Aptos expands presence in Middle East with regional Abu Dhabi office

Aptos Foundation is opening a regional office in Abu Dhabi to foster partnerships and support projects focused on the Aptos ecosystem.

Aptos Foundation, the organization behind the Aptos (APT) blockchain, is opening a regional office in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Dhabi Global Market, marking its first expansion into the Middle East.

In a Dec. 11 press release, the foundation said the move reflects the UAE’s emerging status as a global hub for blockchain innovation, adding that the UAE has “developed an environment that attracts visionary institutions and builders.”

The new office will serve as a hub for the foundation’s activities in the region and will focus on partnerships and projects aimed at expanding the Aptos ecosystem. Bashar Lazaar, head of growth and ecosystems at the Aptos Foundation, said that the project, along with the office, wants to “be at the forefront of this movement and help it grow as fast as possible.”

“This opening offers our team a unique opportunity to learn from and connect with cutting-edge builders, institutions and investors who are pushing the boundaries every day.”

Bashar Lazaar

ADGM, an international financial center with a growing reputation as a blockchain-friendly environment, is actively attracting technology companies through its regulatory framework and ecosystem. Aptos is not the only blockchain firm with a presence in the region; Other big names in the web3 space such as Binance and Blockdaemon have also expanded into Abu Dhabi.

The UAE has become a magnet for fast-growing developers and global institutions, with initiatives such as the ADGM ecosystem designed to support blockchain-focused companies. A research report by Coincub and Blockpit in early November found that the UAE remains an attractive destination for crypto investors and has no personal income or capital gains tax on cryptocurrency gains for individuals. Similarly, Switzerland positions itself as a tax haven and offers zero personal income and capital gains taxes on crypto gains.