Bitget turns to the Middle East
In April 2025, leading cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced the creation of a $10 million Web3 fund aimed at supporting blockchain startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This strategic move aligns with the region’s growing interest in digital assets, tokenized economies, and regulatory openness to Web3 innovation.
Bitget plans to invest in early-stage projects, focusing on DeFi, decentralized identity (DID), blockchain infrastructure, GameFi, and crypto payments.
Why the Middle East?
The MENA region — especially countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain — has emerged as a global hotspot for Web3 development, thanks to:
Supportive regulations for crypto and digital assets
Government-backed blockchain initiatives
Rapid digital transformation strategies (e.g., UAE’s Dubai Blockchain Strategy)
High levels of youth tech adoption and smartphone penetration
Bitget’s fund aims to capitalize on this momentum and help seed the next generation of decentralized applications and platforms in the region.
What the fund includes
Seed funding for startups developing Web3 use cases
Access to Bitget Launchpad for token offerings
Technical and marketing support
Integration opportunities within Bitget’s ecosystem (including wallet and trading infrastructure)
Networking with VCs and global Web3 players
Bitget will also collaborate with local governments, universities, and incubators to identify and nurture talent.
Growing presence in MENA
Bitget recently established a regional headquarters in Dubai, joining a wave of global crypto firms expanding to the UAE. Other exchanges like Binance, Crypto.com, and Bybit have also chosen Dubai for its friendly business environment and emerging crypto regulation.
This move strengthens Bitget’s brand and reach in a region expected to be a $3–5 billion blockchain market by 2027.
Industry reactions and outlook
Crypto analysts have praised the initiative as a win-win: Bitget gains early exposure to promising projects, while startups receive much-needed resources and guidance. The fund also signals increased decentralization of Web3 innovation, shifting away from traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley or Singapore.
Conclusion: Bitget invests in the future of Web3 – from the heart of the Middle East
With its new $10 million fund, Bitget is betting big on the Middle East as the next frontier for blockchain innovation. As governments embrace crypto and startups explore new models for finance, identity, and ownership, the MENA region could become a global leader in the Web3 economy — and Bitget wants to be at the center of it.
