The post Abu Dhabi Reveals $436.9 Million Investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
In a recent update, Abu Dhabi on Friday, revealed a massive $436.9 million stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) as of December 31, 2024. The investment was made through Mubadala Investments, one of the country’s sovereign wealth funds, according to a 13F filing with the SEC. The company makes investments on behalf of Abu Dhabi’s government, which serves as capital city of the United Arab Emirates.
Bitcoin Reacts To The News
In reaction, Bitcoin’s price jumped about 1%, reaching $97,700, following the news. Notably, the purchase follows BlackRock securing a commercial license to operate in Abu Dhabi last November. BlackRock manages the largest spot bitcoin ETF, with nearly $56 billion in assets. Notably, the investment represents one of the first known allocations to crypto assets by a major sovereign wealth fund.
While this may be one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest crypto investments, but it’s not the city’s first move into digital assets. In 2023, Abu Dhabi also invested in bitcoin mining, with Marathon Digital and Zero Two announcing plans for a major mining complex in the city. Besides, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has implied that other Abu Dhabi-based SWFs could follow suit.
Abu Dhabi’s Purchase To Benefit US?
Bitcoin advocate Anthony Pompliano believes that Abu Dhabi’s purchase will benefit the U.S. strategic reserve initiative. “Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund just revealed they are buying hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin and people still think the United States won’t buy bitcoin. The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is happening,” Anthony Pompliano noted on social media.
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund just revealed they are buying hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin and people still think the United States won’t buy bitcoin.
The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is happening.
Just a matter of time.
— Anthony Pompliano
(@APompliano) February 14, 2025
Furthermore Pompliano pointed out that the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund is now investing in Bitcoin, highlighting that there are only 21 million Bitcoins available. “I wonder what happens now that nation states are here,” he shared.
This move aligns with the wider trend of increased crypto adoption in the Middle East, where governments and financial institutions are showing greater interest in blockchain and digital assets.
Wisconsin Increases Its Stake In IBIT
Besides, The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) has increased its stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) by adding over 3 million shares, bringing its total to 6 million shares worth more than $321 million as of December 31, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. Notaby, the Wisconsin board has diversified its crypto-related investments beyond IBIT, with stakes in Coinbase, MARA Holdings, Robinhood, and Block Inc.
