Mubadala Increases Stake in BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF
Mubadala, the sovereign wealth fund of Abu Dhabi, disclosed in a 13F filing that it held 8,726,972 shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as of March 31, 2025, valued at approximately $408.5 million. This represents an increase from 8,235,533 shares reported at the end of 2024. The move signals continued institutional appetite for regulated Bitcoin exposure through ETFs.
U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Sustained Inflows
Mubadala’s disclosure comes amid a surge of inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. In early May, total net inflows reached $674.9 million on May 2, $425.45 million on May 5, and $334.58 million on May 9, with an additional $319.12 million inflow recorded just yesterday. BlackRock’s IBIT alone captured $232.46 million of that daily inflow, reinforcing its status as the premier institutional vehicle.
UAE-U.S. Policy Engagements on Crypto
The timing of Mubadala’s increased exposure aligns with high-level discussions between U.S. crypto policy leaders and the UAE. On March 20, President Trump’s newly appointed AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks met with Emirati officials to explore the future of digital currencies and artificial intelligence. Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor to the UAE President, posted on X: 'I explored with David Sacks the transformative effects of AI, the expanding role of digital currencies, and the investment opportunities emerging at their convergence.' The UAE has seen a notable increase in Bitcoin adoption, including hosting the Bitcoin MENA Conference in Abu Dhabi, which attracted prominent figures such as Eric Trump.
Eric Trump: Bitcoin Is a Hedge and Will Reach $1 Million
At the Bitcoin MENA Conference, Eric Trump delivered an impassioned speech, calling people 'slow as hell to adapt to new technology' and predicting that banks and governments will eventually adapt. He described Bitcoin as a 'global asset' that serves as a hedge against inflation, political instability, acts of God, hurricanes, fires, floods, and tornadoes. He shared an anecdote about a friend who dismissed Bitcoin only to later see his own bank adopt it. 'Those who embrace this digital revolution early are going to be the ones who win,' Trump said. He expressed confidence that Bitcoin will hit $1 million.