Qatar is setting its sights on becoming a key player in global tokenisation frameworks as the market heads towards a potential $16tn by 2030.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has unveiled a new report, produced with Global Stratalogues and the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), outlining the regulatory and infrastructure priorities needed to unlock the potential of tokenising real‑world assets.

The projection for a $16tn market comes from Boston Consulting Group and ADDX, which estimate tokenisation could represent around 10 per cent of global GDP by the end of the decade.

Drawing on insights from the inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable held in Doha alongside the Qatar Economic Forum earlier this year, the report, entitled From Regulation to Realisation: Shaping the Future of Digital Assets, captures consensus among regulators, financial executives and industry experts from across multiple jurisdictions.

The findings highlight five priorities: align cross‑border regulations, invest in core infrastructure, embed financial inclusion, coordinate AI‑blockchain governance and establish public‑private “tokenisation labs” to validate real‑world use cases.

“Tokenisation can unlock real value by making assets more accessible and easier to transfer,” said Yousuf Mohamed Al‑Jaida, CEO of the QFC.

“To realise this potential, we need a clear system that combines robust regulation, secure custody and practical application. This will create a trusted environment that enables institutional adoption and drives sustainable market growth.”

Pragmatism before perfection

The report urges a measured, infrastructure‑first approach to tokenisation.

“Tokenisation must serve a purpose,” said Henk J. Hoogendoorn, QFC’s chief financial sector officer.

“It should democratise access and create real‑world value. Qatar is committed to making tokenisation of real‑world assets a success.”

Maha Al‑Saadi, head of regulatory Affairs at QFC and moderator of the roundtable, added: “Regulatory clarity is not a luxury, it is a prerequisite for scalable tokenisation. Our goal is to bridge global standards with local implementation to ensure digital assets can operate within a trusted and secure environment.”

Co‑author of the report and founder of Global Stratalogues, Oscar Wendel, said: “This report distils the collective intelligence of global thought leaders, financial experts and regulators. It is designed to help lay the policy foundations for inclusive and interoperable digital asset markets worldwide.”

Regional momentum

The Gulf is emerging as a testbed for tokenisation innovation.

In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has introduced a regulated framework for asset‑referenced virtual assets, enabling tokenised real estate offerings. One recent example saw Prypco Mint sell out a Dh1.75 mn tokenised villa in under five minutes. The home was tokenized by 169 investors from 40 nationalities, with an average investment size of Dh10,355.

In January, Dubai‑based DAMAC Group signed a $1bn deal with blockchain platform MANTRA to tokenise real estate projects. Both initiatives reflect a broader shift in the region towards regulated, institution‑ready tokenisation models.

The QFC’s report, available online, positions Qatar to lead regional efforts in setting digital asset standards.

With a focus on clear rules, strong infrastructure and inclusion, Doha is making a play to turn tokenisation’s promise into a lasting pillar of Gulf and global finance.

India’s ruling party and main opposition condemned on Tuesday a threat by US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, in a show of political unity as a trade rift deepens with Washington.

Trump had already in July announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, and US officials have cited a range of geopolitical issues standing in the way of a US-India trade accord.

Manish Tewari, a member of parliament and leader of the opposition Congress, said Trump’s “disparaging remarks hurt the dignity and self-respect of Indians”.

“The time has come to call out this constant bullying and hectoring,” he added.

BJP Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda quoted Henry Kissinger — the most powerful US diplomat of the Cold War era — in a post on X: “To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.”

India’s Foreign Ministry said the country was being unfairly singled out over its purchases of Russian oil, and highlighted continued trade between Moscow and both the United States and the European Union, despite the war in Ukraine.

“It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” it said in a statement issued late on Monday.

“It is unjustified to single out India,” the ministry said.

It said the EU conducted 67.5 billion euros ($78.02bn) in trade with Russia in 2024, including record imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reaching 16.5 million metric tons.

The United States, the statement said, continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in its nuclear power industry, palladium, fertilisers and chemicals. It did not give a source for the export information.

The US embassy and the EU’s delegation in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both the United States and EU have sharply scaled back their trade ties with Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In 2021, Russia was the EU’s fifth-largest trading partner, with goods exchange worth 258 billion euros, according to the EU executive European Commission.

SUDDEN RIFT

India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1 per cent from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources.

It has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine. New Delhi has resisted, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and economic needs.

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is likely to travel to Russia this week on a scheduled visit, two government sources said. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is expected to visit in the coming weeks.

The sudden rift between India and the US has been deepening since July 31, when Trump announced the 25 per cent tariff on goods being shipped to the US and for the first time threatened unspecified penalties for buying Russian oil.

Trump has said that from Friday he will impose new sanctions on Russia as well as on countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end the war with Ukraine.

The trade tensions have caused concern about the potential impact on India’s economy.

The equity benchmark BSE Sensex .BSESN closed down 0.38 per cent, while the rupee dropped 0.17 per cent versus the dollar.

TOURISE, the bold new global tourism platform, has announced the formation of its cross-sector Advisory Board, a 14-member body of renowned industry leaders tasked with shaping the platform’s strategic direction and guiding the agenda of its inaugural global summit, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from 11–13 November 2025.

Positioned as a new global force in tourism, TOURISE aims to foster cross-sector convergence, creating a space where thought leaders, innovators, and visionaries can collaborate to define the future of the sector. The platform’s Advisory Board brings together influential figures from across tourism, technology, aviation, entertainment, education, sustainability, and media, making it one of the most deliberately cross-sector boards in the tourism space today.

Chaired by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, the Advisory Board has been created to support TOURISE’s long-term vision and elevate tourism’s position as a driver of innovation, investment, and sustainability on the global stage.

“TOURISE is driving cross-sector global collaboration, and the formation of the Advisory Board ensures we are uniting diverse perspectives from representatives across the global tourism ecosystem,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb. “Their visionary thinking and deep expertise will be essential in transforming TOURISE from ambition into action, ensuring the platform becomes a catalyst of innovation, investment, and sustainability in tourism for decades to come.”

The newly appointed Advisory Board includes:

• Julia Simpson, president and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council

• Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council

• Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus

• Blake Chandlee, former President of Global Business Solutions, TikTok

• Neil Jacobs, founder of Wild Origins and former CEO, Six Senses

• Stephane Lefebvre, president, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

• Jordi Carnes, president, Leitat Technological Center and CTECNO; former director general, Turisme de Barcelona

• Mario Enzesberger, founder and CEO, Liberty International Tourism Group

• Patrick Andersen, CEO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel

• Mo Gawdat, founder, One Billion Happy

• Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport

• Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair, TOURISE

• Fabien Fresnel, CEO, Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality

• Jean-Philippe Cossé, International Events Specialist

Commenting on her appointment, Julia Simpson, president & CEO of WTTC, said: “TOURISE is more than a summit; it’s a catalyst for global transformation in tourism. I joined the Advisory Board because I believe in the power of cross-sector collaboration to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and set new standards for responsible travel.”

In the lead-up to the November summit, the Advisory Board will meet regularly to provide strategic input on TOURISE’s programming. Their involvement ensures that the platform reflects diverse global perspectives and tackles the sector’s most pressing challenges. More than a one-time event, TOURISE is being positioned as a lasting global movement to reshape the tourism landscape.

Asian Paints, one of Asia’s construction solutions companies, has unveiled a breakthrough innovation for the regional building sector with the launch of CureAssure — the world’s first internal curing concrete additive. The patented solution is designed to eliminate the need for traditional external water curing, offering potential water savings of up to eight billion litres annually in the UAE. Developed with the region’s climate and sustainability priorities in mind, CureAssure sets a new benchmark in concrete performance, consistency, and environmental impact.

“With CureAssure, we’re not just launching a product; we’re redefining a foundational step in construction. This innovation reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions that work in the real world,” said Joseph Eapen, CEO of Asian Paints.

Curing is one of the most critical but often overlooked phases in concrete construction, influencing structural strength and durability. In the Middle East, this step is frequently compromised by extreme temperatures, labour constraints, and compressed project timelines. These site challenges often result in shrinkage cracks and reduced long-term performance.

Asian Paints’ CureAssure addresses these issues by introducing internal curing directly into the concrete mix. The additive enables hydration to occur from within, eliminating the need for external water or surface curing compounds. This approach reduces plastic shrinkage and cracking, ensures greater durability, and guarantees consistency across varying site conditions. It also aligns the performance of on-site concrete with laboratory-tested standards — a vital requirement for real-world reliability.

“Developing CureAssure meant rethinking curing from the inside out,” said Amit DasGupta, chief senior manager – Technology, AP Global. “Rather than treating symptoms on the surface, we focused on solving the root cause, by embedding water availability directly where it’s needed. The result is a more robust, reliable concrete structure, regardless of the environment it’s placed in.”

CureAssure has received approval from Dubai Municipality and validation from ICC-ES. Free of hazardous substances, it is compatible with all types of Portland cement, pozzolanic blends, and both water-reducing (WR) and set-retarding (SR) admixtures. The additive meets globally recognised standards including ACI 308 guidelines for internal curing, ACI 318 structural durability provisions, ASTM C494/C494M Type S, and EN 934-2 European admixture compatibility norms.

Aligned with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, CureAssure’s elimination of external curing also removes the need for desalinated water in the construction process. Asian Paints estimates that the water saved annually could fill 3,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools, irrigate over 6,000 acres of desert farmland, or meet the monthly water needs of 450,000 households. The solution also contributes to low-carbon, zero-waste construction practices by reducing the need for water transport, on-site manpower, and curing-related emissions.

With over 80 years of expertise in coatings and construction materials, Asian Paints is among the top two paint companies in Asia and operates 26 manufacturing plants across 15 countries. The launch of CureAssure represents a strategic expansion of its regional footprint and underscores the company’s commitment to delivering smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure solutions across the GCC.

In a landmark move for urban mobility, Parkonic, the UAE’s leading smart parking solutions provider, and Salik Company PJSC, Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, have partnered with Dubai Holding to roll out the region’s first fully autonomous, AI-powered on-street and off-street parking solution. The rollout will cover more than 36,000 parking spaces across some of Dubai’s most iconic communities.

Read-Smart parking in Dubai: How will it reinvent mobility in the city

This initiative is fully aligned with Dubai’s Smart City 2030 and Future Mobility Vision, and aims to transform the way residents and visitors experience urban parking.

Seamless, zero-interaction parking experience

The partnership introduces a ticketless, barrier-free parking system that eliminates the need for manual inspection. Utilising Parkonic’s advanced AI-driven software platform and seamlessly integrated with Salik’s payment infrastructure, the solution delivers a frictionless entry and exit experience with instant, cashless payments.

According to a Dubai Media Office report, the system enables a truly zero-interaction customer journey, aligning with Dubai’s push toward connected and intelligent mobility infrastructure.

“This partnership is a milestone for urban mobility in Dubai,” said Imad Alameddine, CEO of Parkonic. “Together with Salik and Dubai Holding, we are building a future where parking is seamless, intelligent, and user-centric. Dubai Holding’s trust in Parkonic reflects our commitment to innovation. This collaboration goes beyond parking—it’s about enabling AI-driven services, autonomous vehicles, and a fully integrated mobility ecosystem.”

Supporting sustainability and smart mobility goals

Beyond convenience, the project is designed to support Dubai’s Net Zero goals by reducing congestion and cutting carbon emissions. The smart infrastructure will allow real-time monitoring and improved traffic flow, eliminating overstays and unnecessary fines through automatic detection and billing systems.

The technology will also feature multilingual user interfaces and will be operated without any need for manual intervention, making it accessible and efficient for all users.

“This strategic alliance is not just about infrastructure,” said a joint statement from the partners. “It’s about redefining the user experience and setting a new standard in urban design and smart mobility.”

About the partners

Parkonic is the UAE’s largest private parking operator and a pioneer in smart parking solutions. Known for its AI-powered technologies, Parkonic is redefining how urban mobility and parking systems work in the region.

Salik Company PJSC, Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, was established as a public joint stock company in June 2022 and listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in September 2022. Salik, which means “seamless mobility” in Arabic, operates all toll gates in Dubai under a 49-year concession agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The company uses RFID and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technologies to manage vehicle movements efficiently across the city.

Together with Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company with operations in over 30 countries, this partnership marks a significant leap forward in smart, connected mobility for the city of Dubai.