The Middle East has emerged as a hotspot for cryptocurrency adoption, according to a recent report by Bitget Research. The average daily number of crypto traders in the region soared to 500,000 in 2024. This figure represents an increase of 166% year-over-year.
Crypto in the Middle East
This surge in crypto adoption is driven by several factors, such as favorable regulatory frameworks, the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, and the overall bullish sentiment in the cryptocurrency market. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads, with 72% of crypto users actively investing in Bitcoin .
Centralized crypto exchanges globally have experienced an increase in the number of users from the Middle East. According to Bitget Research, these exchanges recorded over 500,000 daily active users on average in February 2024. This figure represents a substantial jump from the previous year. The UAE's crypto-friendly policies and the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs have played an important role in crypto adoption.
Although centralized exchanges dominate, decentralized platforms have gained momentum among Middle Eastern crypto users. Decentralized exchanges built on blockchains like Solana, BSC, and Ethereum are becoming the go-to digital platforms for P2P trading. Trust Wallet, MetaMask, and Bitget Wallet are among the top choices in digital wallets.
Speaking about the report, Gracy Chen, the Managing Director of Bitget, mentioned: “We are excited about the potential of the Middle East market and anticipate continued growth in both users and market size. The UAE, in particular, holds significant importance as a base within the region.”
“It has emerged as a hub for cryptocurrency talents, funds, and enterprises while also steadily gaining global influence in the crypto space. We look forward to contributing to and witnessing the further development of this dynamic market."
Steady Rise in Crypto Adoption
Generally, Bitget Research's report highlighted a positive outlook for the future of cryptocurrency adoption in the Middle East. The report projects that the region's daily active users will continue to rise, reaching an estimated 700,000 by the end of 2024.
Recently, Binance secured a fully operating virtual-asset service provider license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The exchange's journey began with an Operational MVP license obtained by its local unit, Binance FZE, in mid-2023. This license allowed the exchange to offer broker-dealer services and virtual-asset derivative trading to institutional and individual investors.
