Middle East Positioned to Become a Global Bitcoin Banking Hub, Says Michael Saylor

MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor believes the Middle East could transform into “the Switzerland of the 21st century” by embracing bitcoin-backed banking, credit markets, and digital money infrastructure. Speaking at Bitcoin MENA, Saylor outlined what he described as a $200 trillion opportunity for the region if it moves quickly to integrate Bitcoin into its financial system.

Saylor emphasized three escalating strategies that could attract massive global capital flows. The “big idea,” he said, is for regional sovereign wealth funds to allocate a portion of their portfolios to Bitcoin. The “bigger idea” involves establishing banks capable of custodying BTC and issuing bitcoin-backed credit. His “biggest idea” envisions digital money accounts supported by BTC credit instruments that could potentially generate yields of up to 8% without exposing users to price volatility.

According to Saylor, such an approach would draw unprecedented levels of investment not just from Bitcoin supporters, but from global investors who do not yet fully understand the asset. He argued that this shift aligns with evolving attitudes in the United States, where he said he has seen near-unanimous support among top government officials for Bitcoin’s role as a strategic asset. Saylor claimed to have spoken with senior U.S. officials, including the Vice President, Treasury Secretary, SEC leadership, and Commerce Secretary, all of whom he said now recognize Bitcoin’s long-term significance.

Saylor added that major U.S. banks—previously hesitant to engage with Bitcoin—are now moving rapidly to offer credit products backed by BTC or Bitcoin-linked instruments. He said institutions such as JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citi, Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo, and BNY Mellon have approached him within the past six months.

MicroStrategy, which holds more than 660,000 BTC, has begun issuing its own bitcoin-backed credit products, including perpetual preferred shares and short-term notes that provide monthly dividends. Saylor believes these innovations mark the beginning of a new digital financial architecture, stating that “digital capital creates digital credit, and digital credit creates digital money,” which he described as Bitcoin’s ultimate “killer app.”