The 2025 World Crypto Rankings, published by Bybit in collaboration with DL Research, have recognised the UAE as the leading crypto hub in the MENA region and fifth worldwide. The ranking reflects the country’s rapid progress in digital assets, regulatory clarity, and institutional adoption.
Tokenised assets are another strand of Web3 governance rising in popularity and preliminary regulation in the UAE, ranging from gold and real estate to art, as the ownership of real world assets go on-chain.
Bybit itself exemplifies this momentum, having established its headquarters in the UAE and becoming the first exchange to secure a Virtual Asset Platform Operator Licence from the SCA, while also serving as an advisor to DMCC.
ADFW as a Prime Example
This momentum was clearly on display at Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), which last week hosted its fourth edition. The event brought together global finance leaders, blockchain innovators, and on-chain currency advocates.
Crypto featured prominently not only in discussions, but also in execution. Blockchain technology underpinned much of the event’s activity, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for next-generation financial infrastructure.
APAC’s Ascendance, Aligned With MENA
The report also highlights the Asia-Pacific region’s growing alignment with MENA, particularly the GCC. Singapore claimed the top global ranking, surpassing the U.S., Lithuania, Switzerland, and the UAE.
Vietnam and Hong Kong also secured positions in the global top ten, underscoring APAC’s rapid rise alongside the UAE as crypto adoption accelerates across emerging and established markets.
Factors Behind the UAE’s Rise
Global crypto adoption flourishes when infrastructure, regulation, and institutional participation are synchronised though each country follows a distinct path.
Singapore leads globally due to its regulatory clarity, institutional maturity, and strong cultural engagement with digital assets. More than 11% of Singapore’s population holds crypto, giving it the highest user penetration worldwide.
The UAE’s trajectory mirrors this formula. As crypto infrastructure and regulation become increasingly institutionalised, adoption strengthens positioning economies like the UAE at the forefront of the digital financial transformation.
Stay Up to Date with the Latest Updates at Finance ME!
Saudi 2026 Budget Pitch to Investors: Less Neom, More AI
S&P GCC Banking Outlook 2026: Stable for Now Pending Oil Assumptions
Inside the 2025 Wealth Shift: New Billionaires, New Power Shifts
