UAE SMEs Lead Global Adoption of Cryptocurrency Payments

A recent Mastercard research reveals that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE are at the forefront of adopting digital assets for business payments. The Dreamonomics report, which surveyed 18 markets around the world, found that 14% of SMEs in the UAE accept cryptocurrency as payment, while 10% use stablecoins to pay business expenses.

This is significantly higher than the global average, where only 6% of SMEs globally use digital assets for payments. The report also highlights a greater growth mindset among UAE entrepreneurs, with only 57% prioritizing predictability over fast growth compared to 68% globally.

Mark Elliott, Division President, East Arabia at Mastercard, commented that the findings reveal 'a highly ambitious SME community in the UAE' that is embracing innovation as a practical tool for growth today. The report also notes that interest in AI-powered fraud and security protection is high among UAE SMEs, with nearly half (48%) interested in such solutions.