Bitcoin News Today: Abu Dhabi's $2B Play: Building a Global Finance Powerhouse

Abu Dhabi’s Lunate, an alternative investment manager with $110 billion in assets under management, has entered a strategic partnership with global hedge fund Brevan Howard, which oversees $34 billion in assets. As part of the agreement, Lunate has committed $2 billion to establish a new investment platform in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial free zone. The platform will feature a unique suite of funds leveraging Brevan Howard’s macro and digital asset strategies. The partnership also includes Lunate acquiring a minority stake in Brevan Howard, marking its expansion into the hedge fund sector and broadening its portfolio offerings in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and beyond [1].

Brevan Howard established its regional headquarters in ADGM in early 2023, and the office has since grown to become its largest globally by assets under management, with approximately $10 billion now managed from Abu Dhabi. This strategic shift underscores the firm’s growing presence in the Middle East. The partnership with Lunate aligns with both firms’ long-term capital strategies, with Lunate looking to diversify its investment solutions and Brevan Howard aiming to strengthen its foothold in the region [2].

The deal is a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s broader ambitions to position itself as a global financial hub. Over the past few years, the emirate has attracted several high-profile financial institutions by offering access to sovereign wealth funds and a favorable regulatory environment. The ADGM’s infrastructure and progressive regulatory framework are expected to play a critical role in supporting the growth of the partnership and enabling Abu Dhabi to compete with Dubai and other international financial centers [1].

Lunate is a subsidiary of Chimera Investment LLC and has ties to Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s business empire. It has previously engaged in significant investments, including a 40% stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s oil pipeline network and a minority stake in its gas pipeline business. The firm has also invested in real estate, including the ICD Brookfield Place office tower in Dubai. These moves highlight Abu Dhabi’s growing influence in both traditional and alternative investment sectors [1].

In addition to its financial developments, Abu Dhabi has made notable strides in cryptocurrency. According to Arkham Intelligence, the UAE government holds approximately 6,300 Bitcoin, valued at around $700 million, accumulated through mining operations rather than police seizures. This positions the UAE as the sixth-largest holder of Bitcoin among sovereign nations, with the United States, China, and the United Kingdom holding significantly larger reserves [4]. The mining operations are controlled by Citadel Mining, which is majority-owned by the International Holding Company (IHC), a firm under the ownership of the UAE Royal Group [6]. This further underscores the emirate’s strategic approach to diversifying its financial and digital asset portfolios.

The partnership between Brevan Howard and Lunate and the UAE’s increasing Bitcoin holdings highlight a broader trend of the region aligning with global financial and technological advancements. As both entities continue to grow their presence in asset management and digital assets, Abu Dhabi appears poised to reinforce its status as a key player in the global financial landscape. The investment platform and the mining operations collectively signal a strategic and long-term vision for economic diversification and international appeal.

Source:

[1] Brevan's Bet on Abu Dhabi Pays Off With $2 Billion Lunate (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-26/abu-dhabi-s-lunate-to-take-stake-in-brevan-commits-2-billion)

[2] Brevan Howard and Lunate Announce Long-Term Strategic Partnership to Establish Investment Platform in Abu Dhabi (https://lunate.com/en/news-insights/announcements/brevan-howard-and-lunate-announce-long-term-strategic-partnership)

[3] Abu Dhabi's Lunate to take minority stake in Brevan Howard (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/abu-dhabis-lunate-take-minority-stake-brevan-howard-2025-08-26/)

[4] UAE reportedly holds $700M in mined Bitcoin: Arkham (https://cointelegraph.com/news/uae-ranks-sixth-in-bitcoin-holdings-with-700m-stash)

[5] UAE Amasses 6300 BTC Worth $700 Million Through Mining (https://forklog.com/en/uae-amasses-6300-btc-worth-700-million-through-mining/)

[6] UAE Government Holds $740M in Bitcoin, Arkham Reports (https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/uae-government-holds-dollar740m-in-bitcoin-arkham-reports)

[7] Brevan Howard and Lunate Announce Long-Term ... (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brevan-howard-and-lunate-announce-long-term-strategic-partnership-to-establish-investment-platform-in-abu-dhabi-302538508.html)