emirates

A fire broke out at a fuel tank facility near Dubai International Airport (DXB) on March 16 local time, initially identified as a drone attack. Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended, and Emirates Airlines announced the suspension of operations, with some flights originally scheduled for today being canceled.Today, several flights from China to Dubai were diverted to other airports, including flight EK363 from Guangzhou to Dubai, flight EK303 from Shanghai to Dubai, and flight EK329 from Shenzhen to Dubai, which were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Flight EK307 from Beijing to Dubai was diverted to Muscat. Previously, Chinese airlines had suspended flights to Dubai until the end of the month, with only Emirates Airlines continuing to operate.

ChainCatcher news, according to Bloomberg, Emirates Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with Crypto.com to collaborate on payment integration.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the Emirates NBD bank, owned by the Dubai government, will launch cryptocurrency services through its digital banking subsidiary Liv. On March 5, Liv Bank partnered with licensed crypto asset service provider Aquanow to enable cryptocurrency buying, selling, and holding features on its Liv X app.The service allows Liv retail customers in the UAE to trade five major crypto assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and Cardano (ADA). Liv's crypto services are provided by the well-known cryptocurrency custody institution Zodia Custody, which received a strategic investment from Emirates NBD at the end of 2024.

ChainCatcher news, Binance founder Zhao Changpeng shared a report from CryptoDNES on social media: "Currently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holds $40 billion worth of Bitcoin.The UAE is actively creating a favorable environment for the development of cryptocurrencies through initiatives such as the cryptocurrency center at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre. These strategic measures have encouraged the thriving of local and international blockchain startups, leading to a steady increase in the country's Bitcoin reserves.Experts predict that the UAE will continue to expand its Bitcoin holdings. The country has successfully integrated cryptocurrencies into its economy, setting a precedent for other nations, which could encourage further institutional investment and help solidify Bitcoin's position in the global financial system."

ChainCatcher news, according to Reuters, Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov became a French citizen in August 2021. He moved Telegram to Dubai in 2017, and according to French media, he also obtained citizenship of the United Arab Emirates, in addition to being a citizen of the Caribbean twin-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

ChainCatcher News, the People's Bank of China and the Central Bank of the UAE have renewed a currency swap agreement in Hong Kong worth 35 billion RMB / 18 billion dirhams (4.9 billion USD), extending the bilateral currency swap agreement for five years to promote financial and economic ties. The two parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation in Central Bank Digital Currency to enhance technical cooperation in the development of central bank digital currencies. The renewed agreement will promote bilateral trade and strengthen financial cooperation between the two countries, and will facilitate the provision of liquidity to financial markets in local currencies, enabling more effective and efficient settlement of cross-border financial and trade transactions.