The Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi 2025 and the Global Games Show Abu Dhabi 2025, both organized by VAP Group, concluded successfully after being held from December 10-11, 2025, at the Space42 Arena. These landmark events, supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, collectively attracted over 5,000 participants, featured more than 100 international speakers, and showcased over 100 companies and startups.
The Global Blockchain Show served as a premier platform for discussions on blockchain's transition from speculative technology to practical, institutional tooling. Key themes included digital identity, Web3 architecture, real-world assets (RWA), AI-blockchain integration, DeFi, and global regulatory frameworks. The event highlighted the UAE's and Abu Dhabi's progressive regulatory stance as a critical factor for large-scale blockchain adoption and institutional trust.
Concurrently, the Global Games Show focused on the convergence of gaming, Web3, and interactive entertainment. Discussions centered on the future of Web3 gaming, decentralized economies, AI-driven development, esports expansion, and digital asset ownership within games. The event, co-hosted by Abu Dhabi Gaming, underscored the emirate's ambition to become a global hub for the gaming and esports industry.
Both shows featured high-profile speakers from leading crypto and gaming entities. Notable participants from the blockchain event included Nenter Chow (BitMart), Akshat Vaidya (Maelstrom), Sergej Kunz (1inch), Stephan Lutz (BitMEX), and Yat Siu (Animoca Brands). The gaming event featured insights from Shawn Layden, Sébastien Borget (The Sandbox), and Yat Siu again, representing the interconnected nature of these sectors.
The exhibition areas for both events were hubs of innovation, featuring startup pitch sessions and demonstrations from companies like Epow.io, CereBree, and SIXR Cricket. The emphasis was on fostering high-value networking, strategic partnerships, and direct engagement between startups, investors, and industry leaders.
The success of these events reinforces Abu Dhabi's growing position as a center for blockchain innovation and gaming. The organizer, VAP Group, announced that the next editions of the Global Blockchain Show and Global Games Show will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 29-30, 2026.
