Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with Dubai-based Ghaf Labs, a leading Web3 advisory firm, to boost blockchain adoption and infrastructure development across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is geared toward positioning MENA as a global Web3 innovation hub, combining regional regulatory momentum with startup acceleration, education programs, and lifestyle-based crypto integration.
“Our partnership with Ghaf Labs is rooted in a shared vision for the MENA region, one where crypto isn’t just adopted, but lived,” said Helen Liu, COO and Partner at Bybit. “From developer tooling to lifestyle integration, we’re building the bridges that bring crypto into everyday life.”
Equity-Free Grants, Talent Development, Real-World Use Cases
Through the MoU, Bybit and Ghaf Labs will provide equity-free funding, startup support, and strategic mentorship to Web3 companies focused on blockchain, AI, and sustainability, three foundational pillars of MENA’s ongoing digital transformation.
A major emphasis of the collaboration is on talent development, with a roadmap that includes:
- University-linked Web3 curricula
- Coding bootcamps
- Bilingual (Arabic and English) hackathons
- Entrepreneurship mentorship programs
“This partnership with Bybit reflects our shared commitment to advancing Web3 infrastructure, education, and institutional engagement,” said Feras Al Sadek, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Ghaf Labs.
Bybit: Crypto for Lifestyle, Culture, and Institutions
Beyond infrastructure and education, the partnership aims to embed crypto into real-world experiences. This includes the Bybit Card, which links users’ crypto wallets to lifestyle perks such as premium travel and hospitality offerings, including stays at Dubai’s Grand Millennium Hotels.
The collaboration also supports cultural and mainstream engagement through co-branded events such as the Crypto Polo Cup and Crypto Fight Night, blending sport, entertainment, and digital assets to attract a broader audience.
Looking ahead, both entities plan to explore:
- Institutional blockchain integration
- Vertical-specific applications in finance, education, and hospitality
- Expanded innovation funding pipelines
Backed by a Digital-First Policy Environment
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s national strategy to become a digital-first, blockchain-enabled economy, with Dubai emerging as a key regulatory and commercial hub for Web3.
Ghaf Labs, as an active player in the region’s crypto ecosystem, is known for enabling regulatory navigation and go-to-market strategies for Web3 ventures.
Bybit, which moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2022 and operates under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) framework, continues to deepen its footprint across the region with a focus on safety, scalability, and crypto utility.
Together, Bybit and Ghaf Labs aim to reshape how the region builds, learns, and lives Web3, one builder, founder, and user at a time.
