Menu
Menu
Abu Dhabi, UAE — December 8–9, 2025 marked a landmark moment in the global Bitcoin ecosystem as the second annual Bitcoin MENA Conference took place at the ADNEC Centre, bringing together more than 10,000 attendees, institutional leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, developers, and investors from across the Middle East and the world. The region’s premier Bitcoin-focused gathering showcased the rapid rise of the UAE — especially Abu Dhabi — as a global hub for digital finance, regulatory innovation, and Bitcoin adoption.
A Conference of Scale, Vision, and Impact
Organised by ADNEC Group and BTC Inc, Bitcoin MENA 2025 featured an expanded programme with over 230 speakers, an enhanced exhibition hall, extensive networking spaces, and dedicated forums on mining, regulation, institutional adoption, and financial infrastructure. Speakers and participants hailed from diverse sectors — from traditional finance and sovereign regulators to cutting-edge Bitcoin companies and thought leaders.
The event solidified Abu Dhabi’s strategic role in shaping the future of Bitcoin in the Middle East and North Africa, offering a platform where global giants and regional champions could align on shared priorities and future opportunities.
Keynote and Highlights from Top Speakers
Michael Saylor — Strategy (Executive Chairman)
Michael Saylor, one of the most visible and influential voices in corporate Bitcoin adoption, delivered one of Bitcoin MENA’s headline keynotes — outlining a forward-looking vision in which Bitcoin becomes the foundational financial reserve asset of a modern, regulated financial architecture. Drawing on his decades of advocacy for corporate treasury Bitcoin holdings, Saylor argued that major financial institutions are shifting from short-term speculation to embracing Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset, with custody and lending practices increasingly aligned with institutional needs.
His remarks emphasised Bitcoin’s transition from a speculative instrument to an underlying building block of digital credit and corporate treasury strategy, resonating with global investors and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s growing relevance in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Changpeng Zhao (CZ) — Founding Visionary of Binance
Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, offered insights into Bitcoin’s broader market dynamics while underscoring its role as the dominant digital reserve asset. His commentary stressed the potential for Bitcoin to evolve beyond cryptocurrency into a globally recognised store of value that could rival or complement traditional reserve currencies. CZ’s participation highlighted exchange infrastructure, regulatory evolution, and the pathways for global liquidity growth in the Bitcoin market.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem — DMCC & Regional Growth
As Executive Chairman and CEO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Ahmed Bin Sulayem spoke to the UAE’s emergence as a gravitational centre for blockchain and digital asset innovation. He cited DMCC’s role in creating market-friendly frameworks and attracting international business, demonstrating how the region’s regulatory clarity and business incentives have fuelled capital inflows and technology adoption. His presence underlined the synergy between economic policy, global enterprises, and digital finance development in the MENA region.
Abdulla Al Dhaheri — The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi
Abdulla Al Dhaheri, CEO of The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi, provided a regional perspective on the Middle East’s capacity to bridge traditional financial sectors with blockchain technologies. Al Dhaheri’s contributions focused on ecosystem building, education, and strategic partnerships that empower local and international stakeholders — from startups to institutional investors — to engage with Bitcoin and blockchain innovation responsibly and sustainably.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti — Government & Cybersecurity Leadership
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE’s Cyber Security Council, delivered one of the conference’s prominent political addresses, stressing the importance of cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and national strategy in advancing digital asset adoption. His remarks reinforced the UAE government’s proactive stance on balancing innovation with security and market integrity — a theme that resonated strongly throughout the event.
Saifedean Ammous — Economic and Philosophical Perspectives
Renowned economist and author Saifedean Ammous, best known for The Bitcoin Standard, brought a deeper theoretical lens to Bitcoin MENA 2025, articulating the philosophical and macroeconomic foundations of sound money and why Bitcoin represents a break from traditional fiat inflationary models. His contributions helped contextualise both the cultural and economic rationale for Bitcoin adoption among policymakers, businesses, and individual investors.
Themes & Strategic Outlook
Institutional Adoption Takes Centre Stage
A recurring theme across keynote sessions and panels was the institutionalisation of Bitcoin — from corporate treasury strategies to sovereign and regulatory engagement.
Mining, Infrastructure & Global Collaboration
Mining and infrastructure discussions reflected the region’s unique energy landscape and the strategic advantage offered by the UAE’s regulatory and logistical frameworks. Panels highlighted the Middle East’s capacity to attract global mining operations through stable energy supply, favorable policy environments, and international partnerships.
A Defining Moment for Bitcoin in the Middle East
Bitcoin MENA 2025 was more than a conference — it was a catalyst for alignment among industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. By uniting global visionaries with forward-thinking regional stakeholders, Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its role as a central hub for Bitcoin discourse, investment, and technological advancement. From Saylor’s visionary financial architecture to local leadership on regulation and infrastructure, the event showcased not only where Bitcoin stands today, but where it is heading in the global financial landscape.
Copyright © 2026 VANITY VIP Magazine. All rights reserved