Kanoo Family Expands into Blockchain with ARP Digital for Trade Markets

Abdulla Kanoo, a fifth-generation member of the historic Kanoo family in Bahrain, is introducing ARP Digital, a company focused on establishing blockchain-based payment infrastructure to improve trade logistics. This infrastructure addresses existing challenges in global trade between emerging economies, which surpassed $6 trillion in 2024 and are projected to grow significantly.

Kanoo asserts that ARP Digital will bridge a “structural gap” in trade by utilizing digital assets to expedite and reduce the costs of transactions compared to traditional banking methods. The firm has already processed over $3.5 billion and recently integrated with Fireblocks to enhance payment connectivity across Gulf regions and global markets. This strategic partnership is intended to create a more efficient financial ecosystem that connects institutions in over 100 countries.

Kanoo has expressed his commitment to digital assets since 2015 and remains dedicated to bitcoin. He emphasizes that the future of global commerce will rely on blockchain technology, stating, "The next chapter is about movement." He predicts that as the Gulf region evolves, it will transition from a storage hub for global capital to a facilitator of capital movement and settlement.

The move towards ARP Digital reflects a broader trend among institutions in the Global South, which have relied too heavily on outdated banking systems. Many of these institutions face delays in payment processing and uneven access to liquidity. By leveraging blockchain, ARP Digital aims to offer a solution that minimizes intermediaries and accelerates settlements.

With existing licensing from the Central Bank of Bahrain and a positive outlook for growth, ARP Digital is poised to make impactful changes in the landscape of global trade financing. Kanoo's vision positions the firm as a key player in the movement of capital in a rapidly digitalizing economy.