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Bitcoin Surpasses $94,000 For The First Time

Bitcoin surged to a historic high of over $94,000, fueled by reports that Donald Trump’s media company is negotiating to acquire the crypto trading firm Bakkt. The news has raised optimism for a cryptocurrency-friendly environment under the incoming Trump administration.  

The world’s largest cryptocurrency has more than doubled in value this year, last trading at $92,104 during Wednesday’s Asian session after hitting $94,078 late the previous day.  

According to *The Financial Times*, Trump Media and Technology Group, the operator of Truth Social, is nearing an all-stock deal to acquire Bakkt, a firm backed by Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange.  

Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG, credited Bitcoin’s new record to the Trump deal reports and the first day of options trading on the Nasdaq for BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF.  

Cryptocurrencies have been rallying since the U.S. election on November 5, as traders anticipate a more relaxed regulatory approach under President-elect Trump. This has injected new momentum into Bitcoin following months of stagnation.  

The excitement has propelled the global cryptocurrency market’s value to an all-time high of over $3 trillion, according to CoinGecko.  

Chris Weston, head of research at Australian broker Pepperstone, noted strong buying pressure for Bitcoin, adding, “Another kick higher should bring in fresh interest from those who chase strength.”

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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