Paribu's $240M CoinMENA Buy Spur Regional Crypto Expansion

Turkish Digital Asset Platform Paribu Makes Landmark Acquisition of CoinMENA

Turkish digital asset platform Paribu has made a landmark acquisition by acquiring CoinMENA, the largest local cryptocurrency exchange in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The deal is valued at up to $240 million and marks Türkiye's largest fintech transaction to date. The acquisition also represents the country's first cross-border acquisition of a regulated digital asset platform.

Founded in Bahrain in 2021 by Dina Saman, Talal Tabbaa, and Yazan Barghuthi, CoinMENA has grown to serve over 1.5 million users across 45 countries. The platform offers access to more than 50 cryptocurrencies and supports multiple local currencies in the MENA region. It holds licenses from the Central Bank of Bahrain and Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

The transaction positions Paribu as a key player in a region experiencing high crypto adoption. The move provides Paribu with access to two active digital asset licenses in Bahrain and Dubai, enhancing its regulatory footprint and allowing it to expand into a fast-growing market.

Paribu is now operating in a region where crypto activity has surged, particularly in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

Strategic Implications for Paribu

Yasin Oral, Founder and CEO of Paribu, emphasized the significance of the acquisition, calling it a "turning point" for both the company and the broader financial ecosystem in Türkiye and the MENA region. The acquisition allows Paribu to extend its operations beyond Türkiye and establish a stronger presence in a market with high crypto adoption. Oral added that the move aligns with Paribu's strategy of compliance-driven growth and geographic expansion.

Paribu has been at the forefront of innovation in Türkiye's digital asset sector. In 2024, it launched Paribu Custody, Türkiye's first digital asset custody service powered by its proprietary ColdShield® technology. In 2025, the company received authorization from the Capital Markets Board to establish a brokerage firm, marking its entry into the capital markets. These developments reinforce Paribu's role as a leading fintech player in Türkiye and set the stage for further international expansion.

CoinMENA's Role in the Deal

CoinMENA's co-founders, Talal Tabbaa and Dina Sam'an, expressed optimism about the partnership with Paribu. They highlighted the growing maturity of the MENA digital asset market and the potential for innovation through the combination of CoinMENA's regional expertise with Paribu's technology. The co-founders noted that the acquisition is the most transformative milestone in CoinMENA's history and that Paribu's investment validates the strength of what they have built.

CoinMENA has raised nearly $20 million in total funding from investors such as BECO, Arab Bank Switzerland, Circle, and Bunat Ventures according to reports. The platform's user base and regulatory licenses make it an ideal partner for Paribu's expansion strategy. With CoinMENA's existing infrastructure and local knowledge, Paribu can now offer digital asset products tailored to the MENA market.

Market Outlook and Future Growth

The acquisition is expected to enhance product offerings, liquidity pathways, and cross-border settlement capabilities for Paribu. The integration of CoinMENA's operations into Paribu's ecosystem is seen as a strategic move to diversify revenue streams and deepen institutional-grade exposure in key regulatory jurisdictions. Market participants anticipate clearer price discovery and improved market integrity as a result of the deal, which could attract more regional lenders and custodians to the platform.

The move also aligns with the broader trend of consolidation in the global digital asset industry. Established regional players are increasingly seeking to expand their scale and regulatory strength to compete in a rapidly evolving market. Paribu's acquisition of CoinMENA reflects this trend and positions the company as a bridge between Turkish markets and the MENA crypto ecosystem.

What This Means for Investors

For investors, the acquisition signals a new chapter in the growth of the digital asset sector in Türkiye and the broader MENA region. The expanded regulatory footprint of Paribu, combined with its technological capabilities, offers a compelling value proposition for both retail and institutional investors. The deal also highlights the increasing importance of compliance and regulatory alignment in the digital asset space.

The growing adoption of crypto in the MENA region is expected to drive further demand for regulated platforms like Paribu and CoinMENA. With the support of strong regulatory frameworks in Bahrain and Dubai, the combined entity is well-positioned to capture market share and drive innovation in the digital asset space.