Malé, the Maldives capital, may soon be transformed. The government of the island nation has agreed on a multi-billion-dollar agreement with a family office – a private wealth management firm – in Dubai to construct a massive blockchain and cryptocurrency hub. The aim? To attract fresh investment and reduce the nation’s heavy dependence on tourism and fishing.
$9 Billion Project Bigger Than Nation’s Economy
The deal was struck on May 4 with MBS Global Investments, according to a report by Bloomberg. The project will cost $9 billion—higher than the Maldives’ total annual GDP, which stands at approximately $7 billion. If the scheme goes ahead as planned, it will take approximately five years to complete.
The planned location, the Maldives International Financial Centre, would occupy approximately 830,000 square meters of space. Upon completion, the center might employ a maximum of 16,000 individuals, the Financial Times disclosed. That’s a drastic change for a nation with an all-time population of less than half a million.
💥BREAKING:
MALDIVES TO BUILD $9 BILLION BLOCKCHAIN HUB TO ATTRACT GLOBAL INVESTORS! pic.twitter.com/p2KPRvFmeT
— Crypto Rover (@rovercrc) May 4, 2025
Other Nations Already In The Lead
While the Maldives is making a big move, other places are already far ahead in the crypto race. Dubai is one of them. The city has been building itself up as a tech and crypto-friendly zone for years. In April, Dubai’s Land Department teamed up with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to put its land records on blockchain. That step helps with things like turning real estate into digital assets.
BTCUSD trading at $94,662 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView.com
Singapore and Hong Kong are also in the spotlight. Both locations host hundreds of Web3 and fintech companies within their jurisdictions. They’ve established ecosystems where businesses can develop without worrying about being closed by an abrupt change in rules.
A scenic view of Maldives. Image: Nova Hotel/Glamour.
Hong Kong Leverages Its Role To Draw Crypto Talent
Hong Kong is particularly keen on attracting international crypto companies. Ivan Ivanov, the worldwide CEO of WOW Summit, explains the city serves as a bridge between China and the West. That position gives it an advantage. It also allows regulators to pilot new concepts before determining whether to implement them more broadly.
Singapore, on the other hand, has quietly become a home base for numerous crypto projects. It boasts dozens of exchanges and a constant flow of investment, and now it’s one of the most significant crypto hubs in Asia.
Maldives Betting On A Big Change
For the Maldives, this new plan is a significant departure. Constructing a financial center of this scale from the ground up won’t be simple. Strong planning, clear regulations, and judicious investment will be required. But the nation appears willing to roll the dice.
The push for crypto influence is growing fast around the world, and the Maldives is making it clear that it wants to be part of that conversation.
Featured image from Evaneos.com, chart from TradingView
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