Fuze Appoints Serena Sebastiani as Group Chief Strategist

Fuze, the MENA region's first regulated digital assets infrastructure provider, has appointed Serena Sebastiani as Group Chief Strategy and Venture Officer (CSVO). Sebastiani brings over 15 years of experience advising financial institutions, governments, and regulators across Europe and the Middle East. Her previous role as PwC Middle East's Virtual Assets Consulting lead positions her to accelerate Fuze's expansion within the rapidly maturing UAE digital assets market.

A Strategic Appointment to Accelerate Fuze's Growth

This appointment represents a calculated move to strengthen Fuze's strategic capabilities. Sebastiani's background combines regulatory expertise with hands-on advisory experience in virtual assets.

Her track record includes advising on the creation of the first Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. This regulatory foundation now governs how digital asset businesses operate in the UAE.

Sebastiani explained her decision to join Fuze: "Having been part of the early build-out of the UAE's digital assets ecosystem and witnessing its rise as a global hub, joining Fuze feels like a natural progression. After years of advising and shaping the industry, I'm stepping into the arena to scale a business I deeply believe in."

Mo Ali Yusuf, Fuze CEO and Co-Founder, emphasized the breadth of her expertise: "Welcoming Serena into the business is like hiring three world-class experts in one. Her strategic advisory capabilities, specialist aptitude within virtual assets and robust experience within regulatory environments will be of great benefit to Fuze."

Item	Details
Appointment Date	12 January 2026
New Role	Group Chief Strategy and Venture Officer (CSVO)
Previous Position	PwC Middle East Virtual Assets Consulting Lead
Industry Leadership	Co-Chair, MENA Fintech Association's Digital Assets Committee
Additional Role	President, GCC Association for Women in Cryptocurrency
Fuze Headquarters	Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Serena Sebastiani's Expertise and Industry Impact

Understanding Sebastiani's background helps clarify why this hire matters. Her expertise spans multiple domains within digital assets and traditional finance.

She has been instrumental in shaping fintech and digital asset regulatory frameworks across the region. Her advisory work extends to investment banks, wealth managers, securities providers, governments, and regulators.

Her core competencies include developing Europe's securities market infrastructure, supporting governments in crafting digital asset policy frameworks, guiding virtual asset service providers through market entries, and helping design fintech and digital asset propositions.

This combination of regulatory knowledge and practical implementation experience is rare. Most professionals specialize in either policy or execution. Sebastiani bridges both domains.

Her leadership positions further demonstrate industry recognition. She serves as Co-Chair of the MENA Fintech Association's Digital Assets Committee and as President of the GCC Association for Women in Cryptocurrency.

Fuze's Expanding Digital Assets Infrastructure

To appreciate this appointment's significance, it helps to understand what Fuze actually builds. The company operates as an infrastructure provider rather than a consumer-facing exchange.

Fuze focuses on enabling banks, institutions, and enterprises to integrate digital asset services securely. Think of it as the plumbing that allows traditional financial institutions to offer crypto products to their customers.

The company's core offerings include three main components. First, an institutional over-the-counter (OTC) desk for large-volume trades. Second, a Digital Assets-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform that allows partners to deploy regulated digital asset products. Third, payment solutions that bridge traditional and digital finance.

The business model follows a B2B2C approach. Fuze provides API-integrated financial services that its partners then offer to end consumers. This positions Fuze as critical infrastructure rather than a direct competitor to retail exchanges.

Leadership	Background
Mohammed Ali Yusuf (CEO)	Former roles at Checkout.com and Visa
Arpit Mehta (COO)	Leadership at Simpl and Clear fintech platforms
Srijan Shetty (CTO)	Developed trading systems at Goldman Sachs, Microsoft
Serena Sebastiani (CSVO)	PwC Middle East Virtual Assets Consulting Lead

The leadership team combines experience from fintech, traditional finance, and decentralized finance sectors. This diversity reflects the hybrid nature of institutional digital asset services.

The Growing Significance of Virtual Assets in MENA

Context matters when evaluating this appointment. The UAE and broader MENA region have positioned themselves as global hubs for digital assets.

Several factors drive this growth. Regulatory innovation provides clarity that institutional players require. The establishment of dedicated regulatory authorities creates predictable operating environments. Comprehensive digital assets frameworks reduce compliance uncertainty.

The UAE specifically has attracted major crypto firms by offering clear licensing pathways. Companies know what rules apply and how to comply. This regulatory certainty contrasts with the ambiguity in many Western markets.

Sebastiani's appointment reflects broader industry trends. Companies are strengthening leadership teams with regulatory and advisory expertise. Infrastructure providers are expanding regulated service offerings. The fintech ecosystem increasingly supports digital asset innovation.

Mo Ali Yusuf highlighted this trajectory: "Fuze is scaling the future of finance in the region and beyond. Our leadership's commitment is pivotal to this vision."

For institutions considering digital asset integration, the MENA region offers a compelling regulatory environment. Fuze's strengthened leadership positions it to capture this institutional demand.