Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — The Global Blockchain Show Riyadh held from 29-30th June,2026 successfully wrapped up its exclusive two-day B2B run, charting an evolutionary path where decentralized networks, AI, and immersive digital platforms converge. The summit heavily prioritized structural tech innovations altering the back end of Web3, including chain abstraction and the massive data infrastructure needed to support future-ready enterprise tech.

Defying the challenges of the prevailing geopolitical landscape, organized by VAP Group and powered by Times Of Blockchain, the event emerged as a resounding success. Co-located with Global AI Show Riyadh and Global Games Show Riyadh, the two-day summit attracted 15,000+ registrations, welcomed 6,723 attendees, featured 100+ global speakers and 100 exhibitors, and convened a 70% CXO-level delegation from 80+ countries. The event leveraged Riyadh’s fast-growing position as a technological sandbox to accelerate deals between early-stage Web3 creators, enterprise infrastructure providers, and global financial backers. The event also witnessed the announcement of VAP Group’s most ambitious initiative yet- The launch of VAP Ventures, a strategic initiative to back 100 startups by 2030 and accelerate the next chapter of the global innovation ecosystem.

Rewriting Global Investment with Enterprise Protocols

Main-stage sessions in Riyadh delivered an overwhelming consensus: the blockchain ecosystem has definitively decoupled from pure speculation, maturing into a friction-free, parallel economic layer. Discussions highlighted how scalable architecture and interoperable networks are modernizing global commerce, allowing enterprises to bypass cumbersome legacy systems. The panel discussions reinforced blockchain’s transition from emerging technology to critical infrastructure, enabling secure digital finance, tokenized assets, and faster cross-border commerce.

A central theme of the summit was the push toward “invisible blockchain.” Experts detailed how gasless transactions and streamlined onboarding abstract away complex technical barriers, enabling corporations to secure digital identities and automate monetization on a multi-billion-dollar scale.

The Global Blockchain Show opened with a spotlight session by Meow, Co-Founder of Jupiter where he mentioned, “Decentralized finance has demonstrated that financial systems can be transparent, programmable and globally accessible. The next phase isn’t about replacing traditional finance, it’s about combining the strengths of both to create a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem.”

The summit also featured a keynote by Shabir Momin, President & Founder of TorusChain, who shared his vision for the future of blockchain, emphasizing innovation, enterprise adoption, and the technologies shaping the next generation of decentralized ecosystems.

Shaping the Decentralized Horizon

The summit explored the future of decentralized technologies through discussions on digital banking, decentralized finance (DeFi), AI and blockchain convergence, Web3 infrastructure, cybersecurity, tokenized ecosystems, digital identity, blockchain-powered enterprise transformation, and the evolution of decentralized infrastructure. Sessions also examined blockchain’s role in enabling secure digital economies, intelligent automation, cross-industry innovation, and advancing Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision as a global hub for emerging technologies.

The event featured 100+ distinguished global speakers from government, enterprise, academia, Web3, fintech, and global blockchain organizations.

Few Notable Speakers Included:

• Meow – Co-Founder, Jupiter
• Morrad Irsane – CEO & Co-Founder, Takadao
• Dr. Mohammed Abdur Rahman – Full Professor & Chairman, Department of Cyber Security & Forensic Computing, University of Prince Mugrin
• Ryan Turner – Founder & CEO, Arkonix
• Alona Shevtsova – Chief Executive Officer, Sends
• Mr. Ulysses Demos – Chief Global Data Officer, Red Sea Global
• Nishanth Kumar Pathi – Director, Cybersecurity & Governance, Gulf Air Group
• Billal Yamak – Chairman & Co-Founder, Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA)
• Mostafa Abusamra – CEO & Co-Founder, HealthyGaming of Saudi Arabia
• Talal Al Hammad – Editor-in-Chief, entArabi
• Shabir Momin – President & Founder, TorusChain

Alongside leading blockchain founders, Web3 innovators, cybersecurity experts, fintech executives, enterprise leaders, and policymakers from across the global digital asset ecosystem, discussions centered on the future of decentralized infrastructure, intelligent finance, and the convergence of AI and blockchain technologies.

The Intersect of Tokenization, Entertainment, and Intelligent Networks

A primary pillar of the 2026 agenda was the powerful convergence of Artificial Intelligence, advanced gaming models, and secure blockchain networks. Industry leaders outlined how tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi) are transforming global investment models through enhanced accessibility and digital ownership. Deep dives highlighted how these decentralized architectures create secure data provenance for both regional corporate ecosystems and global entertainment networks.

The exhibition floor brought together a dynamic mix of global blockchain innovators, Web3 pioneers, infrastructure providers, and enterprise technology leaders, creating a vibrant marketplace for collaboration, investment, and next-generation digital innovation.

Leading sponsors and exhibitors and other prominent Web3 ecosystem partners showcased cutting-edge solutions spanning decentralized finance, digital identity, enterprise blockchain, cybersecurity, tokenization, and intelligent infrastructure, reinforcing the event’s role as a catalyst for blockchain adoption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Few Notable Exhibitors:

• ClubMOS Technologies LLC
• Cropr Digital Limited
• Plotdex
• JPYR
• Arkonix
• TorusChain Association
• Smartflow
• The Loopcraft
• EGS
• Setup Master the Art of Gaming
• Venn Studio

Destination Abu Dhabi: Continuing the Web3 Momentum

“The conversations in Riyadh reaffirmed that the future of blockchain will be built through collaboration, not competition. Our commitment is to keep creating platforms where visionary founders, enterprises, and investors come together to build what’s next.” — Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO, VAP Group.

The close of the Riyadh edition signals a massive leap forward for the regional digital ecosystem. The strategic discussions and corporate partnerships established here will directly inform the agenda for the upcoming Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi.

About Global Blockchain Show

The Global Blockchain Show is the premier global conference for the decentralized ecosystem. Structured as a high-stakes business platform, it bridges the gap between the trailblazing builders architecture-ing the decentralized economy and institutional investors looking for the next breakout project.

About VAP Group

With 13+ years of expertise, VAP Group is a premier global consulting and media powerhouse driving the next wave of technology-led growth.

Through its media ecosystem and flagship events, including the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show, VAP Group connects policymakers, enterprises, and innovators worldwide, enabling strategic communications, ecosystem-building, and talent solutions.

Media Enquiries: media@globalblockchainshow.com

The European Central Bank (ECB) selected 36 banks and payment firms to join a pilot of the digital euro starting in the second half of next year as it prepares the central bank digital currency (CBDC) for potential issuance in 2029.

The group, selected from among 50 applicants, includes Adyen, Deutsche Bank, Revolut, SumUp, UniCredit and Worldline, the ECB said on its website.

While legislation enabling the currency has yet to be finalized, the central bank is pushing forward with the project because it sees adoption of private dollar-backed stablecoins such as Tether’s USDT and Circle Internet’s USDC as a threat to Europe’s monetary autonomy.

The 12-month pilot will test a beta version of the digital euro across the ECB and 19 euro-area national central banks. It will cover online and offline transfers between individuals, in-store payments and e-commerce purchases.

Although it won’t have legal status, the currency will be close to the design set out in draft European Union legislation. The ECB’s staff, along with employees of national central banks, will act as consumers. Selected restaurants, cafeterias and online merchants will accept payments during the pilot.

U.S. inflation in June came in far softer than forecast, likely putting on hold what were fast-rising expectations for imminent Federal Reserve rate hikes.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined 0.4% in June versus economist forecasts for a fall of 0.1% and May’s sharp rise of 0.5%.

On a year-over-year basis, CPI was up 3.5% versus forecasts for 3.8% and 4.2% in May.

Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was flat in June, versus forecasts of 0.2% and May’s 0.2% increase. On a year-over-year basis, core CPI rose 2.6% against expectations for 2.8% and 2.9% in May.

Bitcoin added to earlier gains following the soft numbers, rising to $63,400, up about 2% over the past 24 hours. U.S. stock index futures also rose, the Nasdaq 100 up 1.25%.

Bond yields fell sharply, the U.S. 2-year Treasury down seven basis points to 4.19% and the 10-year down five basis points to 4.56%.

Hyperliquid is one of crypto’s fastest-growing trading venues and the leading decentralized perpetual futures exchange. The platform processed more than $150 billion in trading volume in July alone, while its volume relative to Binance climbed to 11.5%, underscoring its growing share of the derivatives market. USDC balances on Hyperliquid have swelled to roughly $6 billion, making it an increasingly important distribution channel for the stablecoin.

Under the new arrangement, Coinbase will classify USDC on Hyperliquid as “on-platform,” collecting the income generated by reserves and paying 90% of it to Hyperliquid. JPMorgan estimated Coinbase previously split nearly all of the revenue evenly with Circle.

The bank cut earnings estimates for both companies, citing the Hyperliquid agreement and weaker crypto markets, though it expects higher interest rates to provide some support for USDC-related revenue over the longer term.

USDC has also lost momentum in recent months. Its circulating supply has fallen to about $73 billion from nearly $80 billion in March, part of a broader $10 billion contraction in the stablecoin market since May as crypto trading activity cooled and new regulated rivals chipped away at the dominance of USDC and Tether’s USDT.

Japanese investment bank Mizuho said in a report last week that Circle’s final approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish First National Digital Currency Bank is a positive milestone, but investors may be overestimating its significance.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has admitted that his company “messed up” when it shifted its focus to content coins and prioritised the promotion of its crypto social media app Zora, before pivoting to AI products.

Armstrong was responding to X user “smileyXBT,” who criticized the exchange for “chasing the next meta instead of backing the people and culture already here.”

The CEO originally claimed that the firm was trying to steer users towards positive-sum crypto use cases and maintain a business “moat” with its customer base that would allow it to weather competition from rivals. 

However, smileyXBT wasn’t convinced, noting that Base, Coinbase’s blockchain network, spent the last year pushing Zora while doing very little to build a moat. 

SmileyXBT also highlighted Base’s efforts to push creator coins tied to individuals with “shady track records,” and pointed out that users were “smoked” by creator coins launched by Base founder Jesse Pollak, and former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan. 

Read more: What’s the deal with Zora, Base, and content coins?

They also claimed that this “hurt users” before noting how Coinbase went on to pivot to AI agents. 

Armstrong agreed with smileyXBT’s content coin breakdown. He said, “They didn’t work and we pivoted early this year. We messed up, time to turn the page.”

However, Armstrong disagreed that a pivot to AI agents replaces community.

“Base has been focused on trading, payments, and agents (in that order),” he said, adding that “all three are inextricably intertwined.”

Content coins didn’t pan out

There was a lot of confusion around the token system established between Coinbase, Base, and Zora in 2025.

Zora and Base were apps styled around Instagram that involved tokens called content coins and creator coins that were launched alongside posts and new accounts.

Eventually, in July 2025, Zora was integrated into Base as it attempted to model itself as an “everything app.” 

Earlier in the year, Zora pivoted into content coins by dropping the NFT minting services it had originally focused on since 2021. This, in turn, upset many NFT artists who had relied on the app for work.  

Promotion of Zora involved Base posting “base is for everyone” on the Zora app. This, in turn, created a content coin alongside it and meant it had technically launched an official token via Zora.

However, Coinbase didn’t see it that way.

It told Protos that Zora posts are “automatically tokenized,” and then, contradicting itself, said, “Base did not launch a token, this is not an official Base token, and Base did not sell this token.” 

Read more: Zora updates coin guidelines after ZachXBT calls out Sahil collab

The majority of tokens launched by Pollak on the Base app lost much of their value in the months that followed. 

More scandal followed in August 2025 after Zora promoted a fake Tyson Fury Zora account and planned to collaborate with alleged serial rug-puller Sahil Arora.

Screenshots revealed by the crypto sleuth ZachXBT showed Pollak willing to look past Arora’s history, as he told the alleged rug puller to drop the “bad guy positioning,” and that he couldn’t wait to see his “positive impact.”

Execs believed Arora had onboarded Fury and promoted the account on X. Arora had lied, and Fury wasn’t involved. 

This incident led to new guidelines that would hide, but not delist, any tokens that broke community guidelines.

Overall, the project failed to take off in the way Coinbase had hoped. Data compiled by Dune Analytics user “@zorateam” shows that the daily volume on Zora has reached lows of under $100,000 in the past few months. 

In May 2026, the daily volume almost reached $63 million, resulting in a 99.8% decrease in daily volume. The price of the Zora token is also down almost 96% since it’s all-time-high in August 2025.

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