Crypto Industry Expands: Sei Partners with Xiaomi, Galaxy Grows in UAE

Sei and Xiaomi: Web3 Integration for Millions of Smartphone Users

The Sei Foundation has announced a comprehensive cooperation with Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, which has the potential to introduce millions of users to crypto technology. According to a press release, starting in 2026, a wallet developed by Sei Labs and a Web3 discovery app will be pre-installed by default on all new Xiaomi smartphones sold outside China and the USA ^[2].

The pre-installed application enables peer-to-peer payments, access to decentralized applications, and basic Web3 features without requiring users to download additional software ^[2]. Furthermore, the Foundation plans to introduce stablecoin payments in more than 20,000 Xiaomi retail locations, beginning in Hong Kong and the European Union ^[2].

With a market share of just over 10 percent, Xiaomi is the world's third-largest smartphone manufacturer, directly behind Apple and Samsung ^[2]. The announcement had immediate effects: the cryptocurrency Sei rose by nearly 7 percent in daily comparison ^[2].

Along with the partnership, the Sei Development Foundation is launching a global funding program worth 5 million US dollars to attract mobile application developers to the network ^[2].

Galaxy Digital Expands into the Middle East

Galaxy, the digital asset management and infrastructure company, has announced the opening of an office and new business unit in Abu Dhabi. The expansion is part of the company's strategic focus on the Middle East ^[3].

According to an announcement on Wednesday, Galaxy will establish a unit under the regulatory authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the region's international financial center ^[3]. Galaxy founder and CEO Mike Novogratz explained that the move is part of a strategy to expand existing partnerships and business operations ^[3].

"The Middle East is a rapidly growing financial center that is home to some of the world's most sophisticated investors and innovators," said Galaxy Managing Director Bouchra Darwazah. "It has become a particularly influential region for our investors, customers, and portfolio companies, and we believe that this office will create new opportunities as a leading global firm for digital assets and infrastructure" ^[3].

Regulatory Successes in the Middle East

Over the past year, numerous crypto companies have received regulatory approvals to operate in major Middle Eastern markets, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Approved companies include the exchanges Binance and Bybit ^[3].

Stablecoin issuers have also seen success: In November, the ADGM approved regulated companies to use Ripple's stablecoin Ripple USD. This week, the financial center also recognized Tether's USDt as an "accepted fiat-referenced token" and granted Circle regulatory approval as a financial service provider, paving the way for its USDC stablecoin ^[3].

Satoshi Nakamoto Statue at the NYSE

As a symbolic representation of Bitcoin's transformation from a thought experiment to a mainstream asset, a Satoshi Nakamoto statue has been placed at the New York Stock Exchange ^[1]. Artist Picozzi has already installed five additional Nakamoto statues worldwide, in Switzerland, El Salvador, Japan, Vietnam, and Miami. She plans a total of 21 statues – a possible reference to the theoretical maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoin ^[1].

According to Bitbo, public and private companies, countries, and ETFs collectively hold more than 3.7 million Bitcoin worth over 336 billion US dollars ^[1].