Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company significantly expanded its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The 13F disclosure shows Mubadala held approximately 12.7 million shares of IBIT as of December 31, valued at roughly $630.6 million. This represents a 46 per cent increase from the 8.7 million shares reported at the end of the third quarter.
Broader Abu Dhabi Participation
Mubadala was not the only Abu Dhabi-based investor listed in the quarterly filing. Al Warda Investments RSC also reported a significant stake in the same Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, disclosing ownership of approximately 8.2 million shares valued at around $408 million.
Combined, the two Abu Dhabi entities reported holdings exceeding $1.3 billion in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, reinforcing the emirate’s growing exposure to regulated digital asset investment vehicles.
Strategic Timing
The increased exposure came during a volatile period for crypto markets in late 2025, when leveraged positions across digital asset exchanges were liquidated amid sharp price swings. Despite market turbulence, institutional inflows into regulated Bitcoin ETFs continued, reflecting a shift toward structured crypto investment frameworks.
The move aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy of measured participation in digital assets through institutional channels rather than direct speculative exposure.
Abu Dhabi’s Expanding Digital Asset Strategy
The investment builds on the emirate’s wider involvement in blockchain and digital asset ecosystems. In 2024, MGX an investment vehicle backed by G42 and Mubadala announced a $2 billion transaction involving Binance, positioning Abu Dhabi-linked capital within the global digital asset infrastructure landscape.
MGX was established to focus on advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital assets, and represents part of the UAE’s long-term technology investment diversification strategy.
The latest SEC filing highlights how sovereign and institutional investors in the UAE are engaging with regulated crypto products listed in major financial markets, reflecting a maturing approach to digital asset allocation.
Daniel Carter covers UAE startups, venture capital, and AI innovation, delivering strategic, investigative reporting on emerging technology ecosystems.
