Abu Dhabi Investment Council Triples Investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Despite Market Downturn

The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) sharply increased its exposure to Bitcoin in Q3 2025, tripling its holdings in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF. Regulatory filings show that ADIC boosted its position from 2.4 million shares to 8 million shares as of September 30, raising the value of its stake to nearly $518 million by the end of the quarter.

According to Bloomberg, the buying spree occurred just before a significant reversal in the crypto market, with Bitcoin falling roughly 20% since the end of September. Although IBIT posted a 6.2% gain during the third quarter, continued ETF outflows and declining crypto prices have erased those gains. The Council’s exact average purchase price is unclear, though Bloomberg places the ETF’s quarterly average at $64.52 per share.

A spokesperson for ADIC reiterated the sovereign wealth fund’s conviction in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value comparable to gold. Both assets, the spokesperson said, serve as portfolio diversifiers — and the Council plans to maintain exposure to each as part of its ongoing investment strategy.

Mubadala’s Earlier IBIT Investment Reflects Wider Abu Dhabi Strategy

Unlock Blockchain previously reported that Mubadala Investment Company, a major Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, also acquired a $437 million stake in BlackRock’s IBIT ETF earlier in 2025. These moves highlight a broader strategic shift across Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth ecosystem toward regulated digital asset exposure.

These positions reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing footprint in the global crypto investment landscape.

Institutional Interest Peaks as ETF Outflows Accelerate

Other major investors, including Harvard Management Co., also increased their IBIT positions during Q3. However, the broader sector has since faced heavy withdrawals. In November alone, U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs recorded $3.1 billion in outflows, with IBIT seeing a single-day withdrawal of $523 million.

Abu Dhabi’s Expanding Role in Global Crypto Finance

Analysts highlight ADIC’s move as significant not only for its scale but also for Abu Dhabi’s growing influence as a regional crypto finance hub. The emirate’s sovereign wealth funds — which collectively manage more than $1.7 trillion — have made multiple strategic pushes into digital assets.

This includes advancing a regulatory framework that has attracted international players such as Bybit, Circle, and Tether, each receiving approval to operate in the UAE.

ADIC’s sizable investment just before the Bitcoin market downturn has attracted scrutiny, underscoring the challenges institutions face when navigating digital asset volatility. Despite the timing, the Council maintains confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term role in global portfolios.