Author: Emirates Insight

The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has reported nearly AED2.5tn ($681bn) in virtual asset transaction volumes across regulated entities this year, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s ambition to become a global hub for the Virtual Asset Economy. The update reflects Dubai’s ongoing effort to build the world’s most secure and progressive jurisdiction for virtual assets, a vision directly aligned with the mandate issued in 2022 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Since the launch of the first-of-its-kind regulatory regime, VARA has prioritised uncompromised investor protection and market stability…

Ethereum’s supply mechanics limited selling pressure, keeping losses smaller than typical Bitcoin corrections. Bitcoin’s violent slide from around $107,000 on November 11 to lows near $81,000 on November 21 has rattled traders across the market. However, new on-chain data shows this was first and foremost a Bitcoin panic, not an Ethereum meltdown. A Tale of Two Sell-Offs Analysis from XWIN Research Japan shows how the October–November correction split the two majors. Indexed from October 1, Bitcoin dropped into the low-70s by late November, while Ethereum slid into the high-60s. Historically, a 30% pullback in BTC has often meant a…

There’s a new AI-powered toy for kids called Stickerbox, and, before you groan, I’m here to report that it’s surprisingly fun. Stickerbox, a product born out of Brooklyn-based startup Hapiko, is a voice-activated sticker printer. The device takes whatever creative idea you have in your head and transforms it into a printed sticker that you can then color, peel, and stick anywhere. Before trying the device itself, I have to admit I came with a preconceived negative bias — as did my fellow tester (my daughter). Our initial reactions were similiar: “An AI that prints stickers? I’d rather design and…

You know what sounds like a fun day out? That trip down to the new IKEA store. Pretty sure everyone’s going to agree that IKEA has grown to become every child and adult inner child’s space to have fun while also getting the work done. The Swedish homeware giant has now opened its doors at Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain, and yes, it’s got everything from your saved and wishlist-ed home furnishing collection! Here’s everything the new store is offering, Thousands of goodies – You can take home over 200 pieces of furniture immediately, and there are 3,500 products…

Qatar Airways has expanded flight capacity to Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Shanghai and Singapore for the winter 2025–2026 season as the airline responds to rising global travel demand. The increases form part of a broader winter schedule that adds additional frequencies to more than 15 major destinations, including Cape Town, Dublin, London, Phuket and Toronto. The Qatar carrier continues to strengthen connectivity through its Doha hub at Hamad International Airport. Growing global demand for its travel experience has enabled the carrier to offer nearly 3,000 additional flights this year. Qatar Airways flights Additional flights include: Kuala Lumpur: From December 17, 2025,…

dnata Catering & Retail, a leading inflight service provider, has launched Aer Lingus’ new inflight retail programme, strengthening its long-term partnership with the Irish flag carrier. The agreement covers a five-year inflight retail contract alongside the remaining five-year contract of dnata’s hub catering services, reflecting Aer Lingus’ confidence in the company’s end-to-end operational expertise. The expanded retail operations cover over 180 Aer Lingus flights daily across Dublin, Shannon, Cork, and Manchester bases. Under this new partnership, dnata is responsible for the full management of the retail programme, from product sourcing and procurement to warehousing and technology provision. The collaboration will…

M is today’s top gainer, while ZEC has lost some of its momentum. Bitcoin’s price recovery that started on Friday led the asset to $88,000 earlier today, where it faced an immediate rejection and now stands two grand below it. Most larger-cap alts have been quite sluggish on a daily basis, but ETH has remained above $2,800, and XRP has held above $2.00. BTC Fails at $88K The previous business week started on the wrong foot, and the mood persisted for days. On Monday and Tuesday, BTC was violently rejected at $96,000 and pushed south to under $90,000. Although…

Failed logistics startup GetSwift’s cofounders, Bane Hunter and Joel Macdonald, have been banned from being company directors in Canada for life. The bans come four years after the pair moved to North America as their ASX-listed business disintegrated amid legal action and relisted in British Columbia. The BC Securities Commission (BCSC) last month placed permanent bans on Hunter and Macdonald from operating in the British Columbia (B.C.) investment market. The decision comes in the wake of Federal Court penalties in Australia in 2023 that saw Macdonald banned from running companies for 12 years and Hunter for 15 years. They were also…

In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business at Dubai Watch Week, Pruniaux outlined why the city matters strategically for his brands describing a customer base that is uniquely curious, educated and willing to make rapid purchasing decisions on high-value timepieces. “Dubai is probably one of the 10 cities in the world that shape taste and appetite for watches. There are a lot of customers here but beyond they’re knowledgeable, they’re curious,” Pruniaux said. He identified characteristics that distinguish Dubai and Middle East buyers from other markets, emphasising their appetite for novelty and emotional engagement with products. “The people are open-minded.…

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), the aerospace platform of Dubai dedicated to advancing the aviation ecosystem, has signed an agreement with Atherion Aerospace, an aerospace manufacturing ventureand a subsidiary of Economic Group Holdings (EGH). The agreement was formalised during the Dubai Airshow 2025, and was signed by Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, and Sheikh Sultan Majid Hamad Binsaqar Alqasimi, Managing Director at Economic Group Holdings. Through this partnership, Atherion Aerospace will develop advanced aerospace manufacturing services from its base at MBRAH, supporting the UAE’s growing demand for specialised, high-value aviation production and contributing to…