RAK DAO (Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis) is a government-supported free zone in the United Arab Emirates, launched in 2023. It is the world's first and only free zone exclusively dedicated to digital and virtual asset companies. The initiative is designed to create a vibrant ecosystem for Web3, blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies, positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a global hub for innovation.
RAK DAO provides a comprehensive suite of services and infrastructure to support the growth of digital asset companies. This includes a robust and transparent legal framework, a variety of licensing options (including for freelancers and digital nomads), and access to a network of partners, VCs, and academic institutions. The free zone offers a range of facilities, from co-working spaces to dedicated offices, and provides professional services to assist with everything from company setup to ongoing operations.
The Hedera Foundation, which fuels the growth of the Hedera ecosystem, is a key partner of RAK DAO. This strategic alliance provides RAK DAO members with direct access to the Hedera network, including grant programs and technical support.
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WiPay is a financial technology company based in the Caribbean, founded in 2016. It’s dedicated to driving financial inclusion by providing a secure and accessible platform for online payments, bridging the gap between traditional banking services and the large unbanked population in the region.
WiPay offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions for both businesses and individuals. Its core services include online payment processing for e-commerce, credit card terminals for in-person transactions, and a system for creating and managing digital vouchers. The platform also supports recurring payments and subscriptions, providing a full suite of tools for merchants. For consumers, WiPay offers the COLOUR app, a "super app" for peer-to-peer payments, bill payments, and other financial services.
WiPay launched the WiCoin Settlement Network, the Caribbean's first multi-territory settlement network, on the Hedera mainnet. This initiative leverages Hedera's high-throughput, low-cost, and secure infrastructure to facilitate a new level of financial interoperability across the Caribbean.
The Coupon Bureau is a non-profit, industry-managed organization established to modernize the coupon industry by creating a centralized data exchange for all stakeholders. The organization's primary mission is to combat coupon fraud, an issue estimated to cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually, while also improving efficiency and the consumer experience.
At the heart of The Coupon Bureau's work is the development and implementation of the new Universal Coupon standard, also known as AI (8112). This new standard replaces the outdated barcode system with a more secure, serialized format for both digital and paper coupons. This allows for real-time validation of every coupon at the point of sale, effectively eliminating counterfeiting and ensuring that each coupon is used only once, as intended by the manufacturer. The platform, known as the Universal Positive Offer File, serves as this central repository for all coupon data, connecting manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in a seamless ecosystem.
The Coupon Bureau utilizes the Hedera Consensus Service (HCS) to create a tamper-proof, auditable log of every coupon's lifecycle. Each time a coupon is created, distributed, or redeemed, a transaction is recorded on the Hedera public ledger.
Fireblocks is an enterprise-grade platform that provides secure infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York, it has become a leading provider of digital asset custody, transfer, and settlement technology for a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, hedge funds, and crypto exchanges.
The core of Fireblocks' service is its institutional-grade platform that combines multi-party computation (MPC) with hardware isolation to create a highly secure environment for managing digital assets. The platform also features the Fireblocks Network, a secure and efficient network for connecting with over 1,800 liquidity partners, trading venues, and counterparties.
Fireblocks is deeply integrated with the Hedera network, providing comprehensive support for HBAR and other Hedera-based assets. It also supports the Hedera EVM, enabling clients to interact with Hedera-based smart contracts and decentralized applications. Furthermore, the Hedera Guardian, an open-source platform for ESG assets, can be integrated with Fireblocks, allowing for the secure, remote signing of transactions.
Noviqtech is technology firm focused on carbon accounting and supply chain transparency. The company's product offerings include “Carbon Central” and “Noviq AI.” Carbon Central is focused on managing and centralizing carbon-related data and accounting processes for businesses. Similarly, Noviq AI offers exceptional end-to-end transparency and confirmation of product authenticity and processes throughout the entire value chain through the use of artificial intelligence within the firm's service portfolio, thus enhancing data processing, analytics, and decision-making capabilities for core services.
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