As cryptocurrency adoption continues to rise in Türkiye, US-based blockchain payment company Ripple is increasing its focus on the Turkish market.
Ripple CEO Reece Merrick stated that he is “extremely optimistic” about crypto adoption in the country.
Merrick, speaking from account X, highlighted Türkiye as a global leader in digital asset adoption, driven by economic necessity rather than speculation.
“Türkiye is a leader in cryptocurrency adoption in the MENA region and ranks among the highest globally.”
Citing data from 2026, a Ripple executive stated that approximately 25.6% of the Turkish population owns cryptocurrency, and the adoption rate among adults aged 18-60 has reached 52%.
Merrick also noted that, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, Türkiye will facilitate approximately $200 billion in cryptocurrency transactions annually by 2025, a volume that “overshadows the rest of the region.”
Merrick stated that the severe depreciation of the Turkish Lira and high inflation rates experienced over the years negatively affected the pockets of Turkish citizens, and that this unstable macroeconomic environment changed how cryptocurrencies were used in the country.
Merrick said, “Driven by inflation protection and value preservation motives, we are seeing a clear shift towards practical utility in emerging markets like Türkiye.”
Merrick concluded by stating that stablecoins like Ripple’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD will play a vital role in supporting cross-border payments and financial resilience by providing a stable USD alternative in the face of lira volatility.
At this point, Merrick also noted that Ripple is currently working with various traditional financial partners in Türkiye to facilitate the adoption of RLUSD.
*This is not investment advice.