Institutional digital asset custody provider Komainu has appointed Edward Marlow as Head of Office in Dubai, strengthening its regional leadership as the company expands regulated cryptocurrency custody and financial infrastructure services across the Middle East.
Marlow will oversee Komainu's Dubai operations, focusing on institutional client relationships, strategic partnerships, and new commercial opportunities in the region's growing digital asset sector.
The appointment follows Komainu's recent regulatory milestone in Dubai, where the company became the first firm to receive a licence extension from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to provide Collateral Wallet Services.
Marlow brings extensive experience in international financial markets and has worked with Komainu since 2024, when he joined as Komainu Taishi for Africa under its ambassador programme.
He subsequently became a Non-Executive Director of the company's UAE business, developing familiarity with its operations, institutional relationships, and regional expansion plans.
In his new role, Marlow will work closely with Komainu's global leadership team to strengthen the firm's market presence and support financial institutions seeking regulated access to digital asset services.
Komainu Group Managing Director Paul Frost-Smith highlighted Dubai's growing importance to the company's international strategy, emphasizing the need for secure custody infrastructure and reliable connectivity as institutional participation in cryptocurrencies increases.
The company, backed by Laser Digital and Blockstream, provides institutional digital asset custody and related services through regulated entities operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Its expanded capabilities in Dubai are designed to support institutional investors that require custody infrastructure alongside trading and collateral-management solutions.
The appointment comes amid growing demand for regulated digital asset infrastructure in the UAE, where international financial institutions, investment firms, and cryptocurrency companies continue to develop their regional operations.
With Marlow leading its Dubai office, Komainu aims to strengthen its relationships with professional market participants and expand its institutional digital asset services across the Middle East.
