Who We Are
Dubai Digital Asset Association (D2A2)
The Dubai Digital Asset Association (D2A2) is a not-for-profit, industry-led organisation dedicated to the advancement of the digital asset ecosystem across the UAE, the Middle East, and global markets.
Founded in Dubai, a city at the forefront of financial innovation and regulatory leadership. D2A2 exists to support the responsible growth of digital assets by fostering constructive engagement between businesses, regulators, policymakers, and technology leaders.
D2A2 represents a broad and evolving spectrum of the digital economy, including:
- Digital assets and cryptocurrencies
- Blockchain and Web3 infrastructure
- Tokenisation and decentralised technologies
- Emerging financial and regulatory frameworks
Our Ecosystem
Global Synergy
What Distinguishes D2A2 is its Leadership
The Association is guided by a Board of Directors comprising globally recognised industry pioneers, exchange founders, regulatory advisors, policymakers, and emerging technology leaders. Collectively, they bring decades of experience across regulated markets, government advisory roles, financial infrastructure, fintech, blockchain, and emerging technologies.
This depth of leadership provides D2A2 with multiple strategic benefits
Engage meaningfully with regulators and authorities
Represent industry perspectives responsibly
Support policy development through informed dialogue
Align regional initiatives with international standards
Leadership
Board of Governors
Our mission is to empower our clients to create lasting value by providing strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and expert support. We are dedicated to helping businesses unlock their full potential, optimize performance, and achieve sustainable growth.
Higher return on investment
We help financial sponsors drive higher return on their investments through strategic analysis of target companies
Greater shareholder value
We help corporate management teams increase shareholder value through tactical and strategic planning.
Execor
10+
Years of Tradition & Innovation
Company With Traditions
Building on Tradition, Driving Innovation
At Execor, we combine decades of experience with forward-thinking technology to deliver comprehensive management and IT consulting solutions. With a rich tradition of excellence, we’ve helped organizations navigate change, improve efficiency, and achieve long-term success. Our team brings deep industry knowledge, innovative strategies, and a personal commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs. Whether optimizing business processes, streamlining IT systems, or driving digital transformation, Execor is your trusted partner in achieving sustainable growth.
Chairman
Gaurang Desai
Gaurang has 25+ years of global experience shaping the industry through working with financial exchanges, market infrastructures and regulators.
As a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep understanding of contemporary financial markets, he has managed and established various regulated exchanges and Clearing Houses/CCPs in MENA.
Gaurang’s stately achievements include being a Founding member (and CEO) of the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) and his role as an appointed Advisor to the UAE’s Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA). He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration in Finance on top of a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce.
As a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep understanding of contemporary financial markets, he has managed and established various regulated exchanges and Clearing Houses/CCPs in MENA.
Gaurang’s stately achievements include being a Founding member (and CEO) of the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) and his role as an appointed Advisor to the UAE’s Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA). He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration in Finance on top of a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce.
Director
Iskandar Najjar
Iskandar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Equiti Group. He has a proven track record of leading and growing FX and CFD companies in the Middle East and abroad.
With over 12 years based in the GCC, lskandar began his career as a financial advisor working for Barclays Bank in the UK before transitioning to FX and relocating to grow the industry in MENA. He was the former MD of ADS Securities (EMEA) and CEO of Alpari ME. Under his leadership, Alpari ME grew to become the leading FX firm in the Middle East. lskandar holds a MBA from the London Business School and a MSc in Finance from Leeds Beckett University.
With over 12 years based in the GCC, lskandar began his career as a financial advisor working for Barclays Bank in the UK before transitioning to FX and relocating to grow the industry in MENA. He was the former MD of ADS Securities (EMEA) and CEO of Alpari ME. Under his leadership, Alpari ME grew to become the leading FX firm in the Middle East. lskandar holds a MBA from the London Business School and a MSc in Finance from Leeds Beckett University.
Treasurer
Bhavin Shah
Bhavin brings a wealth of global experience from across the industry as a trusted advisor to multiple Boards of Directors, CXOs and governments. Currently the Partner and Head of MEA for FRA; in the past 18 years he’s worked with financial & development institutions, sovereign wealth funds, investment companies and industry regulators – serving clients across Asia, Middle East, Africa, America and Europe.
Bhavin regularly speaks at international conferences as a renowned thought leader on future finance. He is the producer and host of two online talk shows; ‘Fintech Pioneers’ and ‘Cryptonomy Talks’. He’s also a Harvard Business School alum and was awarded as a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum.
Bhavin regularly speaks at international conferences as a renowned thought leader on future finance. He is the producer and host of two online talk shows; ‘Fintech Pioneers’ and ‘Cryptonomy Talks’. He’s also a Harvard Business School alum and was awarded as a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum.
Secretary General
Saqr Ereiqat
Saqr Mashhor Ereiqat is a seasoned technology leader specialising in emerging tech with a focus on blockchain, fintech, AI, and govtech. As a co-founder of Crypto Oasis Ventures and Riddermark, he actively shapes the future of these industries.
With over a decade of experience at IBM Middle East and Africa, Ereiqat established himself as a pioneer in enterprise blockchain. He played a key role in shaping IBM’s first government blockchain methodology and Dubai’s blockchain strategy. He has also advised governments and corporations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, by helping them navigate the complexities of emerging technologies. Notably, he has been instrumental in shaping regulations for digital and emerging tech in three countries.
Currently, Ereiqat leverages his expertise to foster innovation by nurturing startups and guiding established organisations in their technological transformation.
With over a decade of experience at IBM Middle East and Africa, Ereiqat established himself as a pioneer in enterprise blockchain. He played a key role in shaping IBM’s first government blockchain methodology and Dubai’s blockchain strategy. He has also advised governments and corporations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, by helping them navigate the complexities of emerging technologies. Notably, he has been instrumental in shaping regulations for digital and emerging tech in three countries.
Currently, Ereiqat leverages his expertise to foster innovation by nurturing startups and guiding established organisations in their technological transformation.
Director
Ralf Glabischnig
Ralf is a serial investor and entrepreneur who’s currently building a worldwide Blockchain ecosystem with bases in Europe’s “Crypto Valley” and MENA’s “Crypto Oasis”.
Together with his business partners at the Inacta Group, he is the founder and main shareholder of 20+ companies (including http://tokengate.io , Gentwo, inapay & Proofx) and has invested in over 100 start-ups – primarily focusing on venture capital, venture building and consulting & IT Services.
Ralf is also a founding member of several organisations relating to digital assets; the Crypto Valley Association, the Swiss Blockchain Federation, CV VC and CV labs, SHED Business Club and the DMCC Crypto Center.
Director
Kokila Alagh
Kokila Alagh is a renowned and highly influential technology and corporate lawyer in the Middle East, with nearly two decades of experience shaping legal policies for global corporations, major government organizations, affluent clients, and startups. Recognized as a thought leader in high-risk tech sectors like Virtual Assets, Web 3, Gaming, and AI, her unique blend of legal expertise, financial acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit has made her a key influencer in the dynamic landscape of Emerging Tech law in the MENA region. Through her visionary leadership and resilience, she established KARM Legal Consultants as a go-to law firm for emerging tech. With significant roles in various industry associations and accolades such as MENA Super 50 Lawyers, Best Technology Lawyer in MENA, and Top 20 CEOs in the MENA crypto space, Kokila is recognized as the recommended lawyer in TMT, Fintech, and Financial Services by the prestigious Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 EMEA.
Director
Atul Khekade
As a tech entrepreneur, Atul has designed and developed applications for various industries from banking, travel and aviation to create value in excess of a billion dollars.
Atul is a Co-Founder of XinFin (XDC) – a public Blockchain network providing base layer infrastructure for web3 applications that work across all industries. Under Atul’s guidance, the XDC Network has a fully diluted market cap of over USD$1 billion. Its powerful decentralised computing abilities have supported mainstream businesses deploying over 50+ live applications and 10,000 smart contracts to date.
Director
Talal Tabba
Talal is the CEO and Co-Founder of CoinMENA, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange under the Central Bank of Bahrain and has also co-founded the Jibrel Network, a Swiss-based Blockchain development company.
Talal also serves on the Board of Middle East Payment Services (MEPS) in Amman and on the advisory board of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Prior to crypto, Talal worked in financial and supply chain consulting services at PwC and managed a private investment fund in Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering (Economics Minor) from Purdue University, IN, USA.
Talal also serves on the Board of Middle East Payment Services (MEPS) in Amman and on the advisory board of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Prior to crypto, Talal worked in financial and supply chain consulting services at PwC and managed a private investment fund in Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering (Economics Minor) from Purdue University, IN, USA.
Director
Paul Boots
Paul Boots is the Senior Director and Head of Sector Development at Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), where he leads initiatives that strengthen the city’s position as a global hub for digital assets.
Through his role Paul supports the development of Dubai’s digital-asset ecosystem and the advancement of responsible innovation that underpins the city’s long-term growth. With over two decades of leadership experience across trade, finance, and emerging technologies, Paul has contributed to executing Dubai’s economic vision through senior roles at the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and Beehive, the region’s first regulated fintech platform.
Through his role Paul supports the development of Dubai’s digital-asset ecosystem and the advancement of responsible innovation that underpins the city’s long-term growth. With over two decades of leadership experience across trade, finance, and emerging technologies, Paul has contributed to executing Dubai’s economic vision through senior roles at the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and Beehive, the region’s first regulated fintech platform.
