Kalam Crypto #158: Bitcoin ETFs Surge & UAE Mines $700M in BTC

​​“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” — George Bernard Shaw

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to the latest edition of Kalam Crypto, your trusted source for crisp, insightful updates on everything crypto across the globe and the MENA region. 

This week, we cover rising institutional adoption, record-breaking ESG tokenization, and exciting partnerships bridging traditional finance and crypto.

All this and more in this week’s Kalam Crypto! Let’s dive in👇

Global News 🌍

US Bitcoin ETFs Rival Exchanges as Institutional Demand Grows

US spot Bitcoin ETFs are emerging as a major force in crypto markets, regularly generating $5–10 billion in daily trades, according to CryptoQuant. This surge highlights growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and the pivotal role ETFs now play in market liquidity. At the same time, Ether ETFs are gaining momentum, with inflows topping $1.2 billion last week - more than double those of Bitcoin ETFs- showing rising investor interest in Ethereum. At CoinMENA, we see this as another sign of how traditional finance and crypto are converging, making digital assets more accessible than ever to institutions and individuals alike.

Blockchain Tokenization Prevents 394M Tons of CO₂ in $32B ESG Push

Wealth tokenization platform Arx Veritas and Blubird have tokenized $32 billion worth of Emission Reduction Assets, preventing 394 million tons of CO₂, with an impact equivalent to 105 times Iceland’s annual emissions. The effort, which includes capped oil wells and coal mines, marks the largest ESG-aligned tokenization to date and reflects strong institutional demand for sustainable, on-chain assets.

Circle Expands USDC in Global Payments with Mastercard & Finastra

Circle is embedding USDC deeper into mainstream finance through new partnerships with Mastercard and Finastra. Merchants and acquirers in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa will soon be able to settle payments in USDC and EURC via Mastercard, while Finastra’s integration will enable banks in 50 countries to access infrastructure handling over $5 trillion in daily transactions, now with the option to settle in USDC. These moves mark a major step in expanding stablecoin adoption across global payment networks.

Google Unveils Plans for ‘Universal Ledger’ Blockchain

Reports suggest Google Cloud is exploring development of the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), a layer-1 blockchain designed as neutral infrastructure for financial institutions. Positioned as a “planet-scale” network compatible with Python-based smart contracts, GCUL aims to serve billions of users with bank-grade functionality. A pilot with CME Group is already underway to test tokenized asset settlement and wholesale payments, with broader trials expected in 2026.

Keep an eye on 👀

UAE Reportedly Holds $700M in Mined Bitcoin According to Arkham Intelligence, addresses linked to the UAE government reportedly hold about 6,300 BTC (~$700M), sourced from mining operations through Citadel Mining. This makes the Emirates the world’s sixth-largest nation-state holder of Bitcoin, ranking just ahead of El Salvador. Unlike the US and UK, whose holdings come largely from asset seizures, the UAE’s stash stems from active mining operations launched in Abu Dhabi in 2022.

💬 At CoinMENA, we see this as a clear signal of the region’s growing role in the global crypto landscape, with the UAE actively building its position through innovation and infrastructure.

Post Of The Week 🐥

🌍 In only 16 years, Bitcoin has reached a $2.25T market cap, surpassing Visa and Mastercard combined. At CoinMENA, we see this as proof of how quickly digital assets are becoming a cornerstone of the global financial system, making money more open and accessible than ever.

CoinMENA News 🗞️

We’re proud to announce a strategic collaboration between CoinMENA FZE and Zand, the AI-powered digital bank licensed by the UAE Central Bank.

Through this partnership, clients will be able to seamlessly transfer funds between their #ZandBank accounts and #CoinMENA wallets, bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) in a secure, efficient, and user-friendly way.

🤝This step strengthens CoinMENA’s commitment to being the most trusted digital asset platform in MENA, while Zand continues to pioneer AI-powered banking innovation.

Quiz Corner ✅ 

Last week’s question: What percentage of the world’s population can ever own 1 full Bitcoin? The correct answer is: A) 0.27% This week’s question is: Which country is now the 6th-largest nation-state holder of Bitcoin, mainly through mining operations?

A) USA

B) El Salvador

C) UAE

D) Germany See the answer in next week’s newsletter. Or check out our learning platform https://university.coinmena.com/