Unchained Summit Dubai 2026: Web3's Premier Deal-Making Event Returns

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – December 29, 2025 – As the global Web3 sector continues its march toward maturity, Aeternum has announced the return of its flagship event, the Unchained Summit, to Dubai on May 1st and 2nd, 2026. Set against the iconic backdrop of the W Dubai – The Palm, the summit is poised to become the definitive B2B platform for high-stakes deal-flow and institutional networking in the digital asset space.

Organized by the emerging tech events firm Aeternum and supported by Official Media Partner Coin Edition, the summit is expected to draw over 1,500 attendees, including a meticulously curated group of builders, venture capitalists, developers, and policymakers. The event's return to the UAE underscores a pivotal shift in the global landscape, where the nation has cemented its status as a credible and active hub for Web3 innovation.

Dubai's Ascendance as a Global Web3 Hub

The choice of Dubai is no coincidence. The United Arab Emirates has successfully transitioned from a jurisdiction aspiring to be a digital asset hub to one that is firmly established as a global leader. With mature and comprehensive regulatory frameworks now in place, the country has cultivated an environment that attracts significant participation from global financial institutions, legacy banks, multinational enterprises, and leading technology providers.

This robust regulatory clarity has transformed the region into a fertile ground where meaningful innovation is not just discussed but actively deployed. Large-scale adoption is underway, making it one of the few places in the world where the theoretical potential of Web3 is being translated into practical, real-world applications. The Unchained Summit is designed to capitalize on this dynamic, providing a sophisticated platform that matches the maturity of the market itself. It aims to serve the complex needs of a digital asset economy that has evolved beyond speculative hype and is now focused on sustainable growth and institutional integration.

A Summit For Institutional Scale and Serious Deal-Flow

While the number of crypto and Web3 events has surged globally, few are engineered to cater specifically to the needs of institutional capital and enterprise-level decision-makers. The Unchained Summit aims to fill this critical gap. The organizers have designed an experience that moves beyond surface-level networking to foster tangible outcomes and strategic alliances.

The event's structure is built around what Aeternum founder and CEO Sharath Kumar calls engaging with intent. “Following the success of our first edition, Unchained Summit returns at a time when the UAE has become a place where globally significant developments can be executed, not just discussed,” Kumar stated. “The Summit is built to help companies, investors, and enterprises engage with intent, close meaningful partnerships, and drive real outcomes.”

This outcome-driven philosophy will manifest through several key features, including structured investor-founder meetings, curated one-to-one introductions facilitated by the event team, and dedicated spaces for enterprise teams and infrastructure providers to hold focused discussions. The primary objective is to create a focused environment where high-growth founders connect directly with active investors, Web3 companies engage with institutional decision-makers, and enterprise leaders can collaborate with the builders shaping the next wave of adoption.

Titans of Tech and Finance to Take the Stage

The initial lineup of over 80 confirmed speakers signals the high-caliber conversations the summit aims to foster, centered on real adoption, regulatory clarity, and institutional scale. The first wave of names represents a cross-section of the entire Web3 ecosystem, from foundational infrastructure to high-growth applications and traditional finance.

Confirmed speakers include Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet; David Norris, CFO & CSO of the NEAR Foundation; and Andrew Vranjes, Chief Revenue Officer at Blockdaemon, representing the core infrastructure of the decentralized web. They are joined by leaders from the venture capital and asset management world, such as Richard Wang, Partner at Draper Dragon; Jack Platts, Co-Founder of Hypersphere Ventures; and Anthony Bassili, President of Coinbase Asset Management, who will bring an investor's perspective to the proceedings.

The growing convergence of Web2 and Web3 is highlighted by the inclusion of Akshay Dalal, Head of Regional Risk & Compliance at Google. “Web 3.0 represents a pivotal shift in how we interact with data, identity, and trust,” Dalal commented. “As regulatory frameworks begin to catch up, I believe the convergence of Web 3.0 and AI can unlock transformative potential, if we build it with responsibility, resilience, and real-world value in mind. I’m excited to bring a risk and compliance lens to the Unchained Summit in Dubai, helping bridge innovation with integrity.”

Forging a Collaborative Future

Beyond deal-making, the summit is positioned as a crucial meeting of minds for an industry that, despite its multi-trillion-dollar valuation, remains in the early stages of global economic integration. Returning speaker Yat Siu, the influential Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, emphasized the collaborative importance of such gatherings. “Events like Unchained Summit matter because they help people understand why the industry exists in the first place,” Siu noted, reflecting on the previous edition. He stressed that collaboration and shared learning are essential for progress, adding, “Unchained Summit plays a key role in bringing the community closer and creating the connections that push the industry forward.”

This sentiment is echoed by other industry voices. Nic Puckrin, Co-Founder and CEO of Coin Bureau, highlighted the event's timeliness. “Happy to be speaking at Unchained Summit in Dubai and to share a clear view on where the crypto markets may be heading next,” Puckrin said. “The industry is moving through a defining period, and informed analysis matters more than ever.” The summit promises to be a convergence point for this analysis, providing a platform where the connections made and insights shared will help shape the trajectory of the Web3 space for years to come. Tickets for the event are now available on the official summit website.