Bitcoin Magazine Podcast The Bitcoin Advantage: How MENA is Adopting Bitcoin
Dec 2, 2025
Hunter Albright, Chief Revenue Officer at SALT Lending with expertise in Bitcoin-backed lending, teams up with Maurizio Pedrazzoli Grazioli, a Dubai-based Bitcoin advocate and podcaster. They delve into how the MENA region is emerging as a Bitcoin powerhouse. Topics include the region's cultural affinity for hard assets, regulatory clarity, and innovative use cases like BTC-backed loans and remittances. They also discuss the UAE's welcoming environment for crypto builders and necessary precautions to avoid industry pitfalls as adoption scales.
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Demographics Drive Natural Bitcoin Demand
- MENA's young, globally mobile population creates natural demand for cross-border Bitcoin use.
- That demographic and cultural affinity for hard assets speeds Bitcoin adoption compared to other regions.
International Population Accelerates Acceptance
- Dubai's population is extremely international and open, which accelerates crypto acceptance.
- Corporations and service providers already accept Bitcoin for big purchases like homes and cars.
Clear Rules Attract Builders
- VARA and UAE regulators are crafting clear, simple rules by learning from other jurisdictions.
- That regulatory clarity attracts exchanges and builders seeking predictable compliance.