What is the state of crypto markets in MENA?

The MENA region is one of the fastest-growing crypto markets globally, with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey leading adoption. Institutional interest is accelerating alongside retail growth.

Which cryptocurrencies are most traded in the Middle East?

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) dominate trading volumes. Stablecoins like USDT are widely used for remittances and cross-border payments across MENA.

How does blockchain impact traditional finance in MENA?

Regional banks and central banks are exploring CBDC pilots, tokenized assets, and DeFi integrations to modernize payment infrastructure and reduce settlement times.

Markets

Trading, payments, funding, and tokenization markets.

Top Stories

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Binance Pushes Super App Vision as Exchanges Move Beyond Trading

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Crypto Is Growing Up: The End of Hype and the Return of Reality

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DDSC Moves From Approval to Execution With AED 110M Transaction

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USDU and AE Coin Put MBANK at Center of Regulated AED-USD Conversion Framework

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OKX, BlackRock and Standard Chartered Turn BUIDL Into Institutional Collateral

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Apr 28, 2026

UAE Dollar Swap Talks Could Strengthen AED Stablecoin Confidence

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Apr 27, 2026

Dubai Reframes Virtual Asset Issuance Under VARA’s New Guidance

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Apr 9, 2026

VARA Introduces Virtual Asset Derivatives Framework As Dubai Deepens Market Maturity

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OKX Valued at $25B After ICE Investment as Exchange Moves Toward Financial Infrastructure

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Mar 10, 2026

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Feb 20, 2026

Binance and Franklin Templeton Launch Institutional Off-Exchange Collateral Program Using Tokenized Money Market Funds

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Feb 19, 2026

Grayscale and Canary Launch First SUI ETFs with Staking Rewards on NYSE and Nasdaq

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Feb 19, 2026

Wintermute Launches OTC Trading for Pax Gold and Tether Gold

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Feb 18, 2026

Central Bank Approval Unlocks Crypto to Dirham Conversion Inside AEC Wallet

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Feb 16, 2026

USDU Adds Zodia Custody Amid Standard Chartered Acquisition

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Jul 26, 2026

5 Min

Revolut Adds VARA IPA to UAE Stack, Linking Payments and Crypto

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Jul 15, 2026

Binance Pushes Super App Vision as Exchanges Move Beyond Trading

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Exchanges & Trading

Binance.US Targets Prediction Markets as Crypto Exchanges Race Into Event Contracts

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July 30, 2026

3 Min

Exchanges & Trading

Morgan Stanley Expands Crypto ETF Push With Low-Cost Ethereum and Solana Funds

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July 29, 2026

4 Min

Exchanges & Trading

BitMart Shutdown Under Fire as Withdrawal Concerns Mount After CEO Says He Was Left Out From Decision

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July 27, 2026

4 Min

Stablecoins & Payments

MoonPay Expands Crypto Payments Into ChatGPT as AI Commerce Gains Ground

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July 31, 2026

9 Min

Stablecoins & Payments

Stablecoins and the New Politics of Money Movement

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7 Min

Regulation & Policy

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July 29, 2026

3 Min

Funding & Capital

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10 Min

Funding & Capital

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3 Min

Funding & Capital

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Tokenization & RWA

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Tokenization & RWA

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July 27, 2026

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Tokenization & RWA

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July 24, 2026

3 Min

Key Topics

Curated topics in this sector

Stablecoins Tokenization Payments Bitcoin Price RWA (Real World Assets)Liquidity

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