Turkey has overtaken all other Middle Eastern and North African nations to become the region’s largest cryptocurrency market, according to a new report released today by Chainalysis.
The data shows that Turkey recorded nearly $200 billion in annual crypto trading volume, four times higher than the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which ranked second with $53 billion.
Despite this impressive figure, Chainalysis noted that Turkey’s crypto activity is largely speculative, fueled by altcoin trading rather than genuine adoption for payments or decentralized applications. The report described the country’s crypto ecosystem as one dominated by short-term trading and institutional players rather than retail users.
Altcoin Speculation Replaces Stablecoin Demand
Chainalysis data revealed that Turkey’s surge in activity coincides with a dramatic rise in altcoin speculation. Daily altcoin trading volumes climbed from about $50 million at the end of 2024 to roughly $240 million by mid-2025. Meanwhile, stablecoin activity – previously the cornerstone of Turkey’s crypto market – dropped sharply from around $200 million to just $70 million during the same period.
Analysts attributed this transition to worsening economic conditions, including inflation and the devaluation of the Turkish lira, which have pushed investors to seek higher returns through volatile altcoin trading. Chainalysis described this as “yield-seeking behavior” among market participants attempting to offset losses from currency depreciation.
Institutional Dominance in the Market
Another notable shift is the growing influence of institutional investors in Turkey’s crypto ecosystem. The report found that large-scale transactions now make up the majority of trading activity, while retail participation has fallen significantly. Chainalysis suggested that the ongoing economic strain has made it harder for average citizens to engage with crypto markets at previous levels.
At the same time, the report noted that some institutional investors appear to be using crypto assets as a hedge against inflation and local currency weakness – an approach that distinguishes them from retail traders focused on speculative altcoin profits.
Speculation or Foundation for Growth?
Chainalysis concluded that while Turkey’s crypto market shows extraordinary size and liquidity, its speculative nature may hinder sustainable development. Unlike the UAE – where cryptocurrencies are increasingly being integrated into real-world payment and investment systems – Turkey’s trading volumes are primarily concentrated in short-term opportunities.
Still, analysts note that high participation and liquidity could lay the groundwork for future innovation if market dynamics evolve toward more practical use cases. For now, however, Turkey’s $200 billion milestone underscores both the scale of investor interest and the volatility of a market driven by speculation rather than adoption.
