Abu Dhabi Triples Bitcoin ETF Stake Before Crypto Market Crash

Abu Dhabi Investment Council tripled its BlackRock Bitcoin ETF stake to nearly 8 million shares worth $518 million in Q3 2025, signaling strong institutional confidence in Bitcoin despite a subsequent market downturn.

Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) tripled its stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF during the third quarter of 2025, increasing its holdings from 2.4 million to nearly 8 million shares, valued at approximately $518 million as of September 30. This move, made just before a sharp downturn in the cryptocurrency market, reflects ADIC’s conviction in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, likening it to gold. Despite Bitcoin’s subsequent 20% price drop and significant outflows from US Bitcoin ETFs, ADIC’s strategy remains focused on diversification and the digitalization of its portfolio. The investment aligns with a broader trend of institutional adoption of Bitcoin ETFs, with other major institutions also increasing their positions. Abu Dhabi’s aggressive allocation underscores growing risk tolerance among sovereign wealth funds and may influence similar moves by other large investors, reinforcing the city’s ambition to become a global crypto finance hub.