Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company has raised its Bitcoin holdings to $566 million as of March 31, 2026 — a 16% increase from the previous quarter. This makes Abu Dhabi one of the largest government Bitcoin holders in the world. But what does this mean for everyday UAE residents? Azad Money — Abu Dhabi’s Bitcoin education platform — explains it in simple terms.
What is Mubadala?
Mubadala Investment Company is Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund — a government-owned investment company that manages over $330 billion in assets globally on behalf of the UAE government. It invests in everything from technology companies to real estate to energy. Mubadala is one of the most respected and influential investment funds in the world.
What Has Mubadala Done With Bitcoin?
Mubadala has been buying Bitcoin consistently every single quarter since Q4 2024 without stopping. Here is the exact timeline:
Q4 2024 — Mubadala first disclosed Bitcoin exposure worth $436 million. Q1 2025 — increased to $408.5 million in shares. Q4 2025 — surged to $630.6 million — a 46% jump in a single quarter. Q1 2026 — raised again by 16% to $565.6 million, owning 14.7 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust.
Additionally Al Warda Investments — another Abu Dhabi government entity under the Mubadala umbrella — holds a separate $408 million Bitcoin position. Combined Abu Dhabi sovereign Bitcoin holdings exceeded $1 billion as of the end of 2025.
Why is Mubadala Buying Bitcoin?
Abu Dhabi’s Investment Council has described its Bitcoin allocation as a long term diversification strategy — comparing Bitcoin to gold and expecting both to play structural roles in its portfolio as the global economy becomes increasingly digital. In simple terms — the Abu Dhabi government believes Bitcoin will be worth significantly more in the future and is buying it consistently before that happens.
What Does This Mean for UAE Residents?
When the Abu Dhabi government is consistently buying Bitcoin every quarter, it sends a clear signal. Bitcoin is not a fringe asset. It is not a scam. It is a serious, globally recognised store of value being held by one of the most sophisticated investment funds in the world right here in your city.
For UAE residents this means three things. First — Bitcoin is fully legal and welcomed in Abu Dhabi. Second — the same asset your government is buying at $566 million is available to you starting from as little as AED 100. Third — zero capital gains tax on Bitcoin profits applies to you as a UAE resident — the same as it does for Mubadala.
How Can UAE Residents Start Buying Bitcoin?
Starting with Bitcoin in the UAE is straightforward. You need a valid Emirates ID, a UAE bank account, and an account on a regulated exchange licensed by ADGM or VARA. After buying, always transfer your Bitcoin to a personal wallet — never leave it on an exchange. Azad Money teaches UAE residents exactly how to do this safely in our one-on-one coaching sessions in Abu Dhabi.
Learn Bitcoin in Abu Dhabi with Azad Money
Azad Money is Abu Dhabi’s only Bitcoin-focused education platform. We help UAE residents understand Bitcoin from the ground up — in English, Hindi and Urdu. Whether you are inspired by Mubadala’s confidence in Bitcoin or simply want to learn what all the excitement is about, we are here to guide you.
Enroll in our Bitcoin Essentials course for only $10. Every course includes a free one-on-one coaching session with Azad Money.
Or message us directly on WhatsApp: Chat with Azad Money