Singapore and UAE Lead the World in Crypto Adoption as Nations Strategically Position Themselves as Digital Finance Hubs

Singapore and the United Arab Emirates aren’t just crypto-obsessed—they are strategically leveraging digital assets to cement their positions as global financial powerhouses.

A new report by ApeX Protocol reveals that both nations are outpacing the rest of the world in crypto ownership, adoption growth, and online engagement, reflecting a deliberate national push to embrace blockchain technology.

Singapore claimed the number one spot with a composite score of 100, fueled by 24.4% of its population holding crypto and leading the globe in search activity, recording 2,000 crypto-related queries per 100,000 people. Adoption has accelerated dramatically: in 2021, only 11% of Singaporeans held digital assets, a figure that more than doubled by the following year.

Experts see this growth not just as individual curiosity, but as part of Singapore’s broader strategy to become a regional blockchain and digital finance hub, supporting fintech innovation, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence.

Close behind, the UAE scored 99.7, ranking first globally for crypto ownership at 25.3%. The Gulf nation has seen a 210% increase in adoption since 2019, with a notable boom in 2022 when over a third of the population reported holding crypto.

Government initiatives, free zones for crypto startups, and an open regulatory environment are widely credited for fueling this surge. In the UAE’s case, high adoption is strategically tied to positioning the nation as a gateway between East and West in digital finance, rather than mere speculative interest.

The U.S., Canada, and Turkey: Infrastructure vs. Adoption

The United States ranked third with a composite score of 98.5, bolstered by robust infrastructure, including over 30,000 crypto ATMs—ten times more than any other country—and a 220% increase in crypto usage since 2019.

Canada came in fourth, highlighted by the report’s highest adoption growth rate at 225%, with 10.1% of its population owning crypto and 3,500 ATMs nationwide. Turkey rounded out the top five with 19.3% ownership and strong online search interest, ranking third globally in crypto holdings.

Other top 10 countries include Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Argentina, and Indonesia, each showing a mix of rising adoption, infrastructure, and public engagement.

Crypto as a Strategic National Asset

“Crypto is no longer on the fringe,” a spokesperson from ApeX Protocol said. “It’s becoming part of how countries define their financial future… not just as an investment, but as a reflection of how people engage with technology, money, and trust in the digital age.”

Singapore and the UAE exemplify this trend, using high adoption rates, public engagement, and regulatory support to build reputations as regional and global crypto hubs, while other countries balance adoption with infrastructure or regulatory incentives.

According to Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, India retained the top position for the third consecutive year, with the Asia-Pacific region seeing a 69% surge in transaction value year-on-year.

Pakistan, Vietnam, and Brazil also ranked in the top five, while Nigeria slipped to sixth despite regulatory progress. Meanwhile, the U.S. has climbed to second place, aided by Bitcoin ETF inflows and clearer regulations, showing that national strategy can hinge on both infrastructure and market access.

Adoption Alone Isn’t Enough — Strategy Matters

High crypto ownership and search activity are impressive, but Singapore and the UAE show that deliberate national strategy is the true differentiator. By combining regulatory clarity, infrastructure, and public engagement, these nations are turning crypto from a speculative trend into a pillar of economic positioning.

Other countries chasing adoption numbers may boast high interest, but without a strategic framework to support innovation, integration, and investor protection, enthusiasm alone won’t translate into global influence. For nations looking to lead in digital finance, strategy must complement obsession — otherwise, adoption risks being flashy, but fleeting.