Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Dubai-based Web3 advisory firm Ghaf Labs to accelerate blockchain adoption and ecosystem development across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizes a collaboration designed to position the MENA region as a global Web3 hub, focusing on innovation, regulatory support, and real-world blockchain applications — from finance to hospitality.

“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”.

Through the partnership, Bybit and Ghaf Labs will offer equity-free grants, access to resources, and strategic guidance for startups working at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and sustainability — three pillars of the region’s digital transformation agenda.

Bybit and Ghaf Labs will also focus on nurturing a robust talent pipeline through university programs, bootcamps, and hackathons aimed at empowering developers and entrepreneurs in Arabic- and English-speaking communities.

“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. “Together, we aim to accelerate innovation and continue to position the UAE as a global hub for digital assets”.

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Beyond infrastructure and talent, the partnership also seeks to amplify crypto’s real-world utility through products like the Bybit Card, which connects digital assets to high-end experiences. Early use cases include premium travel perks with Grand Millennium Hotels in Dubai — part of a broader push to embed crypto in lifestyle, luxury, and day-to-day spending.

The collaboration will also strengthen Web3’s cultural footprint through co-branded regional events like the Crypto Polo Cup and Crypto Fight Night, blending sport, entertainment, and crypto to spark mainstream engagement.

With this MOU, Bybit and Ghaf Labs plan to further explore institutional integration, innovation funding, and sector-specific blockchain use cases, including applications in finance, hospitality, and education. The initiative complements the UAE’s broader strategy to establish itself as a digital-first economy.