UAE embraces Bitcoin, IBIT attracts $1B: A global BTC shift unfolding?

• Bitcoin surpasses $100K, attracting record ETF inflows and institutional investor confidence.
• Sovereign wealth funds, especially in the UAE, are increasingly adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

Bitcoin [BTC] has officially entered six-figure territory, now trading at $103,558.88 after posting a 0.33% daily gain and a 7.91% increase over the past week, according to CoinMarketCap.

This milestone marks more than just a psychological victory, it signals mounting institutional and sovereign interest in the asset.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin adoption

Notably, BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, continued to draw significant capital, recording $356.2 million in inflows on the 9th of May, per Farside Investors.

The fund has now notched 19 straight days of inflows, its longest streak this year, reflecting growing confidence among large-scale investors as Bitcoin’s bullish momentum builds.

Interestingly, BlackRock’s IBIT has been on an impressive 19-day inflow streak since the 14th of April, attracting over $1.03 billion in just the past trading week. 

This surge in institutional interest has coincided with a volatile yet upward-trending Bitcoin market, where the asset fluctuated between $83,152 and $103,000.

A notable turning point occurred on the 23rd of April, when Bitcoin reclaimed the $90,000 level, eventually breaking past $100,000 on the 8th of May for the first time since the 1st of February.

The current inflow streak has already doubled IBIT’s previous 2025 record, a nine-day run around President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, signaling stronger, more sustained conviction among institutional players.

Adding to this momentum, sovereign interest is also intensifying, with global entities increasingly exploring Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic asset.

Nations are also flocking to Bitcoin

Additionally, Neoclassic Capital’s Michael Bucella recently underscored this evolving dynamic, highlighting Bitcoin’s resilience and growing relevance in broader macro discussions.

In a recent conversation with CNBC, Bucella noted, 

“The UAE, alongside many other nations, are buying Bitcoin as a reserve asset.”

This highlights how Bitcoin’s adoption narrative has gained remarkable momentum since Trump’s election victory.

With the asset now holding steady above the $100K mark, its mainstream integration feels more tangible than ever.

Echoing similar sentiments, Rifad Mahasneh, CEO of OKX MENA, also emphasized how sovereign wealth funds, particularly in regions like the UAE, are accelerating their engagement with digital assets.

He said, 

 I think the Middle East region obviously is home to many of the world’s leading sovereign funds. Most have been looking at how could they enter this space in the most regulated and risk-controlled manner. I think when they’re evaluating entry into the crypto space, each sovereign fund has its own policies and risk controls that they need to monitor.”

Therefore, as ETFs see historic inflows and nations explore strategic adoption, it’s clear that Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset; it’s becoming a core pillar in global financial conversations.