- MidChains enables mainstream banks to offer a secure channel for trading and custody of virtual assets to their customers
- The move is expected to drive the adoption of crypto amongst conservative investors seeking a regulated trading platform to trade and store crypto
The signing ceremony was held between Basil Al Askari co-founder & Chief Executive Officer from MidChains and Mohammed Wassim Khayata from Al Maryah.
UAE, 16 November 2022: In a move that echoes the UAE’s ambition to become a Global Crypto Hub, MidChains, one of the world’s first fully regulated Virtual Asset Multilateral Trading Facilities (MTF) and Custodians, and Al Maryah Community Bank, the UAE’s first fully integrated Digital Bank, announced that they intend to bring virtual asset trading and custody to the bank’s customers.
Driven by the shared goal to enhance the modern digital investment platforms in the UAE, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Finance Week, one of the region’s foremost finance and fintech conferences, to formalize their partnership. Aimed at addressing macroeconomic and financial topics that shape global and regional finance industries, the event served as an apt venue for the signing ceremony.
The partnership with MidChains will enable Al Maryah Community Bank to widen its service offering to help retain existing crypto-curious clients and attract new customers. In turn, the move will see MidChains expand access to its regulated virtual asset MTF amongst the bank’s customers.
Commenting on the partnership, Basil Al Askari, Co-founder & CEO, of MidChains said, “If cryptocurrency is to become mainstream, it is clear that mainstream players will need to be involved. Our partnership with Al Maryah Community bank is a significant milestone for the virtual asset industry. Traditional institutions are working alongside regulated exchanges to expand access to this exciting and innovative new asset class. As one of the only fully licensed MTFs in the world we can offer banks a trusted platform partner with regulatory oversight to provide a feasible way into the virtual asset space for their existing customers and also help the bank attract a whole new type of crypto savvy consumer”.
On the collaboration, Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank, stated “We seek to protect users of local trading platforms from any potential risks, in accordance with the regulations of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and as part of such efforts, we are pleased to cooperate with “MidChains”, one of the first local trading platforms for cryptocurrencies that is fully licensed by the Abu Dhabi Global Market, in order to provide safe Escrow accounts that protect investors’ funds and separate them from trading companies’ accounts, thus protecting transfers, transactions, and balances of funds in cryptocurrency trading.
This is the first of many strategic initiatives planned by MidChains to accelerate virtual asset trading within the UAE, and enable bank clients to access our fully regulated Virtual Assets trading and custody platform in a secure environment.
For more information, visit midchains.com.
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About MidChains
By changing the way people exchange, MidChains seeks to democratize new ways of gaining and holding wealth, with the transparency and regulation that makes it safe for all.
MidChains is a fully licensed and regulated virtual asset multilateral trading facility and custodian based in the UAE. MidChains is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), built and operated by a new generation of experienced financial services professionals. It is backed by reputed regional and international investors including Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), MIAX Exchange Group, DisruptAD, ADQ’s venture platform, and GSR.
As part of our global mandate, we act as a key access point for virtual/crypto assets, empowering retail investors and linking global institutions to the region. MidChains tailors to both institutional and retail clients regionally and globally.
MidChains is bridging the gap by partnering with key industry leaders to help accelerate the commercial use case of crypto and blockchain as seen with recent partnerships with Visa, Network International, and others.
