Abu Dhabi’s Al Warda Grows Bitcoin ETF Position in BlackRock’s IBIT

Abu Dhabi-based Al Warda Investments has continued to increase its holdings in Bitcoin via BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). In a filing on Tuesday, Al Warda disclosed that it held 8,218,712 shares of the trust as of Dec. 31. This is an increase in its holdings in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter.

Al Warda is under the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. The latter is an investment arm of Mubadala Investment Company. Al Warda usually does not disclose its holdings in listed digital assets. Instead, the company typically invests in private deals in various sectors like infrastructure, property, and buyouts.

The company has continued to increase its holdings in Bitcoin in the fourth quarter of 2025 after accumulating a large number of shares in the third quarter of 2025. 

BlackRock Holdings Rise Despite Volatility

In the third quarter of 2025, Al Warda more than tripled its holdings in the Bitcoin ETF while accumulating $517.6 million in the BlackRock fund.

The ADIC has expressed confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term reliable asset. The company considers it an instrument of diversification in an environment that is becoming more digital in terms of financial markets.

The allocation comes during a tumultuous quarter for the asset, which traded near $126,000 in October before plummeting to beneath $90,000 in November. 

According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin currently sits near $68,000, reinforcing the pullback experienced in the latter half of the year. Other major institutions also increased their allocations to IBIT. Last week, Goldman Sachs reported $2.36 billion in total crypto holdings. 

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The bank also reported holding $1.1 billion in IBIT shares, representing a significant shift in its stance on the asset after earlier showing apprehension toward it. 

Rising Activity in Crypto Funds and Reserves

Regulatory filings also revealed additional holdings in Fidelity’s Bitcoin fund, along with several other Bitcoin-related firms. These also included holdings in assets related to Ethereum, XRP, and Solana, as well as options on IBIT. 

Other public institutions also followed suit. For instance, in November, the state of Texas purchased $5 million in IBIT shares for its Strategic Reserve. The state of Texas made the purchase at an effective Bitcoin price of $87,000 per coin. 

The state is also developing its self-custody strategy for future allocations. Universities also followed suit. Harvard reduced its allocation to Bitcoin by 21% in Q4 2025. 

The institution bought 5.35 million shares in IBIT, valued at $265.8 million. The institution also bought $86.8 million in shares of the Ethereum trust offered by BlackRock, bringing its total crypto holdings to $352.6 million.

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