Skip to main content Skip to footer ![Institutional custody of cryptocurrencies: Beyond the ‘not your keys’ myth](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/Crypto-Bitcoin.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Digital asset custody for institutions is a game of operational resilience, multi-layer security, and audit trails
![Is Bitcoin a bubble? Sure, if bubbles could last for decades](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/Bitcoin-5.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Unlike classic bubbles, Bitcoin's value proposition doesn’t rely entirely on price hype
![Decentralized vs. traditional finance: Is integration inevitable?](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/04/Banking-and-finance.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
In a truly hybrid future, we might see a financial system that uses DeFi's technology to underpin TradFi’s infrastructure
![Bitcoin: A divisive asset the world can’t ignore](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/Bitcoin.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
The crypto is now within striking distance of surpassing Alphabet's $2.2 trillion valuation
![Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms fuel M&A market](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/07/Saudi-Arabia-GDP.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Privatization of key state-owned assets and consolidation in select sectors boosts market further
![UAE and Rwanda: A growing partnership for Africa’s future](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/DP-world-Kigali.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
The UAE has become a pivotal partner for Rwanda, with trade between the two nations exceeding $1.1 billion in 2023
![New UAE labor law brings both challenges and opportunities for businesses](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/UAE-MoHRE-cuts-procedures-1-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Amendments focus on improving dispute resolution, increase penalties for illegal recruitment practices
![Building on ambition and innovation](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/Real-estate.jpg/w=1024,h=614)
Real estate sector plays an essential part in the region’s ambitious yet imperative economic diversification journey
![OPEC and IEA diverge widely on oil demand projections through 2050](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/OPEC-IEA-energy.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
OPEC has lowered its 2024 oil demand growth forecast to below 2 million bpd, while the IEA projects even lower demand growth at under 1 million bpd
![The enduring appeal of physical payment cards in the UAE’s digital future](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/Payment-cards.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
67 percent of country’s residents still carry two or more physical cards
![Stablecoins: The future of payments or a looming threat?](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/Stablecoins.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
In 2023, the global market capitalization of stablecoins exceeded $130 billion
![How will the US election affect the stock market and trade: Insights and impacts](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/11/US-elections.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Global markets may experience shifts following the election, but investors should focus on long-term fundamentals
![What makes Egypt a popular real estate market for GCC investors](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/Egypt-inflation-1-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
As many as 94 percent of wealthy GCC investors have expressed a desire to invest in Egypt
![Technology and trends defining GCC fintechs](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/03/Fintech.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Payments, blockchain and AI, among others, are shaping the region’s financial sector
![Middle East transformer market: The hurdles and driving forces](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/shutterstock_2360539093-2.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
By 2030, the Middle East is anticipated to add over 600,000 MVAs in transmission capacity, driving the demand for power transformers in the region
![Why financial inclusion of the youth is important for our economies](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2023/08/financial-inclusion_rzd.jpg/w=1024,h=682)
Financial products and services that could help young adults are sometimes out of reach due to governing frameworks and societal biases
![Family offices: How their focus and approach have evolved with time](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/GCC-sovereign-wealth-funds-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Family offices are now more willing to take illiquidity risk in order to achieve greater potential long-term returns
![Middle East is betting big on tech](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/Techinmiddleeast.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
The region's view of a tech-driven future is expanding, fueled by strong public-private synergy
![How technology is increasingly powering the global economy](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/Tech-Economy-impact.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Productivity, trade and income distribution heavily influenced by technological advances
![Building resilience for growth: The role of insurance in Saudi Arabia’s historic construction boom](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/KSA-Construction-sector.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Combining traditional products and alternative risk transfer mechanisms with proactive risk management strategies is key to a thriving construction business
![The role of lawyers in digital transformation projects](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/Legal-review.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Legal guidance essential to ensure compliance, manage risks and facilitate smooth implementation of digital transformation initiatives
![Welcome to the Capital of Capital: Abu Dhabi to hold ADFW 2024](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/ADFW-2024-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
More than 300 renowned speakers to address over 18,000 participants across 50 event
![Are the BRICS gearing up to challenge the petrodollar?](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/Energy-and-petrodollar.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
De-dollarization gained momentum after the UAE and Saudi Arabia were invited to join the intergovernmental organization
![EZVIZ leverages innovations to grow presence in the Middle East](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/10/EZVIZ.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
Powers smart home revolution in the region with next-generation technologies