Two prominent investment firms from Abu Dhabi have significantly increased their holdings in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), reflecting a strategic move amidst a declining cryptocurrency market. Mubadala Investment Company and Al Warda Investments bolstered their investments in the fourth quarter of 2025, even as Bitcoin prices fell sharply.
Mubadala, a sovereign wealth fund supported by the Abu Dhabi government, acquired nearly four million additional shares of IBIT between October and December 2025. This brought its total holdings to approximately 12.7 million shares. This acquisition occurred during a period when Bitcoin’s value dropped by roughly 23%.
Having made initial investments in IBIT in late 2024, Mubadala’s recent purchases indicate a commitment to increasing its stake in the cryptocurrency market. Meanwhile, Al Warda Investments, which manages a diverse portfolio for government-related entities, raised its holdings from 7.96 million to 8.2 million shares during the same timeframe.
By the end of 2025, the combined value of the two firms’ holdings in Bitcoin via IBIT exceeded $1 billion. However, with Bitcoin experiencing another 23% decline in early 2026, the current estimated value of these holdings has fallen to just over $800 million, assuming no further acquisitions in 2026.
This information was disclosed in regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, highlighting a growing trend of institutional interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs, even amid challenging market conditions. BlackRock’s IBIT, which launched in early 2024, has quickly established itself as a leading option for regulated exposure to Bitcoin in the United States.
Despite the ongoing challenges faced by the cryptocurrency market in early 2026—characterized by low volatility, diminished retail engagement, and broader economic uncertainties—some long-term investors are taking advantage of the downturn to strengthen their positions in regulated products linked to digital assets.
Robert Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, addressed misconceptions regarding the role of hedge funds in driving market volatility. He noted that contrary to popular belief, the firm’s observations indicate that IBIT investors are primarily focused on long-term gains rather than short-term trading.
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company and Al Warda Investments increased their holdings in BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF despite a market downturn. Their combined investments surpassed $1 billion by the end of 2025, reflecting a growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency assets.