The Web3 Hub Davos 2025 session, hosted by DMCC, provided a compelling platform to explore how Web3 and AI are reshaping industries globally. The event emphasised Dubai’s transformative role as a hub for cutting-edge technologies, showcasing its innovative regulatory frameworks, tax incentives, and business-friendly policies that attract entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Our session concluded with an in-depth panel discussion featuring distinguished global industry experts. Moderated by Oscar Wendel from Stratalogues, the panel included Dr Lisa Cameron from the Global Legislators Forum, renowned futurist Pablos Holman, Kristina Lucrezia Cornèr from Exponential Science, and Alessia Baumgartner from DWF Labs. Together, they delved into the balance between innovation and regulation, highlighting how Dubai is positioning itself as a leading global hub for Web3 technologies.
Alessia Baumgartner shared insightful perspectives on Dubai’s unique value proposition for Web3 entrepreneurs:
Regulatory Environment: Dubai’s proactive approach to regulation, exemplified by entities such as the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), ensures a stable and secure environment for Web3 businesses. This fosters trust among citizens, investors, and founders alike.
Favourable Tax Regime: Dubai’s attractive tax policies further incentivise start-ups and established enterprises to set up operations in the region, contributing to a thriving digital economy.
Support for Growth: Beyond regulations, Dubai actively supports businesses through initiatives designed to help them scale, innovate, and succeed. This holistic approach demonstrates a commitment to economic development and technological advancement.
Global Leadership: The UAE is paving the way for a sustainable crypto ecosystem, setting a benchmark for other jurisdictions. The panel agreed on the importance of global collaboration to extend the benefits of crypto technology worldwide.
Statistics reinforce Dubai’s prominent role in the Web3 and blockchain space. According to DMCC, Dubai hosts over 700 blockchain companies as of 2024, with the blockchain market projected to grow to $40 billion in the MENA region by 2027. VARA’s regulatory framework has been widely recognised as a model for balancing innovation with investor protection, attracting top-tier projects and entrepreneurs globally.
The discussion also highlighted gaps in global Web3 adoption:
Regulatory Disparity: While Dubai leads with a cohesive regulatory framework, many jurisdictions lag in establishing clear policies, creating uncertainty for businesses.
Global Collaboration: The need for international cooperation to harmonise Web3 regulations and ensure consistent growth opportunities was a recurring theme.
At DWF Labs, we are committed to supporting innovative Web3 projects that align with our vision of a decentralised and sustainable digital future. As panellists have discussed, Dubai is showing what’s possible when innovation and regulation work hand-in-hand, but the global Web3 ecosystem needs more such leaders to realise its full potential.
We invite all Web3 entrepreneurs and visionaries to pitch their ideas to us. Let’s work together to continue working toward the growth of the Web3 ecosystem.
Related Articles
Read useful tips for Web3 founders from our VP of Ecosystems Alessia Baumgartner
DWF Labs’s Managing Partner, Andrei Grachev, took the main stage at TOKEN2049 in Singapore on 18th
During Taipei Blockchain Week in December 2024, Lingling Jiang, Partner of DWF Labs, spoke in a