News

Intro Platform Connects Users To Celebrity Experts

Intro is a new platform that allows users to book one-on-one video call consults with top-tier industry experts.

Published

3 years ago

August 8, 2022

intro platform connects consumers to celebrity experts

Founded by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Raad Mobren, Intro is the latest platform that allows people to connect with celebrity experts across various fields. Mobren takes his inspiration for the platform from a chance meeting with Paul Orfalea, founder of the copy-chain Kinko’s. When Mobren was 18, he tapped Orfalea on the shoulder and asked if he could quiz the entrepreneur on his business success. Orfalea invited him to a 15-minute sit-down chat, which forever shaped Mobren’s future.

The idea of Intro might sound a little like Masterclass, where fans can receive masterclass tuition from their favorite artists or sports stars, or even Cameo, the platform that lets you order personalized video messages from famous personalities and Hollywood stars. Intro, however, has a different aim: to provide honest, actionable consultations from leading experts such as CEOs, sportspeople, businesspeople, and even interior designers.

“Intro breaks down walls and allows people from all across the world to easily have access to people who once seemed inaccessible. Our dream is that someone’s life will change because they got access to the person they admire, learned valuable information, and were inspired to make the world a better place,” says Raad Mobren, Cofounder & CEO

The platform has some heavyweight celeb backing in the form of Alexis Ohanian (a cofounder of Reddit), Andreessen Horowitz, CAA founder Michael Ovitz, and a growing network of highly accomplished stars. Joining the platform could see experts earning up to $500,000 annually, with a not inconsiderable 30% commission going to Intro.

Also Read: Yela Secures Over $2M To Connect Fans & Celebrities Via Video Messages

So how does the service work? Users either book a series of consulting calls, or simple one-off sessions of 15 minutes to an hour, with prices from $100 to $500. The service encompasses all genres, from entrepreneurial advice and help with business pitches to house remodeling and event planning.

intro platform expert booking tool

Intro’s experts don’t communicate further outside of the platform, and there’s no chat function or image sharing, so users need to take screenshots or make detailed notes. Still, Intro certainly sounds promising, especially if the makers can entice a decent-sized pool of talent to join the platform.

News

Ripple Gains DFSA License To Offer Crypto Payments In Dubai

The company is now the first blockchain-powered payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Published

3 days ago

March 13, 2025

Nour Nasir

ripple gains dfsa license to offer crypto payments in dubai

Dubai Media Office

Digital asset infrastructure provider Ripple has secured a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to become the first regulated crypto payment services provider within the Dubai International Finance Center (DIFC).

This milestone marks Ripple’s debut regulatory approval in the Middle East. With the new license, businesses in the UAE can now access Ripple’s enterprise-focused payment solutions, further solidifying the company’s reputation as a reliable partner for financial institutions looking to harness the potential of digital assets for real-world applications.

“We are entering an unprecedented period of growth for the crypto industry, driven by greater regulatory clarity around the world and increasing institutional adoption,” said Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. “Thanks to its early leadership in creating a supportive environment for tech and crypto innovation, the UAE is exceptionally well-placed to benefit”.

Ripple has witnessed growing interest across the Middle East from both crypto-native businesses and traditional financial institutions, all eager to address the challenges of conventional cross-border payments — namely high fees, slow transaction times, and limited transparency.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, commented, “We are thrilled that Ripple is deepening their commitment to Dubai by securing a DFSA license that makes them the first blockchain-enabled payments provider in DIFC. This milestone not only highlights our commitment to fostering innovation but also opens the door for Ripple to tap into new growth opportunities across the region and beyond”.

Also Read: Vernewell UK: Forging The Future Of Intelligence, Quantum, And AI

With roughly 20% of Ripple’s global customer base operating in the region, regulatory approval further positions the platform for accelerated growth in a market that’s already highly receptive to crypto adoption. In fact, more than 80% of finance leaders in the MEA region have expressed strong confidence in integrating blockchain technology into their operations.

“Dubai and the broader UAE have established themselves as leaders in fostering a progressive and well-defined regulatory framework for digital assets,” said Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa. “Securing this DFSA license is a major milestone that will enable us to better serve the growing demand for faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border transactions in one of the world’s largest cross-border payments hubs”.

Ripple’s DFSA license is the latest addition in a comprehensive list of worldwide regulatory approvals, joining the company’s Major Payments Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration from the Central Bank of Ireland, and Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) across multiple U.S. states.