The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) almost tripled its Bitcoin exposure in Q3 2025 through BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, signaling growing institutional interest in crypto.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Council significantly increased its Bitcoin exposure. This occurred during the third quarter. They have almost tripled their holdings through BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin fund.
ADIC: Bitcoin as “Digital Gold” Amidst Institutional Momentum
This was interpreted as a very direct signal by several market participants. Institutional interest in crypto is still gathering. This trend is significant for the whole United Arab Emirates.
ADIC, an investment arm of Mubadala Investment Company, on Wednesday told Bloomberg its take on Bitcoin. They view Bitcoin as the digital version of gold. This is a confirmation of what cryptocurrency believers have long held.
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The investment portfolio of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council more than tripled its holdings in a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. This took place in the third quarter. This came just before the bull market in cryptocurrencies was replaced with a brutal selloff.
The firm, an independent-run unit of sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co., increased its holding. This was in BlackRock Inc. iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). Their shares have increased and now exceed 7,980,000 as of September 30. This is according to a regulatory filing.
The position, which was revealed by a subsidiary of ADIC, was valued at roughly $518 million at the time. They had 2.4 million shares three months ago. This indicates a fast rise in allocation.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), which is an arm of the Mubadala Investment Co. sovereign wealth fund, tripled its exposure to Bitcoin. This was done by increasing its stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). The fund’s fund holdings of IBIT rose to almost 8 million stocks by September 30, 2025. This was up from 2.4 million shares 3 months earlier.
Strategic Allocation and Abu Dhabi’s Crypto Hub Ambitions
As of September 30, 2025, the holding is worth around $518 million. Since that time, however, both Bitcoin and the IBIT ETF saw a large drop in value. IBIT was down about 23% from end of Q3.
ADIC improved its standing in the third quarter of 2025. This came just before a market sell-off. This sent Bitcoin and the IBIT ETF much lower.
Other institutional investors have made similar moves. ADIC’s action follows one by JPMorgan Chase and another by Harvard University. This signals a broader trend. It suggests rising institutional interest to expose to cryptocurrencies.
ADIC increased allocation is notable. This is given Abu Dhabi’s financial reach. It also speaks of its growing ambition. The emirate hopes to position itself as a crypto hub of the world. The money of the emirate’s wealth funds amounts to more than $1.7 trillion. Mubadala has already been a large player. This is in the expansion of digital assets in the region.
Inside ADIC, the drive into Bitcoin is consistent with a bigger pivot. This shifts to one of global expansion. The council, which was initially established in 2007, was then folded under the structure of Mubadala. It continues to operate with its own mandate and investment strategy. This long-term commitment to digital assets helps reinforce Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision.