Welcome to the Arabian Business Crypto Seven, where we honour the exceptional individuals shaping the world of cryptocurrency. Here we celebrate the brilliance and innovation of the top seven minds in the crypto realm. These visionary leaders have pushed boundaries, disrupted norms, and paved the way for a decentralised future.
Join us as we recognise their remarkable contributions and embark on a journey through the remarkable achievements that have defined the crypto landscape.
| ARABIAN BUSINESS CRYPTO SEVEN |
|---|
| Mohammed AlKaff AlHashmi |
| Amine Nedjai |
| Changpeng Zhao |
| Ola Doudin |
| Talal Al Ajmi |
| Kristel Bechara |
| Jeremy Lopez |
Name: Mohammed AlKaff AlHashmi
Designation: Co-founder
Company: Islamic Coin
Meet Mohammed AlKaff AlHashmi, an accomplished expert with extensive experience in Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Industrial Automation, and IOTs. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Aden and started his career at Huawei as an Intelligence Network Engineer. AlHashmi has a strong technical background and extensive business and management knowledge. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and actively seeks projects that serve a purpose and can add value to the community.
In the MENA region, he established MCPM Automation, a company that focuses on bringing innovative technologies to improve various sectors such as the environment, sustainability, smart cities, manufacturing, and energy. AlHashmi aims to make a positive difference by using advanced technologies to solve pressing challenges and promote sustainable development.
AlHashmi is a keen advocate for cutting-edge technologies that drive regional growth and development. He values innovative thinking and unique perspectives. In addition to his position at Islamic Coin, he equally serves as a partner and board member at Greenodin, Boost PM, and other organisations where he oversees business development, growth, and strategy.
He also holds the CEO positions at MCPM MENA, MCPM Holding, and UI Ventures. He is dedicated to sharing knowledge and giving back to the community. He recognises the significance of AI in health technologies and R&D. He is a board member of Quant7 fund, which invests in medical and healthcare research and development, as well as blue ocean unique companies like Cellvera and Prepaire, and seeks out opportunities for mergers and acquisitions.
The first Shariah-compliant decentralised ledger
ICNetwork Ltd is a privately funded technological enterprise that developed the HAQQ Blockchain, the first Shariah-compliant decentralised ledger. HAQQ was established by a group of fintech and blockchain entrepreneurs who were intrigued by the ethical finance domain’s potential and aimed to create highly ethical financial services that primarily cater to the global Muslim community and ethical finance enthusiasts.
HAQQ is an advanced Proof of Stake blockchain network that can be smoothly integrated with existing blockchain tools and developer instruments, such as Ethereum and Cosmos. Its primary purpose is to provide a financial and technological platform that enables independent financial interactions and promotes technological advancements and philanthropic causes for the worldwide Muslim community.
HAQQ is a Shariah-compliant network that offers a digital currency and relies on the expertise of well-respected Shariah scholars who have given their approval for its compliance. The HAQQ network includes the Evergreen DAO, which is funded by the HAQQ base token emission and is managed by active network participants. Its main objective is to support innovative projects that can benefit the global Muslim community.
HAQQ offers a range of impressive features. Its Proof of Stake mechanism allows ISLM holders to actively participate in network consensus and earn rewards for keeping the network secure. Compatibility with Ethereum means that developers can use the existing Ethereum codebase and tools to create applications on HAQQ without having to rewrite smart contracts.
Furthermore, HAQQ is IBC-compatible, which means that it can interact seamlessly with other IBC-compatible networks, such as Cosmos and Ethereum, through the Cosmos Ethereum Bridge. Other noteworthy features include Web3 and EVM compatibility, high throughput facilitated by Tendermint Core, horizontal scalability through IBC, and instant finality.
Islamic Coin
Empowering 1.8+ billion Muslims through digital finance, Islamic Coin is the native currency of HAQQ, an ethics-first blockchain fueling Shariah-compliant financial tools for today›s world. With a sustainable-driven community at its core, 10 percent is dedicated to the Evergreen DAO every time ISLM is minted.
Evergreen DAO plays a crucial role in making strategic investments in projects that benefit the Muslim community and charitable giving to Islamic charities. By embracing this innovative approach, Islamic Coin provides financial opportunities and actively contributes to the betterment of the community.
It’s not only about food anymore, it’s also about healthcare products, cosmetics, how to make sure that everything is really Halal and fits with community ethics and values
Name: Amine Nedjai
Designation: CEO
Company: Alpha Blue Ocean Digital (ABO Digital)
Before taking on his current position as CEO of Alpha Blue Ocean (“ABO”), Amine accumulated extensive experience in roles at ABO. As a senior financial advisor in investments and acquisitions, he successfully executed and oversaw financing commitments exceeding $500 million for companies globally. He also played a key role in establishing new markets in North America, Europe, and Asia by collaborating closely with local legal experts.
Prior to this, Amine acquired expertise in structured products during his tenure at Bloomberg as part of the Quant Analytics team, where he consulted quant clients in pricing and modelling of exotic derivatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Royal Holloway University of London, UK.
ABO Digital
ABO Digital, a fast-growing division of the esteemed ABO Group focuses on the digital asset market. ABO is a distinguished – family office that operates from its headquarters in the UAE and the Bahamas. With a core focus on structured PIPEs (Private Investment in Public Equity), ABO excels in providing flexible capital solutions to publicly listed companies. Leveraging their deep expertise in capital markets and underwriting, ABO offers tailored debt and equity facilities to listed corporations on a global scale.
What sets ABO apart is their strategic approach and commitment to understanding the unique capital needs of their clients. By carefully assessing each company’s requirements, ABO crafts bespoke solutions that align with their clients› financial objectives. Whether it is supporting growth initiatives, funding strategic acquisitions, or providing liquidity solutions, ABO’s expertise enables them to deliver customised funding structures that cater to the specific needs of their corporate partners.
Backed by the vision of the founders and Co-CIOs Pierre Vannineuse and Hugo Pingray, as well as its CEO, Amine Nedjai, ABO’s extensive knowledge and experience in capital markets and underwriting allow them to navigate complex financial landscapes with ease. Their ability to assess risks and identify opportunities in the market ensures that they can provide comprehensive and innovative capital solutions that drive success for their clients. By staying at the forefront of industry trends and market dynamics, ABO helps support companies seeking tailored capital solutions.
ABO saw an amazing opportunity to provide its expertise by delivering customised financial solutions to the digital asset market and thus stablished ABO Digital.
Financing solutions
With expertise in capital markets and structuring, ABO Digital offers a range of structured financial products, including convertible bonds, token lines of credit, options funding structures and more. They are at the forefront of providing institutional-grade financing solutions to the digital asset space, catering to blockchain, web3, and cryptocurrency developers.
Unlike traditional investments through Simple Agreement for Future Tokens, ABO Digital offers an alternative form of financing using the Issuer’s tokens. This unique approach allows projects to have more control over their dilution and provides flexibility through various structures. ABO Digital supports the growth and development of start-ups in the digital asset market, enabling them to expand their customer base and revenue streams.
Partnership with AllianceBlock
ABO Digital and AllianceBlock have recently joined forces in a strategic partnership to offer tokenised structured products that cater to the financing needs of institutions and crypto projects. Through this collaboration, ABO Digital will utilise its expertise in negotiating and structuring financial instruments to create tailored solutions based on the specific capital and liquidity requirements of these projects.
AllianceBlock, together with the advanced infrastructure of Nexera Protocol and the identity management toolkit of NexeraID, will tokenise these structured products, ensuring full compliance with regulations. The capital contributed by participants will be securely locked in smart contracts, and the funds will be disbursed to the projects once they reach the minimum funding threshold.
Unlocking new possibilities
By tokenising these instruments, AllianceBlock and ABO Digital are unlocking a new realm of possibilities for both the crypto industry and traditional institutions. Traditional financial players gain access to a previously untapped asset class, opening doors to new investment opportunities. While simultaneously, blockchain projects benefit from the increased accessibility to capital, providing them with more flexible options for raising funds and fuelling their growth.
ABO is very much an event driven entity, which gives us the agility and flexibility to easily shift our focus from equity to crypto as the markets change
Name: Changpeng Zhao
Designation: Co-founder and CEO
Company: Binance
Commonly known as CZ, Zhao globetrotted during his early career, starting with Tokyo and New York before settling in Shanghai, where he discovered his passion for cryptocurrencies. In 2017, he founded Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange that within just six months, became the largest crypto exchange globally.
With over 120 million users worldwide and a remarkable net worth of $10.2 billion as of June 2023, Binance provides a secure and trusted platform for users to buy, sell, and store digital assets. With a diverse range of over 350 trading pairs, including spot, margin, futures, and options markets, the exchange caters to a diverse range of trading needs.
Prioritising user connectivity, compliance, and the integration of Web3 and traditional finance, Binance is committed to offering innovative blockchain-powered products.
Name: Ola Doudin
Designation: Co-founder and CEO
Company: BitOasis
Doudin purchased her first ever Bitcoin in 2013, and by October 2015, she launched the Dubai-based start-up BitOasis, an online wallet and exchange that is the first to use multi-signature technology to protect digital assets.
Since its launch in 2016, BitOasis has provided brokerage services to over 700,000 customers and today, boasts over 60 cryptocurrencies and customers in 14 countries across the MENA region. In 2021, BitOasis became the first crypto platform in the UAE to be registered with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (Go-AML platform).
In May 2023, BitOasis secured an MVP Operational License from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), as the first virtual asset broker-dealer and trading platform to have received an MVP Operational License under VARA’s regulatory framework.
Name: Talal Al Ajmi
Designation: Founder and CEO
Company: VI Markets
In 2010, Al Ajmi, a young Kuwaiti entrepreneur, launched VI Markets, an online trading platform offering forex, CFDs, and crypto assets.
Today, the online trading platform offers a wide range of financial instruments across forex, CFDs, and trading in crypto assets. VI Markets offer Copy Trading, a unique, patented technology which automatically copies trading portfolio performance for individuals who want to link their accounts with a specific trader.
Also, One Connect app, which is linked to MT4 and all trades are visible in a client’s MT4 account and on the One Connect app. He is a board member of One Financial Markets, a London-based authorised broker. He also launched Yasmeen, a forum designed to support female empowerment in business and the world of financial investment.
Name: Kristel Bechara
Designation: Founder
Company: Atelier Kristel
Bechara is an acclaimed Lebanese artist based in Dubai, renowned for her vibrant colours and captivating patterns. Through her innovative use of photography, oil, acrylic, and printmaking, she creates artwork that evokes deep emotions.
Her talent has garnered international recognition, with exhibitions held in Tokyo, Milan, Brussels, and France. Making history in the Middle East, Bechara became the first female artist to launch a painting as a non-fungible token (NFT), embracing the transformative potential of blockchain technology.
Her unique approach has attracted collectors from around the world, as her digital artworks can now be created, bought, and traded through blockchain platforms. With a relentless pursuit of pushing artistic boundaries, Bechara continues to shape and redefine the Middle Eastern art scene.
Name: Jeremy Lopez
Designation: CEO
Company: Everdome
Jeremy enjoys strong strategic vision and a wealth of global experience in marketing strategy, business operations, lead generation, and driving hyper-growth.
Throughout a career spanning two decades, Jeremy has held Director and C-level positions in 10 start-ups, six of which have gone on to a profitable exit. He has successfully led investment rounds across all start-ups, personally invested in three of the companies he has been involved with, driving company valuations from zero to hundreds of millions.
Jeremy has coordinated global teams and business deals, including in the USA, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. In addition to his extensive experience in building tech start-ups, Jeremy has had significant involvement in the fields of martech, salestech, ad networks, artificial intelligence (AI), 3D modelling, gaming, blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
On top of his proven astute business acumen, Jeremy has a rich background in communications, having started his career in the world of US politics. He worked for the Governor of Colorado, and went on to run political campaigns for the state senator, and House of Representatives candidates.
Now, Jeremy is the CEO of Everdome, a company looking to offer the world›s first hyper-realistic metaverse where players journey beyond Earth to civilise Mars.
With Everdome, businesses and brands can create virtual experiences that not only mirror or complement real-world possibilities, but dramatically exceed them. Brands can develop virtual showrooms, explore innovative advertising avenues, harness the power of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), buy and sell virtual metaverse land plots, and so much more.
As a metaverse space pioneer, Everdome works with businesses and brands to help them take full advantage of this transformative technology, to drive brand growth and success by leveraging the power of the metaverse. Our expert team supports the realisation of hyper-realistic immersive experiences, access to a growing user base, monetisation, collaborative opportunities, and a world where imagination is the only limit.
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