UAE ranks fifth in crypto adoption

The UAE has cemented its position as the Middle East and North Africa's undisputed leader in cryptocurrency adoption, according to the newly released World Crypto Rankings 2025 report by Bybit and DL Research.

- Somshankar Bandyopadhyay [e-mail]

Globally, the UAE now ranks fifth, joining the ranks of major institutional hubs such as Singapore, the United States, Lithuania, and Switzerland.

The report describes the UAE as "a policy-first global tokenisation hub" that combines "ambitious regulatory frameworks with grassroots remittance-driven usage." It adds: "The Emirates are not only setting the pace for Mena but are also becoming the de facto bridge between Asia, Europe, and Africa in tokenised finance."

Dubai has emerged as a focal point for asset tokenisation pilots and settlement systems, supported by clear anti-money laundering guidelines and legal frameworks for digital asset providers. This proactive stance has made the UAE one of the most attractive destinations for talent and enterprises in the crypto space.

Regional dynamics