News related to
Meta

Robinhood has added Floki Inu and Ondo Finance to its cryptocurrency offerings, granting both tokens access to the platform’s 25 million-strong user base. This strategic move has led to significant price surges for both assets, highlighting a growing interest in diverse crypto projects.

Floki Inu, once known primarily as a meme coin, has evolved into a multifaceted ecosystem encompassing decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, and metaverse initiatives. Its listing on Robinhood marks a significant step in its transition from a niche digital asset to a more mainstream cryptocurrency. The listing has been met with enthusiasm from the community, as evidenced by a notable uptick in trading volume and market activity.

Ondo Finance, on the other hand, is focused on integrating real-world assets into the blockchain ecosystem. By tokenizing assets such as U. S. Treasury bills, Ondo aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world. The platform’s approach has garnered attention from institutional investors, further underscoring the potential of RWAs in the digital asset space.

The inclusion of both tokens on Robinhood underscores the platform’s commitment to diversifying its crypto offerings. While Floki Inu appeals to retail investors with its community-driven approach, Ondo Finance attracts those interested in the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology.

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade has seen a remarkable surge in the first half of 2025, marking a robust 34.7% growth to AED 195.4 billion compared to AED 145 billion in the same period of 2024. This growth highlights the ongoing strength of the emirate’s economic diversification efforts, underpinned by its expanding infrastructure and logistical capabilities.

The first six months of 2025 saw a significant increase across various trade segments. Non-oil exports jumped by 64%, reaching AED 78.5 billion, up from AED 47.9 billion in the first half of 2024. This surge underscores the growing demand for products manufactured and processed in Abu Dhabi, with key sectors such as chemicals, metals, and machinery playing a pivotal role in this expansion. The rise in exports reflects the emirate’s increasing competitiveness in international markets, driven by its strong manufacturing base and strategic trade agreements with global partners.

On the import front, Abu Dhabi recorded a 15% increase, amounting to AED 80 billion in H1 2025, up from AED 70 billion in the same period last year. This increase in imports is largely attributed to a growing demand for raw materials and technological advancements, as the emirate continues to develop its industrial and technological sectors. Imports have supported the growth of local industries, providing them with the necessary components to maintain high levels of production and innovation.

Meanwhile, re-exports also showed a healthy rise, increasing by 35% to surpass AED 36 billion, compared to AED 26.6 billion during the same period in 2024. Re-exports have become an increasingly vital part of Abu Dhabi’s trade strategy, leveraging the emirate’s strategic location as a key logistics hub. The UAE’s positioning between Asia, Europe, and Africa has made it an essential node for goods flowing to and from global markets. Abu Dhabi’s efficient ports and transport infrastructure further enhance its appeal as a re-export centre, enabling businesses to access regional and international markets more easily.

Key factors contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil trade include the continuous improvement of its infrastructure, the advancement of logistics services, and the emirate’s strategic positioning as a global trade hub. The development of world-class airports, ports, and transportation networks has facilitated the smooth movement of goods, bolstering trade flows and enhancing the efficiency of supply chains. Additionally, the UAE’s free trade agreements with various countries and regions have opened up new markets for Abu Dhabi’s goods, further driving growth.

The performance of the non-oil trade sector is also a testament to the success of the UAE’s economic diversification policies. The country has long sought to reduce its reliance on oil revenues by fostering growth in other sectors such as manufacturing, trade, and services. Abu Dhabi, in particular, has been at the forefront of this push, with substantial investments in infrastructure, innovation, and education.

Abu Dhabi Customs has played a key role in supporting this growth by enhancing border management and customs procedures, making it easier for businesses to trade globally. Customs reforms and the adoption of digital technologies have streamlined the trade process, reducing delays and costs for traders and facilitating smoother transactions across borders.

A statue honouring Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive figure behind Bitcoin, has been stolen from its site in Lugano, Switzerland. The monument, unveiled in late 2024, had become an iconic representation of the enigmatic creator of the cryptocurrency, whose true identity remains one of the tech world’s greatest mysteries.

The statue, a large sculpture depicting the name “Satoshi Nakamoto” etched into a series of metallic layers, had captivated visitors and crypto enthusiasts alike since its installation. Situated in the heart of Lugano, it symbolised the city’s growing embrace of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. For many, the statue was more than just art; it was a tribute to the digital revolution that Bitcoin sparked more than a decade ago.

Authorities were alerted to the theft in the early hours of the morning, when a security guard noticed the conspicuous absence of the monument, which had previously stood proudly at the centre of a public park. The area, which had been carefully monitored by surveillance cameras, now bears only the faint traces of the statue’s former presence, leaving behind a curious and eerie emptiness.

Lugano, a city with strong ties to the cryptocurrency world, had seen significant developments in recent years to become a leading hub for blockchain-based businesses. The city’s proactive approach in fostering crypto-related innovation was epitomised by the statue’s unveiling in 2024, making the theft a significant blow to the region’s reputation.

Local police have launched an investigation into the incident, with officials suggesting that the thieves may have targeted the statue for its material value, given its considerable worth as a work of art. The theft of public art is not uncommon, but the involvement of a high-profile piece linked to one of the most famous figures in tech history has drawn international attention.

Security experts have raised concerns over the vulnerability of public art installations, particularly those linked to high-profile and controversial figures. While the statue’s theft may have been opportunistic, some speculate that it could have been taken as a statement against the pervasive influence of cryptocurrency in traditional finance sectors. Others argue that the absence of the statue only reinforces the mystery of Nakamoto’s identity, highlighting the growing divide between Bitcoin’s revolutionary vision and the material world it inhabits.

A spokesperson for the city’s municipal government expressed their regret over the theft and assured the public that they would work closely with law enforcement to identify the perpetrators. “We are committed to preserving our city’s artistic and technological heritage, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure that such an incident does not occur again,” they said in a statement.

The statue’s disappearance has ignited conversations within the cryptocurrency community, with many speculating on the reasons behind its removal. Some see it as an attempt to erase the legacy of Nakamoto, who has long remained an enigma. Others argue that the theft could be a commentary on the volatile and unpredictable nature of cryptocurrency itself.

Lugano had embraced Bitcoin and blockchain technology with open arms, with the city offering various incentives to crypto companies and developers. It became one of the first cities in the world to allow its citizens to pay for public services with Bitcoin. With this deep connection to the digital currency, the theft of Nakamoto’s statue could be seen as a blow to the city’s ambitions to be at the forefront of the global cryptocurrency movement.

While authorities have not yet identified any suspects, there has been no shortage of theories circulating within the tech community. Some believe that the statue could resurface on the black market, where it might fetch a significant price. Others suggest that the theft could be part of a larger movement aimed at discrediting or disrupting the cryptocurrency space.

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.