News

MENA Region Is World’s Fastest-Growing Crypto Market

According to a newly released report, cryptocurrency adoption is surging in the MENA region, with Egypt now home to the largest cryptocurrency industry.

Published

4 years ago

October 7, 2022

Nour Nasir

mena region is world's fastest-growing crypto market

Chainalysis

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have adopted cryptocurrency at a staggering rate, according to a new report by Chainalysis, with the MENA region as a whole accounting for 9.2% of global crypto transactions over the last year.

According to the research, although the MENA region is one of the smallest crypto markets, cryptocurrency growth of over $550 billion happened between July 2021 and June 2022, with three of the world’s “Top 30” countries coming from the MENA zone:

Turkey (12/30)
Egypt (14/30)
Morocco (24/30)

In the case of both Egypt and Turkey, unstable and rapidly devaluing fiat currencies have strengthened the appeal of crypto. Turkey made $192 billion in transactions, making it the region’s biggest player, though at a growth rate of 10.5%, the country’s crypto market didn’t expand as quickly as others.

So, which countries seem to be adopting crypto at breakneck speeds? Chainalysis found that Egypt was the MENA region’s fastest-growing, with transaction volumes leaping by over 220%. Saudi Arabia saw similar progress, with volumes increasing by 195%.

mena region yoy growth in crypto transaction volume

“Digital currencies are being used in Egypt as a way to preserve savings. Using cryptocurrencies to hedge against currency devaluation is appealing,” says Kim Grauer, Director of Research, Chainalysis.

Also Read: 3 Best Cold Storage Wallets For Crypto In 2023

In other significant news, unlike many countries, Egypt’s national bank has enthusiastically embraced crypto. It is currently in the process of building a crypto-based remittance corridor between Egypt and the UAE, as many Egyptians are based there for work.

One of the reasons crypto is surging in the MENA is down to demographics: Populations in MENA countries are young, and growth is being fueled by a class of tech-savvy early adopters with high disposable incomes. Overall though, it’s clear that with financial institutions and retail adopting the technology at a rapid pace, the future looks bright for cryptocurrency in North Africa and the Middle East.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.