Mohammed Al Shamsi, a senior official from the UAE National Security, declared that "Bitcoin has become the key pillar in the future of financing." This significant statement was made at the Bitcoin MENA 2025 conference in Abu Dhabi, a convention taking place between December 8 and 9, 2025, at the ADNEC Centre. The event is expected to host over 10,000 attendees and feature approximately 300 speakers from around the world.
Mohammed Al Shamsi's Perspective on Bitcoin
At the Bitcoin MENA 2025 conference, Mohammed Al Shamsi emphasized Bitcoin's crucial role in future financial systems. He described current financial innovations as historical, noting that the world economy is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Al Shamsi stated that Bitcoin is "no longer just a digital asset" but has evolved into a foundational element for future financing structures.
This marks the second occurrence of the Bitcoin MENA conference in Abu Dhabi. The gathering anticipates over 10,000 global attendees, approximately 300 speakers, and more than 90 exhibitors and sponsors.
The conference features prominent figures in the cryptocurrency space, including Michael Saylor, Changpeng Zhao, and Paul Manafort. Regional leaders such as H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti and Ahmed Bin Sulayem are also participating. The event is structured with multiple stages dedicated to various facets of Bitcoin, ranging from its technical development to its institutional adoption.
The UAE's Strong Position in the Crypto Market
The United Arab Emirates holds the third-largest crypto economy within the Middle East and North Africa region. Projections indicate that the cryptocurrency market revenue in the UAE will reach $395.9 million in 2025.
The UAE boasts a diversified crypto ecosystem, characterized by significant activity across both centralized and decentralized exchanges and finance platforms. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the country processed over $34 billion in cryptocurrency transactions, reflecting a substantial 42% year-over-year growth.
Dubai's virtual-asset market achieved a valuation of 2.5 trillion dirhams, equivalent to approximately $680 billion, in 2025. This contributes 0.5% to Dubai's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Collectively, the crypto industry contributes an estimated 100 billion dirhams, or about $27.25 billion, to Dubai's economy, representing 4.3% of the UAE's overall GDP.
The UAE leads the Middle East in Bitcoin adoption, with over 30% of its residents, approximately three million people, having invested in cryptocurrencies. The country also recorded more than 500,000 daily active crypto traders. Globally, the number of crypto millionaires reached 241,700 individuals, a 40% increase from the previous year.
Favorable regulations have been implemented in the UAE, including zero value-added tax on Bitcoin transactions. Furthermore, the country imposes no personal income tax or capital gains tax. Crypto operations within Dubai are overseen by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, while Abu Dhabi operates under its own Financial Services Regulatory Authority framework.
The Middle East crypto market was valued at approximately $110.3 billion in 2024. The region is anticipated to grow to $234.3 billion by 2033, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 8.74%.