Experts outline next phase of digital finance at Bitcoin MENA

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The Bitcoin MENA conference closed in Abu Dhabi on December 9 after two days of panels and debates involving 234 local and international speakers, with industry leaders using the event to map out how digital assets, institutional adoption and regulatory clarity are reshaping global finance.

The event was co-organised by ADNEC Group and BTC.

The headline keynote came from Michael Saylor, executive chairman and co-founder of Strategy, who capped his Middle East tour with a detailed pitch on Bitcoin’s role as “digital capital”.

In a session titled Digital Capital, Credit, Money, and Banking, Saylor said Bitcoin’s position as “digital gold” is becoming more accepted in the US and urged regional institutions to move early on Bitcoin-backed finance.

He pointed to major US banks beginning to issue credit against Bitcoin and its derivatives, describing it as a “digital commodity” and “the strongest asset humanity has ever created.” Businesses, he argued, face a simple decision: “keep cash that depreciates, or convert it into an asset that appreciates.” Strategy, he said, “chose the latter, deliberately and publicly.”

Changpeng Zhao (also known as CZ), founder of Binance, struck a similarly forward-looking tone during a fireside chat with Brandon Green, CEO of BTC Inc. Reflecting on his decision to step down as Binance CEO and a shift in US attitudes, he said the conversation with governments has moved from “What is crypto, and why should I adopt it?” to “How do I adopt it?” He said this shift has enabled “positive talks on regulating exchanges, protecting consumers, and creating crypto national reserves.”

Discussing the current market backdrop, ETF momentum and the next Bitcoin cycle, CZ argued that “this cycle is different to previous cycles” as institutional players move in. “We’re almost bridging the gap between crypto being a grassroots movement to now Wall Street participation,” he said.

CZ added that Bitcoin remains far from mainstream in retail use, but said institutional capital, government engagement and developments such as stablecoins, tokenisation and real-world asset infrastructure could “stabilise and elevate the market long-term.”

Across four stages, visitors heard from leaders in traditional finance, crypto platforms and mining firms. Speakers included Yoni Assia, co-founder and CEO of eToro, Derar Islim of Antalpha, Calamos Investments president and CEO John Koudounis, Marwan Al Zarouni of Dubai Blockchain Center, Abdulla Al Dhaheri of the Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi and Ahmed Bin Sulayem, exxecutive chairman and CEO of DMCC.

Exhibitors showcased mining technology, digital asset exchange platforms and self-custody tools, with brands including Antalpha, Crypto.com, Bitmain, Metaplanet and Mining Grid.

New addition at Bitcoin MENA

A new addition to this year’s programme, the Bitcoin for Corporations Symposium, drew CFOs and treasurers seeking guidance on using Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

The symposium hosted 14 sessions outlining the acceleration of institutional adoption and cited data showing corporations acquiring Bitcoin at almost four times the pace at which new coins are mined.

Multiple product announcements were made during the event. Safebox unveiled a self-custody tool that lets institutions and large holders earn Bitcoin yield through an unspent transaction output function while retaining asset control.

Roxom announced what it called the world’s first stock exchange fully denominated and settled in Bitcoin, designed to allow investors to trade shares of public Bitcoin Treasury Companies directly in Bitcoin without fiat rails or traditional brokerages.

The event will return in 2026 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi Marina Hall, with a programme centred on investment, regulation and innovation.

Organisers expect the next edition to probe evolving regulatory frameworks, compliance, and emerging blockchain technologies as the region continues balancing innovation with stronger investor protections.