The Hashgraph Association (THA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Blade Labs to advance digital transformation in the Middle East. This collaboration aims to foster digital transformation and drive financial inclusion across the region by integrating distributed ledger technologies into traditional financial services.
Blade Labs, known for its innovative approach to fintech, will deploy its technology to reduce the costs of financial service delivery, catering to a broader demographic.
This partnership dovetails with THA’s recent involvement in two government-backed Venture Studio initiatives in the Middle East, which represent a collective investment of $300 million over the next five years.
Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association, emphasized the organization’s commitment to the region, stating, “Our strategic investment in Blade Labs, which provides innovative fintech solutions in the region, is testimony to our commitment to empowering enterprises with Web3-compliant solutions.”
Under this partnership, Blade Labs will offer both conventional and Shariah-compliant digital securities platforms, which will play a crucial role in supporting the aforementioned co-investment ventures. These platforms are expected to facilitate better liquidity, reduced operational costs, and improved collateral management through the tokenization of funds. This not only enhances capital efficiency but also offers improved returns and advanced risk management capabilities, making it an appealing prospect for traditional and digital-first investors alike.
Sami Mian, CEO of Blade Labs, said: “As an investor and strategic ecosystem partner of Blade Labs, The Hashgraph Association’s deep multi-level relationship will enable us to integrate our cutting-edge digital asset solutions with more businesses in the Middle East and beyond.”
“We are also well placed to support the execution of strategic initiatives in the region to grow and empower ecosystems that will help us drive digital transformation,” Sami added.
Blade Labs has also expanded its regulatory footprint, having secured a fintech license within the Qatar Financial Center and admission to its prestigious Digital Asset Lab. The firm is further seeking a license from the Financial Services Regulatory Association (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), signaling its intent to bolster digital asset adoption in the region.
The Hashgraph Association has been at the forefront of key ventures in the Middle East and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region. The first in Saudi Arabia has already commenced this year to build a $250 million DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh, in close partnership with the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA), and the second in Qatar aims to build a $50 million Digital Assets Venture Studio in Doha, in collaboration with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), with both these partnerships considered long-term and spanning over the next five years.
The strategic thrust of The Hashgraph Association into the Middle East is evidenced by its involvement in many ventures. THA has set up a $250 million DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh, in partnership with the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA). Another important venture is a $50 million Digital Assets Venture Studio in Doha, in collaboration with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).
