Annual on-chain cryptocurrency transaction volume in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region increased from approximately $100 billion in 2022 to about $350 billion in 2025–2026.
In a report on the 4th, the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) said MENA had emerged as one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets in the world. Turkey remained the region’s largest market, with annual transaction volume of approximately $200 billion, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) processed about $150 billion in cryptocurrency transactions in 2025.
By growth rate, Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest growth, rising 154% year over year, followed by Qatar at 120%.
The report explained that in countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and Iran, which have experienced currency depreciation, Bitcoin and U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins are being used as a means of preserving purchasing power. In contrast, it analyzed that digital-asset markets in the Gulf region are growing on the back of regulatory frameworks and increased institutional participation.