Dubai-based startup BitOasis has expanded its bitcoin wallet and exchange service further across the Middle East.

Attributing the expansion to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar to the growing demand for bitcoin in the Gulf region, co-founder Ola Doudin, told CoinDesk that users in those countries had requested the option to buy the digital currency on BitOasis’ platform.

Doudin, who claims the startup has close to 20,000 customers, added that future expansion plans included launches in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The company is looking to move beyond its existing business model with additional products and services aimed at merchants and other companies that can accept bitcoin.

“We’re looking to add more features to support merchants and SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] to accept and use bitcoin by partnering with existing payment processors in the region … and rolling out our new mobile apps as well,” Doudin said in an email.

The expansion comes after the wallet and exchange launched in May this year.

Kuwait skyline via Shutterstock.