The United Arab Emirates has not chosen between Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency industry. Instead, it is consciously building both paths simultaneously in different cities and targeting different stages of adoption.

The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, is positioning itself as a hub for institutional-grade Bitcoin (BTC) infrastructure, focusing on custody, over-the-counter (OTC) liquidity, mining, and regulated capital markets. In contrast, Dubai is developing a broader crypto economy that encompasses payments, stablecoins, Web3 applications, gaming, tokenization, and consumer-facing products.

While there are differences between the two, industry insiders point out that this reflects a "layered strategy" rather than a division. Gregg Davis, the organizer of the UAE's largest Bitcoin-themed event, Bitcoin MENA, stated, "These two paths are complementary."

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Davis said, "A broad digital asset ecosystem will naturally draw attention to the safest and most time-tested asset—Bitcoin. The combination of both has created a diverse and vibrant market in the UAE."

According to Matthias Mende, co-founder of the Dubai Blockchain Center and founder of the Web3 social verification platform Bonuz, Dubai's ecosystem maximizes participation and real-world use cases.

Mende stated, "Simply put, Abu Dhabi is building a 'crypto version of Wall Street,' while Dubai is creating a place where people can truly use this technology every day."

Davis believes that Abu Dhabi's strategy is based on a clear understanding of the distinction between Bitcoin and the broader crypto space.

Davis remarked, "Abu Dhabi has done extensive research and understands that Bitcoin is fundamentally different from the broader digital asset space. Many things classified as 'Web3' are still highly speculative or built around non-existent problems."

Davis noted that the intention to position Abu Dhabi as an institutional Bitcoin hub has become evident.

He told Cointelegraph, "Major institutions in Abu Dhabi are starting to engage with Bitcoin, which is a strong signal of long-term confidence." He added that clearer regulatory pathways and support from the public sector make this emirate attractive to Bitcoin-native companies.

Recent developments further confirm this institutional Bitcoin logic. Abu Dhabi has become a focal point for large-scale, regulated Bitcoin activities, including the hosting of Bitcoin MENA 2025, which attracts institutional investors, miners, and infrastructure providers to discuss custody, mining, and financial strategies.

Global companies like Galaxy Digital have expanded their operations under the ADGM framework, citing regulatory clarity and strong institutional demand. Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance has also obtained comprehensive regulatory licenses covering trading, clearing, and custody.

As Abu Dhabi focuses on the institutional track, Dubai has taken a broader approach, designing a regulatory environment that supports the development of the entire digital asset industry.

Mende told Cointelegraph, "Dubai is building a complete crypto economy around this—consumer applications, brands, payments, gaming, creators, and tokenization."

He stated that the integration of stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWA), and consumer-facing applications creates a new economic layer that goes beyond trading itself.

Mende said, "Stablecoins will be the most visible layer—a simple 'scan, click, pay' process—while RWAs will bring real institutional capital onto the chain."

The regulatory clarity in Dubai is a key enabler of this vision. Mende stated, "The biggest driver is clarity. Entrepreneurs know which activities are regulated, what licenses are needed, and which rulebooks apply, allowing them to design products and token models along clear paths."

However, this clarity has not eliminated all friction. Mende pointed out that challenges still exist at the interface with traditional finance, particularly regarding banking and fiat on/off ramps, as well as in developing experimental areas like DeFi and DAOs.

As Dubai's crypto economy develops, several industry leaders have noted that payments and stablecoins will be the first areas to achieve durable, real-world adoption.

Patrick Ngan, Chief Investment Officer of Zeta Network Group, told Cointelegraph, "Payments and stablecoin infrastructure will break through first because they address a universal and urgent problem: slow, expensive, and fragmented cross-border settlements."

Ngan stated that regulatory clarity gives financial institutions the confidence to directly integrate digital settlement tracks into their business systems. "Once these tracks are built, transaction volumes will naturally follow," he said. "Real-world adoption will emerge from here."

Marcello Mari, founder of SingularityDAO, shares a similar view. He noted that the penetration of stablecoins in daily life exceeds the expectations of many outsiders.

Mari said, "In Dubai, the actual use of USDT and USDC is much more than you might think—used for rent, remittances, real estate, and service payments. Gaming and Web3 creators will follow, but stablecoins are the first bridge to real-world utility."

In addition to crypto-native companies, stablecoins have also attracted the attention of mainstream businesses in the UAE. On Thursday, the state-owned telecom giant e& announced it is preparing to test a stablecoin pegged to the dirham for bill payments.

However, both Ngan and Mari stated that despite regulatory clarity, operational timelines and banking relationships remain the biggest bottlenecks. Ngan said, "The rules are indeed clear, but the processes themselves require patience and rigorous execution."

Original article: “Bitcoin (BTC) First, Expanding Crypto Assets at Scale: An In-Depth Analysis of the UAE's Layered Digital Asset Strategy”

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