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The Government of Sharjah, rated Ba1/BBB–/AAA by Moody’s, S&P and Lianhe respectively, has mandated several major banks to explore a new Panda Bond issuance in China’s onshore bond market. The Finance Department has appointed Bank of China as lead underwriter and bookrunner, with Crédit Agricole, JP Morgan Chase, ICBC, China Bohai Bank, Citic Securities, the Export-Import Bank of China, and Shenwan Hongyuan Securities acting as joint lead underwriters and bookrunners.

This initiative marks Sharjah’s second foray into the Panda Bond space; it first tapped the Chinese domestic bond market in February 2018 with a RMB 2 billion issue, becoming the Middle East’s first Panda issuer. That issuance carried a coupon rate of 5.8 per cent and matured in 2021.

Market participants say Sharjah’s renewed interest signals increasing appetite among Gulf issuers for renminbi funding, especially given the growing scale of China’s interbank bond market and its accessibility to international issuers. The Panda market is seen as a way to diversify funding sources away from traditional dollar or euro issuance, while deepening engagement with China’s capital markets.

Observers note that the list of joint bookrunners and underwriters—including both Chinese and Western entities—reflects a strategic bridging between global and Chinese investor bases. Bank of China’s role as lead suggests that Chinese financial institutions will play a key role in structuring and distributing the bonds to domestic accounts. The presence of Crédit Agricole and JP Morgan, meanwhile, may facilitate cross-border investor participation.

Industry sources expect the issuance to follow the standard procedure under China’s bond regulations governing overseas issuers. This includes registration with NAFMII, compliance with disclosure requirements, and pricing via roadshows to institutional investors in China. The timeline, tenor and final coupon structure have not yet been disclosed, but sources familiar with the matter suggest Sharjah is seeking favourable market conditions to launch.

Issuers of Panda Bonds have historically benefitted from lower yields relative to comparable offshore RMB options, thanks to the liquidity and depth of China’s domestic markets. That said, success depends heavily on investor confidence in the issuer’s credit profile, transparency in the bond documentation, and the relative attractiveness of coupon spreads over domestic benchmarks.

Sharjah’s credit ratings present both strengths and challenges. Its triple-A rating from Lianhe bolsters credibility in the Chinese market. However, its non-investment grade rating from Moody’s and S&P may weigh on perceptions among global investors. How Sharjah positions itself to bridge that gap will be critical, particularly in roadshow messaging and bond structuring.

This development arrives at a time when Panda bond issuance is gaining momentum. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for example, raised CNY 2 billion in its latest two-year Panda issuance, achieving oversubscription and attracting new investor accounts. The New Development Bank further expanded its onshore footprint earlier this year, issuing RMB 7 billion under its registered Panda Bond Programme.

Abu Dhabi’s government will lead a major showcase at GITEX Global 2025, unveiling a new era of AI-native public services under its Digital Strategy 2025–2027. The Department of Government Enablement will coordinate over 30 government and academic institutions in a pavilion displaying 55 flagship initiatives.

The event, held from 13 to 17 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will feature the launch of TAMM 4.0, positioning it as a flagship AI-driven government platform. Other key displays include AI Supervisor and Smart Investigator by the Abu Dhabi Police, Smart Hotel Check-In by the Department of Culture and Tourism, QMobility’s barrier-free parking pilot, the Personal AI Recruitment Companion, and Rayah, a student-parent tracking app from the Department of Education and Knowledge. The DGE expects many projects to be shown publicly for the first time, alongside immersive VR experiences aimed at portraying the impact of AI on diverse stakeholders.

Chairman of the DGE, Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, emphasised that public services are being designed around human needs, saying the “AI-Native by Design, Community-Driven by Purpose” approach drives a reimagined, intuitive government. DGE Director General Wesam Lootah added that over 100 high-impact AI solutions have already been deployed across the emirate, following assessments of nearly 400 options, moving toward the vision of being the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027.

Abu Dhabi’s announcement underscores more than a display of technological ambition—it highlights strategic public sector transformation at scale. The emirate claims to have rolled out AI across more than 40 government entities, automating predictive service delivery, compliance analysis, and multilingual assistance. The upcoming pavilion will also showcase Sahatna, a health services initiative, and AI Majlis forums intended to foster public dialogue on ethical and inclusive AI adoption. Workforce transformation forms a core pillar: over 95 percent of Abu Dhabi’s 30,000 government employees have reportedly undergone extensive AI awareness and skills training, with AI leadership roles now embedded in all Abu Dhabi entities.

The Digital Strategy 2025–2027 backs this push with an investment of AED 13 billion dedicated to creating an AI-first government. Key transformation axes include lifecycle orchestration of public services, predictive governance, intelligent infrastructure, and a talent ecosystem to support long-term innovation. Abu Dhabi’s approach draws attention not only for local modernization but for its ambition to set a benchmark in government digital transformation globally.

GITEX Global 2025 is positioned as a pivotal stage for these ambitions. Now in its 45th edition, the event spans multiple intersecting tech domains—including AI, blockchain, sustainability, and digital infrastructure—and serves as a convergence point for technology, policy and innovation. Abu Dhabi’s participation marks its 14th consecutive presence, reinforcing continuity in its evolving digital narrative.

Analysts at JPMorgan are forecasting that U. S. spot Solana exchange-traded funds will attract only about $1.5 billion in net inflows during their first year, substantially lagging behind the inflows seen in Ethereum-linked ETFs. The expectation comes even as the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission is widely seen as poised to approve multiple Solana ETF applications in the days ahead.

JPMorgan’s projection, led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, rests on multiple concerns, chief among them the weakening on-chain activity of Solana and investor fatigue in the altcoin space. The firm estimates that the figure could fall below $1.5 billion if headwinds intensify, noting weak demand in CME Solana futures markets and stiff competition from diversified crypto index funds as key constraints.

Network metrics underscore that caution. Daily transaction volume on Solana has dropped to approximately 64 million, down nearly 50 percent from its July peak, a sign that user and developer usage may be waning. Some analysts suggest that capital is rotating toward rival chains such as BNB Chain and toward broader index products, rather than concentrated bets on Solana itself.

Bitwise Asset Management, one of the prominent ETF hopefuls, has updated its application to include “staking” in the fund’s name and set a sponsor fee of 0.20 percent—among the lowest for crypto ETFs. The amendment also promises a waiver for the first three months and for up to $1 billion in assets under management, a signal of aggressive positioning against peers.

Other applicants include VanEck, 21Shares, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Fidelity, whose applications carry staggered decision deadlines ranging from October through April 2026. Following the SEC’s adoption of a generic listing standard for digital-asset ETFs, certain filings have been restructured to comply with the revised framework—though a handful were asked to withdraw or amend submissions.

The regulatory picture is complicated by the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has forced the SEC to operate with a skeletal staff and slowed processing of registrations and rule changes. Observers warn that even if the SEC signals approval, practical listing and launch may be delayed until staffing returns to normal levels.

Market sentiment, however, appears largely bullish on the regulatory outcome. Prediction markets and analysts now price the probability of Solana ETF approval at 90 to 99 percent, citing precedent from the Bitcoin and Ethereum cases and the existence of a CME futures contract as enablers.

The cryptocurrency market has experienced a sharp downturn, with over $100 million worth of positions liquidated in the past 60 minutes. This sudden plunge has sent shockwaves through the sector, with both retail and institutional investors facing severe losses. The volatility underscores the unpredictable nature of the crypto landscape, where prices can fluctuate wildly, often within short time frames.

At the heart of the market’s rapid decline is a combination of factors that have rattled traders. A significant sell-off in major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, has triggered a cascade of liquidations. This activity typically occurs when leveraged traders are forced to sell off their positions to meet margin calls, further driving down prices. The market has seen a surge in such sell-offs following a series of adverse market signals, including regulatory concerns, broader economic factors, and macroeconomic events affecting global financial markets.

The recent downturn comes at a time when cryptocurrency markets have already been under pressure from tightening financial conditions across the globe. Inflation concerns and rising interest rates have led to reduced liquidity in many sectors, including digital assets. Cryptocurrency, which is often seen as a high-risk investment, has been particularly vulnerable to these shifts. With investors pulling back and re-evaluating their portfolios, volatility has surged, and cryptocurrencies have taken a substantial hit.

Market analysts have pointed to several factors contributing to the liquidity crisis. Firstly, the ongoing regulatory scrutiny in key jurisdictions has heightened concerns over the long-term viability of certain digital assets. In the United States, lawmakers have continued to debate how to regulate cryptocurrencies, with some seeking stricter oversight, which could have a dampening effect on investment. Meanwhile, in Europe, the regulatory landscape has been evolving, with the European Union moving forward with legislation designed to increase transparency in the crypto sector. These developments have raised uncertainty about the future of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate financial asset.

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, has been trading below key support levels, which has triggered massive sell-offs. Technical analysis indicates that the price has dipped significantly, prompting traders to take precautionary measures and close their leveraged positions to avoid further losses. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, has followed suit, showing similar signs of weakness. The price action of both major coins has been exacerbated by the liquidations themselves, creating a feedback loop that deepens the market’s downward spiral.

Traders in the cryptocurrency space are no strangers to high volatility, but such rapid and significant liquidations highlight the risks of excessive leverage. Leverage, which allows traders to borrow funds to increase their exposure to a particular asset, can amplify both gains and losses. While it has the potential to increase returns during a rally, it can be equally damaging in a downturn, leading to forced liquidations when assets fall below a certain threshold.

The crisis in the cryptocurrency market also serves as a reminder of the growing role of institutional investors, who are increasingly active in the space. While their presence has brought more legitimacy to the market, it has also introduced new dynamics. Many institutional investors now utilise leverage and sophisticated trading strategies, contributing to the market’s overall volatility. The presence of institutional money means that market movements can be magnified, especially when large positions are liquidated in a short time frame.

By Nitya Chakraborty The Israel-Hamas peace deal announced by the US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night in Washington is a welcome development, however limited it be at the moment as the agreement between the two warring parties is only for the first phase of Trump sponsored deal involving the release of all hostages by […]

The article Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal Is Welcome But The Follow Up Is Crucial For Enduring Peace appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Bybit, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first fully licensed crypto exchange to operate in the UAE. This breakthrough comes amid the UAE’s ongoing efforts to establish itself as a global hub for digital assets and blockchain technology.

The UAE has long been a proponent of embracing emerging technologies, particularly in the fintech and blockchain sectors. The government’s progressive stance has attracted numerous cryptocurrency firms looking to establish a foothold in the region. Bybit’s licensing by the UAE’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority solidifies its position within this growing market.

The FSRA’s approval marks a crucial development, as it provides Bybit with a clear regulatory framework to offer crypto trading services to customers in the UAE. The exchange, which has previously operated under regulatory frameworks in other jurisdictions, will now operate in full compliance with local laws. This licensing allows Bybit to offer a wide range of digital asset services, including spot and derivatives trading, to both institutional and retail investors.

The approval is a testament to the UAE’s regulatory efforts to integrate the cryptocurrency sector into its broader financial ecosystem. The country has been proactive in ensuring that regulations keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital assets, making it an attractive destination for crypto companies seeking a compliant and stable environment.

Bybit’s decision to seek a licence in the UAE comes at a time when the global crypto market faces heightened scrutiny and regulatory challenges. In a climate where several countries have been introducing stringent regulatory measures, the UAE’s more flexible approach to crypto regulation has set it apart. This has resulted in an influx of international crypto firms looking to operate in the region, as they see the UAE as a secure base from which to expand their services.

The approval process for Bybit was rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring that the exchange adhered to strict security measures, anti-money laundering protocols, and customer protection standards. The FSRA has been meticulous in its review, demonstrating its commitment to fostering a secure and transparent environment for digital asset trading.

UAE officials have long spoken about their vision to turn the country into a leader in the global digital economy, with blockchain and cryptocurrency playing key roles in that vision. The emirate of Dubai, in particular, has been a front-runner in attracting cryptocurrency firms, with its Dubai International Financial Centre and the Dubai Financial Services Authority offering frameworks tailored to the needs of digital asset businesses.

The Bybit licensing follows a series of initiatives launched by the UAE government, including the establishment of the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority. VARA’s creation was designed to regulate virtual assets, ensuring that companies operating within the region meet stringent compliance standards. This regulatory framework has been instrumental in bringing crypto companies into the fold, offering a more secure trading environment for users and businesses alike.

Bybit’s entry into the UAE market has also brought attention to the broader trends shaping the cryptocurrency industry in the Middle East. The UAE has become one of the leading markets for blockchain innovation, with numerous projects underway to integrate blockchain technology into sectors such as real estate, logistics, and finance. As the region’s appetite for digital innovation grows, companies like Bybit are poised to capitalise on this evolving landscape.

The licensing of Bybit is also expected to have a ripple effect on the wider cryptocurrency ecosystem. With the exchange now authorised to operate legally in the UAE, it may pave the way for other platforms to follow suit, thereby increasing the variety of options available to investors. This will likely enhance the overall appeal of the UAE as a destination for cryptocurrency trading and investment.

Despite the current global volatility in the crypto market, Bybit’s expansion into the UAE market reflects its long-term confidence in the future of digital assets. As the company continues to expand its services worldwide, the UAE’s stable regulatory environment offers a solid foundation for its growth in the Middle East.

Since its arrival in September 2025, the XPL token has drawn attention as the fulcrum of Plasma’s stablecoin-first blockchain vision. The network, engineered to process high-volume stablecoin transfers with minimal friction, stakes much on XPL’s design, distribution, and incentive architecture. A close look at how the token functions, how it has been received in markets, and what early ecosystem moves suggest reveals both promise and pitfalls.

XPL is conceived as the backbone of network security, transaction operations, and ecosystem growth. Under Plasma’s model, validators will stake XPL to secure the network under the PlasmaBFT consensus protocol, earning rewards in return. Meanwhile, the token also acts as the medium for executing non-basic transactions and participating in governance-like decisions tied to ecosystem programs. In that sense, XPL parallels Bitcoin’s role on the Bitcoin network and Ether’s role on Ethereum, though with nuances shaped by Plasma’s stablecoin orientation. The team states that its architecture deliberately ties token mechanics to campaign-driven incentives designed to migrate traditional financial flows onto its rails.

From a distribution perspective, Plasma launched with a fixed supply of 10 billion XPL. Ten percent was allocated to a public sale, while 40 percent was reserved for ecosystem and growth initiatives. At mainnet beta, 8 percent of the total supply was unlocked to support initial liquidity, partner incentives, and launch integrations. The remainder—particularly allocations for team, investors, and long-term contributors—follows graded vesting schedules to temper sudden sell pressure. In the public sale design, non-U. S. participants’ tokens were fully unlocked at launch, while U. S. participants face a 12-month lockup. This dual-track unlocking scheme aims to balance inclusion and capital discipline.

The tokenomics also include a built-in inflation schedule and fee mechanics intended to contain supply pressure. Initial validator rewards are targeted around 5 percent per annum, with planned reductions over time toward 3 percent baseline. Meanwhile, the protocol supports a form of fee burn inspired by EIP-1559; as transaction usage scales, some portion of fees will be removed from supply, offsetting inflation. The combined effect is intended to sustain staking incentives without runaway dilution. Another technical feature is Plasma’s “paymaster” system, which allows standard USDT transfers to carry zero fees, subsidized by the protocol itself. That mechanism reduces the necessity for every user to hold XPL merely to pay gas, lowering adoption friction.

Market reception to XPL turned dramatic almost immediately. At launch, the network held more than USD 2 billion in stablecoin liquidity across over 100 DeFi protocols. Within 24 hours of trading, XPL surged by over 50 percent in some reports—a mark of speculative demand meeting limited immediate circulating supply. Some early buyers from the public sale reportedly reaped significant multiples, even as Plasma distributed bonus tokens to pre-deposit participants regardless of purchase. At peak, XPL reportedly hit above USD 1.50 before retracing to levels around USD 0.90 to USD 1.10. Observers estimated its fully diluted value approaching USD 8–10 billion, reflecting soaring expectations baked into launch pricing.

Yet that market euphoria also exposes structural tensions. The disparity between circulating supply and total supply creates a potential “float risk”—many tokens locked under vesting may exert downward pressure as unlocks commence. The timing and pacing of those unlocks will test whether early demand can be sustained under growing supply. Furthermore, while the paymaster model reduces friction, it also transfers the burden of fee subsidies to the protocol’s reserves. If usage scales unpredictably, that subsidy cost could challenge sustainability unless fee revenue or ecosystem yield compensates.

Another variable is how decentralized and secure the validator structure becomes. The strength of PlasmaBFT relies on meaningful decentralization and active participation. If validator concentration remains high or slashing risks are unevenly applied, token holders may question whether XPL truly underpins a secure, trust-minimized system. The use of reward slashing somewhat mitigates direct capital loss risk, but critics argue it may weaken incentives for strict validator discipline.

Beyond core mechanics, XPL’s ecosystem deployment matters. Early integrations offer a glimpse: Plasma granted XPL funding to Clearpool to support PayFi, a stablecoin‐settled credit infrastructure. That move reflects a play to establish secondary use cases—credit rails, yield protocols, merchant flows—that could entrench XPL usage beyond staking and fees. Meanwhile, Binance’s announcement of a 75 million XPL airdrop tied to its HODLer program signals aggressive token distribution into retail investor hands. That distribution may expand user base but also risks speculative churn.

On the regulatory front, XPL must navigate emerging scrutiny. Since stablecoins straddle monetary and securities domain, a blockchain built entirely around them invites questions about oversight and compliance. To date, Plasma has employed jurisdictional filtering, KYC onboarding, and cautious distribution to U. S. investors, but scaling into global payments heightens exposure. If major jurisdictions impose stricter rules on stablecoin issuance or transfer, XPL’s value proposition may face constraints or require adaptation.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced that its six publicly traded subsidiaries will distribute AED 158 billion in dividends through to 2030, nearly doubling the AED 86 billion cumulative payout since the first listing in 2017.

The announcement came during ADNOC’s inaugural Investor Majlis in Abu Dhabi, where the group underscored its commitment to shareholder returns and transparent governance. The dividend programme is subject to customary approvals and will provide long-term visibility to investors across its diversified portfolio of listed entities.

ADNOC’s six listed companies currently account for more than AED 550 billion in market capitalisation on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and represent nearly 40 percent of the annual dividends distributed on the market. Under the new plan, three additional entities—ADNOC Distribution, ADNOC Gas, and ADNOC Logistics & Services—will join ADNOC Drilling in issuing quarterly dividends.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC’s Managing Director and CEO, also serving as UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, described the dividend target as a “landmark step” adding clarity to the group’s capital return path. He stated the move would “enhance value” for citizens, residents, and partners, and reaffirmed ADNOC’s focus on cost discipline, efficiency and growth.

Each listed unit announced specific dividend floors and policy reforms. ADNOC Drilling set a cumulative floor of AED 25 billion by 2030, representing a 26 percent minimum return over the period. ADNOC Gas pledged a target of AED 90 billion, with dividends moving to a quarterly basis from 2025 onward. ADNOC Logistics & Services raised its guidance to AED 8.1 billion for 2025–2030 and intends to adopt quarterly distributions from the third quarter of 2025.

Other units will also tighten their dividend structures. ADNOC Distribution expanded its dividend policy through 2030 and targets cumulative returns exceeding 30 percent over the 2025–2030 period. Borouge affirmed a dividend floor for 2025 and envisaged a payout ratio of 90 percent of net profit in future years. Fertiglobe flagged interim dividend payments and share buybacks for 2025 to support yield.

Beyond dividends, ADNOC disclosed key developments across its upstream, LNG and petrochemical segments. ADNOC Gas has secured a long-term feedstock agreement worth AED 147 billion with its Ruwais LNG facility. Over 80 percent of project capacity is under contract. The group also reported that the merger of its petrochemical assets with OMV—that is, combining Borouge and Borealis into Borouge Group International —remains on course for completion in Q1 2026. Financing for the transaction, valued at AED 56.6 billion, is in place and synergies of at least AED 1.8 billion annually have been identified.

Earlier this year, ADNOC transferred its stakes in several listed subsidiaries—namely Distribution, Drilling, Gas and Logistics & Services—to its wholly owned investment arm, XRG, via off-market moves. The transfers, completed or pending regulatory clearance, were explicitly stated not to affect operations, leadership or dividend policies. Control remains with ADNOC via its 100 percent ownership of XRG.

Analysts view the dividend pledge as a strategic signal in a more competitive capital-raising environment. It strengthens the case for long-term investor confidence, especially amid global volatility in energy markets and shifting sector dynamics. Some warn, however, that such large commitments require careful balance with capital expenditure demands, especially for exploration, decarbonisation and upstream expansion to meet rising regional energy and gas demand.