TLDR:
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A Dubai-based family office tied to Qatari royalty plans to invest $8.8B in a blockchain hub in the Maldives.
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The investment exceeds the island nation’s annual GDP and aims to diversify its tourism-reliant economy.
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The project includes an International Financial Centre expected to create 16,000 jobs.
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The Maldives currently lacks a significant crypto or blockchain presence.
Massive Investment to Boost the Maldives’ Digital Future
A Dubai family office managing the wealth of Qatari royal Sheikh Nayef bin Eid Al Thani has unveiled a $8.8 billion investment plan aimed at transforming the Maldives into a major hub for blockchain and digital assets. Spearheaded by MBS Global Investments, the deal seeks to reshape the tourism-dependent economy of the island nation.
The scale of the investment is staggering, exceeding the Maldives’ entire GDP of approximately $7 billion. It comes amid the country’s efforts to diversify economically while facing mounting debt, including $600–700 million due this year and an additional $1 billion in 2026.
Building a Blockchain-Powered International Finance Hub
At the core of the initiative is the creation of an International Financial Centre spanning 830,000 square meters. The facility will accommodate up to 6,500 people and is expected to generate 16,000 new jobs, which would represent roughly 3% of the country’s total population.
While the Maldives currently has little to no crypto infrastructure, the proposed hub signals a broader effort to attract international digital asset players, similar to those seen in the UAE and Singapore.
Who’s Behind the Move
MBS Global Investments, which has previously backed ventures in fintech, real estate, and crypto investment firms, will fund the initiative through a consortium of family offices and high-net-worth individuals. The group has reportedly already secured between $4 billion and $5 billion.
In 2023, the firm invested in Varys Capital, a digital asset management firm, and has engaged with Brunei’s Ministry of Finance for further regional expansion.
Global Context and Strategic Goals
The Maldives is walking a tightrope geopolitically, balancing relationships with China and India while opening its doors to global digital finance. This investment aims to position the nation as a strategic outpost for blockchain technology and innovation.
“Traditionally conservative family offices are broadening their mandates to gain portfolio exposure to blockchain offerings,” said MBS CEO Nadeem Hussain, highlighting the shifting investment mindset among Gulf-based institutions.
