UAE came in at number two globally for google search to buy NFTs

So as 2021 winds down to an end, and as the world looks with excitement and hope towards 2022, UNLOCK took a look at what peaked the Arab World’s interest in the Blockchain sphere with a look at Google trends. UAE Topped the list for google searches on buying NFTs, while Lebanon took number one position for searches on crypto mining. The Metaverse google search grew exponentially from October 2021 and onwards.

We started off with what has seemed to be the most searched word this year, the NFT ( Non Fungible Token) which took the Blockchain Web3 ecosystem by storm in 2021.

NFT

First as per Google trend data, the search for the word NFT increased tremendously during the month of November 2021. Of the top 100 countries globally that searched for the term NFT, was no other than the UAE, which stood at number 11. This could be the result of the number of NFTs launched within UAE as well as the UAE stamp that came out for the 50^th anniversary. Far behind came Saudi Arabia at with 49^th place and Egypt at 47^th.  Same result could be noticed for the search of the full word, Non Fungible token.

When looking up the search results for “Buy NFTs”, UAE came in a whopping second place among top 31 countries listed. This reveals the understanding and extreme enthusiasm in the UAE for NFTs and their purchase.

Blockchain

As for the word Blockchain, there were fewer searches towards the end of 2021. As expected within the Arab World the UAE took the lead and came in at 15^th position among the top 75 countries globally, and KSA came in at 65. No other Arab country was listed in top 75.

Crypto

As 2021 winded down, so did the global searches for the word “ crypto”, yet the UAE took number 12^th place out of top 63 countries globally. It was interestingly followed by Lebanon which took 17^th place, then KSA at 45^th place.

When UNLOCK looked at the word “ cryptocurrencies” Lebanon led and came in at number 4^th on the list of top 75 countries. In both instances this was not a surprise given that more Lebanese are interested in crypto after the fall of the Lebanese lira, the economic crisis, and the loss of their savings.

Bahrain followed with 6^th ranking, Jordan 9^th and UAE 10^th; Oman came in at 21, Qatar 28 and Saudi Arabia at 50^th. It is impressive to see so many Arab countries among the top 75 globally interested in cryptocurrencies, and this shows a trend towards a better understanding and possible utilization or investment into crypto.

Bitcoin

Interest for Bitcoin also winded down, with UAE topping the ranks of the 68 countries with most searches on Bitcoin. UAE held 21 position followed by Saudi Arabia at 62 and Egypt at 68.

Ethereum

Biggest Arab countries searching for the word Ethereum was Lebanon which ranked 19 out of top 61 countries, the UAE followed at 21 and KSA at 55. When UNLOCK looked up the trends for “ Ethereum Price” once again UAE came in 15^th place followed by Lebanon at 16h, Qatar at 21, KSA at 42. Bitcoin Price search was similar as well.

It would seem that to be interested in the price of Bitcoin and Ethereum, you most probably own some.

DeFi

Unlike all the other search words in the blockchain realm, DeFi remained steady throughout the year. Among the Arab countries topping the global list of searches was the UAE, (19^th place) and KSA at 67^th. This is out of a total of 68 countries that topped the global list.

Metaverse

Well as most can imagine, before October 2021 there were almost no searches on Google for the word “metaverse” and then suddenly it leaped. Among the top 64 countries globally was UAE which came in and ranked at number 9, followed interestingly by Lebanon which ranked at number 10, then Morocco 13^th place Qatar 18^th Egypt 35^th KSA 52^nd

Crypto Regulation

Surprisingly UAE topped the world search for the term “crypto regulation” it came in at number 2 from a list of just 14 countries globally. It was the only Arab country on the list.

Crypto Mining

In terms of the search word “crypto mining” The Arab country Lebanon tops the global scene and takes number one position among 72 countries globally. This is indicative of the increased number of Lebanese who are launching crypto mining activities in the country.

UAE took number 7 position, while Qatar was 21^st Oman 52^nd and KSA 57^th.

When UNLOCK searched at the term “Bitcoin mining” Nigeria topped the global list at number 1 position, while Lebanon came in at 3^rd place. The same could be found for Ethereum mining.

Conclusion:

The Arab world and countries such as UAE, Lebanon, and KSA have witnessed the most interest in terms such as NFTs, cryptocurrencies, crypto mining, and the Metaverse. UNLOCK will continue to monitor these trends throughout 2022 as they are strong indicators of what interests readers and populations in the region.