Dubai continues to cement its status as the world's leading destination for emerging technology conferences, with AIBC Eurasia 2026 returning to the city from February 9-11. The event connects investors, innovators, and regulators across the rapidly converging fields of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital assets. With 250+ exhibitors and sponsors, two dedicated conference stages, and participants from across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, AIBC Eurasia has established itself as one of the most significant Web3 and AI convergence events in the world — and Dubai as its natural home.
AIBC (formerly Malta AI & Blockchain Summit) has expanded from its European roots to run events in Malta, Manila, Toronto, and Dubai, with the Eurasia edition becoming its flagship event, reflecting the geographic shift of blockchain and AI innovation toward the Gulf and Asia.
AIBC Eurasia 2026 — Dubai Edition
250+ exhibitors and sponsors, 2 conference stages, Feb 9-11 — connecting investors, innovators, and regulators across AI, blockchain, and digital assets
The Convergence of AI and Blockchain
AIBC Eurasia 2026 arrives at a moment when the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology is accelerating faster than most observers predicted. These two technologies, which developed largely independently for their first decades, are increasingly intertwining in ways that create entirely new capabilities:
AI-Powered Trading Systems
Algorithmic and AI-driven trading now dominates cryptocurrency markets, with machine learning models analyzing sentiment, on-chain data, and macroeconomic indicators to execute trades at speeds impossible for human traders
Decentralized AI Networks
Projects building decentralized compute networks where AI model training and inference are distributed across thousands of nodes, removing dependency on centralized cloud providers and reducing the concentration of AI power
Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWA)
The tokenization of real estate, commodities, art, and other physical assets using blockchain — creating fractional ownership, 24/7 liquidity, and global accessibility. Dubai's DLD is a pioneer in this space with blockchain-verified property titles
AI-Blockchain Data Provenance
Using blockchain to verify the provenance and authenticity of AI training data, model outputs, and generated content — addressing one of AI's most critical challenges: trust and verification
Dubai's Regulatory Advantage: VARA
One of the key reasons AIBC chose Dubai for its Eurasia edition is the emirate's regulatory clarity around virtual assets. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), established under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022, is the world's first independent regulator dedicated specifically to virtual assets. VARA provides a comprehensive regulatory framework covering exchanges, brokers, custodians, token issuers, and virtual asset service providers.
This regulatory clarity gives Dubai a significant advantage over jurisdictions where crypto regulation remains uncertain or hostile. Companies attending AIBC can operate with confidence that Dubai's regulatory framework is mature, predictable, and designed to support innovation within appropriate guardrails. Over 100 virtual asset companies have received VARA licenses, creating a critical mass of regulated Web3 businesses in the emirate.
Dubai's Blockchain Strategy: Government-Led Adoption
Dubai's Blockchain Strategy, launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, establishes a comprehensive roadmap for blockchain adoption across government operations and positions the emirate to share the technology with cities worldwide. Built on three pillars — government efficiency, industry creation, and international leadership — the strategy has already seen significant implementation:
Dubai Blockchain Strategy: Implementation Highlights
- Dubai Land Department: Blockchain-verified property titles and transaction records, providing immutable proof of ownership for the AED 917B+ real estate market
- Dubai Customs: Blockchain-based trade documentation reducing processing time and paper-based verification
- Smart Dubai: Integration of blockchain across government services for document verification, identity management, and cross-departmental data sharing
- DIFC Courts: Digital asset dispute resolution framework, providing legal certainty for blockchain-based agreements
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC): Crypto Centre hosting 500+ blockchain and crypto companies in the free zone
- Emirates NBD and ENBD: Banking integration with blockchain for trade finance, KYC, and cross-border payments
Conference Programming and Stages
AIBC Eurasia 2026 runs across two dedicated conference stages, each targeting different aspects of the AI-blockchain convergence:
Stage 1 — AI & Emerging Tech: Focused on artificial intelligence applications, machine learning advancements, AI governance, and the practical deployment of AI across industries. Sessions cover everything from enterprise AI adoption to the ethics of autonomous systems, with a particular emphasis on AI applications in the MENA region.
Stage 2 — Blockchain & Digital Assets: Covering DeFi (Decentralized Finance), tokenization, NFTs and digital collectibles, cryptocurrency regulation, and the institutional adoption of digital assets. Panels bring together regulators, exchange operators, institutional investors, and Web3 founders to discuss the evolving landscape.
"Dubai has created something unique — a regulatory environment that welcomes innovation while providing the guardrails that institutional investors and enterprise clients demand. That combination is why AIBC Eurasia has found its natural home here."
— AIBC organizing committee
The Exhibition Floor: 250+ Companies
With over 250 exhibitors and sponsors, the AIBC Eurasia exhibition floor is one of the largest gatherings of AI and blockchain companies in the region. Exhibitors range from established cryptocurrency exchanges and blockchain infrastructure providers to early-stage startups building novel applications at the intersection of AI and distributed ledger technology. The exhibition provides a concentrated networking environment where founders meet investors, companies discover partners, and deals get done.
Why Dubai for Blockchain and AI
Dubai's appeal for the blockchain and AI community extends well beyond regulation. The emirate offers a combination of factors that few other cities can match:
Dubai's Web3 and AI Ecosystem Advantages
- Regulatory clarity: VARA's comprehensive framework for virtual assets, the world's first dedicated crypto regulator
- Tax efficiency: No personal income tax and competitive corporate tax rates, preserving capital for growth and investment
- Global talent pool: 200+ nationalities living in Dubai, with competitive visa programs attracting tech talent from around the world
- Infrastructure: World-class internet connectivity, the DEWA Warsan Data Centre for AI workloads, and DMCC Crypto Centre for blockchain companies
- Geographic position: Timezone overlap with both Asian and European markets, making Dubai ideal for 24/7 crypto and fintech operations
- Government adoption: Active government use of blockchain (DLD, Customs, Smart Dubai) creates demand for enterprise blockchain solutions
- Events ecosystem: Year-round calendar of tech events including AIBC, Dubai AI Week, GITEX, and the World Governments Summit
What AIBC Means for Investors and Builders
For investors, AIBC Eurasia provides curated deal flow in two of the most dynamic technology sectors — AI and blockchain. The event's networking formats include structured investor-founder matchmaking, private roundtables, and exhibition floor demonstrations that allow due diligence in concentrated time.
For builders and developers, the event offers visibility among potential investors and enterprise clients, technical workshops, and exposure to the latest developments in AI and blockchain infrastructure. The co-location of AI and blockchain content reflects the reality that the most interesting opportunities increasingly lie at the intersection of these technologies.
AIBC Eurasia 2026 is expected to be the largest Dubai edition yet, reflecting the continued growth of the emirate's tech ecosystem and the broader acceleration of AI-blockchain convergence globally. For anyone operating in or considering the Web3 and AI space, Dubai in February offers an unmatched concentration of deal flow, knowledge, and network access.
