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Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulator VARA has reportedly bought virtual land in ‘The Sandbox’ metaverse to set up a virtual office called the ‘MetaHQ’. This makes VARA the first national regulator to do so. This news comes in the backdrop of many crypto firms and organisations increasingly making moves to the country due to its friendly crypto regulations. According to the statement issued by VARA, MetaHQ intends to provide digital users with virtual access to regulatory resources, something that will become vital as the metaverse and Web3 ecosystem develop. Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated, “By expanding VARA’s resources to a borderless audience through the Metaverse, Dubai is creating a prototype Decentralised Regulator Model, inviting international thought leaders – global authorities, governance custodians, and industry shapers – to participate, exchange knowledge, and problem-solve collectively so that we enable the dynamic virtual assets sector to build economic resilience, accelerate social inclusion, and address environmental sustainability,” https://blockworks.co/dubais-crypto-regulator-buys-land-in-the-metaverse-for-headquarters/

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology has come under increasing regulatory scrutiny in the Western world with recent executive orders and more from President Biden emerging in the US, controversy over proposed changes to the MiCA directive in the European Union and Treasury announcements expected in the UK regarding new crypto regulatory frameworks in the UK. Meanwhile, the Middle East has fast been establishing itself as both friendly to and a hub for cryptocurrency companies and actors in the space. Dubai in particular has been showing open arms to digital asset companies and this has been reaffirmed via recent announcements from some blue chip institutions in the space. In a statement released yesterday, Crypto.com released plans to construct a “significant” presence in the region. What’s more, ByBit made clear it’s intentions to move its global headquarters to the emirate, in a recent blog post. ByBit will begin operations in the jurisdiction as early as April of this year having been granted approval to carry out a “full spectrum” of digital asset operations in Dubai. Both Crypto.com and ByBit join the likes of Binance and FTX in expanding their operations to the UAE and it only goes to show that not all states are hostile and skeptical of cryptocurrency. Even Singapore, previously touted as a home to the likes of Crypto.com and Binance, tightened restrictions around consumer-facing marketing earlier this year… https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-29/crypto-com-bybit-announce-plans-to-set-up-operations-in-dubai - guy from CoinBureau

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In the same week that Donald Trump became President of the US (to the despair of women around the world), this powerful image was much needed. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was recently in the UAE as part of a Middle Eastern tour, where her and Prince Charles spent three days visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The British royals were here to promote religious tolerance and support women in leadership, among other things – but nothing sums it up better than this picture, released on Wednesday by Clarence House. During her visit, Camilla was accompanied by an all-female protection squad, the palace revealed. In the image, the royal is flanked by four Emiratis, each donning the traditional hijab and abaya as they guarded Camilla leaving the capital’s Emirates Palace Hotel. The image, which currently has more than 3,000 likes on Instagram, has attracted much praise, with commenters expressing their appreciation of the enpowering act. The women that made up the bodyguard team were Shaima al Kaabi, Basima al Kaabi, Hannan al Hatawi (behind the Duchess), Nisreen al Hamawi and Salama al Remeithi, who are all aged between 29 and 30, according to the Daily Mail. The British newspaper reported that Camilla was “delighted by the decision to assign her a female team while she is travelling in the Gulf”. The women were handpicked from the UAE’s presidential guard, which counts more than 50 females among its ranks, and all are highly skilled in martial arts and combat techniques. And they’re not just excellent bodyguards – three of them are intrepid adventurers, as Clarence House revealed Shaima, Nisreen and Hannan conquered Mount Everest in a gruelling trek earlier this year. Along with husband, the heir apparent Prince Charles, the Duchess visited Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, where the royals were shown around by HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein. While in Dubai, Camilla also paid a visit to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, which is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking, as well as a visit to the Al Jalila Specialty Hospital. While at the hospital, the Duchess signed a partnership with Princess Haya between Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, UK and Al Jalila. Camilla, who described the facility as “brilliant”, shared a giggle with Princess Haya as the two signed the agreement. The royal couple also visited Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where they slipped off their shoes – and the Duchess donned a sky-blue hijab – as they toured the holy building along with some top UAE officials. http://emirateswoman.com/definitely-favourite-picture-week/