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DeFi Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: DEFT), a financial tech firm that connects traditional financial markets with decentralized finance (DeFi), has announced a significant expansion into the GCC and MENA regions by registering DEFI DMCC (certification no. DMCC199558). The company’s new office is situated in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, UAE.
This expansion also marks the introduction of a new trading desk at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) through its subsidiary Valour and Valour Digital Securities Limited, known for issuing regulated exchange-traded products (ETPs). The initiative aims to cater to the rising demand for digital assets among institutional investors in the UAE and the wider Gulf area.
“As the pioneering Nasdaq-listed digital asset manager, DeFi Technologies provides equity investors with a diversified entry point into the broader decentralized economy through its adaptive and scalable business framework,” the company remarked. Currently, Valour provides access to over 65 digital assets via ETPs, with an ambition to expand this to 100 by the end of 2025.
This strategic movement into Dubai is driven by the increasing interest in spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in both global and regional marketplaces. Notably, the UAE has emerged as a focal point for institutional cryptocurrency investments, exemplified by the UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala’s increased stake in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, indicating a regional trend toward investing in regulated digital asset offerings.
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“We anticipate a growing demand for digital asset ETPs not only on a global scale but also within the GCC and Middle East,” stated Andrew Forson, president of DeFi Technologies and chief growth officer of Valour. “Various investors, including sovereign wealth funds, institutional entities, family offices, and retail participants, are intrigued by cryptocurrency but require familiar and efficient means of gaining exposure.”
He further noted, “By wrapping digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum within regulated financial products such as ETPs, we will broaden the base of cryptocurrency investors and provide countries like the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia with access to international capital. Both local and foreign investors can gain exposure to these assets through trusted platforms like the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange and Dubai Financial Markets.”
DeFi Technologies’ Vision
The regional expansion of DeFi Technologies is a continuation of earlier efforts in Turkey, where it collaborated with Misyon Bank and Misyon Kripto to introduce ETPs, addressing a market where more than half of investors already possess digital assets.
In 2024, the company’s subsidiary Valour also joined forces with GulfCap Investment Bank (GCIB) to prepare for a proposed cross-listing of its ETPs on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in Kenya, allowing East African investors to access digital assets through instruments denominated in Kenyan Shillings.
In Europe, Valour’s ETPs are currently accessible on major exchanges such as Xetra, Spotlight, and Euronext, featuring over 65 hedged products that provide exposure to a diverse array of innovative cryptocurrencies.
With $176.3 billion currently under management within global crypto ETPs and increasing interest from institutional investors, DeFi Technologies is positioning itself as a key player in the regulated Web3 investment ecosystem.