Wire · operational-macro
MENA crypto growth hits $350 billion as Saudi Arabia surges 154% despite ban
◆ Sectors
◆ Geography
◆ Source
◆ Verified
Fusion42 · 6 September 2026 · Fusion42 review
MENA's cryptocurrency transaction volume surged from $100 billion in 2022 to $350 billion by 2025–2026, with Saudi Arabia leading regional growth at 154% despite maintaining a crypto ban. The rise is marked by regulatory divergence, with countries like Saudi Arabia building institutional infrastructure while others like UAE emphasise stablecoin activity.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Fintech.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
Crypto activity is booming in the Middle East despite regulatory bans in key markets like Saudi Arabia, signalling a shift where institutional infrastructure advances even amid prohibition. Founders building crypto tools must navigate uneven regulations but can target gaps created by conflicting government approaches.
◆ Coverage
1 source · 6 Sep 2026
◆ Related on Wire
◆ Topics