Exclusive: Sui’s Expansion and Blockchain Future in the UAE
Dubai has cemented itself as a global leader in blockchain innovation, attracting top talent and investment into its rapidly evolving Web3 ecosystem. With the launch of SuiHub in Expo City Dubai, the Sui Foundation is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the region. The hub serves as a focal point for blockchain professionals, entrepreneurs, and developers, offering hackathons, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Sui is also driving blockchain education through its partnership with the American University of Sharjah, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in Web3. As the UAE advances its ambitious Dubai Blockchain Strategy, Sui’s scalable solutions are well-positioned to contribute to government digitalisation efforts.
To explore these developments, Tech Revolt’s Editor-in-Chief, Kasun Illankoon, spoke with Christian Thompson, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation, about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of blockchain in the UAE.
- What inspired Sui to establish SuiHub in Dubai, and how does it contribute to the UAE’s blockchain ecosystem?
An acknowledged global leader in emerging technologies and blockchain innovation, Dubai was the obvious choice for SuiHub, our first global hub. Our location in Expo City Dubai attracts top blockchain professionals, entrepreneurs, and developers—not just in the Middle East, but globally—with high-quality programming such as hackathons, workshops, and networking.
Establishing SuiHub honours Sui’s long-term commitment to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global leader in blockchain and Web3 innovation, and we are proud that SuiHub will help the next generation of industry professionals in the UAE and beyond increase their expertise and experience.
- How does Sui’s partnership with the American University of Sharjah equip students with the skills needed to excel in the Web3 space?
The AUS-Sui Blockchain Academy is laser-focused on equipping the next generation of blockchain and Web3 professionals with the foundational and advanced skills they need to thrive in the industry, such as blockchain development, programming with the Move language, and smart contract deployment. And because we know that success in the industry requires real-world execution, our entrepreneurial approach ensures that students graduate knowing how to build a business from the ground up—from designing business models to launching a Web3 start-up.
The overwhelming demand for the programme demonstrates the strength of young people’s interest in blockchain and Web3 technology careers, and we expect this interest to continue growing as the UAE solidifies its position as a global leader in the industry. Alongside AUS, we are proud to offer these students the tools they need to succeed.
- What do you believe sets the UAE apart as a global leader in blockchain innovation and adoption?
Far beyond a surface-level commitment to fostering blockchain innovation, the UAE has set itself apart from global competitors through visionary leadership, a supportive and forward-thinking regulatory environment, and significant investment in technology. This creates an ecosystem where innovation thrives, continuously attracting international companies and top talent to the region.
The UAE has also demonstrated creative ways to foster collaboration between academia, start-ups, and global companies. Initiatives such as the Dubai Blockchain Strategy and our partnership with the American University of Sharjah highlight the government’s commitment to integrating blockchain into both the public and private sectors, accelerating the development of practical, scalable blockchain applications.
- How does Sui’s rapid growth and US$13 billion market cap reflect the evolving opportunities in blockchain technology?
We let the market cap speak for itself. We believe that the US$2 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL) is a testament to the product-market fit of the suite of rich DeFi protocols built on Sui, as well as the global demand for scalable, high-performance blockchain solutions. It also reflects the high levels of trust and adoption Sui has achieved with developers and end-users.
One of the key trends for blockchain in 2025 and beyond is its maturation from niche applications to mainstream solutions that address real-world challenges and reduce friction in global systems. With sub-second transaction finality, unparalleled scalability, and a thriving ecosystem of dApps, Sui is well-positioned to capitalise on this transition through partnerships and offerings that expand the opportunities for blockchain and Web3 technologies.
- With the Dubai Blockchain Strategy aiming to digitise all government documents by 2025, how do you see Sui contributing to this ambitious transformation?
The UAE’s goal of digitising all government documents by 2025 is an ambitious and forward-thinking initiative that requires secure and scalable blockchain solutions optimised for real-world implementation. Sui’s blockchain architecture emphasises transparency, security, and efficiency—core principles that align with the objectives of the Dubai Blockchain Strategy.
As the UAE demonstrates its visionary commitment to public-sector adoption of blockchain technology, we are equally committed to being the UAE’s preferred innovation partner and helping unlock the full potential of blockchain to enhance efficiency and improve operational flow.
- What are the biggest challenges in driving Web3 adoption in the UAE, and how does Sui address these effectively?
The UAE has a strong foundation for driving Web3 adoption, with a proactive government and an engaged population, along with a steady influx of top talent. The biggest challenge we see is how to effectively harness and channel this energy—and the solution lies in providing access to high-quality blockchain education and platforms that enable hands-on learning and collaboration.
Sui is bridging the gap between curiosity and action by establishing SuiHub, hosting recurring developer meetups through Sui Connect, and delivering our Blockchain Academy partnership with AUS. These initiatives demonstrate our long-term commitment to fostering a strong, builder-driven community and accelerating the adoption of blockchain and Web3 in the UAE and the wider Middle East.
