MENA Onchain Crypto Volume Estimated at $350 Billion With Gulf Growth Accelerating
MENA onchain crypto volume has climbed to an estimated $350B, with Turkey leading volume and Saudi Arabia posting 154% YoY growth, according to Crypto News Flash.
Why it matters
The data suggests MENA is becoming a major global crypto hub, with growth concentrated in both a large established market (Turkey) and fast-expanding Gulf economies. The divergence between adoption drivers across the region may shape how regulators in different MENA countries approach digital asset policy. Significance is limited by the single-source nature of the reporting.
Key facts
MENA annual onchain crypto volume has risen to roughly $350 billion by 2025-2026.
350,000,000,000 USDReported by Crypto News Flash
Annual onchain transaction volume climbed from roughly $100 billion in 2022.
100,000,000,000 USDReported by Crypto News Flash
Turkey remains the region's largest market by transaction value, approaching $200 billion annually.
200,000,000,000 USDReported by Crypto News Flash
Saudi Arabia leads growth at 154% year over year.
154 %Reported by Crypto News Flash
Qatar follows Saudi Arabia with 120% year-over-year growth.
120 %Reported by Crypto News Flash
The UAE processed approximately $150 billion in crypto transactions during 2025.
150,000,000,000 USDReported by Crypto News Flash
Crypto adoption in Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Iran is driven partly by weakening currencies and interest in Bitcoin and dollar-backed stablecoins.
Reported by Crypto News Flash
Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain are building regulated digital-finance ecosystems where adoption is increasingly institutional.
Reported by Crypto News Flash
What happened
Annual onchain crypto transaction volume across the Middle East and North Africa has risen from roughly $100 billion in 2022 to an estimated $350 billion by 2025-2026, according to Crypto News Flash citing a September 4 Bitcoin Policy Institute analysis. Turkey remains the region's largest market by value, while Saudi Arabia leads growth at 154% year over year and Qatar follows at 120%. Crypto News Flash describes a divide within the region: in countries facing currency depreciation or instability such as Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and Iran, crypto serves partly as an alternative financial rail for preserving purchasing power, while Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain are building regulated digital-finance ecosystems where adoption is more institutionally driven. Only one outlet reports this story, so these figures and characterizations remain single-source and should be treated accordingly.
How the story developed
- Update
Bitcoin Policy Institute publishes MENA crypto analysis
BPI analysis estimated annual onchain volume at roughly $350 billion by 2025-2026 and highlighted growth in Gulf markets.
- First report
First report by Crypto News Flash
MENA Crypto Volume Hits $350B as Gulf Markets Accelerate
- Update
Crypto News Flash reports on MENA crypto volume data
Crypto News Flash covered the BPI findings, reporting on regional volume figures and growth rates across MENA markets.
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Tether USDt, USD Coin
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto News Flash Crypto media | MENA Crypto Volume Hits $350B as Gulf Markets Accelerate | Original |
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