Open World Launches Real-World Asset Tokenization Centre in Al Khobar

Open World Ltd. has established Saudi Arabia’s first Real-World Asset Tokenization Center of Excellence in Al Khobar, marking a new step in the Kingdom’s digital asset infrastructure as regulatory frameworks continue to take shape.

The blockchain infrastructure company said the centre is structured to operate as a fully licensed, in-Kingdom entity and is designed to support compliant tokenisation initiatives for sovereign, enterprise and institutional clients across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. The launch follows Open World’s January 5th, 2026 announcement of plans to merge with VerifyMe, a Nasdaq-listed company, positioning the combined group for participation in public markets focused on digital assets and tokenisation.

According to the company, the Al Khobar centre will support the tokenisation of real-world assets such as energy infrastructure, carbon reduction credits, real estate and sovereign bonds, with regulated stablecoins planned at a later stage. These activities are intended to run on Open World’s national-scale tokenisation infrastructure, introduced in December 2025 through a partnership with Abstract. The platform is designed to enable access to global capital markets while maintaining compliance with Saudi Central Bank and Capital Market Authority requirements, including data residency and security standards.

Al Khobar was selected as the location due to its concentration of energy assets and proximity to institutions such as Saudi Aramco, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Dhahran Techno Valley.

Open World said the Center of Excellence is expected to begin full operations in 2026, with pilot projects targeted for mid-year. The company plans to work with financial institutions, government entities and regulators to develop investor protection frameworks, regulatory clarity and standardised approaches to real-world asset tokenisation, with further partnership announcements expected throughout the year.