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Saudi Arabia’s push to become a major hub for the Middle East’s digital economy is gaining significant momentum, with new government data revealing a 51% year-on-year surge in blockchain-related business registrations in the second quarter of 2025. According to the Quarterly Business Sector Bulletin from the Ministry of Commerce, the country is now home to over 4,000 registered blockchain companies.
This spike reflects growing confidence from both investors and entrepreneurs in the Kingdom’s tech ecosystem, particularly in high-growth sectors like Web3, decentralized finance (DeFi), and enterprise blockchain solutions.
Blockchain, AI, and Big Data Lead the Innovation Wave
Out of the 80,000 new commercial licenses issued during Q2, most were concentrated in high-growth digital sectors, especially Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Data Analytics. The bulletin recorded:
- 51% growth in blockchain commercial licenses
- 34% growth in AI-related businesses
- 48% increase in cloud data storage and analytics companies
This trend is a direct result of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, two strategic initiatives designed to diversify the economy away from oil by prioritizing digital infrastructure.
Related: Vision 2030: Binance Academy Now Key To Saudi Workforce Blockchain Future Skills
Riyadh Is the Epicenter of the Kingdom’s Tech Boom
Riyadh emerged as the epicenter of the digital economy boom. It accounted for 28,181 new commercial licenses in Q2, by far the largest share in the Kingdom. The capital also recorded the majority of AI and analytics-related activity, with 8,909 AI registrations and 3,775 cloud data companies.
Other regions showing notable growth in digital business activity include:
- Makkah: 14,498 licenses
- Eastern Province: 12,985
- Asir: 3,875 (gaining attention as an emerging investment destination)
Regulatory Reform Opens the Door to Crypto & Blockchain Growth
Significant legal and administrative reforms rolled out in Q2 are further fueling blockchain sector growth. These include the new Commercial Register Law and Trade Names Law, which:
- Allow businesses to operate nationwide under a single commercial record
- Eliminate the need for regional subsidiary registrations
- Reduce administrative complexity and cost
The Ministry of Commerce is also actively rectifying and updating commercial registrations to ensure transparency, compliance, and a level playing field. These efforts directly contribute to curbing commercial concealment, a long-standing economic challenge.
Foreign Investment and Women Entrepreneurs on the Rise
Investor interest in the Saudi crypto and blockchain space extends beyond the domestic market. Foreign and GCC investor registrations increased by 38%, with 38,640 foreign nationals and 31,488 GCC investors establishing businesses in Q2 2025.
Moreover, women entrepreneurs now account for 49% of newly issued commercial records. This marks a significant shift in gender representation within Saudi Arabia’s business landscape, including in the crypto and fintech sectors.
Overall, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a leading destination for crypto innovation and blockchain investment in the Middle East.
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