Mubadala’s IBIT holdings rose to 8.7 million shares worth $408.5 million.
U.S. Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.75 billion in inflows in early May 2025.
UAE and U.S. officials met in March to discuss crypto and AI strategies.
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, has significantly increased its holdings in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). The move follows rising institutional interest in U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds during 2025. According to a U.S. SEC 13F filing dated March 31, Mubadala now holds 8,726,972 IBIT shares. This marks an increase from 8,235,533 shares reported at the end of 2024. At current values, the stake is worth approximately $408.5 million.
ETF Inflows Surge Amid Mubadala’s Strategic Allocation
Mubadala’s position coincides with large inflows into U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs. During the first two weeks of May, total inflows surpassed $1.75 billion. On May 2, ETF products drew $674.9 million in net inflows. This was followed by $425.45 million on May 5 and $334.58 million on May 9. IBIT alone received $232.46 million on May 15, sustaining strong institutional demand with more acquisitions expected, as noted by Vivek.
https://twitter.com/Vivek4real_/status/1923097812088013231
These data points show increased activity in Bitcoin-related financial instruments across regulated U.S. platforms. Several global funds have been reallocating capital into digital assets through ETFs in 2025. Mubadala’s expanded holdings came shortly after high-level meetings between UAE and U.S. representatives.
On March 20, David Sacks, a U.S. advisor on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, visited Abu Dhabi. The agenda included discussions on cross-border cooperation involving digital currencies and AI integration. Emirati officials participated in the meeting to advance joint strategies in emerging technologies.
https://twitter.com/hhtbzayed/status/1902852288244256802
Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan publicly confirmed the meeting took place. His statement listed digital asset regulation, AI policy, and future digital infrastructure as core topics. Both sides discussed frameworks to support technology-driven growth across regions.
UAE Continues Engagement In Bitcoin Initiatives
Besides policy talks, the UAE continues to host major Bitcoin events. Abu Dhabi held the Bitcoin MENA Conference earlier this year, drawing global participation. Speakers included Eric Trump, who addressed digital asset adoption during the forum. He gave multiple examples of institutional entities adopting Bitcoin in their financial services.
Eric Trump described Bitcoin as a decentralized form of value transfer. He said banks and governments now recognize the expanding influence of digital assets. He also stated that Bitcoin operates without central control and serves as a mechanism for peer-to-peer exchange.
During the same speech, he projected long-term potential for Bitcoin’s market value. He said Bitcoin could eventually reach $1 million. The event reflected broader institutional interest in cryptocurrency developments across the MENA region. Mubadala’s latest move aligns with growing capital flows into Bitcoin-related assets during the year. The timing follows ongoing conversations between nations over digital policy development.
