Key Findings

• Singapore and the United Arab Emirates rank as the world’s most “crypto-obsessed” nations based on a composite score from ApeX Protocol, factoring in ownership rates, adoption growth, search activity, and ATM infrastructure.  
• Singapore scored a perfect 100, with about 24.4% of its population owning crypto and very high search engagement (~2,000 crypto queries per 100,000 people).  
• The UAE closely follows, scoring 99.7, and leads globally in ownership rate at ~25.3%, having achieved 210% growth in crypto adoption since 2019.  

Why This Matters for Gulf–ASEAN

• The strong rankings highlight that digital assets and blockchain interest are not fringe trends—they are becoming integral parts of financial behavior and capital markets in both regions.
• For the Gulf, this demonstrates continued momentum in building crypto-friendly regulatory frameworks and digital infrastructure (e.g. UAE’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority).
• For ASEAN, Singapore’s adoption reflects maturity in its fintech and digital finance ecosystems, positioning the region for deeper integration with Gulf capital flows and innovation networks.

What It Means for the GAE Community

• New Investment Pathways: ASEAN asset managers and fintechs can explore crypto and blockchain vehicles tied to Gulf and global markets more confidently.
• Regulatory & Market Signals: The adoption surge signals that governments and regulators in both regions must evolve frameworks to support safe, transparent digital asset markets.
• Bridge for Innovation: As both sides embrace crypto more deeply, GAE’s role as a bridge becomes more relevant—helping SMEs, investors, and policymakers navigate this evolving frontier.

🔗 Source: CoinCodeCap

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