Athina Theodoridi

I can't wait to attend the Dubai Fintech Summit and Seamless events! These gatherings are the perfect opportunities to stay up-to-date with the latest fintech innovations, and learn more about how AI and automation are transforming our industry. I look forward to connecting with fellow professionals and exchanging ideas and insights with all of you. See you there! #DubaiFintechSummit #SeamlessEvents #FintechInnovations #AIinFintech #AutomationInFintech

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Looks like Meta is more Open-AI than OpenAI! 😂 Meta released Llama 3.1 🦙 and the 405 billion parameter model outperforms GPT-4o on several benchmarks Not only that, but they also updated the license! You can fine-tune 🛠️, distil 🧪, and deploy it anywhere 🌍. This Llama 3.1 is the Linux(open-source) equivalent of AI! 🐧

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Post-Hackathon Sprints - A Shifting Paradigm We are closing a few partnerships in the Middle East with incredible partners. Our combination of running sprints on top of hackathons has been an interesting evolution on the traditional model. While hackathons have long been a popular approach to spark creativity and develop new solutions, the landscape of AI development is shifting toward more structured and strategic methods. They are often celebrated for their ability to generate enthusiasm and produce rapid prototypes. However, to truly capitalize on AI’s potential, our thesis is that organization will discovering far greater ROI by combining hackathons with structured sprints. Sprints—short, focused periods dedicated to addressing specific challenges or developing particular aspects of a project—offer a structured framework that complements like a phase 2 to the zero to 1 creative energy of hackathons. While hackathons are excellent for ideation and initial experimentation, sprints allow teams to delve deeper into practical implementation and strategic development. A key advantage of incorporating sprints into the development process is the ability to drive tangible results and measurable ROI. During sprints, teams focus on refining prototypes, integrating feedback, and addressing real-world challenges. This structured approach enables organizations to translate innovative ideas into actionable solutions with clear objectives and deliverables. By setting specific goals and timelines, sprints provide a roadmap for achieving concrete outcomes and ensuring that projects move from concept to reality more efficiently. It encourages a cycle of continuous improvement, where insights gained from one phase can inform and enhance subsequent efforts. Embracing this integrated approach can be a game-changer for organizations seeking to stay ahead in the competitive landscape of AI. By leveraging both hackathons and sprints, companies can unlock new opportunities, drive meaningful change, and position themselves at the forefront of technological advancement. Milko Van Duijl Sehr Ahmed Kaleb Cardenas Z Steve Safarowic

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See you next week in Dubai at the Data Innovation Summit MEA where I will be discussing the impact of #OpenSource Generative AI on Innovation! #OpenInnovation

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🚀 Exciting news! Onramp.money has partnered with Empowch to make crypto purchases easier with Turkish Lira (TRY) and Emirates Dirham (AED)! 💸 Empowering users to take control of their financial future with seamless transactions and secure crypto purchases. 🌍 Check it out now at empowch.com! 🌐

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🌟 Türkiye: A Premier Hub for Crypto Innovation! 🌟 Türkiye is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse in the crypto space. Here’s why: 📊 Impressive Stats: High Trading Volume: Türkiye ranks among the top countries in terms of cryptocurrency trading volume. The daily trading volume regularly exceeds billions of dollars. Growing User Base: With millions of active crypto users, Türkiye has one of the largest and most engaged crypto communities in the world. 🚀 Introducing WhiteBIT Türkiye: As part of this vibrant ecosystem, our platform WhiteBIT Türkiye is dedicated to providing secure and efficient crypto trading services, helping users navigate and thrive in the dynamic Turkish crypto market. 🚀 New Crypto Legislation: A Major Milestone 🚀 Definitions and General Rules: Wallet: Tools for transferring and storing crypto assets and their keys, either online or offline. Crypto Asset: Digital assets created and stored electronically, representing value or rights. Crypto Asset Service Provider: Platforms and entities providing services related to crypto assets. Crypto Asset Custody Service: Storing and managing crypto assets or private keys. Platform: Entities facilitating various crypto transactions and related operations. TÜBİTAK: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye. Capital Market Instruments and Crypto Assets: SPK will regulate the issuance and tracking of capital market instruments as crypto assets, ensuring integration with the Central Securities Depository Crypto Asset Service Providers: Providers must obtain SPK approval to operate. SPK will oversee their establishment, operations, and compliance. Contracts with customers can be written or remote. Providers must verify customer identities per anti-money laundering laws. Customer funds in banks must be kept separate and not used as collateral. Other Key Provisions: Providers must join the Turkish Capital Markets Association. SPK can block unauthorized online activities. Severe penalties for unauthorized crypto service provision, including imprisonment and fines. Providers must contribute 1% of annual income to both SPK and TÜBİTAK. Existing providers must apply for SPK authorization or cease operations within a specified timeframe. Inspections and Penalties: SPK will conduct regular inspections, with independent audits required. Violations can lead to temporary or permanent suspension of licenses. Harsh penalties for embezzlement, including long prison terms and personal bankruptcy proceedings. This new regulation ensures transparency, accountability, and investor protection, further solidifying Türkiye’s position as a leading crypto hub. Join the wave and be part of Türkiye's exciting crypto journey with WhiteBIT Türkiye! 🚀 #Crypto #Blockchain #Türkiye #Regulation #Fintech #Innovation #DeFi #WhiteBIT

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Visa has released its "Value of Acceptance" study for 2024, providing critical insights for Turkish fintechs targeting the Gulf countries (UAE, KSA, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) as their first international markets in common. Focus on the UAE: Key Takeaways: - Over 70% of UAE merchants report increased revenue and higher customer traffic after adopting digital payments. - 40% of cash-only merchants are planning to invest in digital payment technology soon. - 67% of digital payment-accepting merchants note a preference for card or mobile payments among customers. Additional Insights and key market research highlights for fintechs include: (These subheading could even use as market entry taglines.) Desire for Streamlined Banking Experiences Need for Easier Access to Credit Facilitating and optimizing cash flow. Shift Towards Digital Payments: While checks are still used, there's a growing demand for low-cost, fast digital solutions like Tap to Phone and Visa Direct. Increasing Investment in SME Digitization: Although 74% of SMEs still use manual processes, there's a growing trend towards digital tools for invoicing and expense management. These insights are invaluable for fintechs planning their market strategies in the Gulf region.

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This is a good development, 96% of global central banks are piloting or studying the use of central bank digital currencies. Pakistan's is typically behind the curve on technology. I think any progress in the region in general and in Saudi Arabia in particular would help adoption in Pakistan as well. Perhaps soon IMF would give Pakistan some technical assistance for CBDC and digital assets as well.

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Money talks - loudly! This is what I thought when I read the latest news on the state of AI investments in the Middle East. It’s initially estimated the region's future share of the global AI market will be 2% ($320 billion) by 2030. Middle East investment funds are poised to become global players in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The factors helping drive this change is the strong push in advanced technology, the region's focus on untapped markets, favorable government policies, and integration of AI in both private and public sectors. The market has recently also seen a number of announcements by big names like IBM, Google, Microsoft and others of increasing their investments in the AI space in the Middle East region with the biggest beneficiaries being #UAE, #KSA and #Qatar, for now. I personally believe the region has a bigger opportunity to grab as the race for AI funding ramps up globally, and public-private partnerships will be the tipping point in accelerating the rate of investments in AI in the region by investing in #R&D and innovation. As I also always said, investing in developing digital and AI #skills amongst youth has never been more important. As lack of skills is coming up consistently as one of the biggest barriers to AI adoption, investing in developing local skills in initiatives such as the training of one million AI prompt engineers can help lure investors to put their money where it can bring them the best returns. The future is bright for AI investments in our region, and as AI adoption maturity improves, we can hope to see a solid economig impact of AI on the region over the coming few years.

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Our eBook, 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: 𝗔 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗔𝗘 is the essential guide to establishing a fund in the region. ✴️ Download your copy at https://okt.to/fishFp With AED 3.67 trillion in wealth projected to be transferred to the next generation in the Middle East over the next 10 years, the UAE’s prime location, advanced financial systems, and supportive business environment present a powerful opportunity for international funds. The UAE has introduced a range of fiscal, regulatory, and social measures to strengthen its position as a leading destination for global commerce and investment, attracting the attention of fund managers worldwide. Find out more about how you can access these benefits – download the guide now. #MEASA #FundManagement #StructuredFinance #BusinessGrowth #DubaiFinancialServices | Bhaskar Dasgupta | Karl Salemangi | Christiane El Habre | Aman Bahel

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🌟 Shaping the Future of Privacy-First Contextual Advertising 🌟 Dataseat (Now part of Verve Group) is a DSP with a very strong AI/ML component. We combine advanced AI/ML algorithms with the expertise of highly skilled mobile UA professionals to optimize ad campaigns, leading to a great cross-functional partnership of our data science, tech, and business teams. Curious to learn how we are transforming the mobile advertising landscape? Dive into our journey and discover how we are setting new standards for privacy and performance. 💪 🚀 Our latest key advancement has been the development of machine learning-driven optimizations specifically for SKAdNetwork (SKAN)-only campaigns.

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$338 BILLION in Crypto across MENA !! 💸 📈 Over the last 12 months, our MENA region's largest crypto markets continue to show strong performance by transaction volume. $338.7 billion in on-chain value received, accounting for 7.5% of the world's total transaction volume. 🔹 Top Players: Turkey, KSA and UAE lead the way with the highest transaction volumes (over $250B), positioning them as crypto hubs for institutional investors and retail traders alike. 🇦🇪 🇸🇦 🇹🇷 🔹 Egypt’s Growing Market: Egypt has seen a rapid rise in crypto transaction volume, with an increasing number of citizens turning to digital assets for savings, remittances and financial inclusion. 🇪🇬 🔹 Cross-Border Efficiency: Countries like #UAE are leveraging stablecoins for faster, cost-effective cross-border payments, reducing reliance on traditional financial systems. 🚀 #Crypto #MENA #Blockchain #Fuze #KSA #egypt #payments #stablecoins Fuze MENA FINTECH ASSOCIATION

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Tabby, the buy now pay later platform based in Riyadh, has made its first acquisition by purchasing Saudi mobile wallet Tweeq. This strategic move aims to enhance Tabby's offerings beyond BNPL services, a sign of the evolving fintech landscape in the region. With a recent valuation of $1.5 billion, Tabby’s acquisition speaks volumes about the growth opportunities in Middle Eastern digital finance. - Expect more such partnerships as companies focus on integrated financial solutions. - The trend towards consolidation will likely redefine customer engagement strategies across the sector. As we witness this shift, it's crucial for tech talent to keep pace with the demands of an increasingly integrated financial ecosystem in the region. #Fintech #Acquisition #MiddleEast #DigitalFinance

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I am excited to help unveil our collaboration with AMINA Bank and the Amina CoinDesk Momentum Index, which brings the power and transparency of the Bitcoin Trend Indicator to a new market in a new format. Even more excited to work with Amy Yu, Gregory Mall, CFA, FRM, Myles Harrison and the team at AMINA Bank and develop this product in Europe and APAC. Let's go! Soft, uncertain markets like the one we currently inhabit require a steady hand at the wheel. The Amina CoinDesk Momentum Index allocates between #bitcoin and cash, maximizing exposure in significant uptrends. Alan Campbell | Moamen Elsayed | Etienne Hannart | Teun Lucas, CFA | Kevin Law | Kim Klemballa | Craig Braswell | CoinDesk | Bullish

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Astra Tech has launched the 'Send Now, Pay Later' (SNPL) service in the MENA region through its Botim Ultra app. This service is designed for the UAE’s large expatriate community, giving them the ability to send money abroad and pay in easy installments, offering more financial flexibility. This new feature is part of Astra Tech’s growing fintech services, which have seen a big increase in usage. With the SNPL launch, Astra Tech is set to capture a larger part of the UAE’s multi-billion-dirham remittance market, following its successful remittance expansion in 2023. #snpl #bnpl #payments #fintech #remittances #financialservices #expatriates #sendnowpaylater #moneytransfer #digitalpayments #gcc #mena #uae #innovation #financialservices #bfsisector #internationalbusinessdevelopment #businessexpansion #strategicpartnerships #presales #channelpartnermanagement #bankinginnovation https://lnkd.in/gNB3mv7q

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💸 Millionaire Migration in 2024 👈🏻 Key Takeaways: 🟢 The UAE will attract the most high net worth individuals (HWNIs) in 2024, surpassing gains seen by the U.S. and Singapore. 🔴 At the other end of the scale, China and the UK are expected to lose the largest amount of HWNIs.

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OpenAI CTO says AI models pose "incredibly scary" major risks due to their ability to persuade, influence and control people Murati's comments highlight the growing recognition of the potential downsides and risks of advanced AI models. There are fears that these models could sway public opinion, spread disinformation, and influence individuals and society. Murati emphasizes the need for careful regulation and oversight of AI development to mitigate these risks and ensure the technology is used responsibly for the benefit of humanity. Would love to hear your thoughts! 👇 ➡ Get tutorials and guides on using popular AI tools for FREE here: https://lnkd.in/ewyJYCPx #chatgpt #openai #ai #ArtificialIntelligence #innovation #learning #technology #tech  

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Revolut hires Ambareen Musa as CEO of UAE entity #banking #UAE #CentralBankofUAE #appointment #CEO #crypto #wallets #ambareenmusa #revolut #blockchain Ambareen Musa Revolut #fintech

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