Middle East Crypto Activity Triples to $350 Billion Amid Ongoing Conflict, Report Finds
The Iran conflict accelerated crypto use across the Middle East and North Africa as investors sought to preserve wealth and move money during disruption. A Bitcoin Policy Institute report says annual blockchain transaction value in MENA rose to about $350 billion by 2025–2026, up from roughly $100 billion in 2022. Bitcoin initially fell with other risk assets when fighting began in June 2025, but investors then rotated from smaller crypto assets into Bitcoin, lifting its market share to a one-month high of 64.8% and stabilizing its price. The report links demand to inflation, higher oil prices, interest rates, sanctions, and currency depreciation in places such as Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iran, where stablecoins and Bitcoin help preserve purchasing power. Crypto’s 24/7 availability also mattered while traditional markets were closed. Regulated Gulf markets, especially the UAE and Bahrain, continued attracting institutional capital through clearer rules.
