The IFX Expo in Dubai shattered the attendance record of 2024 when over 5k attendees from across the world networked for two days with top individuals and brands from the online trading ecosystem. This year, Freedx’ CIO Anton Golub joined Sudhu Arumugam, Chief Product Officer at M2, and Jason Hughes, Senior Executive Officer at eToro, to explore the evolving role of digital assets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The panel offered a deep dive into the many ways technology, regulation, and innovation are shaping the future of finance in this region. Dubai, most notably, continues to make headlines with government-backed initiatives and investments that are setting new standards in crypto adoption.

“Bitcoin ETFs are grabbing global headlines,” said Anton Golub. “But in MENA, we’re seeing a clear preference for direct investment solutions tailored to local needs.” While ETFs simplify access for traditional investors, regional players often favor bespoke strategies aligned with their unique economic and cultural frameworks.

Sovereign wealth funds in Abu Dhabi are another highlight of the panel discussions. These financial powerhouses are pouring resources into crypto infrastructure, signaling their belief in the industry’s future. This proactive approach sets the tone for institutional confidence and long-term growth.

MicroStrategy’s bold decision to leverage Bitcoin by 2x was a point of interest on the panel. “It’s a daring move that shows leadership,” Golub noted. “But it’s also a gamble—and a reminder that innovation often comes with high stakes.” So far, MicroStrategy has amassed over 350,000 BTC, worth tens of billions of dollars but its aggressive strategy has resulted in MicroStrategy stock now being heavily dependent on Bitcoin’s market performance. This draws significant concentration risk and liquidity risk, magnified by its reliance on Bitcoin and unsecured debt.

However, MicroStrategy is not the only company betting on Bitcoin.

BlackRock’s projection of Bitcoin as a 2% allocation in institutional portfolios by 2025 is another sign of the changing times. “Bitcoin isn’t just a speculative asset anymore,” Golub pointed out. “It’s becoming a serious contender for diversification in national reserves” - a fact we're seeing reflected in moves by Russia, El Salvador, Argentina, Turkey and other countries discussing incorporating cryptocurrencies into their financial strategies.

And the buzz around stablecoins? AED-backed stablecoins are making waves in payments and cross-border trade. Local collaborations, like Tether’s partnership with Phoenix, highlight the UAE’s regulatory leadership and commitment to innovation.

Freedx’s participation in IFX Expo in Dubai comes at a time when the team is working hard towards fostering a more connected, inclusive financial ecosystem. The cryptocurrency sector, as novel as it is, has quickly become dominated by several entities and platforms that have heavily focused on crypto users and degens. But to stay true to crypto's decentralized nature, promise for global accessibility and inherent utility, we need a gateway for web2 and non-technical users as well.

While the topics of Bitcoin ETFs, sovereign wealth funds and the role of stablecoins discussed at the IFX Expo in Dubai may be a bit advanced, it's important to keep the conversation going to guide the way towards the future of digital finance. One where the transformative potential of digital assets can be applied to drastically lower the number of unbanked and underbanked people as well as put more control and freedom in the hands of users.

At Freedx, we will continue to shine light on the important questions that need to be asked to build a bedrock of financial equality and opportunity for all.