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Turkish fintech giant Paribu is making a major regional play, acquiring crypto exchange CoinMENA for $240M to gain regulated entry into Dubai and Bahraini crypto markets, two of the Middle East’s most competitive licensing hubs.
What's the Scoop?
- Regional Expansion: Already a crypto tycoon in Turkey, Paribu's acquisition of CoinMENA – the largest locally operated crypto exchange in the Middle East and North Africa – positions it to dominate Middle Eastern crypto markets.
- New Licenses: The acquisition supplies Paribu with a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s VARA and a Crypto Asset Service Provider license from Bahrain’s Central Bank, granting it instant access to two of the Middle East's most lucrative crypto markets.
- Major Move: The deal represents Turkey's largest fintech transaction to date and the country's first cross-border acquisition of a digital asset platform. In a statement about the merger, Paribu CEO Yasin Oral touted CoinMENA as an ideal acquisition target for its regional expansion.
We’re excited to share that CoinMENA has been acquired by @ParibuCom in a transaction valued at up to USD 240 million!
— CoinMENA | كوين مينا (@CoinMENA) December 5, 2025
This acquisition strengthens our global presence, accelerates innovation, and allows us to deliver even more value and opportunities to our users across MENA… pic.twitter.com/HrkC4uZpRy
