Emerging Digital Markets That Arab Americans Should Try
The rapidly changing nature of the digital marketplace means new modes of entertainment are freely becoming available to us all. The globalization of media also making it easier than ever to access TV, films and music from Arabic nations.
Even mainstream platforms like Netflix and Spotify offer a diverse selection of genres, helping people around the world connect with their culture while also experiencing the latest trends emanating from where they are.
On a broader level than just audio and video, there are several other digital markets and trends to explore that are accessible to, and somewhat built for, an Arab American audience. In this article, we will discuss three emerging sectors that are worth learning more about.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency burst into the mainstream with the rise of the Bitcoin. Early investors in the currency saw their stock sky-rocket, although performance in recent years has been less eye-catching. The bitcoin price has been dynamically changing over its history, attracting users from all over the world. Bitcoin has been joined in the marketplace by many other crypto-brands, with each offering a new opportunity to become an early adopter.
Unlike traditional currency, which relies on banks to process transactions, cryptocurrency is built on a network of users, whose computing power is harnessed. This is where the term ‘bitcoin mining’ comes from. As well as purchasing currency, anybody can generate income by mining.
There is already an Arabic flavor to this emerging industry, with the UAE-based Arabianchain Technology helping the MENA region unlock the potential of cryptocurrency and the blockchain.
By its nature, the cryptocurrency market is volatile, but the framework is there to develop your knowledge. And, with just a small investment, you can begin to understand the highs and lows, and even work to predict patterns.
Esports
Video games have traditionally been dismissed by many as being a waste of time, and not looked at as being a serious medium. That, however, is changing.
The modern video game features realistic graphics and sophisticated digital storylines, with recently released consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X looking more like multimedia entertainment devices than gaming peripherals.
This change in perception has helped catalyse the growth of esports. A hugely lucrative industry, esports pits the world’s best video game players against one another, often in front of a live audience of thousands.
There are several Arab esports communities in Northern Africa and the Middle East, including Arab Esports and NASR esports, and the nature of the industry means the wider sport is accessible to all here in America.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is one of the most exciting new technologies that has developed during the last ten years. During its infancy, companies like Google experimented with new products that made use of AR, such as Google Glass, a pair of smart spectacles that plots objects and information in the world around us, which was released in North America and throughout the Arab world.
But it’s perhaps during the last two to three years that the potential of the technology has properly been realized. In traditional console gaming, specialized headsets have been released placing the player at the centre of the action, while other industries are also dipping their toe into the world of AR.
For instance, major brands in the casino sector are allocating resources to exploring the possibilities of live streaming – essentially using video of a real dealer at a real table within the online game – to deliver a more immersive gaming experience, whether that’s roulette, blackjack or poker. This sector is one of the internet’s biggest marketplaces in regions like Europe, but growth of the sector has been slower here in America due to state-by-state regulations limiting what’s allowed.
However, those rules are changing and states are gradually relaxing the regulations in many instances. For example, if you navigate to this website, then you will discover the wider range of games available in New Jersey and laws that govern them, including the two mentioned above.
In time, both casino and console gaming will provide great opportunities for Arab Americans to sample AR technology.
We hope this list has provided some inspiration as we approach the end of our first year of the 2020s. The rate of digital change around us has never been quicker, so it’s important to take a look at what’s new once in a while.
Please note that this post was paid for by a third-party and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arab America or its employees. These posts help allow Arab America to produce our wonderful original content, thanks for your understanding.
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