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Ripple has formalised a partnership with UAE-based tokenisation platform Ctrl Alt to deliver institutional-grade digital asset custody services as part of a landmark initiative by the Dubai Land Department to digitise property ownership using blockchain infrastructure.

The agreement will enable Ctrl Alt to leverage Ripple’s custody solution to store and manage tokenised property title deeds on the XRP Ledger, as Dubai intensifies its push to integrate advanced digital frameworks into its real estate sector. The project marks a significant stride in DLD’s broader strategy to streamline property transactions and increase market transparency by replacing conventional title documentation with blockchain-native digital representations.

Ripple’s institutional custody platform, designed for banks and financial institutions, will play a central role in securing and scaling the digital assets underlying Dubai’s real estate tokenisation programme. Ripple’s solution will ensure regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and asset security as property titles are issued and exchanged through blockchain mechanisms.

The announcement positions Ripple as a key player in the UAE’s drive toward regulated digital asset ecosystems. The partnership also represents Ripple’s first custody deployment in the UAE, expanding its global digital asset custody network into the Middle East and further solidifying its presence across EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Ctrl Alt, which had disclosed its participation in the DLD project earlier, is building tokenisation infrastructure tailored for real-world assets such as real estate. The firm will integrate Ripple’s technology to facilitate the issuance, transfer, and management of tokenised property deeds while ensuring institutional-grade security standards.

The Real Estate Tokenisation Project aims to transform Dubai’s property registry system by offering a fully digital framework that eliminates physical documentation and manual recordkeeping. Through the initiative, the DLD intends to increase efficiency in property ownership transfers, reduce fraud risks, and create a foundation for smart contract-enabled real estate solutions. By leveraging the XRP Ledger’s speed and cost efficiency, the project also seeks to attract global investors and developers to participate in tokenised real estate offerings governed by transparent, immutable ledger protocols.

Ripple’s expansion into the UAE’s digital asset space follows its broader global strategy to deliver enterprise-grade blockchain tools tailored to financial infrastructure, a focus that has intensified as global regulators and institutions begin adopting tokenisation at scale. Ripple’s digital custody division — established through its acquisition of Metaco in 2023 — has emerged as a core offering, providing secure storage infrastructure for tokenised assets in both public and permissioned blockchain environments.

Metaco’s digital asset custody platform, which now underpins Ripple’s institutional offering, was originally designed to meet the requirements of global banks and has been adopted by several financial institutions in Europe and Asia. Its integration with Ripple’s payment and liquidity tools enables a seamless experience for enterprises managing digital asset portfolios alongside tokenisation and cross-border payment rails.

Ripple’s custodial framework offers support for a wide range of tokenised assets, including stablecoins, real-world assets, and CBDCs. It provides multi-tier security, granular permission controls, and compliance features needed for institutional applications. The company’s leadership has highlighted tokenisation as a core theme in the evolution of financial infrastructure, predicting that trillions of dollars worth of real-world assets will migrate to blockchain ecosystems in the coming decade.

Ctrl Alt’s involvement in the DLD-led project comes as Dubai cements its role as a global testbed for blockchain innovation, with a supportive regulatory regime, ambitious smart city initiatives, and a growing appetite for Web3 integration. The company has built its platform to allow regulators, issuers, and investors to interact within a compliant digital asset ecosystem. Its participation in the project is expected to open the door for additional applications of tokenisation beyond real estate, including commodities, equities, and infrastructure.

Dubai’s real estate market, historically characterised by high-value transactions and global investor interest, is seen as an ideal candidate for tokenisation. By converting ownership documents into digital tokens recorded on a blockchain, authorities aim to offer fractional ownership models, enhance liquidity, and enable secondary market trading. The shift could also reduce costs and settlement times, while allowing retail and institutional investors to access real estate markets with lower capital thresholds.

Ripple’s role in the project is expected to be pivotal in meeting security, governance, and compliance requirements for digital custody. The partnership strengthens Ripple’s position as a go-to infrastructure provider for tokenisation use cases and reflects its strategic intent to deepen engagement in jurisdictions with progressive digital asset frameworks.

The U. S. House of Representatives has approved the GENIUS Act, the inaugural federal regulatory framework targeting fiat‑backed stablecoins, with a decisive 308–122 bipartisan vote on 17 July 2025. With Senate approval secured in June by a 68–30 margin, the legislation now advances to President Trump’s desk for signature, anticipated as early as tomorrow.

The GENIUS Act mandates that issuers—including banks, credit unions, fintech firms, and select non‑bank entities—maintain one‑to‑one reserves in cash or low‑risk assets such as U. S. Treasury bills, with mandatory monthly public disclosures of reserve composition. It also institutes anti‑money laundering controls, requires issuance organisations to obtain licences from federal or state financial regulators, and prohibits paying interest directly to stablecoin holders.

The legislation forms part of a broader “Crypto Week” effort in the House, which also included passage of the CLARITY Act—allocating oversight of digital asset classification between the SEC and CFTC—and the Anti‑CBDC Surveillance State Act, barring the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. Both now await Senate consideration.

Advocates argue that the GENIUS Act addresses long-standing regulatory uncertainty, providing market stability and consumer safeguards within a $260 billion-plus stablecoin ecosystem. Senior figures from institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi, Walmart, and Amazon have reportedly expressed interest in issuing stablecoins under the new regime. Market sentiment reflects optimism: crypto‑linked equities and assets rose when the House vote was finalised, with Bitcoin nearing record highs above $119,000.

Nonetheless, critics highlight significant concerns. Consumer advocates emphasise that stablecoins remain outside FDIC protection and could pose redemption risks or obscure hidden fees. Others express unease over potential weak guardrails: the SEC’s Paul Atkins cautioned that regulatory innovation must still ensure sufficient market safeguards.

Ethics debates spotlight former President Trump’s extensive ties to the crypto industry, including investments in World Liberty Financial and a meme coin touted as generating over $300 million in related revenues. Opponents claim this raises conflict‑of‑interest questions and risks favouring Trump‑linked enterprises, though the White House has asserted asset segregation via a family trust.

In Congress, both Democratic and Republican proponents defended the legislation for delivering much‑needed structure. Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer remarked that introducing “some rules of the road” was preferable to having none. Opposing voices like Rep. Maxine Waters cautioned that the law might “signal tolerance for corruption” without closing presidential exemptions from conflict‑of‑interest prohibitions. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats, including Richard Blumenthal, criticised the bill’s failure to eliminate loopholes or demand stronger consumer protection standards.

Beyond federal oversight, the GENIUS Act introduces a layered supervisory model: federal agencies will regulate larger issuers and interstate entities, while state regulators handle smaller players—those issuing under $10 billion annually. The legislation sets out implementation timelines, including one‑year deadlines for rule‑making and an 18‑month effective date, with a three‑year transition period before enforcement on custody and transaction restrictions.

Industry stakeholders anticipate dramatic market growth. Scott Bessent, Treasury secretary, projected the stablecoin market could swell from around $195 billion to over $2 trillion following the GENIUS Act’s implementation. Christian Catalini of the MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab predicted fierce competition as banks and fintechs join traditional issuers with consumer trust bolstered by regulation.

The crypto sector, stung by past regulatory setbacks under the prior administration’s enforcement actions, now views the GENIUS Act as a turning point. Major players like Circle and Coinbase backed the measure after directing substantial lobbying resources toward lawmakers. Jennifer Nolan, head of the Blockchain Association, described it as a “defining moment in the evolution of U. S. digital asset policy”.

With presidential signature expected imminently, the GENIUS Act is poised to redefine the U. S. approach to stablecoins—ushering in regulated issuance, enhanced transparency, and heightened institutional involvement. Its progress also spotlights ongoing debates about market oversight, political influence, and financial stability in an increasingly digital economy.

Abu Dhabi investment giant IHC has finalised the acquisition of eFunder, the digital invoice-financing platform, marking a decisive move into fintech for small and medium enterprises. The platform has been renamed Zelo and is targeting a $250 billion shortfall in SME credit across the Middle East and North Africa. It converts outstanding invoices into cash within 24–48 hours, and has already processed more than 9,000 transactions, deploying over $200 million in funding.

The deal enhances IHC’s strategy to diversify its portfolio into high-growth financial technologies. Zelo will now operate under IHC’s fintech and future-economy division, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions as a leading regional hub for digital finance. According to the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Zelo holds a full operating licence, enabling rapid scale across construction, logistics, healthcare, industrial services, and oil and gas industries.

Zelo’s founders, Deepak Sekar and Dhanush Arjun, launched the platform in August 2020 with a mandate to improve access to working capital for SMEs. It gained full FSRA regulatory approval after obtaining in-principle licence in early 2021. The platform achieved more than $100 million in financing across 6,000 transactions during its initial phase, before surpassing $200 million through 9,000-plus deals.

IHC chief executive Syed Basar Shueb emphasised the strategic importance of the acquisition: “SMEs are the backbone of a diversified and future‑ready economy. Through our strategic acquisition of Zelo, we are proud to support a platform that solves one of the most fundamental barriers facing SMEs, access to timely working capital.” He added the rebrand signals “a confident new chapter… aligned with IHC’s long‑term vision of building smart, scalable solutions and dynamic value networks that deliver real and lasting economic impact”.

Dhanush Arjun, CEO of Zelo, reinforced this message, stating: “Zelo exists to eliminate the wait. The wait for payments, the wait for growth, the wait for opportunity. … With IHC’s strategic backing, we’re accelerating that future.” He stressed that converting approved invoices into liquidity within 24–48 hours allows SMEs to avoid the cash flow bottlenecks that often hamper growth.

A study by the World Bank indicates that SMEs in emerging markets often wait between 60 and 120 days to receive invoice payments, inhibiting their capacity to expand or invest in new ventures. IHC’s acquisition directly addresses this challenge by offering digital-first funding with underwriting powered by AI-driven risk scoring and performance analysis.

Regional analysts observe that IHC’s move comes amid intensifying competition in the MENA fintech landscape. State-backed investors and sovereign wealth funds have been increasingly backing financial‑technology startups to accelerate digital transformation. The acquisition strengthens IHC’s position alongside peers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including Mubadala’s fintech interests and ADQ-backed projects.

IHC’s publicly listed status on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and its recent earnings report highlighted a strategic pivot towards non‑oil sectors—spanning fintech, AI platforms, decarbonisation, and reinsurance. Zelo’s integration underscores this shift, offering synergies with IHC’s digital economy ambitions.

Within its ADGM base, Zelo plans to roll out new revenue‑based finance products, addressing future receivables in addition to existing invoice financing. The platform aims to expand its geographic footprint beyond the UAE, eyeing expansion into other MENA markets with acute SME credit gaps.

Zelo’s backers include both institutional and private-sector investors. Prior to acquisition, it closed a US$16.5 million Series A round led by IHC in September 2024, secured a multi‑year credit commitment, and earned recognition as a “Future 100 Startup” by the Ministry of Economy and a Deloitte Rising Star.

Market commentators describe this phase as a potential inflection point for fintech in the region. “Invoice finance is one of the fastest routes to unlocking SME potential, and Zelo is well‑positioned,” said a senior analyst. “With IHC’s capital and ecosystem support, rapid scaling is likely.”

Zelo’s existing performance traces a compelling upward curve—it started by funding e-commerce merchants and delivery‑aggregator vendors, then expanded to broader commercial invoices. Its AI‑based underwriting and automated platform enable pre‑approval decisions within 10 minutes and deployment in under 48 hours.

Other regional platforms, such as Dubai’s Beehive and Finvolve, have adopted peer‑to‑peer and supply‑chain financing models. Zelo’s integration through a major listed conglomerate differentiates it through access to IHC’s expansive corporate network and potential for cross‑sector collaboration across its portfolio.

IHC’s LinkedIn statement confirmed completion of the acquisition and rebrand, affirming the company’s commitment to “fintech innovation and SME enablement across the UAE”. The platform’s regulatory credentials, track record and ambition illustrate why it emerged as the firm’s fintech flagship.

Analysts expect Zelo to deepen its product scope in the coming months, potentially introducing dynamic funding and revenue finance solutions. They anticipate that further geographical rollout across GCC and North African markets could begin in early 2026, leveraging ADGM’s regulatory passporting as the platform scales beyond domestic boundaries.

Dubai authorities have issued a warning after a surge in phishing emails impersonating companies such as McAfee Security and PayPal. These messages falsely claim that debit transactions of around AED 1,400 or AED 2,200 have been processed, instructing recipients to cancel the payment within 24 hours. The ruse prompts panicked victims to call a provided number, where scammers gain remote access to their computers and harvest sensitive personal and financial data.

Law enforcement agencies in the emirates highlight this scam as a sophisticated iteration of classic technical support fraud. Dubai Police reported nearly 500 arrests related to phone-based fraud last year, while Sharjah Police uncovered another gang that misused remote-access prompts to defraud residents of AED 3 million via 173 bank accounts. Cybercrime units from across the UAE have reiterated that legitimate companies never solicit remote access, issue invoices from personal accounts, or demand immediate cancellation via unsolicited calls.

Cybersecurity experts confirm that such scams operate by embedding urgency and trusted branding within fraudulent invoices. In some cases, genuine McAfee or PayPal logos are used, with phishing emails exploiting official domains like “@paypal. com” to evade security filters. Most alarmingly, McAfee Labs noted that PayPal-related phishing attempts have spiked sevenfold compared to a month earlier, indicating that cybercriminals are increasingly refining their tactics.

These email scams typically follow a multi-stage process. Victims first receive a customised invoice claiming unauthorised charges. Alarmed by the sum, recipients are directed to call a phone number that leads to a scam call centre. Once connected, scammers initiate remote access software—such as AnyDesk—using the pretext of ‘fraud prevention’, and subsequently extract bank details, personal data and in some cases install malware.

Anecdotal evidence from victims underscores the psychological impact of the scam’s design. One government employee from Dubai reported receiving an email from someone named “Jarred” bearing a McAfee invoice. Convinced that she had skipped a subscription renewal, she reached out via the provided number to cancel. Similar stories have surfaced across the UAE, often involving the extraction of remote passwords and sensitive credentials.

Authorities emphasise vigilance. They advise members of the public to verify any invoice or billing-related email by visiting official websites or contacting customer support via verified communication channels. Users should never allow remote access in response to unsolicited calls.

Globally, this scam mirrors trends seen in the UK and North America. Consumer watchdog Which? identified parallel phishing campaigns wherein emails purporting to be from McAfee or AVG warned of antivirus renewals. These messages aimed to persuade users to scan QR codes or download malicious software to seize device control. York University’s Information Security team also identified fake McAfee renewal notices that claimed subscription charges had been processed, urging recipients to call to reverse the transaction, only to be prompted for remote access.

PayPal’s system has also been exploited via its official invoice and address‑confirmation tools. Scammers can trigger legitimate PayPal alerts by entering a user’s email, bypassing email filters and lending credibility to the scam. Subsequent messages urge recipients to call fake “support” phone numbers, leading to remote-control software installation under the guise of account verification.

Security specialists recommend the following countermeasures:
Always verify invoices by logging into the official company site or app rather than interacting with email links or phone numbers.
Inspect email senders carefully to ensure they match legitimate company domains.
Avoid granting remote access or installing software when prompted by unsolicited callers claiming to represent vendors.
Register suspicious emails with relevant authorities—PayPal’s phishing email forwarding service, and McAfee’s scam reporting email addresses are official avenues.

Email marketing firms and cybersecurity analysts also note that the sharp rise in such scams reflects a broader shift by criminals towards hybrid phishing campaigns that combine urgency, trusted branding and remote access elements. Authorities across the UAE continue to intensify public awareness efforts, urging residents to scrutinise any invoices involving unfamiliar charges above AED 1,000.

Tokyo-listed Metaplanet has bolstered its treasury by buying 797 additional bitcoins, worth approximately $96 million, raising its total holdings to 16,352 BTC—valued near $2 billion—as Bitcoin surged past $120,000. The move mirrors the blueprint of US-based Strategy: leverage equity and debt issuance to accumulate crypto assets, which can then be used as collateral for broader expansion.

CEO Simon Gerovich reiterated that Metaplanet intends to use its growing Bitcoin reserves not for trading or liquidation, but to underpin financing for acquisitions in cash-generating sectors—particularly digital banking and financial services. The company plans to tap into traditional financing channels, including zero-interest bonds and preferred-share issuance, while steering clear of convertible debt. This purchase follows a series of substantial bond financings: earlier this month, Metaplanet issued 30 billion yen in zero‑coupon bonds to acquire an additional 1,005 BTC, bringing total holdings to around 13,350 BTC.

Industry analysts say Metaplanet now ranks as Asia’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, outranking companies such as Tesla, Coinbase, and Block Inc.. The firm has set ambitious targets: 100,000 BTC by end‑2026 and 210,000 BTC by end‑2027—accounting for nearly 1% of the global Bitcoin supply.

Boosted by these strategic shifts, the company’s market capitalisation surpassed ¥1 trillion, and its stock has climbed more than 345% this year. The pivot, originally a hotel chain, to a Bitcoin treasury vehicle began in 2024 and has drawn parallels to MicroStrategy’s transformation into a crypto-centric enterprise.

While bitcoin-backed financing is still in its infancy among mainstream banks, select institutions—such as Standard Chartered and OKX—have begun piloting crypto as collateral. Gerovich emphasised that once accumulation reaches “escape velocity,” Metaplanet’s holdings could be leveraged similarly to traditional assets to secure financing for acquisitions.

Sceptics voice concerns around volatility and the sustainability of the “bitcoin yield” model. Veteran short-seller Jim Chanos dismissed these valuations as “financial gibberish,” yet Gerovich welcomes critics, stating he invites them to short the stock if they are not convinced of the strategy.

Metaplanet is exploring acquisitions of digital banks and financial services companies that align with its strategy. The company is also aiming to strengthen its treasury infrastructure through asset-backed financing, including bond issuances, preferred equity deals and a planned $5 billion capital raise targeting expansion into its Florida subsidiary.

UAE’s new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Azerbaijan has catapulted bilateral non‑oil trade to unprecedented levels, now accounting for half of Azerbaijan’s commerce with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This landmark pact promises to mould economic trajectories for both nations by 2031.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, revealed that non‑oil trade surged by 36.2 percent in 2024, reaching US $2.24 billion—equivalent to 50 percent of Azerbaijan’s trade with the GCC. This accomplishment is underpinned by a robust 4.1 percent expansion in Azerbaijan’s overall GDP and a 6.3 percent rise in its non‑oil sector.

Signed in Abu Dhabi with the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, CEPA is expected to inject US $680 million into UAE GDP and US $300 million into Azerbaijan by 2031. It further cements the UAE’s status as Azerbaijan’s top Arab investor, with cumulative UAE investments now exceeding US $1 billion.

The CEPA supports strategic priorities in manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, logistics, and financial services, with planned expansion of UAE investments in energy and renewables via state-owned giants ADNOC and Masdar. Masdar’s portfolio in Azerbaijan is set to exceed 1.2 GW by 2027 following a 4 GW renewables agreement including solar and hydrogen projects.

This accord also aligns with broader UAE ambitions under its CEPA programme, aimed at achieving US $1.1 trillion in non‑oil trade by 2031. Already, the initiative delivered a record US $816 billion in 2024, marking a 14.6 percent year-on-year increase, and positions the UAE as having 27 CEPA agreements with markets comprising over one‑quarter of global population.

Beyond trade figures, CEPA signifies a strategic push to diversify UAE exports and deepen supply‑chain resilience. It enables Azerbaijani goods access to Gulf and global markets, while encouraging UAE capital deployment in Eastern Europe via Azerbaijan’s Gateway logistics advantage. Sectors like food security, real estate, and logistics are flagged for development across both economies.

Financial cooperation is gaining momentum too. Talks between Azerbaijan’s Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange may lay groundwork for capital-market linkages. Additionally, Azerbaijani remittances to UAE saw a 52.1 percent rise in Q1 2025, reaching US $18.8 million.

Humanitarian and environmental collaboration with CEPA includes UAE support for demining through Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency and joint efforts during COP summits.

CEPA is poised to enrich private‑sector ties, particularly for SMEs, while also strengthening tourism links—highlighted by over 185 monthly flights connecting the UAE and Azerbaijan. Earlier cooperation has boosted non‑oil trade 43 percent in 2024 to about US $2.4 billion.

In the energy domain, strategic joint ventures have been flourishing. ADNOC holds a 30 percent stake in Azerbaijan’s Absheron project, and SOCAR reciprocated with oil‑field stakes in UAE territory. Renewable efforts include a 445 MW solar plant in Bilasuvar and a 315 MW installation in Neftchala under Saudi-UAE investment.