Revolut's 1:1 USD-to-Stablecoin Swaps & Dubai's Gulf United Accepting Crypto

Happy Friday everyone!

Welcome to this week’s Smashi Crypto Newsletter, your bi-weekly pulse on the latest in digital assets and blockchain innovation. From sports to fintech, crypto adoption is accelerating across the globe. Gulf United FC is making history as the first football academy in the region to accept USDT payments, while Revolut, expanding into the UAE, now offers seamless 1:1 USD-to-stablecoin swaps for its millions of users. Stay tuned as we explore how these moves are reshaping finance and everyday transactions.

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Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, has applauded U.S. President Donald Trump’s full pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), calling it a “well-deserved” act that honors innovation in the crypto industry. His remarks highlight Dubai’s early embrace of Binance through the DMCC Crypto Centre, which welcomed the exchange’s regional headquarters in 2022.

The move simplifies cross-border payments and reduces losses from FX conversions, SWIFT fees, and slippage. For businesses and individuals, especially in emerging markets, stablecoins become practical working capital and treasury tools, with Revolut covering the spread internally to ensure a true 1:1 rate.

With its UAE expansion, Revolut aims to offer regulated crypto services to residents and businesses in the region, following a global trend among fintechs like Western Union, Zelle, and MoneyGram, which are integrating stablecoins to modernize payments and streamline cross-border financial flows.

Binance, is set to host its flagship event, Binance Blockchain Week, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on December 3rd and 4th.

The 2025 edition will unite leading voices from the global Web3 and blockchain ecosystem, celebrating milestones and exploring the next phase of the industry’s evolution. The conference promises an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, covering exchanges, smart contracts, education, investment, and regulation, reflecting Binance’s growing global influence.

Confirmed speakers include Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy, making his first UAE crypto appearance; Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple; Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation; Raoul Pal, Co-Founder and CEO of Real Vision; and CZ, Founder of Giggle Academy, BNB Chain, and Co-Founder of Binance and many more. In addition to the esteemed lineup, Binance Blockchain Week will also feature key leaders from Binance, including Yi He, Co-Founder; Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer; Rachel Conlan, Chief Marketing Officer; and Catherine Chen, Head of Binance VIP & Institutional.”

Binance Blockchain Week represents the pinnacle of the brand’s 1,500 global events, bringing together opinion leaders, builders, regulators, and community members to shape the future of Web3. Returning to Dubai for a second year, the city continues to establish itself as a global hub for blockchain innovation, supported by a progressive regulatory landscape and thriving tech ecosystem.

Dubai-based Gulf United FC has announced it will now accept USDT crypto payments for its academy programs and club services. The move positions the club as the first football academy in the region to integrate cryptocurrency into its payment system, offering a streamlined and flexible option for both local and international players and families.

By adopting USDT, Gulf United reduces cross-border payment friction and taps into the growing global digital-asset economy. The decision reflects the club’s commitment to innovation, tech adoption, and accessibility, allowing a broader audience to participate in its programs while signaling a forward-thinking approach to sports management in the UAE and MENA region.

Gulf United plans to continue exploring digital and fintech solutions to enhance the player and family experience. This initiative may encourage other sports organizations in the region to adopt blockchain-based payments, setting a precedent for crypto adoption in Middle Eastern sports and reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a hub for technological innovation.

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