How a Measured Approach is Leading the Way for the Growing Crypto Economy

Few markets have embraced blockchain technology while rolling out regulations as quickly and seriously as the United Arab Emirates. As the UAE positions itself as a global hot spot for the safe adoption of cryptocurrency, Wai Lum Kwok leads the oversight of digital assets and other financial products in his role as the Senior Executive Director, Capital Markets at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). In this virtual “fireside chat,” Chainalysis Head of Global Policy Jesse Spiro sits down with Senior Executive Director Kwok to discuss opportunities and challenges in the MENA market, how ADGM approaches regulatory frameworks, why the UAE prioritizes blockchain, and more. About Wai Lum: Wai Lum joined the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in June 2015. He heads up the Capital Markets division responsible for authorisation and supervision of financial market infrastructures and capital markets intermediaries. The division also regulates the offering of securities and collective investments schemes. Wai Lum also spearheads FSRA’s strategy and efforts to support the supervision of innovation in Financial Technology (FinTech) and development of the FinTech ecosystem in ADGM. Wai Lum has more than 10 years of supervisory experience. Prior to ADGM, Wai Lum served as the Director of the Capital Markets Intermediaries Division of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. About Jesse: Jesse Spiro is the Global Head of Policy for Chainalysis. Previously, he was the Head of Threat Finance and Emerging Risks for Thomson Reuters/Refinitiv, where he oversaw global engagement and research on threat finance, including terrorism, proliferation, cyber crime, organized crime, smuggling, trafficking. He is a 2018 National Security Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a member of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) Financial Threats Council, and on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Human Trafficking Task Force.