Crypto Adoption Trends in MENA: Türkiye, Israel, Iran, and UAE Lead the Charge
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has solidified its position as a pivotal arena for cryptocurrency adoption, with Türkiye, Israel, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) driving growth amid geopolitical and economic turbulence. Chainalysis data reveals a nuanced landscape where necessity and innovation intersect.
Türkiye's crypto inflows surged to $878 billion by mid-2025, a stark reflection of citizens hedging against currency devaluation and inflation. Yet retail participation shows signs of strain—economic headwinds may be narrowing the path for everyday adoption.
Israel's digital asset economy crossed $713 billion in inflows between 2024-2025, with cryptocurrencies increasingly serving as a crisis hedge. The 2023 conflict appears to have accelerated this trend, though full data remains fragmented.