Gaming
Binance Closes Record-Setting $2 Billion Institutional Investment From UAE-Based MGX
Abu Dhabi-based technology investment company MGX has made a record-breaking $2 billion investment in the leading cryptocurrency exchangeBinance. The transaction, conducted in an unnamed stablecoin, marks the first institutional investment in Binance. It also stands as the largest single investment in a cryptocurrency firm and the biggest digital asset-funded placement, including stablecoins.
At the same time, the deal representsMGX ‘s first-ever crypto-focused investment. The company is dedicated to accelerating the adoption and development of cutting-edge technologies, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). To achieve this, MGX has established strategic partnerships both in the UAE and globally while channeling investments into high-impact sectors where AI can drive large-scale economic transformation—ranging from software, semiconductors, and infrastructure to life sciences, physical AI, and tech-enabled services.
Currently, Binance ranks as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, with its cumulative trading volume exceeding $100 trillion. The platform is trusted by over 260 million registered users across more than 100 nations.
Binance provides a diverse range of digital asset services, including trading, finance, institutional offerings, and payments, as well as Web3 features, research, and social good initiatives. According to CoinMarketCap, users traded nearly $20 billion in cryptocurrencies on Binance’s spot market and over $62 billion in derivatives pairs on the exchange in the past 24 hours alone.
Accelerating Crypto Adoption
Binance CEO Richard Teng described his company’s deal with MGX as “a significant milestone for the crypto industry and for Binance.” According to him, the two organizations will “shape the future of digital finance.”
“Our goal is to build a more inclusive and sustainable ecosystem, with a strong focus on compliance, security, and user protection. Binance remains committed to working with regulators worldwide to establish transparent, responsible, and forward-thinking policies for the crypto industry. Our ongoing investments in security and compliance reinforce our mission to foster a secure and trusted digital financial ecosystem,” he added.
Teng, a former CEO of the Abu Dhabi Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), played a key role in developing one of the world’s first cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks. According to a press release published on Binance’s website, his expertise in regulatory strategy has been instrumental in shaping the exchange’s compliance approach.
MGX Managing Director Ahmed Yahia believes that his company’s investment in Binance reflects its commitment to advancing blockchain’s transformative potential in digital finance. He emphasized that the demand for secure, compliant, and scalable blockchain infrastructure and solutions “has never been greater.”
“Binance has long been a driving force in cryptocurrency innovation, from exchange technology and tokenization to staking and payments. Together, we are committed to building a more inclusive and robust digital finance ecosystem,” Yahia added.
The UAE’s Growing Role in Crypto Adoption
Over the past few years, the UAE has emerged as a global leader in digital asset adoption. Since Dubai’s introduction of the Virtual Assets and Related Activities (VARA) framework for cryptocurrencies in February 2023, numerous crypto firms have relocated their headquarters to the Gulf nation, drawn by its progressive regulatory landscape.
Even before the introduction of the VARA framework, Binance had already established a strong presence in the UAE. The company recognizes the nation as a global hub for innovation and forward-thinking digital asset regulation.
As of March 13, 2025, Binance employs approximately 1,000 people in the UAE—around 20% of its global workforce of 5,000. Two of Binance’s subsidiaries operate under licenses issued by UAE regulators, further solidifying the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
A Record-Breaking Raise
Binance’s $2 billion raise marks a new record in the cryptocurrency space. Moreover, it nearly doubles the total value of all digital asset venture capital (VC) deals in February 2025. Last month, venture capitalists funded 137 crypto firms with a combined $1.11 billion, according to a report by The TIE.
In February, the top-funded sectors included business service providers, DeFi, security services, payments, and artificial intelligence. However, despite strong VC activity, the largest single raise last month by a crypto company was $79.95 million—a figure that pales in comparison to Binance’s massive $2 billion deal.
With Binance’s investment eclipsing last month’s total VC funding, this record-setting placement could set the stage for an increase in institutional and venture capital investments in the coming months. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and institutional interest in crypto expands, the exchange’s latest funding milestone signals growing confidence in the long-term potential of digital assets.
Disclaimer: This article does not have journalistic/ editorial involvement of indiantelevision.com.indiantelevision.com group or its websites does not endorse/ subscribe to the contents of the article/advertisement and/or views expressed herein.
The reader is further advised that Online Casino, Betting, Online Gaming , Crypto products, Financial Investments/Engagement , NFTs, Products associated with health, wellness, and food are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions or risk associated with health conditions.
Indiantelevision.com group shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in the same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of indiantelevision.com (indiantelevision.com group) of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
Gaming
Dream Sports sees 100 plus exits after gaming ban forces overhaul
Company splits into eight units as real money gaming law hits revenue.
MUMBAI: For a company built on fantasy leagues, reality has suddenly rewritten the rulebook. More than 100 employees have exited Dream Sports, the parent of Dream11, after the company reorganised its operations following India’s ban on real money online gaming. The shake up came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force in August 2025, prohibiting games where users deposit money expecting winnings. The regulation struck at the heart of the fantasy gaming industry and dramatically affected Dream Sports’ core business, wiping out about 95 percent of its revenue and all of its profits.
In response, the Mumbai based company shifted into what chief executive officer Harsh Jain described as “startup mode”, splitting its operations into eight independent business units in December.
Around 700 employees were reassigned across these newly formed ventures based on their experience and interests. However, roughly 15 percent opted to leave the company.
A spokesperson for Dream Sports said many of those who exited were experienced professionals accustomed to running scaled businesses rather than early stage ventures.
“Since some of these employees were experienced with running high scale businesses and not startups, around 15 percent chose to leave and join other scaled companies or start ventures of their own,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the departures, the company noted that the attrition rate is only slightly higher than its earlier level of around 10 percent before the ban. Dream Sports now has close to 950 employees and is not currently hiring, choosing instead to focus on stabilising its existing workforce.
The restructuring has transformed Dream Sports from a fantasy gaming company into a broader sports entertainment platform. The eight units now operate independently, each focusing on different segments of the sports and technology ecosystem.
These include Dream11, sports streaming platform Fancode, sports travel service DreamSetGo, mobile game Dream Cricket and artificial intelligence initiative Dream Sports AI, which includes sports analytics platform Dream Play.
Other ventures include fintech product Dream Money, open source initiative Dream Horizon and the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation.
As part of cost saving efforts, Dream Sports also relocated its headquarters from Bandra Kurla Complex to Worli earlier this year. The new office, called Dream Sports Stadium, brings teams from its various brands together under one roof to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
Jain had earlier said the company removed bonus lock in timelines for employees hired in recent years, allowing those who wished to leave to exit with pro rata payouts.
“We want people who are fully into the startup mode and willing to work for it, and we will share that reward if it comes,” he said.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports was last valued at 8 billion dollars after raising 840 million dollars in 2021 from investors including Falcon Edge Capital, DST Global, D1 Capital Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Tiger Global Management, TPG and Footpath Ventures.
The new gaming law has forced several companies in the fantasy gaming sector to either shut down or pivot their business models, signalling a significant reset for one of India’s fastest growing digital entertainment industries.
