Demystify Podcast: GITEX Global 2024 special

This week on the Demystify Podcast, in a special series of episodes recorded live during Dubai’s recent GITEX Global 2024 tech event, hosts Dave and Dharmesh take listeners inside Dubai’s rapidly evolving tech and finance ecosystem.

Join Dave and Dharm as they speak with thought leaders who are reshaping everything from urban living to global finance to explore Dubai’s forward-thinking approach across technology, finance, and regulation, highlighting the city’s ambitions to lead on a global stage.

The four new podcast episodes include:

• Demystifying Dubai Future Labs with Khalifa Al Qama
• Demystifying the future of finance with Ronit Ghose of Citi
• Demystifying investment platforms with Nadine Mezher, CMO and co-founder of Sarwa
• Demystifying virtual asset regulation with Vinet Shah, GM of VARA

So, what are you waiting for? Tune in and listen today!

Demystifying Dubai Future Labs with Khalifa Al Qama

In this episode, Dave and Dharm dive into the work of Dubai Future Labs (DFL) with its Executive Director, Khalifa Al Qama. DFL is where advanced AI, autonomous systems, and urban innovations are developed to shape the cities of tomorrow.

The episode explores breakthrough projects, like a Covid-19 ventilator, showcasing how DFL transforms cutting-edge tech into impactful, life-saving solutions. Dubai’s ambitious approach includes private sector partnerships to speed up launches and openly share intellectual property, aiming for a global impact.

The episode also covers Dubai’s bold vision for urban mobility, from flying cars to underground systems that could redefine city life. Central to this is a regulatory sandbox modelled after the UK’s financial sector, which provides pioneering innovations a controlled space to grow. With plans for flying cars by 2027 and autonomous vehicles and household robots within two decades, Dubai is setting the global pace for future-ready cities.

The conversation also covers “50 possibilities,” an initiative to inspire public imagination. This initiative highlights Dubai’s proactive, fast-paced tech vision, which contrasts with the more cautious pace elsewhere. Tune in to catch the pulse of a city determined to lead the future.

Demystifying the future of finance with Ronit Ghose of Citi

Dave and Dharmesh are joined by Ronit Ghose, head of Citi’s Future of Finance think tank, to discuss Dubai’s buzzing tech scene. Ronit discusses Dubai’s remarkable growth into a global finance and tech powerhouse, contrasting it with established centres like London and New York. He credits Dubai’s supportive government policies, a burgeoning entrepreneurial culture, and the rapid rise of Web3, digital assets, and tokenisation for the city’s transformation.

Drawing insights from his book, “Future Money”, Ronit shares stories of fintech pioneers reshaping finance—from digital banking in the UK and Brazil to India’s digital payment revolution. The conversation explores the future of AI, evolving global financial centres, and why, despite technological advances, the US dollar might retain its global dominance. Tune in for a deep dive across global trends, tech, and finance.

Demystifying investment platforms with Nadine Mezher, CMO and co-founder of Sarwa

In this episode, Nadine Mezher, CMO and co-founder of Sarwa, discusses her mission to make investing accessible in the Middle East. From its start in Dubai, Sarwa has grown to a community of over 180,000 users, offering robo-advisory, self-directed trading, and high-yield savings accounts. Nadine explains how Sarwa leverages AI, NFTs, and crypto to shape the future of investing, moving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to align with regulatory frameworks.

The conversation delves into Sarwa’s commitment to building trust in emerging tech and its focus on customer experience, backed by major investors like ADQ and Mubadala. Join us for an insightful look into the forces driving Sarwa’s growth and its vision for making finance accessible to all.

Demystifying virtual asset regulation with Vinet Shah, GM of VARA

In this episode, senior advisor Vinit Shah from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) provides an insider’s view on Dubai’s bold virtual asset regulation approach. Shah, who’s influenced Dubai’s financial scene since 2003, discusses founding VARA in 2022 to create a secure, innovative space for Web3 and blockchain investments, in line with Dubai’s D33 tech-driven economic strategy. VARA is key to this vision, supported by government backing and collaboration with the UAE central bank on digital currencies.

Shah explains VARA’s growth, which is propelled by private-sector partnerships and his own blockchain immersion, which is facilitated by top-tier experts. He highlights VARA’s dedication to transparency and consumer protection through clear guidelines, loss disclaimers, and AI-enhanced compliance. The episode also explores Dubai’s close work with law enforcement and tax authorities to ensure real-time compliance, with lessons from FTX’s collapse informing Dubai’s evolving regulations. Shah also notes VARA’s benchmarking efforts with countries like Singapore and the UK, maintaining high standards and agility in the fast-moving digital landscape.

As one of the few regulators focused solely on virtual assets, VARA’s unique position keeps Dubai at the forefront of the digital economy. Whether you’re an industry pro or simply curious, this episode uncovers the cutting-edge strategies driving Dubai’s digital finance leadership.

Thanks to Orama for editing this podcast. You can find out more about Orama and the services they offer here.

Take a look at the full catalogue of episodes on the Dave & Dharm Demystify Podcast homepage.