Dubai, UAE – October 2, 2025: Dubai is once again preparing to welcome the world’s leading innovators in blockchain, fintech, and Web3 as the Future Blockchain Summit x Fintech Surge returns to Dubai Harbour from October 12–15, 2025. The event is being held as part of Expand North Star 2025, the world’s largest startup and investor connector powered by GITEX GLOBAL.
This year’s edition is particularly significant as Expand North Star marks its 10th anniversary, offering a milestone celebration that brings together global founders, investors, regulators, and corporate leaders. Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the four-day event is designed to showcase the future of digital finance, create opportunities for funding and deal flow, and set the agenda for inclusive growth across emerging and established markets.
A Convergence of Blockchain and Fintech Innovation
At the heart of this year’s programme is the Future Blockchain Summit x Fintech Surge, established as the region’s largest and most influential gathering for blockchain and financial technology. With fintech innovation accelerating worldwide, the summit serves as the single platform where blockchain, digital assets, and Web3 converge with the wider innovation ecosystem.
The conference will cover a broad spectrum of themes shaping the financial sector, from embedded payments and Web3 banking to open finance models, tokenisation, and AI-driven compliance platforms. Industry experts believe that the event will not only highlight the latest innovations but also set the stage for practical adoption in both the public and private sectors.
Digital Assets Forum: Exploring the Future of Finance
One of the standout features of this year’s summit is the Digital Assets Forum, sponsored by YPAY. This exclusive programme will bring together policymakers, regulators, banks, investors, and innovators to examine how the financial landscape is being reshaped.
Delegates will gain access to a one-day deep dive into critical issues, including the role of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), the growing prominence of stablecoins, tokenised capital markets, and the cross-border regulatory frameworks needed to support them. Sessions will also explore inclusive payment systems and how artificial intelligence is transforming risk management and compliance.
This focused dialogue is expected to be one of the most influential gatherings on digital assets in the MENA region, reflecting Dubai’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the global fintech revolution.
Startups, Investors, and Market Breakthroughs
Beyond the main conference, the exhibition stages will feature live demos, product showcases, and policy insights that connect corporate innovation teams with disruptive technologies. Investor matchmaking will provide startups with one-on-one access to global capital, while structured networking opportunities will help translate ideas into concrete deals.
Startups exhibiting at Expand North Star will also compete in the Supernova Challenge, recognised as the world’s largest startup pitch competition. Finalists will present their ventures live to a panel of international judges, media, and investors, competing for their share of a US$214,000 equity-free prize pool.
Sponsors anchoring this year’s event include Ruya as Headline Sponsor, OKX as Gold Sponsor, DKK Partners as Bronze Sponsor, and YPAY as sponsor of the Digital Assets Forum.
Speaking ahead of the event, Christoph Koster, CEO of Ruya, emphasised the importance of Dubai as a hub for fintech and blockchain innovation. “We’re excited to take part in Fintech Surge and the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai this year. These events provide an ideal platform to highlight how ethical Islamic Finance, fintech, and blockchain technologies come together to deliver integrated solutions,” he said.
Visionary Leaders and Global Voices
This year’s speaker line-up reflects the summit’s ambition to convene the most influential voices in digital finance. Visionary leaders confirmed to appear on stage include Jimmy Su, Chief Security Officer of Binance, Eric Piscini, CEO of Hashgraph, Oliver Stauber, CEO of KuCoin, Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, and Kevin Lee, Chief Business Officer at Gate.
Their participation underscores Dubai’s reputation as a global meeting point for blockchain and digital assets, bringing together exchanges, foundations, enterprises, and startups to discuss the future of finance.
Expand North Star 2025: A Milestone Edition
The Future Blockchain Summit x Fintech Surge takes place alongside Expand North Star 2025, which itself is a landmark event this year. Celebrating its 10th edition, Expand North Star is expected to host over 1,800 startup exhibitors, 1,000 investors, and 350 speakers from more than 100 countries.
The event will run from October 12–15 at Dubai Harbour, followed by GITEX GLOBAL at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 13–17. Together, these events make Dubai the epicentre of global technology, finance, and entrepreneurship for the month of October.
Dubai’s Role as a Global Fintech Hub
Dubai has made consistent strides to position itself as a global leader in fintech and blockchain adoption. Through government-backed initiatives, regulatory clarity, and large-scale events like the Future Blockchain Summit, the city has cultivated a thriving ecosystem that attracts international innovators and investors.
The return of Future Blockchain Summit x Fintech Surge 2025 is not just a conference—it is a strategic platform designed to accelerate collaboration, bridge capital with innovation, and advance the global dialogue on how technology can reshape finance for the digital age.
For startups, corporates, regulators, and investors, the message is clear: Dubai remains the place where the future of finance is being built.
