto Oasis
faisal@cryptooasis.ae
+971552000840

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA)’s NusaTrip Continues Expansion in Southeast Asia (SEA), Extending Services to Vietnam

SINGAPORE, Mar 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – NusaTrip, Indonesia's first IATA-certified online travel agency (OTA) and the travel vertical of Nasdaq-listed Society Pass Incorporated (SOPA), today announces the opening of an office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, representing its third SEA regional office outside of Jakarta, following the opening of its offices in Singapore and Manila earlier this year.

Post the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam reopened its doors to international travelers back in March 2022, and since then domestic tourism has seen a strong recovery, receiving about 4 million international travelers last year. According to ASEANFocus, 16 million international tourists and 80 million domestic travelers are projected to spend US$34 billion total travel revenue from 2024 to 2026. In addition, Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam also expects a full travel recovery by December 2023 with around 34 million passengers from Vietnam expected to travel internationally, tripling the travel volume from 2022.

With the aim of increasing its service portfolio across SEA as well as boosting tourism in Vietnam, NusaTrip is well-positioned to grasp the huge market potential and serve additional communities in the region. NusaTrip regional offices focus on creating more variety of marketing initiatives and managing existing business relationships with airlines, hotels and tourism promotion board as partners.

NusaTrip CEO Johanes (Joe) Chang said, "The opening of our office in Vietnam reaffirms our commitment to bring the unparalleled travel experience to more customers in one of the fastest growing regions throughout SEA. NusaTrip will continue to enhance its service portfolio and innovate to cater to changing customer behaviors and fuel growth in the region. Considering the market potential, NusaTrip also plans to open more offices across SEA to bring customers an intimate and one-stop booking experience".

Leveraging the upbeat momentum of the travel and tourism industry post-COVID-19 pandemic, NusaTrip is striving to expand its service offerings in the travel market.

"We are beyond excited to welcome domestic and international travelers onboard our NusaTrip platform. With revenge travel in full swing, this additional choice for consumers is highly timely, especially for those who intend on visiting some of the 3,000 over beautiful islands in Vietnam. SEA is a dynamic and diverse engine of growth for NusaTrip. As recovery continues, we are optimistic towards the market in Vietnam", explained Ngo Thi Cham, Society Pass Vietnam Country Manager.

Last year, Society Pass acquired NusaTrip, a Jakarta-based online travel agency to foray into the travel business in SEA. The deal also marked SoPa's entry into Indonesia as well as to its growing ecosystem of technology-enabled companies located in Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

About NusaTrip

Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is an IATA-licensed online travel agency that serves both local and global customers and partners by optimizing cutting-edge technology and providing 24/7 customer-centric support team-as-a-service. NusaTrip is now an integral member of Society Pass (Nasdaq: SoPa) ecosystem. For more information, please visit: https://www.nusatrip.com.

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa's data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam's leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company's management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company's initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Verofax to raise US$750,000 on Beban Crowdfunding Platform

BAHRAIN, Mar 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Verofax, the leader in brand marketing and AI-powered solutions for enterprise, was featured on Beban 2 (Episode 9, Mar 1, 2023), the hit entrepreneur & investment-themed reality TV program airing on Bahrain TV, Alrai TV and Dubai TV, as well as Shahid, the region's largest video-on-demand platform.

Wassim Merheby, CEO & Co-Founder, and Jamil Zablah, CMO & Co-Founder, Veromax, a product winning SaaS provider helping brands achieve growth by turning offline products interactive for immersive experiences & engagements.

One of the four Professional Investors to be pitched during episode 9, Khalid Almahfouz was clearly impressed with the Verofax story, encouraging them. "I can tell that we will celebrate Verofax as a Unicorn one day."

Beban Crowdfunding platform, for entrepreneurs to pitch retail investors. Wassim Merheby, Verofax CEO & entrepreneur, addressing Crowdfunding investors across the GCC, "We would like to become a leading tech company that started in the Middle East."

Verofax, winning award for ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence at LEAP Saudi Arabia (Feb 2023), announced setting-up in Ryadh, key 2023 growth market, with Saudi (MCIT) Tech Champions, a soft-landing accelerator powered by Plug and Play.

Beban is the world's first TV show to provide an interactive crowdfunding element – Beban Crowdfunding, a secure platform licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain which offers retail and accredited investors a unique interactive access to private equity investment opportunities, such as Verofax.

GCC investors can participate in Verofax' US$750,000 fundraising round through the Beban Crowdfunding platform, with investments beginning as reasonably as $100. The new investors will be joining leading VC investors including 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Benson Oak Ventures, Privity FZ LLE and Wami Capital.

An alumnus of government-sponsored programs MBRIF (Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund & Accelerator) and Hub71, the UAE-based Verofax is a growth-stage startup serving a diverse clientele including Fortune 100 brands and sustainable enterprise through operations in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Verofax recently won the award for ground-breaking use of Artificial Intelligence at LEAP Saudi Arabia (Feb, 2023), and announced the setting-up of operations in Ryadh, a key growth market for 2023, with the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) Tech Champions, a soft-landing accelerator powered by Plug and Play.

Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, said "Participating in the Beban program provided us with a platform to showcase our technology, and through the Beban Crowdfunding Platform, to offer retail investors an opportunity to invest in our solutions which disrupt online marketing, and deliver unmatched results to customers and amazing experiences to end consumers.

"Investors in Verofax will benefit from the potential disruption to online marketing, and turning the products into a brand's best marketing channel. At Verofax, our aim is to empower brands to connect with their customers in new and innovative ways," said Merheby.

Fatima Al Naqbi, Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Finance and MBRIF representative, said: "We are thrilled to see such progress at Verofax, a company that we have proudly supported throughout its growth journey. Moreover, it's exciting to offer retail investors the chance to share in the growth of a dynamic company, transforming the online marketing industry through its innovative solutions.

"MBRIF is committed to accelerating innovation by providing startups with the necessary resources to achieve the goals of expansion and growth. Through our Accelerator program, we offer tailored support, paving the way for these companies to succeed. Our role in Verofax' journey is testament to our unwavering support of innovative and ambitious companies as they strive to impact the community. We look forward to continuing our support," said Ms Al Naqbi.

Verofax has developed a proprietary, patented AI-powered product winning service that provides enterprises with increased supply chain transparency, reduced operational cost, and enhanced customer engagement. By leveraging Verofax' award-winning, scalable technology with low-cost rapid deployment, businesses can begin to accrue benefits immediately with:

* MarTech solutions: Turning every product into an interactive direct communication channel to consumers, allowing brands to acquire and retain customers by providing relevant and personalized recommendations. By simply scanning unique identities on primary packaging, brands can convert the 60% of consumers that decide on a purchase in multi-branded stores while lowering acquisition costs by 20X vs. online marketing channels.

* Web3 rewards: helping brands to build lasting relationships with consumers and increase Customer Lifetime Values (CLTV) by adopting Web3 rewards such as brand NFTs that cost a fraction of loyalty programs.

* Retail and eCommerce virtualization: Delivering immersive and personalized shopping experiences with in-store Augmented Reality and 3D shopping experiences in e-commerce marketplaces, offering delight to 83% of consumers that expect an upgraded shopping experience vs. the current flick & click experience.

* Supply Chain transparency: providing brands with end-to-end inventory traceability to optimize availability and prevent price dilution. Counterfeiting and product diversion eats up to 30% of some industries, damaging brands' reputations and posing severe threats to public health.

* Sustainable passporting: Helping brands become sustainable by measuring and certifying their products across complex multi-tiered supply chains and engaging directly with consumers for loyalty and advocacy.

Verofax' solution is validated and available on partner platforms, including Oracle, Microsoft, Ant Group, Zebra, SAP and AWS. Discover the benefits of partnering with Verofax at www.verofax.com.

Investors interested in learning more about the fundraise and participating in Verofax' journey through the Beban Crowdfunding platform should visit the Beban website at www.beban.me, and refer to the Verofax crowdfunding page at www.beban.me/campaign/verofax-.

Contact Verofax, and register for social updates:

Website: https://verofax.com/contact-us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verofaxltd/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@verofaxlimited8482
Promo Video: https://youtu.be/tmekYUuRDjI
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/verofax
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verofaxlimited
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VEROFAXLTD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verofax-limited/

About Verofax
Verofax is the leader in product digitization, providing innovative solutions that empower brands, retailers, and governments to secure supply chains and transform customer engagement. Utilizing latest technologies such as blockchain and AI, Verofax offers a comprehensive suite of tools, immersive omni-channel consumer engagement and compliance validation. By leveraging the Verofax solution, brands can ensure supply chains are compliant and sustainable and customers are engaged through every step of the product lifecycle. Please visit www.verofax.com.

About MBRIF Accelerator
The MBRIF Innovation Accelerator program focuses on innovation and cooperation and provides world-class services and training to founders to accelerate their business, raise capabilities and expertise, boost standards, and create added value. Its objectives are in line with the Dubai National Innovation Strategy as it aims to help innovative companies realize their potential and contribute to shaping the future of the national economy. Visit www.mbrif.ae.

For additional information, visit:
CB Insights: https://www.cbinsights.com/company/verofax
CrunchBase: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/dhonor
StartUp Buffer: https://startupbuffer.com/startup/verofax-limited

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Accelerating Web3 Adoption: Roland Berger and the Inacta Group Cooperate on Digital Assets and Web3 Venture Building for their Clients

ZUG, SWITZERLAND, Mar 3, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Inacta Group, a leading Swiss IT solution provider with a venture building arm focused on blockchain enabled business models, and Roland Berger, a global strategy consulting firm, have disclosed that they are working on joint Web3 projects and intend to closely cooperate on many more in the future. One of the projects is for the German utility giant E.On which was announced in December 2022, another is for a pharma- and consumer goods giant based in Switzerland.

Inacta is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, in the heart of Crypto Valley, and has delivered many Digital Assets and Web3 projects for clients like AXA, InCore Bank, Swiss Post, Raiffeisen Bank and Visa. Additionally, Inacta has been one of the initiators of the fastest growing blockchain ecosystem in the world, MENA focused Crypto Oasis.

Crypto Oasis has been the facilitator for this deal by connecting the stakeholders through their expert knowledge of the global Web3 network. "Many such deals, connecting global players, have been orchestrated by Crypto Oasis as we build on the strong infrastructure of the Middle East and the talent and capital migration into the region," says Saqr Ereiqat, Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis.

Roland Berger has been at the forefront of advising blue-chip companies, investment funds and governments on Digital Assets, Web3 and Metaverse strategies and use cases.

"Inacta is a reputable company in the Web3 ecosystem. With this new partnership, we extend our offering further towards the implementation of Web3 ventures, while still maintaining the necessary objectivity to be protocol- and vendor agnostic, a key value for us when advising clients," says Pierre Samaties, Partner and Global Head of Roland Berger's Digital Asset, Web3 and Metaverse practice.

"Roland Berger is a thought leader among the top strategy consulting firms in the Digital Assets and Web3 space. With our strategic partnership, we can combine strong strategy consulting skills with Web3 implementation power for our clients. We leverage this experience out of Crypto Valley and the growth in Crypto Oasis to bring more Web3 and Digital Asset solutions into the corporate world. For us, it is not about trading of crypto currencies, it is about building infrastructure for Tokenisation, Provenance and Digital Identities in several areas," says Ralf Glabischnig, Managing Partner and founder of Inacta.

ABOUT ROLAND BERGER

Roland Berger is the only management consultancy of European heritage with a strong international footprint. As an independent firm, solely owned by its Partners, Roland Berger operates 51 offices in all major markets. Their 3,000 employees offer a unique combination of an analytical approach and an empathic attitude. Driven by the values of entrepreneurship, excellence and empathy, Roland Berger is convinced that the world needs a new sustainable paradigm that takes the entire value cycle into account. Working in cross-competence teams across all relevant industries and business functions, Roland Berger provides the best expertise worldwide to meet the profound challenges of today and tomorrow.

ABOUT INACTA GROUP

Digital, decentralised, innovative – Inacta AG, founded in 2009 and based in Zug, is an independent Swiss IT company. More than 100 experienced digitalisation experts support organizations from the insurance, banking, real estate, and healthcare industries. Also part of the Inacta Group are several international ventures with offices in Switzerland and the UAE. Inacta supports established companies as well as start-ups with consulting, project management, and software development. As a leading technology provider for many years, Inacta uses state-of-the-art methods and leads numerous blockchain projects worldwide.

ABOUT CRYPTO OASIS

Crypto Oasis is a MENA focused Blockchain Ecosystem headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The core elements needed for its growth are Talent, Capital, and Infrastructure. The Ecosystems stakeholders include Investors & Collectors, Start-Ups & Projects, Corporates, Science & Research Institutions, Service Providers and Government Entities & Associations. Crypto Oasis' vision is to be one of the leading Blockchain Ecosystems in the world. Today it is the fastest growing Blockchain Ecosystem in the world, with more than 1,650+ organisations identified in the UAE alone with more than 8,300+ individuals working in the space.

RELATED LINKS:
Roland Berger – www.rolandberger.com/en/
Inacta Group – https://inacta.ch/en
Crypto Oasis – https://cryptooasis.ae

Inacta Press Office
Maurus Schupfer
Communications Manager
+41 41 725 08 54
maurus.schuepfer@inacta.ch

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Investment surges in DIFC FinTech firms ahead of Dubai FinTech Summit

Investment in DIFC’s FinTech and innovation community exceeded USD615 mn in 2022.
First edition of Dubai FinTech Summit, organised by DIFC, set to convene over 5,000 international experts and policymakers in Dubai.
E. Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy to join plenary session.
Speakers include global heads and founders from Citi Venture, Coinbase, FireBlocks, and Standard Chartered PLC among others.

Dubai, Feb 28, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Dubai continues to solidify its reputation as a global hub for FinTech and Innovation ahead of the Dubai FinTech Summit taking place on 8 and 9 May this year under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre. During 2022, investment in DIFC’s FinTech and innovation community exceeded USD615 mn and the total number of active firms in the sector grew 36 per cent to 686.

The Fintech and Innovation sector in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region is growing at pace with a market value forecasted to double in size from USD135.9 bn in 2021 to USD266.9 bn in 2027 according to DIFC FinTech Hive’s 2022 FinTech Report. The Dubai FinTech Summit will provide the perfect environment for connecting start-ups, investors and industry leaders tapping into this opportunity as they advance in the region and beyond.

Organised by DIFC, the leading international financial hub in the (MEASA) region, the Summit will bring together 5,000 global FinTech and technology experts to discuss innovations and challenges in the sector, as well as spotlight all things impacting the future of finance – from Web 3.0, Metaverse and Blockchain to decentralised finance, regulation and policymaking, and the greater need for increased financial inclusivity. Visitors will also be able to meet more than 100 FinTech exhibitors and join a series of panels and fireside chats. The Dubai FinTech Summit will take place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

The event will host esteemed local voices such as H.E. Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC. The impressive roster of speakers at the summitinclude Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered PLC; Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple; Melissa Guzy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Arbor Ventures; and Michael Shaulov, CEO of Fireblocks; among others.

Currently home to 60 per cent of all FinTech companies based in the GCC, Dubai and DIFC is being recognised as a global centre for innovation, with its unique ecosystem and comprehensive approach to business, driving not only the future of finance but increasingly the future economy. As per MAGNITT, FinTech start-ups in MENA recorded a 183 per cent year-over-year growth in funding in 2021.

Highlighting the impact of the growing FinTech sector in the region, Mohammad Alblooshi, Head of DIFC Innovation Hub and FinTech Hive said: “The demand for FinTech services has grown significantly in the last few years, powered by digital technologies and innovation across sectors. In recent years, DIFC has successfully cemented its position as the finance and innovation hub in the MEASA region by offering the most comprehensive FinTech and venture capital environments. In line with its vision to drive the future of finance, DIFC has created lucrative opportunities for start-ups, global players, and unicorns to set up base in the Emirate.

He added: “I’m confident that the Dubai FinTech Summit, organised by DIFC, will soon become the premier platform allowing us to capture the industry’s attention and fulfil our vision of making Dubai a new home for the future of FinTech and finance.

“Dubai’s work in the digital asset space, in the last few years, has been nothing short of remarkable. The government’s collaborative approach with the industry has drawn some of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the digital asset space to its shores, cementing its position as a leading FinTech hub and securing its economy for the future. Fireblocks is excited to participate in the Dubai FinTech Summit and explore some of the best FinTech solutions from around the world,” said Michael Shaulov, CEO, Fireblocks – a secure digital asset infrastructure company.

Luis Valdich, Managing Director at Citi Ventures added, “FinTech is one of the most exciting industries in tech and banking alike. Trends like digitisation, open banking, embedded finance, financial inclusion, the democratisation of investing, the modernisation of the core banking stack, and the emergence of the creator and shared economies are driving disruption and economic progress, all over the world. I am excited to further explore these and other innovations we are seeing across the industry, as part of this exciting summit.”

Visitors can now purchase tickets for the Dubai FinTech Summit, with early bird prices available till 15 March 2023.

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and an estimated GDP of USD 8 trillion.

With a close to 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe and the Americas through Dubai. 

DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of over 36,000 professionals working across over 4,300 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region.  

The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region’s most comprehensive FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups.  

Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations. 

For further information, please visit our website: difc.ae, or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @DIFC. 

About Trescon

Trescon is the world’s fastest-growing business-to-business events, training, marketing and consulting company primarily focused on the adoption of sustainability, inclusive leadership and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, metaverse, cloud, fintech, data analytics and cybersecurity.

Our summits, conferences, and expos create real economic impact by connecting and empowering the key ecosystem of government organizations, regulators, policymakers, private sector companies, solution providers, startups, investors, accelerators, advisors, consultants, associations, academia and more.

Thought leadership, knowledge exchange, brand positioning, business expansion, market penetration, lead generation, finding solutions & services, capital raising, capacity building, training and networking are among the key objectives of our stakeholders.

With the help of our 250+ employees across offices in 6 countries, several of our clients have quadrupled their leads, shortened sales cycles by half or less, entered markets three times faster, closed deals within unimaginable timelines and grown their businesses ultimately.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
Consultant, Marketing & Corporate Communications
+97143622451
t-rasha.mezher@difc.ae

Nupur Aswani,
Head – Media, PR & Corporate Communications,
Trescon
media@tresconglobal.com |+91 9555915156