MENA Crypto Trading Surges to $350 Billion Amidst Regional Growth Spurt

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has seen a significant surge in cryptocurrency trading, with annual on-chain transaction volumes reaching $350 billion in 2025-2026. This represents a substantial increase from around $100 billion in 2022.

Turkey remains the largest market in the region, with approximately $200 billion in annual transaction volume, followed by the United Arab Emirates at about $150 billion. Saudi Arabia has experienced the fastest growth rate, with its cryptocurrency transaction volume increasing by a staggering 154% from the previous year.

The Bitcoin Policy Institute attributes this rapid expansion to various factors, including the use of cryptocurrencies as stores of value in countries facing conflict or currency depreciation. In the Gulf states, clearer regulatory frameworks and broader institutional participation have contributed to the region's emergence as a key hub for the digital-asset industry.