UAE tops global crypto rankings with unmatched adoption rates
According to Atmos study
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has claimed the top spot in the global rankings for cryptocurrency adoption, with 25.3% of its population owning digital currencies. This places the UAE at the forefront of the global crypto-obsession movement, scoring 98.4 on a scale developed by Atmos. The Dubai-based company analyses crypto adoption, interest, and accessibility across nations.
According to an Atmos study, the UAE’s crypto adoption has experienced explosive growth, with a 210% increase in ownership rates. This underscores the Arabian Gulf nation’s increasing engagement with digital assets.
This surge signals a passing trend and a fundamental shift in how the public views and uses cryptocurrencies. Despite the rapid rise in interest, the country has achieved these figures with a limited physical infrastructure, boasting only one Bitcoin ATM across the nation.
Nevertheless, UAE residents are highly engaged, conducting approximately 186,000 crypto-related searches each month, reflecting intense public curiosity and demand for information on digital currencies.
The study, conducted by Atmos, ranks the most crypto-obsessed countries based on four key metrics: cryptocurrency ownership rates, growth in adoption, search activity per capita, and the number of Bitcoin ATMs.
These factors combine to provide a final ‘crypto-obsession score’ out of 100, with higher scores indicating greater engagement. The UAE’s high score of 98.4 underscores the nation’s exceptional position in the global digital asset landscape.
The UAE’s unique story of crypto adoption marks a significant shift in the Middle East’s financial landscape. With over a quarter of its population holding cryptocurrency, the country has rapidly integrated digital currencies into everyday life. This rate of adoption, paired with a 210% growth in cryptocurrency ownership, suggests that the UAE is not simply following global trends but setting new standards in how digital currencies are utilised and perceived.
What is particularly striking about the UAE’s rise to prominence in crypto is that it has been achieved without an extensive physical infrastructure. Despite the limited number of Bitcoin ATMs, the nation’s residents are engaging with cryptocurrency primarily digitally, indicating a sophisticated understanding of the technology.
The UAE’s example demonstrates that widespread crypto adoption is not necessarily tied to physical access points but to increasing comfort and familiarity with digital transactions.
Image: The UAE’s unique story of crypto adoption marks a significant shift in the Middle East’s financial landscape. Credit: Jakub Zerdzicki
