Bitcoin News Update: Abu Dhabi's Bitcoin Initiative: Expanding a $1.7 Trillion Wealth Portfolio Beyond Oil

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Bitcoin News Update: Abu Dhabi's Bitcoin Initiative: Expanding a $1.7 Trillion Wealth Portfolio Beyond Oil

Bitget-RWA2025/11/20 10:08

By:Bitget-RWA

- Abu Dhabi's ADIC tripled its Bitcoin exposure to $518M via BlackRock's IBIT in Q3 2025, now holding 8M shares. - Combined with Mubadala, the emirate holds $1.085B in U.S. Bitcoin ETFs, signaling long-term "digital gold" strategy. - Despite 20% Bitcoin price drop post-October peak, ADIC emphasized diversification from oil revenue in its $1.7T wealth complex. - Market volatility saw $3.1B in ETF redemptions, but institutional investors like Harvard also boosted IBIT holdings. - Analysts remain divided on B

The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), the emirate’s sovereign wealth fund, made a substantial increase in its

Bitcoin

holdings during the third quarter of 2025,

tripling its investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust

to reach 8 million shares, which were valued at about $518 million as of September 30. Regulatory filings revealed this move, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s enduring belief in Bitcoin as a “digital store of value” akin to gold, even as the cryptocurrency

dropped more than 20% from its late-October high

ADIC began building its position with an initial $436.9 million purchase of

IBIT

in February 2025, but the Q3 increase marked a significant step up. The council now ranks among the top institutional holders of U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs, especially when considered alongside Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s primary sovereign wealth fund, which kept its 8.7 million-share position. Combined, these funds control about 16.7 million shares,

equating to roughly $1.085 billion in Bitcoin ETF exposure

However, ADIC’s acquisitions came just as the market reversed sharply. Bitcoin soared to a record $126,000 on October 5, but then slid below $90,000 by late November, negatively affecting IBIT’s returns. The ETF

saw a single-day outflow of $523 million

in November—the largest since its January 2024 debut—contributing to $3.1 billion in Bitcoin ETF redemptions that month. Despite these setbacks, ADIC reaffirmed its focus on a “long-term shift away from oil-based income,”

in line with Abu Dhabi’s broader diversification plans

for its $1.7 trillion wealth portfolio.

Bitcoin News Update: Abu Dhabi's Bitcoin Initiative: Expanding a $1.7 Trillion Wealth Portfolio Beyond Oil image 0

This strategy signals rising institutional demand for regulated crypto investments. Harvard Management Co. and other major players also boosted their IBIT stakes in Q3, though recent withdrawals show a cautious outlook.

ETF expert Eric Balchunas observed

that although IBIT has attracted $25 billion in inflows so far this year, the $3.3 billion in redemptions over the past month marks “a tough period” for the industry.

Analysts remain split on Bitcoin’s short-term prospects. Some see the current price levels as a buying opportunity, while others caution that volatility may persist. The conclusion of the U.S. government shutdown has renewed optimism for new crypto ETF approvals in 2026, with

Bitwise’s Matt Hougan forecasting

more than 100 new products, including index-based ETFs.

At the same time, Abu Dhabi’s dual strategy—combining ETF investments with direct mining partnerships through Citadel and Marathon Digital—positions the emirate as a significant force in both institutional and on-chain Bitcoin adoption

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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Bitget-RWA•2025/11/21 20:32

Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Drops to $81K as Institutions Continue to Buy Despite Brief Market Turmoil

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Bitget-RWA•2025/11/21 20:32

Bitcoin Updates Today: Bitcoin ETFs Show Resilience Amid Market Downturn as Inflows Resume, While Ethereum Faces Challenges

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Bitget-RWA•2025/11/21 20:32

Bitcoin Updates Today: Bitcoin ETFs Show Resilience Amid Market Downturn as Inflows Resume, While Ethereum Faces Challenges

Bitcoin Updates: Historical Turnarounds Compared to 2022 Patterns—Analysts Confounded by Bitcoin's Death Cross

- Bitcoin's death cross formation sparks bear market debates as price drops to $90,000, below 50- and 200-day averages. - Analysts split between 2022 slump parallels and resilience claims, with $1B+ in crypto liquidations amplifying market fear. - Institutional outflows from BlackRock's IBIT and exchange-bound Bitcoin transfers signal heightened selling pressure. - Technical models suggest potential 12-month bear phase if October 2025 peak mirrors 2017/2021 cycles with 77-84% drawdowns.

Bitget-RWA•2025/11/21 20:32