Abu Dhabi Government Funds Buy $1B in Bitcoin
By Daniel Francis
Edited by Fatima
Updated
3 mins read
Abu Dhabi government-linked investment funds have reportedly acquired over $1 billion in Bitcoin exposure through United States spot ETFs, marking a significant entry of sovereign capital into the digital asset market.
The disclosure, revealed in recent 13F filings for the period ending December 31, 2025, signals that state-backed entities are utilizing market corrections to build long-term positions in cryptocurrency.
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, has acquired $437 million worth of Bitcoin!
Mubadala manages over $300 billion in assets. pic.twitter.com/6VMHIV08JZ
— Mardeni (d/acc) 🌊 (@Mardeni01) March 17, 2025
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The entry of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign-linked capital represents a notable evolution in institutional Bitcoin adoption, moving beyond private asset managers to state-level treasury strategies. While data from late 2025 showed Bitcoin price drops and ETF outflows weakening institutional interest in the short term, these sovereign funds appear to have utilized the drawdown to accumulate assets. This contrarian approach suggests a view of Bitcoin as a diversification tool similar to gold, rather than a purely speculative vehicle.
This influx of “oil money” defies the broader market slump, echoing moves by major trading firms. For instance, recent filings revealed that Jane Street boosted its Bitcoin exposure in its own significant bet on the asset class, holding over $790 million in ETF shares.
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The filings detail specific allocations across two primary entities. Mubadala Investment Company, with over $300 billion in assets under management, reported holding approximately 12.7 million shares of the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), valued at roughly $630.7 million. Concurrently, Al Warda Investments disclosed a position of 8.2 million shares, valued near $408.1 million. Combined, these holdings represent a stake exceeding $1 billion, positioning these funds among the largest holders of Bitcoin ETFs globally.
These positions were built aggressively during the fourth quarter of 2025, a period where BTC $66 396 24h volatility: 1.1% Market cap: $1.33 T Vol. 24h: $36.80 B prices faced significant downward pressure. This magnitude of buying power is rarely seen outside of the largest private whales or corporate treasuries. For comparison, the purchase size dwarfs many private sector announcements, such as reports that Tron founder Justin Sun eyes a $100 million Bitcoin purchase.
🇦🇪 ABU DHABI'S SOVERIGN WEALTH FUND BOUGHT $436M OF BITCOIN ETFS IN Q1. pic.twitter.com/fc300nAQA7
— Dear Bitcoiner ⚡️ (@DearBitcoiner) February 14, 2025
The strategic change also reinforces the United Arab Emirates’ status as a jurisdiction favorable to digital asset innovation. This comes at a time when other regions face regulatory friction; recently, US lawmakers launched a probe into a $500 million deal involving World Liberty Financial, highlighting the complex regulatory landscape institutional investors must navigate.
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The allocation of state-backed capital into Bitcoin ETFs introduces a new dynamic to the supply-demand equation. Unlike retail traders or short-term hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds typically operate with multi-decade time horizons. This suggests that a significant portion of the Bitcoin supply acquired by Abu Dhabi funds effectively leaves the liquid market, potentially tightening supply.
Furthermore, this move may catalyze a competitive response among other sovereign wealth funds seeking to hedge against fiat currency debasement or diversify away from traditional energy markets. As Bitcoin hovers near critical support levels in the mid-$60,000 range, the presence of sovereign buyers provides a floor of high-conviction capital that differs fundamentally from speculative retail flows.
Bitcoin Price Analysis Source: TradingView
While the market continues to grapple with immediate resistance near $70,000, the underlying structure is being reinforced by these large-scale acquisitions. The sustained accumulation by sovereign entities supports the narrative of Bitcoin transitioning into a recognized global reserve asset. Investors will now look to the upcoming 13F filings in May to see if this trend of state-level accumulation persisted through the first quarter of 2026.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Daniel Frances is a technical writer and Web3 educator specializing in macroeconomics and DeFi mechanics. A crypto native since 2017, Daniel leverages his background in on-chain analytics to author evidence-based reports and deep-dive guides. He holds certifications from The Blockchain Council, and is dedicated to providing "information gain" that cuts through market hype to find real-world blockchain utility.
