Mohammed Al Hakim Becomes First Emirati to Lead UAE Operations at Crypto.com
Mohammed Al Hakim, a distinguished graduate of Canadian University Dubai (CUD), has been named President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com, marking a historic milestone as the first Emirati and GCC national to secure such a prestigious position in the cryptocurrency industry. Celebrated for his remarkable leadership and extensive background in government organizations, Al Hakim is now set to play a pivotal role in reshaping the region’s financial ecosystem. His mission is to simplify the concept of cryptocurrency and position the UAE as a leading global hub for the crypto sector.
After completing his studies in Australia, Al Hakim returned to the UAE and enrolled at CUD in 2010 to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus on finance and marketing. He credits his time at the university as the foundation of his professional journey. Reflecting on his early days, Al Hakim shared, “At that time, blockchain and cryptocurrency weren’t on my radar, but my career in finance, fundraising, and business development truly began at CUD. The university helped me discover my talent for securing sponsorships. I successfully organized CUD’s first UAE National Day celebration with sponsorships I was able to acquire.”
Building on his university experiences, Al Hakim carved out a successful path in business development, strategic planning, and revenue generation, working with major government-owned developers. His dedication and leadership led to his recent appointment at Crypto.com. Sharing his thoughts on this achievement, he said, “During a visit to Dubai, I was assisting the Group President and the President for the Middle East and Latin America. Soon after, I received an offer to lead the GCC region for Crypto.com. What motivated me to accept this role was the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, who has always inspired Emiratis to be pioneers. It’s a proud moment to lead such an organization as the first Emirati in this role.”
The UAE, with its dynamic digital asset ecosystem, has already emerged as the third-largest crypto economy in the MENA region. In his new role, Al Hakim aims to strengthen this foundation by making cryptocurrency more accessible and widely understood. He stated, “People often ask how they can spend cryptocurrency or convert it to cash. To address this, Crypto.com recently launched the first-ever MasterCard, enabling users to instantly convert their crypto into traditional currency.”
Al Hakim further explained, “In the UAE, we are regulated by strong entities like the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, ensuring robust compliance and security measures. Educating the public about these regulations is crucial to advancing the crypto industry. My goal over the next two years is to make Dubai a true ‘crypto city,’ where retailers, airlines, and even tourists can easily use cryptocurrencies. I want digital currencies to be accessible for everyday transactions because this represents the future of finance.”
Focusing on the long-term growth of the crypto industry, Al Hakim emphasizes the importance of nurturing local talent. He commented, “We already have Emiratis entering the blockchain space, with many showing great potential in crypto trading. Once our Dubai operations are fully established, I aim to have at least 90% of our staff in compliance, legal, and trading roles be Emirati. Education plays a key role in this effort, and our first priority is to clearly communicate how to handle, receive, and trade cryptocurrencies effectively.”
His vision for educational development is rooted in his own student experiences. Al Hakim reflected, “As a student, I was focused on graduating and starting my career. Looking back, there were more opportunities to explore different pathways that I didn’t fully embrace. I want to encourage today’s students to take advantage of such opportunities. That’s why we’re planning to collaborate with CUD to offer educational programs for the younger generation, giving them the chance to learn about and engage with the world of cryptocurrency.”
