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Crypto is no longer a ‘crude’ word for companies in the UAE

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Basil Al Askari

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.

Once, the word “crypto” might have made UAE executives nervous. Today, it sparks little, if any, fear. 

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Summary

  • Crypto went from taboo to toolkit: In the UAE, digital assets are no longer speculative or suspect — they’re discussed in boardrooms alongside oil, commodities, and macro strategy.
  • Regulatory clarity beats ideological debate: Clear rules, fast execution, and top-down commitment have turned the UAE into a global magnet for founders, capital, and high-net-worth migrants.
  • The real edge is confidence: While other markets oscillate with politics and enforcement cycles, the UAE offers long-term certainty — letting companies build, experiment, and scale without fear of sudden reversals.

Many wonder why the UAE would bother with crypto when it already sits on vast oil reserves…you know, the crude oil that initially funded the infrastructure, and put the UAE on the global map. The answer is simple: the UAE wants to win. A mindset other jurisdictions should take note of.

The UAE knows it is part of a global race. Boardrooms and industries across the nation are fiercely competitive. Companies want to be the best, and they are determined not to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime.

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UAE’s stance has changed dramatically

Just a few years ago, crypto was a taboo topic in the UAE, and now the country is fully committed to cementing its position as the world’s leading crypto hub. The perception has undergone a complete turnaround.

UAE government officials are taking this message worldwide, speaking at crypto conferences and staking their claim. Companies and entrepreneurs are paying attention.  The UAE has become the world’s top destination for relocating high-net-worth individuals, with an estimated 9,800 millionaires forecasted to move there in 2025 alone. 

So what sets the UAE apart from other jurisdictions? Speed and clarity. While entrepreneurs elsewhere plead for regulatory guidance, the UAE has made clear rules a top priority, recognizing that innovation thrives when companies can act quickly and confidently.

This approach is particularly striking compared with past experiences in other markets. In previous U.S. administrations, for example, companies often hesitated to innovate, fearing regulatory or legal repercussions.

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Trump’s administration won’t last forever

Attend a crypto industry event, and you’ll hear how far behind the U.S. has fallen in regulatory innovation. Even though the Trump administration is favorable for the industry, and the GENIUS Act was a big win, and the CLARITY Act could do the same, an element of uncertainty looms. Will future leadership revert to old habits, potentially creating a less supportive environment for crypto?

The UAE doesn’t face that risk. Its government has proactively set clear regulations, backed innovation at the highest levels, and signaled long-term commitment, giving companies the confidence to operate and grow without fear of sudden policy reversals. The UAE has sent a clear message that companies can explore, experiment, and grow without unnecessary barriers, making it a magnet for forward-thinking business and digital finance ventures.

Crypto has a reputation elsewhere as volatile, chaotic, or even dubious. In the UAE, it is pragmatic. It is strategic. And it is increasingly viewed as part of a forward-looking financial toolkit rather than a speculative gamble. The cultural shift is equally striking. Energy companies discuss Bitcoin (BTC) allocations alongside oil futures. Entrepreneurs pitch blockchain-based platforms for commodity trading and find investors willing to listen.

Young entrepreneurs can take more risks in the UAE

Young startups that might once have struggled to gain traction are now welcomed into a sector with a progressive approach to innovation in digital asset regulation, setting a new benchmark for the sector. 

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It is not just financial, it is cultural. A signal that risk, when measured, is encouraged.

The convergence of oil and crypto mirrors the UAE’s broader story. The country transformed deserts into cities, sand into skyscrapers, and oil into prosperity. Now, digital assets are part of that narrative, tools to secure the future while respecting the past. 

Of course, the journey is not without risks. Crypto markets remain volatile, regulations continue to evolve, and not every experiment will succeed. Yet in the UAE, companies have the space to navigate uncertainty with confidence. 

There is room to innovate, adapt, and learn, which is an unusual combination of flexibility and stability that attracts both local innovators and international investors.

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At its core, this shows something deeper about the UAE. The country has always pursued boundless possibilities. From turning deserts into metropolises to transforming oil wealth into global influence, it has consistently reimagined what is possible. 

Other jurisdictions that delay regulatory clarity risk falling behind. The UAE demonstrates that speed, vision, and decisiveness win. Its strategic embrace of crypto shows that the country is prepared to shape the future of global finance.

Basil Al Askari

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Basil Al Askari

Basil Al Askari is the founder and CEO of MidChains, a regulated virtual asset trading platform based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE, focused on both retail and institutional markets.

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Crypto World

How ImpactFi Is Reshaping Decentralized Finance

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How ImpactFi Is Reshaping Decentralized Finance

The decentralized finance (DeFi) revolution promised a financial system without banks, borders, or gatekeepers. And to be fair, it delivered. Today, anyone with an internet connection can lend, borrow, trade, and earn yield through blockchain-based protocols.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of DeFi ended up optimizing for profit… not purpose.

Enter ImpactFi—the evolution of DeFi that merges financial returns with real-world social and environmental impact. It’s not just about making money anymore; it’s about making money matter.


What Is ImpactFi?

ImpactFi sits at the intersection of DeFi and impact investing.

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Impact investing itself focuses on generating measurable social or environmental benefits alongside financial returns.

Now combine that with blockchain—and you get a transparent, programmable, and decentralized system that aligns capital with global impact.

In simple terms:

ImpactFi = DeFi + Purpose

Instead of yield farming for pure profit, users can now earn while funding renewable energy, education, healthcare, or climate initiatives.

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Why Traditional Finance Fell Short

Before ImpactFi, impact investing faced several bottlenecks:

  • High entry barriers (big money only)
  • Slow decision-making
  • Lack of transparency
  • Limited community involvement

Even with trillions flowing into the sector, capital distribution remained inefficient and often disconnected from the communities it aimed to serve.

ImpactFi fixes this—with code.


The Core Pillars of ImpactFi

1. Transparency Through Blockchain

Every transaction, allocation, and outcome is recorded on-chain.

No more vague “impact reports.”
No more “trust us” fund managers.

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With blockchain:

  • You can verify where funds go
  • Track outcomes in real time
  • Audit impact metrics transparently

This solves one of the biggest issues in traditional impact investing—accountability.


2. Smart Contracts = Automated Impact

Smart contracts power DeFi by executing agreements without intermediaries. ImpactFi takes this further.

For example:

  • A portion of the yield is automatically redirected to climate projects
  • Donations are triggered by on-chain events
  • Funds are released only when impact milestones are met

This creates programmable philanthropy—no human bias, no delays.


3. Community Governance via DAOs

ImpactFi platforms often use DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations).

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Instead of a centralized fund manager:

  • Investors, communities, and stakeholders vote on decisions
  • Governance tokens give real influence
  • Funding decisions are democratized

This flips the script:

The people affected by investments finally have a say in them.


4. Impact Yield Farming

A standout innovation is impact yield farming.

Traditionally:

  • You stake → you earn rewards

In ImpactFi:

  • You stake → you earn and fund real-world impact

Some protocols even split yields:

  • Part goes to the user
  • Part goes to social/environmental causes via smart contracts

It’s like earning passive income… with a conscience.


5. Financial Inclusion at Scale

DeFi already removes intermediaries, making finance accessible globally.

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ImpactFi extends this by:

  • Funding underserved communities
  • Supporting microfinance through decentralized systems
  • Enabling grassroots participation in investment decisions

This is where things get powerful:

ImpactFi doesn’t just redistribute wealth—it redistributes opportunity.


How ImpactFi Is Changing DeFi Itself

ImpactFi isn’t just a niche—it’s reshaping the entire DeFi narrative.

From Speculation → Sustainability

DeFi has often been criticized for being overly speculative. ImpactFi introduces long-term, mission-driven capital allocation.

From Whales → Communities

Governance is shifting from large token holders to broader stakeholder groups via DAO models.

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From Yield → Purpose

Yield is no longer the only KPI. Now we measure:

  • Carbon offset
  • Social impact
  • Community development

Real-World Use Cases

ImpactFi is already being applied in:

  • 🌱 Climate finance (carbon credits, reforestation)
  • 🏥 Healthcare funding in underserved regions
  • 📚 Education access through decentralized grants
  • 🌍 Local economic development via community DAOs

Blockchain even enables faster capital flow by simplifying the verification and tracking of outcomes.


Challenges (Because Nothing Is Perfect)

Let’s not pretend this is all sunshine and green candles:

  • Impact measurement is still evolving
  • Regulatory uncertainty remains
  • Greenwashing risk exists (yes, even on-chain)
  • User experience is still… very crypto

But compared to traditional systems?
ImpactFi is already leagues ahead in transparency and efficiency.


The Future of ImpactFi

The impact investing market is projected to grow massively in the coming years, and decentralized models are accelerating that shift.

We’re heading toward a world where:

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  • Every transaction has a traceable impact
  • Capital allocation is community-driven
  • Financial systems are aligned with global sustainability goals

In other words:

Finance stops being neutral—and starts being intentional.


Conclusive

ImpactFi is what happens when DeFi grows up.

It keeps the best parts—permissionless access, transparency, automation—and adds something DeFi desperately needed:

a reason beyond profit.

And if DeFi was about removing middlemen…

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ImpactFi is about removing meaninglessness.

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Crypto World

Bitcoin Price Pressure Brings Back 2018 Bear Market

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Bitcoin Price Pressure Brings Back 2018 Bear Market

Bitcoin (BTC) heads into the March monthly close as it risks its sixth straight month of losses.

  • BTC price action touches $65,000 to start the week as traders expect a copycat bear flag breakdown.

  • Iran headlines dominate the macro mood amid rumors of a US ground invasion.

  • March could go either way for Bitcoin as it sits on the edge of its first six-month losing streak since 2018.

  • Whales have begun to reduce their BTC exposure, adding to mid-term price headwinds.

  • Modest demand in the current trading range lacks “magnitude” to support a trend reversal.

BTC price action revisits $65,000

Bitcoin faced last-minute selling into Sunday’s weekly close, dropping to $65,000 before a modest rebound.

Data from TradingView shows $67,500 forming a focus for Monday, with traders still firmly risk-off on the short-term outlook.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

In its latest post to Telegram channel subscribers, analytics resource Technical Crypto Analyst wrote:

“BTC is showing a clear shift in structure on the 4H, with price forming lower highs and losing the 68–69k support, which now acts as resistance; this confirms short-term bearish momentum, and unless price quickly reclaims 69–70k, the path of least resistance remains downward toward the 65k demand zone.”

BTC/USDT four-hour chart. Source: Technical Crypto Analyst/Telegram

Last week, Cointelegraph reported on $70,000 rapidly becoming new resistance, with a key long-term trend line at $68,300 unable to function as support.

“BTC’s local uptrend is over – as expected – and price is starting to move lower again,” trader Jelle continued on Monday. 

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“Testing the previous lows as resistance as we speak; bears are back in the drivers’ seat.”

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Jelle/X

Others also focused on the continuing breakdown of Bitcoin’s second bear flag of 2026 — something that has already sparked sub-$50,000 BTC price targets.

“Repeating the exact same bear flag breakdown like we saw in January,” trader Roman summarized.

Iran war rattles stocks with inflation in focus

Macro markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the US-Iran war, and these keep coming as April arrives.

US President Donald Trump reported a “big day” militarily to start the week amid reports of plans for a ground invasion of Iran.

Asia stock markets opened sharply down on Monday as the impact of the oil-supply crisis made its presence felt.

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“The ongoing tensions means that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited, which continues placing strains on global energy markets along with uncertainty over access to fertilizer products for farming,” trading resource Mosaic Asset Company commented in the latest edition of its regular newsletter, “The Market Mosaic.”

“That’s weighing on the S&P 500, which has now closed out five consecutive weeks with a loss.”

S&P 500 one-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Mosaic noted that the S&P’s red streak was now the longest since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war. 

“The growing risk of lasting damage on the global economy from high energy prices is pressuring the stocks market,” it continued. 

“But perhaps the most consequential spillover impact is on the outlook for inflation, and implications for interest rates on both the short- and long-end of the yield curve.”

Federal Reserve target rate probabilities (screenshot). Source: CME Group FedWatch Tool

As Cointelegraph reported, crypto markets joined stocks in a comedown in late March as the odds of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in 2026 faded. At the same time, bets of a recession coming this year increased to their highest since last September.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is due to take to the stage on Monday, potentially offering more insight into officials’ positions on the economy. Powell will participate in a moderated discussion at the Harvard University Principles of Economics Class.

“The outlook for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve is in jeopardy, while long-term rates are jumping higher as well due to uncertainty around inflation,” Mosaic added. 

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“The 30-year Treasury yield is close to breaking higher from an ominous pattern that could mean sharply higher rates ahead.”

March risks becoming sixth red BTC price month

Bitcoin bulls have little to boast about as March comes to a close, with BTC/USD about to seal its sixth consecutive month of losses.

Data from CoinGlass shows the result on a knife-edge ahead of the monthly close, with a “green” finish still possible.

BTC/USD monthly returns (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass

If Bitcoin ends March lower than its starting price, it would mark the first six straight “red” months since the 2018 bear market.

“Very slow month so far all things considered. Bitcoin pretty much flat on the month just like last year,” trader Daan Crypto Trades commented about the CoinGlass data. 

Daan Crypto Trades noted that over Bitcoin’s history, April has always been comparatively strong.

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“Historically speaking, April is bitcoin’s 3rd best month in average returns,” he added.

Trader XO observed that in February 2019, following Bitcoin’s first six-month losing streak, monthly gains totaled 11%.

“If April sees an early sweep into the $55–60K range, it could create a compelling setup for mean-reversion longs imo… (much depends on the overall macro landscape),” they told X followers. 

“That said, the higher timeframe structure remains in control until a clear contextual ‘structural’ shift is confirmed.”

Bitcoin whales flip defensive

Bitcoin whales have sparked concerns about future downward pressure on BTC price action.

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After an “aggressive” accumulation period at the start of 2026, whales have started reconsidering their exposure, per data from onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant.

“A clear divergence has formed: on-chain buying has ceased while large-scale inflows to exchanges are rising,” contributor Sunny Mom wrote in a “QuickTake” blog post. 

“Although the price continues to oscillate around $67K, the data suggests the market is entering another phase of hand-overs (re-distribution).”

Bitcoin exchange whale ratio (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuant

CryptoQuant noted increasing whale presence among exchange inflows, with their wallets accounting for more of the largest inbound transactions.

“Furthermore, the stablecoin ratio remains at a low level, reflecting a slowdown in sidelined capital flowing into the market,” Sunny Mom added, referring to stablecoin trends

“Without fresh liquidity, any attempt by whales to realize gains from their previous on-chain accumulation must rely on existing liquidity, making the price highly sensitive to selling pressure.”

Bitcoin exchange stablecoin ratio (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuant

Newer holders sit on “massive supply overhang”

Offering a hint of optimism this week, onchain analytics platform Glassnode sees promise in overall demand tendencies at current prices.

Related: Bitcoin value ‘off the chart’ as BTC price metric hits record lows in 2026

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Between $60,000 and $70,000, it notes, new BTC buyers have their aggregate cost basis.

“BTC sits at the lower bound of the new buyers’ cost basis range ($60k–$70k),” it wrote in an X post on Monday. 

“Supply accumulation in this range is notable, but the cluster is thinner than historical analogs that preceded a strong recovery.”

Bitcoin short-term holder cost basis distribution heatmap. Source: Glassnode

For a sustained rebound to begin, demand simply needs to ramp up — something not yet underway as traders stay nervous about geopolitical and macroeconomic shocks.

“The accumulation setup is constructive in form, not yet in magnitude,” Glassnode added.

Previously, Cointelegraph analyzed the various aggregate cost bases of Bitcoin investor cohorts, including that of short-term holders (STHs), the majority of whom are now underwater on their BTC holdings.

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Last week, CryptoQuant calculated STH share of the overall supply at 5.7 million BTC, with 92% sitting on losses.

“That’s a massive supply overhang,” it warned.

Bitcoin STH in profit/loss. Source: CryptoQuant/X