Turkey’s Paribu Buys CoinMENA for $240M in Largest Fintech Deal

Turkey’s leading crypto platform, Paribu has acquired CoinMENA for up to $240 million. This marks the largest fintech deal in Turkish history. The move also stands as Turkey’s first cross-border acquisition of a digital asset platform. With this deal, Paribu steps beyond its home market and plants its flag directly in the fast-growing Middle East and North Africa region. 

More importantly, the acquisition gives Paribu instant access to two key regulatory licenses. CoinMENA already operates under approvals from Dubai’s VARA and the Central Bank of Bahrain. That shortcut into full regulatory coverage changes the game. Instead of waiting years for new approvals, Paribu gets to scale immediately.

CoinMENA Brings Users, Licenses, and Regional Trust

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

CoinMENA previously raised close to $20 million from backers such as Circle, Arab Bank Switzerland and Bunat Ventures. Now that regional trust moves under Paribu’s roof. The two firms plan to combine Paribu’s technology and security stack with CoinMENA’s local expertise. The goal is simple. Build one of the strongest regulated crypto platforms across Turkey and MENA.

Paribu’s Expansion Strategy Gets Real

Paribu has quietly prepared for a move like this. In 2024, it launched Paribu Custody, Turkey’s first dedicated digital asset custody service. In October 2025, Turkey’s Capital Markets Board approved Paribu to establish a brokerage firm. So this deal did not happen out of nowhere. It fits a clear playbook. First, build strong local compliance. 

Then, expand with regulation at the core. Paribu’s CEO, Yasin Oral, called the deal a turning point. He said the acquisition turns Paribu into a regulated player inside one of the world’s highest crypto-adoption regions. He also described it as the opening of a new chapter for the firm’s international growth.

MENA Crypto Growth Meets Turkish Fintech Power

CoinMENA founders, Talal Tabbaa and Dina Sam’an, said the region’s crypto market is maturing fast. They believe Paribu’s backing will help accelerate this growth with better infrastructure and broader product offerings. This deal also reflects a bigger industry shift. Crypto exchanges are consolidating. Smaller regional leaders now merge with well-funded global players to survive rising compliance costs and tighter regulations. 

For Turkey, this transaction sends a clear message. Specifically, local fintech firms no longer just serve local markets; instead, they now compete on a global stage. For the MENA region, it brings deeper liquidity, stronger tech, and a new heavyweight regulated operator. In short, therefore, Paribu did not just buy an exchange; it bought a passport into one of crypto’s most active regions. Consequently, with $240 million on the table, the message is loud: Turkish crypto just went global.