MENA crypto volume triples to $350B as Saudi Arabia surges
4.3 Investments MENA's crypto volume has tripled to $350B since 2022. Saudi Arabia leads with 154% growth, Turkey is the largest market, and stablecoins now dominate, driven by economic instability and institutional investment.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is experiencing a rapid surge in crypto transaction volume, projected to reach around $350 billion by 2025–2026, up from $100 billion in 2022, according to the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Saudi Arabia leads regional growth with a 154% year-over-year increase, while Turkey remains the largest market, processing nearly $200 billion annually. Qatar has seen a 120% growth rate, and the United Arab Emirates has handled over $56 billion in crypto volume, marking a 33% rise. This growth is fueled by favorable regulatory frameworks, economic instability driving demand for stablecoins, and robust institutional activity. In Saudi Arabia, 93% of transactions exceed $10,000, highlighting significant institutional involvement. Gulf states are integrating crypto into sovereign infrastructure, while countries like Turkey and Egypt use digital assets to hedge against currency depreciation. Stablecoins now rival or surpass Bitcoin in usage across much of the region, signaling a shift from experimentation to reliance on digital assets for economic resilience and investment.
