Crypto trading volumes in the MENA region have reached nearly $350 billion annually, more than tripling from $100 billion in 2022, according to the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Saudi Arabia leads with 154% year-over-year growth, driven by institutional transfers (93% over $10,000). Turkey remains the largest market at nearly $200 billion, boosted by lira depreciation. The UAE recorded $53 billion in transactions, supported by regulatory frameworks like VARA and ADGM. Stablecoins account for 45%–52% of regional activity, surpassing Bitcoin’s share.

Standard Chartered said on Thursday that it has launched spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether for institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first global systemically important bank, or G-SIB, to offer such a service. The rollout is being handled through the bank’s regulated entity in the Dubai International Financial Centre, allowing eligible clients to access BTC and ETH spot trading through Standard Chartered’s existing electronic trading channels and platforms rather than opening accounts with third-party crypto venues. The move extends a broader buildout the bank has been making in the UAE. According to the report, Standard Chartered launched digital asset custody there in September 2024, signed a banking agreement with crypto exchange CoinMENA in June 2026 to support fiat on- and off-ramps, client money accounts and virtual account trading management, and has now added spot trading in September 2026. The report also places the launch within a wider UAE push to attract crypto businesses, noting recent approvals involving Capital.com and Revolut. Because Standard Chartered is designated as a G-SIB, the launch carries added weight for the market and for other large banks watching institutional demand for digital assets.

BMAG, the Bitcoin Museum and Art Gallery tied to the Bitcoin Conference, says trading cards are becoming a serious part of its program and will take center stage at Bitcoin Asia 2026 on Aug. 27-28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In a feature published by Bitcoin Magazine, author Dennis Koch argues that the card boom has pushed verification issues into the open, especially around grading, authenticity, provenance, and the role of intermediaries whose judgments can sharply alter value. The piece draws a direct parallel between those concerns and the “trusted third party” problems long discussed in bitcoin circles. It also lays out BMAG’s broader case for cards as both collectible assets and artistic media, citing the group’s seven-year run as the cultural wing of the Bitcoin Conference, more than 130 BTC in art and collectible sales valued at over $8 million, and earlier card-related programming in Las Vegas with Kraken and on-site TAG grading. The Hong Kong expo is set to include vendors, auctions, grading, authentication, live activations, and gallery presentations, with attendees invited to bring cards for grading or resale.

MEXC released its first workforce gender data, showing women account for 43% of staff, 40% of management roles, and a 49% year-on-year rise in female hiring over three years.

Ripple has made RLUSD available to institutions in Türkiye through BiLira, Bitexen and Bitlo. The USD-backed stablecoin has surpassed $1.7 billion in market cap, and Istanbul Technical University has joined Ripple’s blockchain research initiative.

The MENA Fintech Association and Fireblocks published the UAE Stablecoin Payments Playbook, targeting institutional adoption. The report reveals 2025 global stablecoin onchain volume of ~$33 trillion and UAE receiving $56 billion in onchain value. It covers regulatory frameworks, AED stablecoins, and implementation guidance.

Bitcoin’s 15% February selloff pushed Strategy’s holdings about $630 million below cost, erasing $47B in unrealized gains. Peter Schiff mocks the firm, warning no bottom until Strategy sells. Michael Saylor counters that 50M people now have BTC exposure through his company.

Paribu has launched Hyperliquid onchain perpetuals, Polymarket prediction markets, and DEX trading inside its app, using a self-custodial model for users in Türkiye.