Abu Dhabi-based Al Warda Investments significantly increased its bitcoin holdings in the fourth quarter of 2025 via BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), continuing a strategic shift initiated earlier in the year.

By December 31, 2025, Al Warda held 8,218,712 shares of IBIT, up from 7,963,393 shares at the close of Q3.

This follows a substantial Q3 build-up that more than tripled its stake, bringing its bitcoin ETF exposure to $517.6 million.

The move reflects a deliberate effort to integrate bitcoin into its broader investment strategy, signaling a growing institutional interest in publicly listed digital assets.

Al Warda operates under the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), part of Mubadala Investment Co., a leading sovereign wealth group traditionally focused on private market investments such as buyouts, infrastructure, and real estate.

The firm’s increased allocation to a U.S.-listed bitcoin ETF marks a notable evolution in Gulf-region institutional strategy.

An ADIC spokesperson previously noted to Bloomberg that bitcoin is increasingly recognized as a long-term store of value, akin to gold, and valued for its role in portfolio diversification amid the digitalization of global financial markets.

The Q4 accumulation coincided with volatile market conditions, as bitcoin surged to nearly $126,000 in October 2025 before retreating below $90,000 in November, and currently trading near $67,000.

Other major institutions have similarly increased exposure to bitcoin via IBIT.

Goldman Sachs disclosed total crypto holdings of $2.36 billion, with $1.1 billion allocated to IBIT, while smaller stakes were held in Fidelity’s Bitcoin fund, bitcoin-related companies, and options tied to IBIT, along with broader exposure to Ethereum, XRP, and Solana.

Notably, Texas became the first U.S. state to purchase bitcoin for its Strategic Reserve, acquiring $5 million of IBIT shares at roughly $87,000 per BTC, while Harvard University rebalanced its endowment portfolio, reducing bitcoin holdings by 21% and adding $86.8 million to its iShares Ethereum Trust.

These developments collectively indicate a growing institutional embrace of bitcoin as a mainstream financial asset, both as a store of value and as a diversification tool.

From sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East to U.S. states and major endowments, the trend shows the increasing acceptance of digital assets within traditional investment portfolios, highlighting the shift toward a more digitally integrated global financial system.