The MENA Fintech Association (MFTA) and Switzerland’s Crypto Valley Association (CVA) have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating digital asset innovation through cross-border collaboration.
The partnership will connect the financial technology ecosystems of the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, with a focus on strengthening blockchain infrastructure, advancing regulatory cooperation, and supporting the growth of Web3 technologies. The initiative is designed to encourage institutional participation while promoting responsible innovation in digital finance.
Under the agreement, both organizations will collaborate on knowledge sharing, policy development, and industry engagement. The alliance seeks to combine the Middle East’s rapidly expanding adoption of digital assets with Switzerland’s established blockchain regulatory expertise, creating new opportunities for startups, financial institutions, and technology providers.
Key areas of collaboration include institutional engagement between banks and digital asset firms, regulatory dialogue to support trusted financial frameworks, and improved market access for fintech startups expanding across multiple regions.
The partnership will also prioritize emerging technologies such as blockchain infrastructure, tokenized assets, stablecoins, and digital currencies. Through joint research projects and industry roundtables, the organizations aim to address technical and regulatory challenges surrounding decentralized finance (DeFi) and enterprise blockchain adoption.
“This partnership between MFTA and Crypto Valley Association marks a powerful convergence of two of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems,” said Tarik Mattar, Co-Chair of MFTA Bahrain. “MENA and Crypto Valley share a common vision to build the financial infrastructure of tomorrow through collaboration, regulatory excellence, and a commitment to real-world impact. Together, we are opening a new chapter for the Web3, blockchain and fintech communities across both regions.”
The organizations expect the collaboration to accelerate blockchain adoption while maintaining transparency, trust, and regulatory compliance. Leveraging MFTA’s regional network alongside CVA’s government-supported blockchain ecosystem in Zug, the partnership will produce joint research, policy recommendations, and pilot initiatives focused on cross-border digital asset use cases.
“As digital finance becomes increasingly global, meaningful progress depends on strategic collaboration between the world’s leading innovation ecosystems,” said Nameer Khan, Chairman of the MENA Fintech Association and Founder of Fils. “Our partnership with the Crypto Valley Association strengthens the bridge between MENA and one of the most established blockchain hubs globally, creating new opportunities for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, institutional engagement, and responsible innovation.”
The agreement reflects the growing importance of international cooperation as governments and financial institutions work toward common standards for digital assets. By connecting two prominent blockchain ecosystems, the alliance aims to support the development of secure, scalable, and institution-ready financial infrastructure while expanding opportunities for innovation across global fintech markets.
