Middle East Crypto Activity Surpasses $350 Billion Amid Regional Conflict
A report by the Bitcoin Policy Institute reveals that annual blockchain transaction value in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has surged to over $350 billion as of 2025–2026, tripling from around $100 billion recorded in 2022. The increase is attributed to economic pressures, geopolitical instability—particularly due to the Iran conflict—and growing adoption of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and stablecoins for wealth preservation. The report highlights that instead of capital leaving the region during conflicts, it has increasingly shifted into digital assets. This trend underscores crypto's role as a hedge against uncertainty, with Bitcoin’s market share rising to 64.8% in recent months amid continued fighting. The ongoing conflict also accelerated interest in decentralized financial systems due to their availability and resilience compared to traditional markets. In addition, the report notes that countries like Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iran are seeing higher crypto adoption as local currencies depreciate. Meanwhile, Gulf nations such as the UAE and Bahrain continue attracting institutional capital through regulatory advancements.
Topics: Bitcoin capital flows cryptocurrency economic impact Middle East conflict