Middle East

Startups

Dubai Government Backs Expansive Blockchain Research Effort

A new organization has formed in the United Arab Emirates focused on blockchain technology applications.

Business  ·  17 February 2016
Startups

BitOasis Expands Bitcoin Purchases in the Middle East

Dubai-based startup BitOasis has announced an expansion of its bitcoin wallet and exchange platform.

Business  ·  22 October 2015
Bitcoin

BitFury Hosts Secret Block Chain Summit in Middle East

Following the first Block Chain Summit at Sir Richard Branson's private Necker Island, BitFury has organized a follow up event in the Middle East.

Business  ·  8 October 2015
Bitcoin

Dubai’s BitOasis Opens Bitcoin Buying Service at TechCrunch Disrupt

Dubai-based startup BitOasis has announced the launch of a bitcoin buying platform aimed at underbanked consumers in the Middle East.

Business  ·  6 May 2015
Hackathon

Bitcoin Billboard Wins Tel Aviv Hackathon

Over 20 hours of hacking at the Decentralize This! hackathon in Tel Aviv has resulted in the creation of bitcoin's own Million Dollar Homepage.

Business  ·  17 March 2015
Exchanges

Bitcoin Exchange Igot Expands to Over 40 Countries

Australia-based exchange igot is opening up its services to over 40 countries, including all of the EU and parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Business  ·  4 December 2014
Exchanges

UAE’s First Bitcoin Exchange Launches in Dubai

Australian-Indian company igot has launched the UAE's first bitcoin exchange, hoping to capture some of the Indian remittance market.

Markets  ·  29 August 2014
News

Bitcoin Startup Piiko Brings Prepaid Mobile Service to 100 Countries

Dubai-based bitcoin startup Umbrellab recently relaunched Piiko, a cellphone top-up service serving 100+ countries.

Markets  ·  26 August 2014
Research

DNA Block Chain Project Boosts Research, Preserves Patient Anonymity

Publishing genetic records on a block chain could help researchers design better drugs, while still maintaining patients' privacy.

Business  ·  27 June 2014
Regulation

Middle East Investment Bank: Bitcoin Could Ignite Regional E-Commerce

Middle Eastern investment bank Markaz has issued a report on bitcoin's potential in e-commerce and the oil trade.

Policy & regulation  ·  26 June 2014
Bitcoin

Middle East’s First Two-Way Bitcoin ATM Launches in Tel Aviv

Another bitcoin ATM has arrived in the Israeli capital, further easing access to the cryptocurrency in the startup hub.

Business  ·  11 June 2014
News

Maturing Middle Eastern Bitcoin Ecosystem Emerges at ArabNet Conference

Bitcoin could solve key issues in the region's financial system and bring resources to the underbanked.

Markets  ·  5 June 2014
IRS

How Israel Can, and Should, Become Ground Zero for Bitcoin

The IRS has opened the door for Israel to become the epicentre of digital currency innovation, argues Michael Eisenberg.

Policy & regulation  ·  31 March 2014
Regulation

Iranian Government Could Move Quickly to Regulate Bitcoin, Reports Suggest

Fars News Agency has suggested that the Iranian government is looking to act quickly to regulate bitcoin.

Policy & regulation  ·  14 March 2014
Exchanges

Leading Middle East Music Streaming Service ‘Anghami’ Embraces Bitcoin

Anghami's streaming platform will accept bitcoin subscription fees and incorporate the currency into its 'freemium' model.

Business  ·  10 March 2014