Dubai’s Inaugural Future Blockchain Summit opens to World’s Largest Gathering of Global Blockchain Leaders

Future Blockchain Summit, the world’s largest blockchain festival, hosted by Smart Dubai and organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), opened its doors today. From a world-class line up of speakers, to game-changing signings, experts from around the world have come to Dubai – the future blockchain capital of the world.  

During her keynote speech at the opening, Her Excellency Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office stated: “Launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Dubai Blockchain Strategy is built on three key pillars - government efficiency, industry creation and global leadership. In the next two years, 100 percent of all applicable government service transactions will be executed via blockchain. We, at Smart Dubai, are excited to be the official partner of the Future Blockchain Summit where experts, decision makers and industry practitioners will shape the future of blockchain industry.”

His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Partners with GCOX to launch first full licensed celebrity token crypto exchange in the UAE

The Global Crypto Offering Exchange (GCOX) announced the UAE launch of the first fully licensed celebrity token crypto exchange in the UAE with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bin Zayed International L.L.C.

“As the widespread adoption of blockchain technology increases, the Internet of Value will expand rapidly. Establishing the region’s first ever celebrity tokens crypto exchange in the UAE will generate immense value that will benefit celebrities and their fans alike, and bring vast increases in security and transaction speed,” said Chairman Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

As the world's first celebrity crypto tokens exchange, GCOX enables celebrities to create, list and trade their personal crypto tokens on its very own blockchain called Acclaim. GCOX has already amassed a stellar cast of private placement investors, including international boxing superstar and senator Manny Pacquiao and former England football superstar Michael Owen, who is also a member of the GCOX advisory board.

Blockchain-based Everipedia makes Middle East debut at Future Blockchain Summit

Everipedia, a technology company​ best known for its online encyclopedia,​ was introduced today to audiences at the Future Blockchain Summit. The service which has raised US$30 million, aims to use blockchain technology to reward users with cryptocurrency​. These users curate and submit content to its database and get rewarded in the form of IQ tokens.

"Blockchain will revolutionize not just finance but much about the Internet. The key to the revolution is decentralization. Blockchain allows us to return to the free and decentralized roots of the Internet," said Dr Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia and CIO of Everipedia, which is a Wikipedia 2.0 built on the blockchain.

"For me, the most exciting possible application of blockchain will be a truly decentralized knowledge marketplace. We will finally have the technical means for a fair and open system of rating and characterizing encyclopedia articles. We will finally have the tools to learn from credible sources what the best representations of knowledge are, according to various nationalities, religions, experts, and more. Learning and scholarship will be never be the same again."

Leading global automakers, startups, and technology companies launch Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI)

On the sidelines of the Future Blockchain Summit, MOBI, the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative, today announced its formation to explore blockchain for use in a new digital mobility ecosystem that could make transportation safer, more affordable, and more widely accessible. MOBI is actively working with companies accounting for over 70 percent of global vehicle production in terms of the market share. MOBI and partners, including, BMW, Bosch, Ford, General Motors, Renault, ZF, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Services USA and others seek to foster an ecosystem where businesses and consumers have security and sovereignty over their driving data, manage ride-share and car-share transactions, and store vehicle identity and usage information.

Chris Ballinger, former Chief Financial Officer and Director of Mobility Services at Toyota Research Institute, is joining MOBI as Chairman and CEO to coordinate this initiative. 

“Blockchain and related trust enhancing technologies are poised to redefine the automotive industry and how consumers purchase, insure and use vehicles. By bringing together automakers, suppliers, startups, and government agencies, we can accelerate adoption for the benefit of businesses, consumers and communities,” said Ballinger.

Microsoft showcases ground-breaking solutions at Future Blockchain Summit

In its ongoing commitment to blockchain technology and reiterating its support to the UAE Blockchain Strategy 2021, Microsoft Gulf today showcased game-changing technology solutions such as the ‘Azure IoT Blockchain solution’ for the supply chain industry at the Future Blockchain Summit.

“Investments in Blockchain have captured the interest of business leaders and governments, as it has the potential to significantly transform markets and industries – from banking to government to healthcare and more,” said Necip Ozyucel, Cloud & Enterprise Business Group Lead, Microsoft Gulf. “At Microsoft, we are on the forefront of this transformation, as we continue lead the way in this next era of computing and advancing the enterprise readiness of blockchain. Our ambition is to provide open blockchain platforms and services that speed adoption, and drive real business, economic and social value to the world.”