stc Bahrain has become the first telecom operator in Bahrain to accept cryptocurrencies through its partnership with Eazy Financial Services, a leading Bahraini Payment Services provider specializing in POS and online payment gateway. EazyPay uses BinancePay and wallet to offer this service to more than 5000 POS terminals in Bahrain.  The collaboration with Eazy Financial Services is a strategic step from stc Bahrain towards expanding the payment options with the future of currency to address the increasing demand for flexible and easy-to-use crypto payments.  stc Bahrain CEO Nezar Banabeela, stated, “Rapid digitization across the globe is transforming all aspects of our lives, and payments are the most crucial element. From online shopping and streaming videos to money transfers, almost every digital activity relies on a payment system. We are incredibly proud to be the first telecom operator in Bahrain to accept cryptocurrency payments, a demonstration of our strong focus on advan

  It is all over the news that UAE HayVN, regulated virtual asset trading platform is considering to bid for FTX Pay, FTX crypto exchange’s payment business. The reason the CEO of HayVN gives is that FTX Pay is valuable because of its relationships with establish companies such as MasterCard. Well is that a valid reason, given that most of these established companies have severed their relationships with FTX Pay, while it is actually Visa that was a partner and not MasterCard. UAE National newspaper came out with a story that UAE HayVN regulated by ADGM is interested in purchasing FTX Pay   to integrate it with HayVN Pay infrastructure according to statements made by Christopher Flinos, co-founder and chief executive of Hayvn. As he told the UAE National, “We are pleased to learn that some of the FTX businesses have solvent balance sheets, responsible management and valuable franchises. We are open to a discussion with their bankers, Perella Weinberg, as soon as they have the cour

  UAE based HAYVN Pay, a regulated financial network for cryptocurrencies, has partnered with WooCommerce, the leading open source, ecommerce platform to offer a plug-in, allowing WooCommerce merchants to create an additional revenue stream by accepting cryptocurrency payments from customers globally.  HAYVN Pay is a simple to install, trusted plugin which allows businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments, and then get paid in traditional currency. Verified for compliance and trusted by leading institutions globally, it represents an expansion of HAYVN’s offering as a regulated cryptocurrency focused financial institution. Christopher Flinos, HAYVN’s Chief Executive Officer, stated. “Our goal is to ensure that within two years, 75% of the world’s e-commerce and point-of-sale transactions have a cryptocurrency payment option available for the customer. Partnering with WooCommerce, who capture 93% of the WordPress e-commerce market, is another important milestone in delivering on t

  Bahrain regulated CoinMENA, a crypto asset service provider - category 3 license holder has partnered with Carlton Real Estate, a Bahrain-based real estate agency, that allows investors in the Kingdom to purchase real estate property using crypto assets. Under the partnership, the leading Bahrain-based real estate broker will accept stablecoins like USDT and USDC. CoinMENA is a leading crypto asset service provider - category 3 that is regulated and licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The trading platform allows retail and institutional investors access to digital assets investments and directly connects their bank accounts with their CoinMENA wallets to facilitate quick and frictionless money transfers.  Carlton Real Estate, a Bahrain-based company established in 1996, is a certified broker with a RERA-Bahrain license and offers a wide range of real estate services to corporate and individual clients throughout the Kingd

  All women luxury jet charter, ME Jets, partners with UAE digital asset service provider Hayvn to offer crypto payment services. ME Jets Managing Partner Amy Spicer, stated,   “With the crypto world being relatively unknown to us at ME Jets we wanted a company that would offer a lot of support when getting started, and HAYVN did just that.   Our requirement was to partner with a global company with a local presence based here in the UAE,that supports local companies and builds a trusted business relationship. " HAYVN CEO, Christopher Flinos, added, “Being an all-woman team who saw an opportunity, makes ME Jets pioneers in the aviation industry, much like HAYVN is in the digital asset space. Partnering with ME Jets ensures HAYVN continues our expansion of crypto payments into the aviation charter and brokerage industry, adding further credibility to our global presence and abilities”. Hayvn’s customers in UAE include DAMAC properties.

  UAE’s real estate agency Casa Nostra announced that it is now accepting cryptocurrencies from property buyers as well as renters. According to the tweet everything at Casa Nostra can be paid through cryptocurrencies. As per the tweet , “The future of real estate is here! You can buy your property with crypto. Rent, service fees, and everything can be paid through cryptocurrencies.” This is not the first real estate agency or property developer in the UAE to accept cryptocurrency payments. A while back DAMAC also started to accept cryptocurrency payments as has Emaar. Even UAE Properties developer Nakheel partnered with Abu Dhabi based crypto exchange Hayvn offering crypto payment options for Nakheel clients. Nakheel clients are able to pay for their rent, service fee, and real estate purchases in cryptocurrency. While Huobi partnered with fäm Properties to offer secure crypto payment options for its real estate investors, offering more payment flexibility with this new servic

  UAE based crypto exchange BitOasis, and MasterCard are launching crypto card programs across the MENA region to facilitate day to day usage of cryptocurrencies at points of sale and ecommerce website. BitOasis customers will be able to convert their cryptocurrency holdings to fiat currency allowing the consumer to easily shop and pay at more than 90 million merchant locations globally. The first BitOasis cards are expected to launch in early 2023 in markets with regulatory approvals. BitOasis customers, who can also access a range of MasterCard benefits, will be issued with virtual and physical BitOasis cards through a simple and compliant digital on boarding experience via the BitOasis app, allowing them to transact seamlessly physically and online. BitOasis customer transactions will be enabled to take place in Fiat currency, thereby adding consumer protection - such as provisions for dispute resolution and refunds - which doesn’t exist today when paying with a digital asset.

  Bahrain international Circuit is now accepting crypto payments using Bahrain’s Eazy Financial services, which has a partnership with Binance. Using EazyPay, BIC will be provided with POS terminals at BIC outlets that will accept all types of debit and credit cards from Visa and MasterCard as well as the latest methods of payment using crypto assets via Binance application. BIC is now the first International Circuit in the World to accept crypto assets Payments in a regulated, secure and extremely fast manner. 35,000 fans attended the F1 Grand Prix race in 2022 which is held at Bahrain international circuit. The benefits of bringing in EazyPay to BIC will ensure simple and effective transaction journeys for customers, with a partner which is able to ensure first-class service. "We are pleased to have brought on Eazy Financial Services as a POS service provider," BIC Chief Commercial Officer Sherif Al Mahdy said. "The services they offer will benefit our operat

    One of China’s biggest entertainment companies, WanTing Group, will be opening its venue in the GCC, with VISION in November 2022. The night club will located at The H Hotel Dubai, VISION will be the first night club build around the metaverse, where payments can be made in crypto and NFTs can be used and bought. It will also be   the only nightclub in the world to achieve cross-border collaboration with the famed Jacob&Co brand with the launch of the VISION x Jacob&Co wristwatch. Club-goers and crypto-owners will be able to turn coins into cocktails and enjoy a plethora of exclusive benefits at the venue, with NFTs also available for purchase and for use. Further elevating the guest experience, VISION will launch in partnership with Jacob&Co, the renowned luxury jewellery and wristwatch brand, to create exclusive VISION x Jacob&Co timepieces, that will be available to those who purchase the venue’s unique NFTs. An exclusive branded VIP table will also be esta

  As per a recent Chainalysis blog report, MENA based crypto users received $566 billion worth of cryptocurrency in one year from July 2021 to June 2022. As per the news, this is a 48 percent increase from 2020-2021. In addition Turkey, Egypt and Morocco once again lead not only in MENA region but globally. All three countries are in the top thirty list of countries with most crypto savings, usage of crypto for remittance payments and permissive crypto regulations. These could be caused by these countries’ fiat currency devaluations and the huge remittance market in Egypt for example. This is why Egypt has become the fastest growing crypto market in 2022, while Turkey still remains the largest crypto market with its citizens receiving $192 billion. The report also notes the role of countries in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), and cites the example of Saudi Arabia which is the third largest crypto market in MENA, while UAE stands at fifth largest. This is especially true giv

  Binance Pay is once again being used in the UAE to buy products using cryptocurrencies. UAE based Bikeera, a retailer for bicycles, scooters, electric mobility vehicles has teamed up with Binance Pay to offer virtual asset payment services. Bikeera says the move aims to help reduce GHG emissions, carbon footprint and improve the health and lifestyle of GCC residents. Purchasers can pay in BNB, Bitcoin and Ethereum. Already Majid Al Futtaim, Virtuzone, Palazzo Versace, EazyPay and others are using Binance Pay in the region. Anthony Boukather, CEO of Bikeera, stated, “Bikeera aims to provide sustainable mobility alternatives that promote a healthy lifestyle and a better planet. By partnering up with Binance, we are giving more flexibility to customers in terms of payment methods. We are proud to have been selected as one of the first companies in this program, and would like to congratulate Binance on their recent announcement about receiving the MVP license from Dubai’s Virtual

  Bahrain EazyPay, a payments solution provider,  has partnered with Binance's Binance Pay to launch a regulated and approved crypto payments service offering in the Kingdom. Nayef Tawfiq Al Alawi, Founder, MD & CEO of Eazy in Bahrain stated on LinkedIn ,   “Now you can pay in stores with any preferred Cryptocurrency using Binance App.   A special thanks goes to Central Bank of Bahrain, Binance and Eazy Financial Services B.S.C (Closed) teams."  ‎ ‏ Eazy Financial Services “EazyPay”, a  Bahraini financial institute specialized in Point-of-Sale (POS) & Online Payment Gateway Acquiring services licensed & regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, has partnered with Binance, to offer crypto   payments using “Binance Pay” over “EazyPay”   across 5000+ Point-of- Sale (POS) Terminals & Online Payment gateways in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Merchants such as ‎ ‏ Lulu Hypermarket, Sharaf DG and Al Zain Jewellery as well as local favorites such as Jasmi’s will now b

  Binance, crypto exchange has received its Minimal Viable Product (MVP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). Local bank clients approved by VARA will be able to utilize the Binance platform. Users will benefit from higher consumer protection levels because Binance is now a fully regulated platform in Dubai. Binance is now able to open a client money account with a UAE local bank and provide services to qualified customers. Services include, virtual asset exchange services, conversion between virtual assets and fiat currencies, transfer of virtual assets, custody and management of virtual assets, virtual token offering and trading services and virtual assets payments and remittance services His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Chairman of VARA said, “We are pleased to have Binance licensed to operate within the VARA MVP Programme. The VARA regime aims to strike an effective balance between value creation and risk mitigation, enabling open market innovation

  OpenNode, a "Bitcoin-as-a-payment-network" infrastructure company, has started testing a Bitcoin payment processing and payout solution in Bahrain, with the Central Bank of Bahrain’s regulatory Sandbox. OpenNode intends to provide the infrastructure to help the country grow its economy and will showcase why Bitcoin is synonymous with better business. Bahrain was one of the first to grant a crypto exchange license to RAIN crypto exchange and since then has accepted in Binance and others. The CBB authorized OpenNode to participate in the new Regulatory Sandbox Framework that allows FinTech firms to test their ideas and solutions in the Kingdom. OpenNode intends to bring payment innovation to Bahrain in using Bitcoin.   Afnan Rahman, CEO and Co-Founder at OpenNode, stated"This is a watershed moment for the people of Bahrain, the Middle East and the Bitcoin economy as a whole. OpenNode's leading Bitcoin infrastructure solution continues to pave the way for

  Dubai ultra-luxury Hotel Palazzo Versace is now accepting crypto payments through Binance. The hotel will allow guests to pay for dining, stays, and spa experiences using cryptocurrencies. The hotel located in Jaddaf Waterfront has partnered with Binance, cryptocurrency infrastructure provider, to offer the guests the possibility to settle payments in various cryptocurrencies such as BNB, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. These transactions will take place through Binance payment gateway. Starting from 7th September, the hotel will accept crypto for room stays, restaurants, meetings, and events, all the guests will have the option to pay at the property using the Binance application. The next phase, online payment integration, will go live soon after. Palazzo Versace Dubai will also accept cryptocurrency payments on their eCommerce platforms, which include Gift Vouchers and Flower Shop. The Managing Director of Palazzo Versace Dubai and founder of Palazzo Hospitality, Monther Darwish comm

  Unlike previous crypto winters, this time we are witnessing two weather fronts hitting crypto at the same time. One is sunny and warm and inviting, the other is cold, dreary and repellent. If you are in the UAE for example crypto is under a warm summer spell. I mean let us take the first drop of news where MENA based Trust Smart Solutions (TSS), a payment tech service provider just partnered with PayScript global company focusing on digital assets, to enable the Crypto Payment Acceptance on Point of Sales Terminals. This is huge, as Payscript is an all-inclusive Crypto Solutions-as-a-Service platform that aims at bridging the gap between the merchants’ accepting cryptocurrencies and the owners of cryptocurrencies. The platform will allow users to do crypto payment via different channels including sending and receiving payments, accepting payments on E-commerce stores and online websites, as well as physical Point-Of-Sale transactions in Retails Stores and Cafes. The platform wil

  This week several entities each one in a different sector announced that they have become the first in their fields to accept crypto payments. Writing this piece I get a feeling that this will soon become common practice. For the past few months all one reads is more and more entities in UAE accepting crypto payments, whether they are schools, restaurants, property developers, Emirates airlines, retail shopping centers such as Majid Al Futtaim and many more. This time it is the turn for art galleries and charities. The majority of crypto enthusiasts and those passionate about Blockchain and crypto have been waiting for this for a long time; it signals the entrance of crypto into mainstream economy and once that happens there is no turning back. Bearish or bullish markets are of little significance because everyone is into crypto. So Yesterday UAE based Galloire, art gallery announced that it is now accepting crypto payments such a Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC for artwork sales glob

  In a recent article Binance announced that it had enabled a Dubai Hotel to offer crypto payment facilities. The hotel in question is the Manor by JA resorts located in Al Furjan. As per the article the The Manor hotel is settling payments in BNB (Binance coin), Bitcoin and Ethereum through Binance crypto to crypto payment gateway. As per Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim, Managing Partner of The Manor Hotel, “Virtual assets go in line with The Manor's vision for sustainability and digital transformation, considering its position among top eco-friendly boutique hotels in Dubai.” Richard Teng, Regional Head of MENA at the crypto-platform, “Binance has been actively engaging established local businesses and institutions to further increase the adoption of crypto for our users and the crypto community as a whole. Our partnerships with leading, innovative businesses, such as JA are in line with our vision to enhance crypto adoption across the region." Prior to this Property develop

WadzPay will list its token on a Middle East crypto asset Exchange soon, according to its Group CEO. In a tweet WadzPay CEO Anish Jain states “We will also expand presence to regional exchanges in UAE, India, Africa and South America.” The WadzPay ecosystem provides infrastructure for emerging CBDC and Stable coin technologies allowing governments and institutions to sandbox or commercialize programs both at a domestic or international level. WadzPay is building an interoperable and agnostic blockchain-based payments ecosystem. The company was founded in 2018 in Singapore and is currently operating in South East Asia, South Asia, Middle East and Africa. As per their website the company saw the potential for CBDC and Digital Assets leading the next revolution in the payments industry: by enabling faster payments, improvements in security, cost efficiency with optionality. They claim to be working with large international payment companies, banks and other large global companies t