Türkiye’s Paribu acquires CoinMENA for $240 million in largest fintech deal

Paribu, Türkiye’s leading crypto platform, has acquired CoinMENA for up to $240 million. This is the largest fintech deal in Turkish history. The move is also Türkiye’s first cross-border acquisition of a digital asset platform. With this agreement, Paribu moves beyond its domestic market and flies its flag directly into the fast-growing Middle East and North Africa region.

More importantly, the acquisition gives Paribu immediate access to two key regulatory licenses. CoinMENA already operates under the approval of VARA in Dubai and the Central Bank of Bahrain. A shortcut to full regulatory coverage changes the game. Instead of waiting years for new approvals, Paribu can scale up quickly.

CoinMENA brings trust to users, licenses and regions

CoinMENA started in 2020 and has quickly become one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the MENA region. It currently serves more than 1.5 million users in 45 countries. The platform supports over 50 cryptocurrencies and multiple local fiat currencies. The exchange built its reputation around compliance and education. This has made it attractive not only to users but also to regulators and global investors.

CoinMENA previously raised nearly $20 million from backers including Circle, Arab Bank Switzerland, and Bunat Ventures. Now that the trust of the region has moved under the roof of Paribu. The companies plan to combine Paribu’s technology and security stack with CoinMENA’s local expertise. The goal is simple. Building one of the most strongly regulated crypto platforms in Türkiye and the entire MENA.

Paribu’s expansion strategy becomes a reality

Paribu has been secretly preparing for such a move. In 2024, it launched Paribu Custody, Türkiye’s first dedicated digital asset custody service. In October 2025, the Turkish Capital Market Commission approved Paribu to establish a securities company. So this deal didn’t just happen out of the blue. Fits into a clear playbook. First, build strong local compliance.

Then, expand with regulation as the core. Yassin Oral, CEO of Paribu, said the partnership was a turning point. He said the acquisition will make Paribu a regulated company in one of the world’s most crypto-adopted regions. He also said that this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s international growth.

MENA Cryptocurrency growth meets Turkish fintech power

CoinMENA founders Talal Tabbaa and Dina Sam’an said the region’s crypto market is rapidly maturing. They believe that Paribu’s support will help accelerate this growth with better infrastructure and a broader product offering. The deal also reflects broader changes in the industry. Cryptocurrency exchanges are becoming consolidated. Small regional leaders are now merging with deep-pocketed global companies to survive rising compliance costs and increased regulation.

For Türkiye, the deal sends a clear message. Specifically, local fintech companies no longer just serve the local market. Instead, they are now competing on a global stage. For the MENA region, it brings deeper liquidity, stronger technology and new, stronger regulated operators. So, in short, Paribu didn’t just buy an exchange. You’ve bought yourself a passport to one of the most crypto-active regions. As a result, $240 million is on the table and the message that Turkey’s cryptocurrency has spread to the world is heard loud and clear.