Blockcast 85 | Licensed to Shill: How Energy & Geopolitics Are Building a Bitcoin-Driven World, ft. Bitcoin Arabia's Lara Eggimann & Jeff Gorman

The Middle East is poised to become a pivotal hub in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem. Countries within the region are increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of integrating blockchain technology into their economic frameworks, energy markets, and geopolitical strategies, according to Lara Eggimann and Jeff Gorman, co-founders of Bitcoin Arabia, a strategic Bitcoin advisory and ecosystem builder that connects the global Bitcoin industry with the Middle East’s most powerful stakeholders.

From the regulatory shifts in Bahrain and the UAE to the energy-driven mining initiatives in Saudi Arabia and Oman, regional leadership seems committed to exploring blockchain's potential. As sovereigns and private players align their visions, expect the Middle East to be at the forefront of decentralizing power, safeguarding national assets, and pioneering new financial paradigms.

The panel also explores the regulatory environment in various GCC countries, the potential for Bitcoin mining, and the implications of a multipolar world on global economics. The conversation highlights the unique challenges and opportunities within the region, emphasizing the importance of energy and regulatory frameworks in shaping the future of digital assets.

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Blockcast is hosted by Head of APAC at Ledger, Takatoshi Shibayama. Previous episodes of Blockcast can be found here, with guests like Fredrick Gregaard (Cardano Foundation), Daren Guo (Reap), Yat Siu (Animoca Brands), Kean Gilbert (Lido), Joey Isaacson (Nook), Kapil Dhiman (Quranium) Eric van Miltenburg (Ripple), Davide Menegaldo (Neon EVM), Anastasia Plotnikova (Fideum), Jeremy Tan (Singapore parliament candidate), Hassan Ahmed (Coinbase) and more on our recent shows.