DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, DEC. 15, 2025 —
The World Crypto Rankings 2025 report, released by Bybit and DL Research, has named the United Arab Emirates as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s undisputed leader in crypto adoption. The UAE has not only established itself as the regional hub for asset tokenization pilots and settlement systems, but has also become the de facto bridge between Asia, Europe, and Africa in tokenized finance.
The UAE ranks fifth in global crypto adoption, alongside other major institutional hubs such as Singapore (1), the United States (2), Lithuania (3), and Switzerland (4). The country combines progressive, innovation-friendly policy frameworks with strong grassroots, remittance-driven usage and one of the world’s highest user penetration rates. As a policy-first global tokenization hub, the UAE offers clear AML guidelines and robust legal frameworks for digital asset providers, while remaining a highly attractive destination for global talent and enterprises.
Saudi Arabia is also strengthening its digital asset infrastructure and expanding licensing regimes. The Kingdom shows strong user penetration and high crypto ownership, signaling clear public interest in digital assets. Meanwhile, North African countries such as Morocco demonstrate robust grassroots adoption despite operating under stricter regulatory environments.
The report characterizes MENA as a “hybrid region,” where both top-down institutional leadership and bottom-up financial innovation are driving growth. Institutional hubs like the UAE coexist with economically challenged markets in North Africa and the Levant, where crypto increasingly serves as a workaround for inflation, capital controls, and limited access to traditional banking services. While regulatory and infrastructure support remain uneven across the region, growing user demand—particularly among younger populations—points to strong potential for rapid scale with the right policy and financial frameworks.
“Bybit is honored to contribute to Dubai’s remarkable rise as the UAE pioneers the future of crypto innovation and regulation,” said Michelle Daura, MENA Regional Manager of Bybit. “As one of the first exchanges to establish our headquarters here, the first to secure the Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the SCA, and as an advisor to our partners at DMCC, Bybit remains committed to supporting the region’s growth as a global crypto hub.”
Globally, the report notes that crypto adoption accelerates where infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and institutional participation align. Each country in the global top five follows a distinct model: Singapore benefits from a digitally literate population and clear licensing, the United States anchors global liquidity through scale and ETF-driven institutional flows, Lithuania positions itself as an EU gateway under MiCA, Switzerland blends legal clarity with cultural adoption, and the UAE pairs ambitious policy frameworks with grassroots remittance-driven usage.
The full analysis is available in the Bybit x DL Research World Crypto Rankings Report. The report is produced by DL Research with full editorial and research independence and is based on publicly available information, which may change without notice. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, trading, or legal advice. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making decisions.
