UAE to push blockchain tech adoption with new MoU

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis. The agreement will see Chainalysis train employees of government institutions in the areas of blockchain technology and digital assets.

According to a report by the official news agency of the country Emirates News Agency (also known as WAM), the MoU was signed by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications; and Bas Lemmens, General Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Chainalysis.

Al Olama stated that the partnership would help the UAE develop capacity in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and build a smart future. For his part, Michael Gronager, CEO and co-founder of Chainalysis, commended the government’s initiative to pioneer such a project.

“We are honored to be selected by the UAE to play a supporting role in upskilling government entities through knowledge in Blockchain… Where others wait by the sidelines, the UAE has taken commendable steps towards establishing itself as a global blockchain and crypto hub,” Gronager said.

The agreement’s specifics entail that Chainalysis’ UAE Centre of Excellence will provide a virtual training program in the blockchain field for government employees. Participants will learn about blockchain and virtual assets, economic opportunities, risks, challenges of the blockchain sector, as well as the global political perspective of digital assets.

The UAE not relenting in its goal to become a global digital assets hub

The MoU is not the first time Chainalysis has delivered its services to governments and government agencies. Chainalysis has provided blockchain intelligence services for the U.S. Air Force and other U.S. government agencies. The company has also advised the U.S. Senate on issues related to the digital assets market, as Business Insider reports.

The initiative is only the UAE’s latest effort at deepening its understanding and adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets. Recently, the UAE also signed a trade deal with India to explore emerging technologies, including blockchain.

Similarly, the country established a new oversight body for digital assets called the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), as well as a new regulatory framework for the digital assets and blockchain sector. The regulatory clarity has already been earning dividends for the UAE as its popularity among digital asset firms has increased.

Watch: The BSV Global Blockchain Convention presentation, Marhaba: BSV in the Middle East

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggbZ8YedpBE&t=3166s