Companies

China crypto boycott slices incomes and spikes Huobi to ‘go global’

Published

4 years ago

November 10, 2021

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The trade is removing Chinese clients and will lose 33% of incomes from the following year, co-founder tells FT

China’s restriction on private advanced resources will clear out close to 33% of incomes for Huobi Global, one of the world’s biggest digital currency trades, and power it to search somewhere else for development, the prime supporter said. Huobi is being compelled to remove its customers in China and surrender 30% of its incomes on account of the country’s crackdown on digital currencies. To compensate for that misfortune the trade intends to chase after clients in other monetary focuses, underlining the worldwide effect of China’s choice. “Between late September to December 31 we are currently halting overhauling all our Chinese clients. There will be no Chinese clients on the platform . . . so our incomes from [these clients] will go to nothing,” Du Jun, the 33-year-old prime supporter of the trade, said in a meeting with the Financial Times. Huobi is one of the small bunch of trades that have profited from bitcoin hitting standard business sectors as the cost of the advanced coin has mobilized to a progression ever highs since March a year ago. That has turned Huobi, FTX, Coinbase and a couple of other new businesses into billion-dollar organizations. Jun underscored that 70% of the organization’s income was at that point abroad yet said it was speeding up endeavors to extend universally and quadrupling its worldwide headcount from the current 1,000. “We are truly agreeable in Asia and we are the pioneer here, yet we want another accentuation, we want to go worldwide,” said the manager of the Seychelles-based trade. He would not give income or benefit figures to the business. Until 2018, China partook in a staggering predominance in bitcoin markets, as it was home to most of mining and exchanging action. In any case, in the beyond four years, a progression of crackdowns finished in Beijing’s restricting all computerized resources this October. The US has effectively outperformed China as the biggest mining center point. The moving administrative breeze is compelling Huobi, which is China’s biggest trade and delighted in close connects to political elites, to increase its worldwide tasks forcefully, focusing on countries and locales, for example, Russia, Turkey and Latin America for retail customers and Europe and the US for huge financial backers dynamic in proficient business sectors. In October, $211bn worth of advanced resources changed hands on the stage, down 74% since the boycott in May, as indicated by information expert CryptoCompare.

Jun helped to establish the trade with his colleague, Leon Li, a previous Oracle PC engineer, in September 2013, regardless of Jun at first reasoning that bitcoin had acquired in esteem excessively fast to be everything except a trick. “Leon recommended: what about we don’t buy the resource however we simply accomplish something like a trade?” he said. After their discussion, they assessed the two existing crypto trades in China, the now-old Mt Gox and BTC China. They assessed that the stages were making $500,000 every month. So they followed up on the thought, picking a name that signifies “fire coin” and drawing in merchants with zero exchange charges. The trade is a privately owned business and says it has no “immediate relationship” with Hong Kong-recorded Huobi Technology, which likewise runs a resource the executives arm offering crypto-related assets, in spite of the fact that “it shares a vital investor and organizer” in Leon Li.

Regardless of incomes being cut in China, Huobi is commending its eighth commemoration by parting with “millions” in crypto, sending a yet to be picked client to space and following friend FTX in seeking superstar supports. Jun, who maintains the business from Singapore, needs to make half of its labor force global. In any case, the trade has no designs for a worldwide central command, leaning toward its current “decentralized construction”, with workers dispersed all throughout the planet. It is additionally reinforcing its consistence office as administrative issues could surface before very long if the stage keeps on wandering into the vitally monetary centers. Huobi has more than $2bn worth of the questionable stablecoin tie under care and is offering 55% of profits paid in tie for financial backers who store euro or authentic on the trade. That could likewise place the stage in the sights of controllers in the US, the UK and Europe, as they fix their oversight of crypto exercises. A review from the National Bureau of Economic Research said that Huobi and Binance filled in as “a door for tax evasion and other dim exercises” because of absence of know your client (KYC) checks. A representative for the trade said clients need to go through “thorough” KYC cycles to exchange over a specific sum and to have the option to change monetary forms over to computerized coins.

Business

Dubai launches new permit to help free zone firms do business on the mainland

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Businesses in Dubai’s free zones can now trade more easily on the mainland, thanks to a new Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit announced on Wednesday by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The move is designed to simplify and make it more cost-effective for companies to operate across jurisdictions, providing them with access to domestic trading opportunities and government contracts, previously available only to mainland-licensed firms.

“This initiative cements Dubai’s position as a benchmark for regulatory innovation,” said Ahmad Khalifa AlQaizi AlFalasi, CEO of Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation. “We’re enhancing ease of doing business and opening new avenues for growth, from domestic trading to government tenders.”

What the Permit Offers

Cross-border flexibility: Free zone companies can now engage in mainland activities without setting up a separate mainland entity.
Low-cost entry: The permit costs Dh5,000 for six months and is renewable for the same fee.
Talent mobility: Firms can use their existing staff for mainland operations without hiring additional employees.
Tax compliance: Revenue earned from mainland activities will be subject to the 9% corporate tax, with companies required to maintain separate financial records as per Federal Tax Authority (FTA) rules.

Who Can Apply

The first phase of the permit covers non-regulated sectors, such as:

Technology and IT services
Consultancy and design
Professional services
Trading

Plans are in place to extend the permit to regulated sectors in the future.

Eligible businesses must have a Dubai Unified Licence (DUL). They can apply online via the Invest in Dubai (IID) platform, ensuring a quick and hassle-free process for SMEs, startups, and larger enterprises.

Big Boost for Businesses

DET expects the initiative to increase cross-jurisdiction activity by 15–20% in its first year, benefiting over 10,000 active free zone firms.

By enabling free zone companies to integrate more closely with domestic supply chains, the permit opens doors to billions of dirhams worth of government tenders and contracts, creating new opportunities for growth, innovation, and job creation.

Business

Sheikh Hamdan launches Dubai Founders HQ: One-stop hub for startups

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Monday launched Dubai Founders HQ, a groundbreaking initiative that consolidates the emirate’s entire startup and SME ecosystem under one roof.

The first-of-its-kind “phygital” platform combines a state-of-the-art physical campus at One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, with a comprehensive digital ecosystem connecting founders, investors, corporates, and enablers.

The mission: 30 unicorns by 2033

Dubai Founders HQ directly supports the ambitious Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to:

Scale 30 unicorns (startups valued at $1 billion+) from Dubai
Enable 400 SMEs to grow by 2033
Position Dubai as a global innovation powerhouse

“In Dubai, entrepreneurship is considered a key engine of comprehensive and sustainable development,” Sheikh Hamdan said during his visit to the new campus. “Supporting entrepreneurs is an investment in human potential and in our society’s capacity to innovate and move confidently towards a more prosperous future.”

More than 25 powerhouse partners already on board

More than 25 leading organisations spanning venture capital, financial services, government entities, telecommunications, and innovation hubs have joined the platform, including globally renowned ecosystem builders Endeavor and Plug and Play.

This isn’t just another co-working space, it’s a fully integrated support system designed to take startups from ideation to market leadership.

What founders actually get

Physical campus perks:

State-of-the-art co-working spaces
Event facilities and meeting rooms
Open collaboration areas
Curated networking events and workshops
Local art showcasing Dubai’s creative spirit

Digital platform access:

Curated learning library
Consolidated repository of Dubai’s startup ecosystem
Data-driven insights and connections

End-to-end services:

Sector-specific acceleration programmes
Expert mentorship and advisory
Direct investor access
Business setup and licensing support
Global ecosystem connections
Tailored venture building partnerships

Hub-and-spoke model

Dubai Founders HQ acts as the “gravitational centre” of Dubai’s innovation landscape, seamlessly connecting with free zones, accelerators, and incubators across the emirate.

Think of it as the central nervous system coordinating Dubai’s entire entrepreneurial ecosystem – eliminating fragmentation and creating a streamlined entry point for founders at every growth stage.

Strategic vision

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, called the launch “a significant milestone in our journey to position Dubai as a global hub for digital entrepreneurship.”

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, emphasised the collaborative approach: “In bringing together government entities, corporates, and investors, we are creating a self-sustaining engine for innovation.”

Why it matters

For startups: Unparalleled access to expertise, funding, and support in one location

For investors: Direct pipeline to Dubai’s most disruptive businesses and talent

For corporates: Innovation partnerships and access to cutting-edge solutions

For Dubai: Accelerated path to becoming a global startup capital

Global gateway

Dubai Founders HQ also serves as an entry point for international startups and SMEs looking to access Middle Eastern markets, offering comprehensive guidance on business setup and ecosystem navigation.

Navigating bureaucracy

Dubai has consolidated years of entrepreneurial infrastructure development into one powerful platform. For founders, this means less time navigating bureaucracy and more time building world-class companies.

“Many startups have begun their journey in Dubai and grown to reach global markets,” Sheikh Hamdan noted.

“Our aim is to make the city a platform where bold ideas can flourish and scale up.”

With 30 unicorns in its sights and an ecosystem now operating in unison, Dubai Founders HQ isn’t just supporting startups, it’s engineering them at scale.

Location: 25Hours Hotel, One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre
Partners: More than 25 venture capital firms, financial institutions, government entities, telcos, innovation hubs
Model: Physical campus + digital platform = “phygital” ecosystem

Business

Dubai to go cashless: 90% of payments will be digitial by 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Forget fumbling for change at the souq. Dubai is accelerating its ambitious plan to go almost entirely cashless, with a major awareness campaign now underway to push digital payments across the emirate.

The numbers that matter

By the end of 2026, Dubai aims for:

90% of all transactions to go digital (government and private sector)
Dh8 billion annual boost to economic growth
100% of stores to accept digital payments
Top-five ranking among the world’s cashless cities

What ‘cashless’ actually means

This isn’t about abandoning money, it’s about ditching notes and coins. Banking apps, credit cards, contactless payments, and AI-driven fintech solutions will become the norm for everything from grocery shopping to government services.

The campaign kicks off

Dubai Finance has launched a wide-reaching promotional push in collaboration with government entities, leading fintech companies, and private sector partners to make the transition seamless.

Recent developments include partnerships with GDRFA (General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs) and Network International to expand digital payment channels and bring innovative solutions to the public.

DIFC leads the business switch

Earlier in 2025, DIFC and Dubai Finance teamed up to run specialised workshops helping businesses make the digital leap. The collaboration includes AI-driven initiatives designed to benefit workers, tourists, and residents through smoother payment experiences.

Who benefits?

The strategy is designed with three key groups in mind:

Consumers: Faster, more convenient payments
Merchants: Streamlined transactions and reduced cash-handling costs
Payment providers: Expanded market and innovation opportunities

Bartering with bills at the gold souq or hunting for loose change in your car? That’s about to become Dubai nostalgia. The city’s race to go cashless is picking up speed, and 2026 is the finish line.