Dubai Coin relaunch an ‘elaborate phishing scam,’ government says

Dubai Coin was first launched in 2017, but later abandoned by creator ArabianChain.
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Updated 28 May 2021
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Dubai Coin relaunch an ‘elaborate phishing scam,’ government says

  • Dubai Coin has no official backing from the government
  • Company that created Dubai Coin in 2017 knows nothing of 'relaunch'

DUBAI: The relaunch of Dubai Coin, a digital currency that it was claimed could be used to buy goods, is a scam, Dubai’s government said today.

“Dubai Coin cryptocurrency was never approved by any official authority,” the government said on its Twitter account. “The website promoting the coin is an elaborate phishing campaign that is designed to steal personal information from its visitors.”

Dubai Coin's relaunch was fake and both its name and logo had been used fraudulently in a news release and website, according to ArabianChain Technology, the UAE-based blockchain start-up that set up Dubai Coin in 2017.

Dubai Coin was “relaunched” this week amid claims it had official backing, The National newspaper reported. The press release distributed by PRNewswire has since been removed from its website.

Its value rose 14-fold from below $0.09 per coin on Tuesday to as high as $1.35 on Wednesday, according to prices on crypto.com.

ArabianChain, which owns the Palmex cryptocurrency exchange, stopped working on Dubai Coin in 2019 to concentrate its resources on Palmex.

“We haven’t made such an announcement, please be cautious,” the company said on Twitter. A website offering the coins for sale, which is no longer operational, was described by ArabianChain as a “scam.”


Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend 

Updated 14 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend 

RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15. 

Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion. 

The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.

The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying. 

On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45. 

Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.  

Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44. 

On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.  

The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.  

The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move. 

Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.  

The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.

Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.