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Binance eyes United Arab Emirates as main stage for future operations

Binance Dubai general manager Alex Chehade said the UAE is a prime destination for crypto businesses seeking a clear path forward and noted its friendly stance toward digital assets.

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Binance Dubai general manager Alex Chehade said the UAE is a prime destination for crypto businesses seeking a clear path forward and noted its friendly stance toward digital assets.

“Binance identified that the senior leadership of the UAE wanted to establish the region as a focal point for Web3. They’re trying to diversify away from fossil fuels and they see [crypto] as a great driver for doing so,” said Chehade

Ultimately, the clear crypto regulations in the UAE make the region attractive to exchanges like Binance, which is currently wrestling with legal disputes from regulators in the U.S., including the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

Chehade noted the UAE’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority as a key driving force behind the surge of crypto-related interest in the region.

Beyond regulation, Chehade said the influx of young people moving to the UAE could see the region more rapidly adopt crypto than other digital asset hubs.

Merkle Science CEO Mriganka Pattnaik also praised the regulatory landscape in the UAE, noting that VARA, as the world’s first virtual asset-specific regulator, provides very detailed compliance guidelines for firms working under its purview.

“There’s more interaction with the private sector and regulators because it’s a smaller, early-stage ecosystem,” Pattnaik told Cointelegraph. “It’s also easier to hire teams in the UAE or just build out a team of 100 people, all of whom don’t come from the region.”

On February 7, VARA released its Full Market Product Regulations, which include four compulsory, activity-specific rulebooks that lay down the rules for virtual asset service providers operating in Dubai.

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Nigerian court postpones Binance tax evasion case to end of April

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A Nigerian court has adjourned the high-profile tax evasion case against cryptocurrency exchange Binance and two of its executives to April 30, extending a legal saga that has drawn significant international attention.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) filed the charges, accusing Binance of failing to register with local tax authorities and of neglecting its obligations under Nigeria’s tax laws. The case also targets two Binance executives, including one still in custody, as part of the government’s broader crackdown on crypto-related financial activity.

The proceedings were delayed after defense lawyers requested more time to review the charges. The court granted the adjournment, with expectations that the next hearing could see more substantive arguments presented.

Binance has not publicly commented on the latest development, but the company has previously stated its intention to cooperate with Nigerian authorities. The case unfolds amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of crypto operations in the country, following concerns over illicit capital flows and economic disruption.

As the legal process continues, industry observers are closely watching the outcome, which could shape the future of crypto regulation and enforcement across Nigeria and potentially influence wider African markets.

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Spanish police arrest six over $20M AI-powered investment scam

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Spanish authorities have shut down a sophisticated investment scam that used artificial intelligence to defraud victims of more than $20 million. The operation, which spanned multiple countries, lured investors with promises of high returns through a fake AI-driven trading platform.

The National Police arrested four individuals and identified 14 others linked to the scheme, which used aggressive marketing tactics and fake online platforms to simulate trading activity. Victims were shown fabricated profits generated by what was advertised as an advanced AI algorithm capable of outperforming the market.

Once trust was established, the scammers convinced users to invest larger sums, only to block access to their funds when withdrawal requests were made. Authorities revealed that the network operated through a network of shell companies and call centers, targeting victims across Spain and other European countries.

The investigation uncovered nearly 300 victims, though officials believe the real number could be significantly higher. Spanish police worked in coordination with international agencies to trace the scam’s financial flows and dismantle its digital infrastructure.

This takedown highlights growing concerns over AI being exploited in financial frauds and the increasing need for cross-border collaboration to combat tech-enabled scams.

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Former Kraken execs acquire real state firm Janover, disclose SOL treasury plans

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Janover Inc. saw its stock price surge by more than 1,000% after announcing a bold shift into the crypto space, including the acquisition of a digital asset company and plans to add Solana (SOL) to its corporate treasury.

The fintech firm, known for its real estate capital markets platform, revealed it had acquired a crypto-native business to spearhead its entry into decentralized finance and blockchain infrastructure. The deal marks a significant pivot for Janover as it positions itself at the intersection of traditional finance and Web3 technologies.

In addition to the acquisition, the company disclosed plans to hold Solana as a treasury asset, citing the blockchain’s high-speed, low-cost architecture as an attractive alternative to more established assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. The move follows a growing trend of public companies diversifying reserves with digital currencies.

CEO Blake Janover described the decision as part of a broader vision to integrate decentralized technologies into financial services and unlock long-term shareholder value.

The dramatic stock rally highlights investor excitement around the company’s strategic shift and signals strong market support for Janover’s embrace of the crypto ecosystem.

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