Fasset Hires Mehtap Onder to Drive Institutional Growth Across Asia and Africa
Fasset, the global banking and investment platform advancing financial inclusion through blockchain, has appointed Mehtap Onder as Managing Director. The appointment comes as Fasset accelerates its expansion across Asia and Africa following its recent digital banking licence approval and ahead of the launch of Own — its real-world asset (RWA)-focused ETH Layer 2 network.
Onder, a highly regarded leader in the MENA fintech ecosystem, joins Fasset later than a successful tenure as Managing Director at GCEX Dubai, where she secured the first broker-dealer license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and launched the region’s first client-money account for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP). These milestones positioned her as a key figure in shaping Dubai’s .
At Fasset, Onder will lead the firm’s institutional, compliance, legal, and operational strategies, ensuring the company maintains its high standards of regulatory excellence across emerging markets in the Islamic Belt and beyond. Her leadership will be instrumental as Fasset expands its institutional footprint and prepares to launch Own — a next-generation blockchain platform designed to bridge traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) through compliant, asset-backed innovation.
Takeaway
Championing Compliance and Institutional Innovation
Onder’s appointment follows Fasset’s banking license approval earlier this month, a milestone that enables the company to deliver regulated banking and investment services across multiple jurisdictions. Her role will focus on expanding institutional access to tokenized real-world assets while reinforcing Fasset’s compliance framework in collaboration with regulators and financial partners.
“Fasset represents the future of finance – where innovation meets integrity,” said Mehtap Onder, Managing Director of Fasset. “I’m thrilled to contribute to this next chapter, expanding access to real-world assets and building a more inclusive, transparent financial ecosystem that empowers individuals and institutions across emerging markets.”
Fasset’s upcoming Own network — an ETH Layer 2 platform — is built to enhance real-world asset tokenization and expand retail and institutional access to compliant on-chain finance. The initiative underscores Fasset’s long-term commitment to connecting traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain-powered efficiency, transparency, and global accessibility.
Takeaway
Driving Diversity and Leadership in Fintech
Mehtap Onder’s appointment also represents a significant advancement for female leadership in fintech and the . Currently, women hold only around 11% of executive roles in MENA fintech, according to Backbase. Her inclusion on Fasset’s leadership team reinforces the company’s commitment to diversity and empowerment across emerging markets.
Onder’s career began at CFH Clearing (now Finalto) under the (FCA), where she rose to Regional Director for Turkey. She later served in compliance roles at Waystone UAE before joining GCEX Dubai. In 2024, she was named among Unlock Blockchain’s Top 20 Performing CEOs, recognized for championing responsible innovation and regulatory progress across fintech ecosystems.
“Mehtap brings a rare combination of regulatory expertise, acumen,” said Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Co-Founder of Fasset. “Her track record in navigating complex frameworks, paired with her commercial mindset to drive sustainable expansion, makes her the ideal leader for Fasset’s next chapter of growth.”
