Turkish crypto firm Paribu Holding has acquired a majority stake in CoinMENA, a licensed cryptocurrency exchange operating in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The move represents one of the more notable cross-border deals between Türkiye and the Gulf’s digital asset sector, as consolidation continues to pick up across regulated crypto markets.
Entering Into a Highly Regulated Gulf Market
CoinMENA was founded in 2019 and has operated with a strong focus on regulation from the outset. It holds licenses from the Central Bank of Bahrain and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, which allow the platform to serve users in several Gulf Cooperation Council countries. As a result of the acquisition, Paribu enters these markets through an already licensed exchange rather than applying for approvals on its own. The deal places the Turkish firm directly inside two of the region’s most tightly supervised crypto jurisdictions at a time when oversight across the Middle East is becoming more formalized.
Mutual Benefit for Both Platforms
Following the transaction, CoinMENA is expected to benefit from Paribu’s technical infrastructure and operational support. On Paribu’s side, the deal means that it picks up a working platform, existing users, and local approvals. Analysts say the partnership could eventually result in more trading pairs, better fiat access, and incremental platform upgrades.
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The deal comes as regulators in Bahrain and the UAE continue to refine rules for digital asset firms. Oversight has increased, but licensed exchanges have continued operating, gathering interest from firms in and outside the region. Paribu has also been expanding beyond its core exchange business recently, with investments in technology and other digital initiatives. The CoinMENA acquisition gives the company a presence in the Gulf and extends its footprint outside Türkiye.
Looking Ahead
As the two companies begin working together, there are still open questions about how their operations will be combined, what new products might be rolled out, and how regulators in Bahrain and the UAE will guide the next phase of the partnership.
Analysts say the deal could encourage more acquisitions in the region, especially from exchanges looking for firmer regulatory footing and a broader reach.
For now, Paribu’s move to take a majority stake in CoinMENA marks an important moment for both firms and reflects the continued maturing of the crypto sector across the Middle East.
