Singapore and UAE Lead Global Crypto Adoption Amid Favorable Policies

Singapore and the United Arab Emirates have emerged as global leaders in cryptocurrency adoption, with ownership rates far exceeding the worldwide average. Approximately 24.4% of Singapore's population holds digital assets, while the UAE reports an even higher 25.3% ownership rate. Both nations benefit from regulatory clarity and infrastructure tailored to digital currencies.

Singapore's dominance stems from its robust financial ecosystem, which includes regulatory sandboxes, licensed exchanges, and banking partnerships with crypto firms. The ApeX Protocol study reveals local ownership has more than doubled from 11% to 24.4% year-over-year. Online interest also peaks here, with 2,000 crypto searches per 100,000 residents—the highest globally.

The UAE competes aggressively through tax incentives, scoring perfectly on tax-friendliness indexes. Its zero-tax policy on trading, staking, and mining operations creates a compelling environment for both users and businesses. This strategic positioning continues to drive rapid uptake across the Gulf federation.