Financial infrastructure provider Fuze has published a 2026 spotlight report on virtual assets in the Middle East, revealing that crypto transactions in the region have exceeded $500 billion per year.
The report indicates the Middle East is experiencing growth in digital finance, driven by the tokenization of real world assets including real estate and commodities. Fuze projects this market could reach $600 billion in the region by 2030.
“The region is now responsible for half a trillion dollars in crypto transactions. The UAE is spearheading the digital assets ecosystem and Saudi Arabia is poised to become one of the world’s leading hubs for tokenisation. Regulations are developing at pace, the infrastructure is ready and mass adoption amongst enterprises and consumers is imminent. We’re no longer at the countdown phase to what is possible, the rocket has left the launchpad,” Mo Ali Yusuf, CEO of Fuze said in a statement.
Stablecoins to capture up to 15% of Middle East remittances by 2030
The spotlight examines changes in the remittance sector, where stablecoins offer lower costs and faster processing for cross-border transfers. Traditional remittance fees average between 5 per cent and 6 per cent of transfer amounts, while stablecoins reduce costs to 1 per cent or lower.
Traditional remittance through fiat rails can take days to complete, whereas stablecoin transfers operate 24/7 and process in near real-time.
Fuze analysis projects that between 7 per cent and 15 per cent of remittances from the Middle East will use stablecoins by 2030. PwC estimates that stablecoin-linked financial services in the GCC will grow at 32 per cent per year.
Fuze operates as a licensed and regulated business, providing infrastructure for institutions and enterprises to implement crypto, stablecoin and payments solutions.
“With any new system or product, safety and security are paramount to establish trust. It is why the proactive approaches to regulation that are being taken by central banks and licensing authorities across the Middle East, are so crucial in paving the way for enhanced digital financial services and inclusion. Over 2026, businesses and consumers will experience a transformation in the way they move money, propelled by virtual assets. These systems will be faster, cheaper and more convenient than ever before. It is why we are so bullish about the future of finance in the region,” he added.
