Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Bitcoin MENA has brought the entire Bitcoin ecosystem under one roof at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on December 8-9, offering visitors and participants a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and innovators.
One of the largest events of its kind in the region, Bitcoin MENA is co-organised by ADNEC Group, a Modon Company, and BTC Inc, and features a schedule of events designed to highlight the depth of Bitcoin expertise in the UAE and further afield.
Building on the success of its 2024 debut, the 2025 edition boasts a larger footprint and a more ambitious programme.
Speaking to Aletihad, Abdulaziz Mohammad, official spokesperson for Bitcoin MENA at ADNEC Group, spoke about the scale of this year’s event.
“The event is attracting participants from 62 countries worldwide, a 13% increase compared to last year,” he said, adding that the conference will feature 234 local and international speakers, a 95% increase over the 2024 edition, as well as more than 500 exhibitors and brands, occupying an area exceeding 10,000 square metres.
This year’s exhibition features major brands such as eToro, a global leader in trading and investing platforms, alongside other influential companies such as Bitmain, an industry leader in both mining operations and hardware manufacturing, MicroBT, a major hardware manufacturer, and Crypto.com, a leading global exchange company. Other leading brands and companies at the event include Exodus, Antalpha, Metaplanet and Core DAO.
Gregg Davis, MENA Director at BTC Inc., said his years in Abu Dhabi underpin his confidence in the UAE’s long-term role in the global Bitcoin ecosystem.
“I am passionate about Bitcoin, and I believe it is highly significant; not only for individuals, but also for businesses and states. I expect it to play an increasingly important role in shaping global power dynamics,” he said.
Davis pointed to energy capacity and strategic leadership as key advantages for the UAE.
“When it comes to Bitcoin mining, you need access to competitively priced, reliable and abundant energy, and the UAE offers precisely that,” he said.
“The UAE’s wise leadership and its strategic, forward-thinking approach mean that if both the country and companies in the region adopt strong Bitcoin strategies, everyone stands to benefit.”
He added: “This event has its place here because of its energy resources and sovereign wealth, and it is an advantage to be in a country with financial strength rather than debt.”
Government support for crypto trading came in the form of progressive regulation and zero VAT on Bitcoin transactions.
Reflecting on the evolution of the conference, Davis said growth is the most striking feature of the second edition.
“It is bigger, definitely bigger, with more participants and a very positive atmosphere in this second edition,” he said.
On this year’s trends, Davis pointed to a shift towards corporate adoption.
“One of the big trends in Bitcoin right now is Bitcoin treasury companies. That is not just people buying Bitcoin, it is companies raising capital to buy Bitcoin to protect their business for the future,” he said.
He also addressed the often-debated issue of energy use, noting that “for Bitcoin to work, the network requires a lot of energy, much like AI”.
He added: “Unlike AI, where energy is a pure expense, Bitcoin mining converts that energy into a monetisable asset.”
