MAM
Liminal secures ADGM in-principle approval
Mumbai: Liminal, a fast growing digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider, is pleased to announce the grant of an In-Principle Approval (IPA) by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate as a custody provider for Virtual Assets. This achievement reflects Liminal’s dedication to meeting the surging demands of the digital asset industry while upholding the highest regulatory standards.
The IPA is not the actual licence, but it serves as an important milestone in Liminal’s journey. Liminal is working diligently to fulfil all the IPA conditions and meet FSRA’s stringent requirements to receive the Financial Services Permission (FSP).
Abu Dhabi boasts one of the most sophisticated regulatory frameworks for digital assets, offering clarity to entrepreneurs and their customers. In the rapidly growing fintech landscape of the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, FSRA’s progressive approach has made it a highly sought-after location for digital asset service providers. Receiving the FSP from the FSRA will empower Liminal in extending its services as a trusted and reliable custodian for Virtual Assets within the ADGM jurisdiction and serve the broader MENA region.
Earlier this year, in May, Liminal achieved another milestone by obtaining the TCSP License from the Hong Kong Companies Registry, enabling regulated digital asset custodial services in Hong Kong.
Liminal acknowledges FSRA’s thoughtfully designed regulatory framework, clear rules and regulations, rigorous audit process, and unwavering professionalism, fostering innovation while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity. The UAE has been enhancing its regulatory framework for virtual assets, with a vision to become a thriving hub for the Web3 industry. In alignment with this vision, Liminal is unwaveringly committed to upholding the highest security, transparency, and operational integrity levels in its custody operations. When Liminal secures the FSP from the FSRA, it will play a vital role in the Web3 ecosystem in the UAE, expanding its product and service offerings for the MENA region. Liminal will offer institutions a comprehensive suite of services designed to safeguard their virtual assets effectively. Clients can expect state-of-the-art security protocols, multi-signature authentication, cold storage facilities, and round-the-clock customer support to ensure the utmost protection of their digital assets.
Liminal senior VP of strategy business operations Manan Vora expressed enthusiasm about the IPA, stating, “ADGM has established itself as a thriving hub for innovation, growth, and maturation of the Web3 ecosystem. Their dedication to formulating clear and comprehensive regulations has created a trusted and secure environment for investors and Web3 enterprises. Recognizing the escalating demand for secure custody services in the MENA region, we took this strategic step to cater to the industry’s evolving needs. The IPA marks a significant leap forward in our mission to provide institutional-grade custody services for the digital asset industry. We are genuinely thrilled to contribute to the growth of this emerging market. After setting up an entity in Abu Dhabi, our next step is to obtain the FSP, and work closely with the ADGM team to provide regulated custody operations.”
ADGM market development chief Arvind Ramamurthy said, “We extend our congratulations to Liminal on being granted the IPA from the FSRA of ADGM, which paves the way for them to become fully operational in ADGM as a premier custody provider for virtual assets. As an international financial centre of the UAE’s capital, ADGM’s vision for fostering a dynamic and trusted financial ecosystem prioritises upholding the highest standards of security, innovation, and regulatory compliance. Liminal’s capabilities and dedication align seamlessly with ADGM’s goals and reinforce our commitment to driving the growth of the digital asset space in Abu Dhabi and beyond. We anticipate witnessing Liminal’s positive impact on the market and its contribution to the advancement of virtual asset services.”
J. Awan & Partners founder & CEO Jehanzeb Awan praised Liminal’s commitment and said, “It’s truly impressive to witness Liminal’s dedication to regulatory compliance and their unwavering service to the digital asset industry. Our joint efforts in undergoing stringent screening procedures and audits have culminated in a significant milestone with the issuance of the IPA. I am confident that Liminal will continue to set new standards in the virtual asset custody space, while fostering innovation in ADGM’s rapidly emerging market.”
In its commitment to delivering regulated and compliant custody solutions in the Middle East, Liminal is pleased to welcome veteran business strategist Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta to Its Board in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Dasgupta is highly regarded for his contributions to ADGM, and has been instrumental in revolutionising cryptocurrency regulation on a global scale. In the past, he has also held distinguished positions as the Chief Operating Officer of UK Export Finance and held leadership positions at esteemed financial institutions, including HSBC, ABN AMRO, Citigroup, and PwC. In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Dasgupta boasts two PhDs from the University of Manchester and King’s College London, and is currently pursuing another doctoral degree at Brunel University. His appointment marks a significant milestone in Liminal’s mission to elevate the digital asset landscape.
Liminal has built a robust infrastructure that prioritises security, compliance, and operational excellence. Their advanced custody platform leverages automation to simplify the safekeeping of virtual assets. Additionally, Liminal implements strict security protocols, comprehensive risk management measures, and thorough audit procedures to maintain the highest level of protection for client assets. The company remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of innovation in the digital asset custody space, consistently adhering to regulatory best practices, and continuously enhancing its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
MAM
VML India lands two finalist spots at Cairns Hatchlings 2026
The Mumbai agency is back in Australia with two teams, a UN brief and 24 hours to impress
MUMBAI: VML India is heading to Australia again. The Mumbai-based creative agency has secured two finalist spots at the Cairns Hatchlings 2026 competition, one in the Audio category and one in Design, making it the only Indian agency to have reached the finals in both editions of the contest since its launch in 2025.
Four people will make the trip. Senior copywriter Shilpi Dey and senior art director Raj Thakkar will compete in Audio. Art directors Shabbir and Shruti Negi will go head-to-head with the world’s best in Design. The finals take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 13th May, culminating in an awards ceremony on 15th May.
The work that got them there is worth examining. For the Audio category, Dey and Thakkar tackled a brief for LIVE LIKE MMAD with a campaign called Inner Voice, Interrupted. Using spatial audio techniques, the campaign recreates the overwhelming self-doubt that descends after a long workday, physically panning negative thoughts left and right before cutting the noise entirely to reveal a confident inner voice. Strategically targeted at commuters via Spotify during evening rush hours, the campaign reframes the hours after work as an opportunity for personal growth and charitable action.
For the Design category, Shabbir and Negi worked on a brief for Canteen’s Bandanna Day, a campaign highlighting how cancer pushes teenagers out of their own defining moments. Using a pixelated design language to create stark contrast between a blurred world of isolation and a focused world of connection, the campaign, titled The Flipside of Cancer, shows teenagers fading into the background of birthdays, skateparks and school proms. As a Canteen bandanna appears, the blur flips and the teenager snaps back into sharp focus.
Kalpesh Patankar, group chief creative officer of VML India, made no attempt to disguise his satisfaction. “We are immensely proud to see our teams consistently excel on the Cairns Hatchlings platform since its inception,” he said. “They have masterfully tackled challenging briefs across diverse categories, demonstrating both layered storytelling and a unique creative approach. This exceptional teamwork is truly inspiring.”
Dey and Thakkar, returning to the finals after last year’s run, were candid about the demands of the audio medium. “It’s one of the most demanding mediums, where we only have a few seconds to capture a listener’s world with sound alone, so absolute clarity is essential,” they said. “The true measure of creative work is its ability to create positive change, and our audio submission was made to help those who need it most while encouraging people to silence the inner voices that hold them back.”
Shabbir and Negi, competing in Design for the first time, described the experience as “a completely different beast.” “We see it as an opportunity to showcase our expertise, raise the bar, and challenge ourselves in new ways, while also learning from creative minds from across the globe,” they said.
In Australia, the four finalists will face a live 24-hour brief from the United Nations before presenting in a live pitch session. Twenty-four hours, one brief, one shot. VML India has been here before. It knows exactly what is at stake.
