Crypto.com has appointed Mohammed Al Hakim as its first Emirati President for UAE Operations, marking a milestone for the cryptocurrency industry in the region. Al Hakim, a graduate of Canadian University Dubai (CUD), is now poised to lead the growth of Crypto.com’s presence in the UAE and further position the country as a global hub for digital assets.
Having built a successful career in business development and strategic leadership roles within government-owned developers, Al Hakim’s appointment is seen as a major step in the expansion of Crypto.com’s operations across the GCC. In his new role, he is determined to simplify the cryptocurrency landscape, ensuring that crypto becomes an accessible payment method for all.
Al Hakim, who completed his Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on finance and marketing at CUD, attributes much of his early career success to his time at the university. Reflecting on his journey, he noted, “While blockchain and cryptocurrency weren’t part of my plans back then, CUD helped me realize my strengths in business development, like securing sponsorships for the university’s first UAE National Day celebrations.”
Before joining Crypto.com, Al Hakim held key leadership positions in business development, strategic planning, and revenue generation within the UAE’s real estate and government sectors. His dedication to progress, along with the UAE’s vision to support Emirati leadership, drove him to take on this pioneering role.
As Crypto.com’s UAE President, Al Hakim’s primary objective is to demystify cryptocurrencies and integrate them seamlessly into everyday transactions. He explained, “The big question people ask is, ‘How can I spend cryptocurrency? How can I convert it into cash?’ Crypto.com’s new MasterCard offers a solution, enabling users to instantly convert and spend their crypto.”
The UAE has emerged as the third-largest crypto economy in the MENA region, and Al Hakim plans to build on this foundation. His vision includes making Dubai a “crypto city,” where tourists, retailers, and consumers can use cryptocurrencies as a regular payment method, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a leader in the crypto sector.
In addition to driving adoption, Al Hakim believes that developing local talent is essential for the long-term growth of the crypto and blockchain industries in the UAE. “We’re seeing more Emiratis enter the crypto space, and my goal is to ensure that at least 90% of my team in compliance, legal, and trading roles are Emirati,” he shared.
Al Hakim’s commitment to local talent extends to education as well. Inspired by his own student experiences, he plans to collaborate with Canadian University Dubai to offer courses aimed at helping young Emiratis understand the cryptocurrency world, ensuring they’re well-prepared for future opportunities in the sector.
With strong regulatory frameworks in place, such as those from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), Al Hakim is confident in the UAE’s ability to support the safe and secure growth of cryptocurrency. His vision is to make crypto payments as commonplace as any other form of transaction in the UAE, helping to shape the future of finance in the region.
Al Hakim’s leadership marks a new chapter for Crypto.com in the UAE, with plans to educate, expand, and lead the transformation of the digital finance landscape. He sees this as a stepping stone for the broader GCC region, envisioning a future where cryptocurrencies play a central role in the financial ecosystem.
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