The United Arab Emirates is quietly building one of the largest state-linked Bitcoin positions in the world. On-chain data from Arkham shows that wallets tied to the UAE Royal Group hold around 6,782 BTC, currently valued at roughly $450 million. Based on production costs linked to industrial-scale mining, the holdings reflect an estimated $344 million in unrealized profit.
Unlike many Western governments that gained Bitcoin through legal seizures, the UAE’s stash comes from active mining. The country has spent the past few years building large mining facilities, turning energy and infrastructure into a steady digital asset reserve. Even during recent market weakness, the mining rigs have continued to run. Data suggests the operation is still producing about 4.2 BTC per day.
The mining strategy dates back to 2022, when Citadel Mining, connected to Abu Dhabi’s royal interests through International Holding Company, developed major facilities on Al Reem Island. The expansion continued in 2023 when MARA Holdings partnered with Abu Dhabi-based Zero Two to launch a 250-megawatt immersion-cooled mining project. That deployment is among the largest disclosed mining operations in the region.
Arkham estimates in August had valued the UAE’s mined Bitcoin at close to $700 million when prices were higher. The current lower valuation reflects Bitcoin’s price pullback rather than large-scale selling. Blockchain tracking shows that notable outflows took place several months ago, with most of the mined coins still held.
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At a time when many mining firms are selling Bitcoin to cover costs, the UAE appears to be taking a different path. By holding most of what it mines, the country is building a long-term digital reserve. This approach turns surplus energy capacity into a growing strategic asset, positioning the UAE as a major sovereign player in the global Bitcoin ecosystem.