A new report from Bybit and DL Research has positioned the United Arab Emirates as the undisputed leader in cryptocurrency adoption across the Middle East and North Africa. The World Crypto Rankings 2025 report also places the UAE fifth globally, highlighting its rapid emergence as a central hub for asset tokenization and a crucial bridge for tokenized finance between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
A Policy-First Global Hub
The UAE’s high ranking is attributed to a strategic combination of progressive, innovation-friendly policies and strong grassroots adoption. The nation joins an elite group of institutional hubs, including Singapore (1), the United States (2), Lithuania (3), and Switzerland (4). Its success is built on clear AML guidelines and comprehensive legal frameworks for digital asset providers, making it one of the most attractive destinations for crypto talent and enterprises. This top-down approach is complemented by significant bottom-up usage, particularly driven by remittances and one of the world’s highest user penetration rates.
“Bybit is honored to contribute to Dubai’s remarkable rise as the UAE pioneers the future of crypto innovation and regulation,” said Michelle Daura, MENA Regional Manager of Bybit. “As one of the first exchanges establishing our headquarters here… Bybit is committed to the region’s growth as a global crypto hub.”
MENA A Region Of Contrasts
The report characterizes MENA as a “hybrid region” where growth is fueled by both institutional leadership and grassroots financial innovation. While the UAE leads with its policy-driven ecosystem, other nations are also making strides. Saudi Arabia is strengthening its digital asset infrastructure and licensing regimes, supported by strong public interest and high crypto ownership.
In contrast, countries in North Africa, such as Morocco, demonstrate robust grassroots adoption despite stricter regulations. In these markets, as well as in parts of the Levant, crypto often serves as a practical workaround for economic challenges like inflation, capital controls, and limited access to traditional banking services. This growing user demand, especially among younger demographics, signals a market with the potential to scale rapidly if supportive policy frameworks are introduced.
Global Context And The UAE Model
Globally, the report emphasizes that successful crypto adoption occurs where infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and institutional participation converge. Each of the top five nations showcases a different model. Singapore leverages a digitally literate population and a clear licensing system, while the U.S. anchors global liquidity through its scale and ETF-driven institutional flows.
Lithuania has emerged as an EU gateway under MiCA, and Switzerland combines legal clarity with deep cultural embedding of digital assets. The UAE’s unique model pairs its ambitious, policy-first framework with the practical, remittance-driven usage from its diverse population, creating a powerful formula for its global standing.
About Bybit
Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018. It serves a global user base and offers a professional platform where crypto traders can find a wide range of trading products, excellent customer service, and multilingual community support.
Source: Zawya
