Billion-Dollar “Oil Money” Flows Into Bitcoin: Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Funds Defy Market Slump
Thursday, February 19, 2026 - In a major move for global finance, leading investors from the Middle East have committed...
Quick overview
- Leading investors from the Middle East have committed over a billion dollars to digital assets, marking a significant shift in global finance.
- Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds, including Mubadala and Al Warda, have heavily invested in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, signaling Bitcoin's role in national reserve strategies.
- Despite recent volatility in Bitcoin prices, institutional investors are adopting a long-term outlook, viewing their investments as hedges against traditional currency declines.
- Global interest in Bitcoin is rising, with major institutions like Goldman Sachs and Intesa Sanpaolo also increasing their crypto exposure.
Thursday, February 19, 2026 – In a major move for global finance, leading investors from the Middle East have committed over a billion dollars to digital assets. While many individual investors worry about price swings, Abu Dhabi’s top sovereign wealth funds are increasing their investments.
Recent SEC 13F filings show that Abu Dhabi’s sovereign funds held more than $1 billion in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs by the end of 2025. This step marks Bitcoin’s shift from a speculative investment to a key part of national reserve strategies.
The $1.04 Billion Power Play: Mubadala & Al Warda Break Records
This institutional investment is significant. Regulatory disclosures show that two main funds invested heavily in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT):
- Mubadala Investment Company: Reported holding 12,702,323 shares, valued at approximately $630.7 million. This represents a massive 46% increase from their previous quarterly report.
- Al Warda Investments: A subsidiary under the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), reported 8,218,712 shares, worth $408.1 million.
Together, these funds held nearly 21 million shares at the end of 2025. Although the value has changed in early 2026 as Bitcoin dropped to around $67,000, it is clear that Gulf investors are now active participants in the crypto market.
ETF Volatility vs. Sovereign Conviction
These disclosures come during a period of renewed volatility for U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. According to SoSoValue, the market recently saw $104.87 million in daily net outflows.
However, analysts see these outflows as short-term effects caused by hedge funds and retail investors selling. Sovereign wealth funds, on the other hand, invest with a 10- to 20-year outlook. For Mubadala, which manages over $330 billion, a $600 million Bitcoin position is not a short-term trade but a hedge against the decline of traditional currency reserves.
A Global “Me-Too” Effect: From Italy to Texas
Abu Dhabi is not the only major institution making significant moves. Large-scale Bitcoin accumulation is happening worldwide:
- Intesa Sanpaolo: Italy’s banking powerhouse disclosed nearly $100 million in Bitcoin ETF holdings, primarily managed for high-net-worth clients.
- Goldman Sachs: Recently revealed a staggering $2.36 billion in total crypto exposure, a complete reversal from its skeptical stance just a few years ago.
- The Texas Factor: Texas recently became the first U.S. state to buy Bitcoin for its Strategic Reserve, showing that government adoption is spreading from the East to the West.
| Institution | Asset/ETF | Holding Value (Approx) |
| Mubadala | BlackRock IBIT | $630.7 Million |
| Goldman Sachs | Various ETFs | $1.1 Billion (IBIT position) |
| Al Warda | BlackRock IBIT | $408.1 Million |
| Intesa Sanpaolo | ARK/BlackRock | $96 Million |
Bitcoin Technical Outlook: Where Does Bitcoin Go Next?
Even with strong institutional support for Bitcoin, its price is still affected by broader economic changes. Bitcoin is now testing support around $67,753 after falling 23% from its October 2025 high of $126,000.
For experienced investors, this is a typical reaccumulation phase. For newcomers, it is a reminder to be patient. The involvement of large funds like those in Abu Dhabi helps create a level of liquidity that has historically prevented severe downturns in the crypto market.
The Bottom Line: Follow the Oil Money
The idea that Bitcoin is too volatile for large investors has been disproven by SEC filings. As sovereign states invest billions in regulated Bitcoin funds, the question is no longer if Bitcoin will last, but when it will grow again.
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