An Important Development in the Crypto Sector
After graduating from Canadian University Dubai (CUD), Mohammed Al Hakim was appointed President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com. He is the first Emirati and GCC national to occupy this prestigious role in the cryptocurrency sector. Al Hakim, who is renowned for his leadership and knowledge in government agencies, is poised to spur innovation and influence the financial industry in the area going forward. Simplifying cryptocurrencies and establishing the UAE as a world leader in the digital asset market are his main goals.
Early Career Development and the Educational Path
Al Hakim returned to the United Arab Emirates from Australia in 2010 to finish his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and marketing at CUD. He views his time at the university as a crucial turning point in his career when he looks back on it. “I wasn’t focused on blockchain or cryptocurrencies at the time, but my time at CUD helped me find my talent for getting sponsorships and growing my business,” he said. Notably, with sponsorships he himself obtained, he was instrumental in planning CUD’s inaugural UAE National Day events.
Developing a Robust Business and Leadership Career
With significant government-owned developers, Al Hakim’s career took off in business growth, strategic planning, and income generation. His selection at Crypto.com was eventually the result of his extraordinary abilities and leadership qualities. He recalled this milestone by saying, “I was helping the Group President and the President of Middle East and Latin America during a visit to Dubai. I received an invitation shortly after to lead Crypto.com’s GCC area. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision, which constantly exhorts Emiratis to be trailblazers in various professions, motivated me to take up this responsibility.
Enhancing the UAE’s Cryptocurrency Position
The UAE, which has a strong financial and regulatory environment for digital assets, has become the third-largest crypto economy in the MENA region. Al Hakim, the recently appointed President of UAE Operations, wants to improve this ecosystem by making cryptocurrencies more usable and accessible for daily purposes. “People frequently inquire about how to spend cryptocurrency or turn it into cash. “The first-ever MasterCard that enables instant conversion of cryptocurrency to fiat currency has been introduced by Crypto.com,” he said.
Providing Mainstream Adoption, Security, and Compliance
Al Hakim highlights the value of compliance and education in developing the cryptocurrency sector, which is subject to strict regulatory scrutiny from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority. He sees Dubai as a center where businesses, residents, and visitors can all easily deal using cryptocurrencies. “My objective is to make Bitcoin a common payment method in Dubai for merchants, airlines, and tourists over the course of the next two years. “This represents the future,” he said.
Encouraging Emirati Industry Education and Talent
Al Hakim is dedicated to promoting Emirati competence in the crypto sector since he believes that local talent development is essential to maintaining the industry’s growth. “We already have UAE citizens trading in cryptocurrencies and blockchain. My goal is to have at least 90% of my compliance, legal, and trading staff be Emirati once we fully launch our business in Dubai,” he said. He also emphasized how crucial it is to provide clear instruction on bitcoin trading and transactions.
Working Together with Universities for Future Development
Al Hakim’s commitment to education goes beyond his business. He urges young people to investigate a variety of job options by drawing on his own experiences as a student. “As a student, my only goal was to graduate and start working. In retrospect, I see the importance of pursuing a variety of job options. For this reason, we intend to work with CUD to provide educational programs that expose students to the cryptocurrency space,” he said.
Mohammed Al Hakim hopes to clear the path for a more secure, inclusive, and extensively used cryptocurrency environment in the United Arab Emirates through his leadership at Crypto.com.
