Abu Dhabi, the second-most populous emirate in the United Arab Emirates, has introduced a formal regulatory framework for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and other digital ledger entities as it doubles down on its ambition to be a leader in digital asset innovation within the Middle East.
The new framework allows DAOs to operate legally and issue tokens to members, providing regulatory clarity for digital asset firms. Abu Dhabi is aiming to become a crypto hub alongside Dubai, and this move is part of a larger initiative to foster initiatives in the broader blockchain and digital asset realm.
Distributed ledger technology (DLT), which provides the basis for blockchain networks, is a system of recording and storing information on different ledgers within a network to ensure data accuracy and security.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has adopted a forward-looking approach by introducing the DLT Foundations Regime, following extensive consultations with industry stakeholders. Beyond establishing global standards, this framework is poised to revolutionize the blockchain sector by enhancing efficiency and transparency, as per the statement.
Chairman of ADGM, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, emphasized Abu Dhabi’s rapid transformation into a hub for digital asset innovators, underlining a dedication to nurturing an ecosystem that fosters technological progress.
The ADGM’s endeavor elevates Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a forward-looking legal jurisdiction and offers substantial advantages to the broader Web3 community. By promoting improved governance and acknowledging the decentralized principles of this sector, Abu Dhabi sets a precedent for international financial hubs.
Abu Dhabi is actively competing to establish itself as a cryptocurrency hub, aligning with Dubai’s endeavors to embrace the digital assets sector. The regulatory framework in Abu Dhabi offers a valuable option for companies seeking clear and reliable regulations that can be distinct from regulations found in other parts of the world.
As previously reported by Cointelegraph, an economic free zone dedicated to digital and virtual asset service providers in emerging technologies such as the metaverse, blockchain, utility tokens, virtual asset wallets, nonfungible tokens, DAOs, decentralized applications and other Web3-related businesses was recently inaugurated in Dubai.
According to the US Department of Justice, Wolf Capital’s co-founder has pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for luring 2,800 crypto investors into a Ponzi scheme.
Making Britain better off will be “at the forefront of the chancellor’s mind” during her visit to China, the Treasury has said amid controversy over the trip.
Rachel Reeves flew out on Friday after ignoring calls from opposition parties to cancel the long-planned venture because of market turmoil at home.
The past week has seen a drop in the pound and an increase in government borrowing costs, which has fuelled speculation of more spending cuts or tax rises.
The Tories have accused the chancellor of having “fled to China” rather than explain how she will fix the UK’s flatlining economy, while the Liberal Democrats say she should stay in Britain and announce a “plan B” to address market volatility.
However, Ms Reeves has rejected calls to cancel the visit, writing in The Times on Friday night that choosing not to engage with China is “no choice at all”.
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On Friday, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended the trip, telling Sky News that the climbing cost of government borrowing was a “global trend” that had affected many countries, “most notably the United States”.
“We are still on track to be the fastest growing economy, according to the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] in Europe,” she told Anna Jones on Sky News Breakfast.
“China is the second-largest economy, and what China does has the biggest impact on people from Stockton to Sunderland, right across the UK, and it’s absolutely essential that we have a relationship with them.”
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10:32
Nandy defends Reeves’ trip to China
However, former prime minister Boris Johnson said Ms Reeves had “been rumbled” and said she should “make her way to HR and collect her P45 – or stay in China”.
While in the country’s capital, Ms Reeves will also visit British bike brand Brompton’s flagship store, which relies heavily on exports to China, before heading to Shanghai for talks with representatives across British and Chinese businesses.
It is the first UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) since 2019, building on the Labour government’s plan for a “pragmatic” policy with the world’s second-largest economy.
Sir Keir Starmer was the first British prime minister to meet with China’s President Xi Jinping in six years at the G20 summit in Brazil last autumn.
Relations between the UK and China have become strained over the last decade as the Conservative government spoke out against human rights abuses and concerns grew over national security risks.
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2:45
How much do we trade with China?
Navigating this has proved tricky given China is the UK’s fourth largest single trading partner, with a trade relationship worth almost £113bn and exports to China supporting over 455,000 jobs in the UK in 2020, according to the government.
During the Tories’ 14 years in office, the approach varied dramatically from the “golden era” under David Cameron to hawkish aggression under Liz Truss, while Rishi Sunak vowed to be “robust” but resisted pressure from his own party to brand China a threat.
The Treasury said a stable relationship with China would support economic growth and that “making working people across Britain secure and better off is at the forefront of the chancellor’s mind”.
Ahead of her visit, Ms Reeves said: “By finding common ground on trade and investment, while being candid about our differences and upholding national security as the first duty of this government, we can build a long-term economic relationship with China that works in the national interest.”