Crypto leaders join Abu Dhabi events hoping to attract investments from the UAE’s $330 billion sovereign wealth funds.
Representatives from leading crypto companies gathered in Abu Dhabi seeking capital from wealthy Middle‑Eastern investors and the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund. Figures such as Michael Saylor, the head of Strategy, and Metaplanet’s chief promoted aggressive bitcoin‑buying programs despite recent stock declines. Other suitors included Dominari Holdings, linked to the Trump family, and Hanwha’s crypto division aiming to make Abu Dhabi a regional hub. The Emirates are signaling strong demand: Binance obtained full regulatory approval to operate its global platform from Abu Dhabi, and a government‑backed fund bought a $2 billion stake in the exchange. Mubadala, the sovereign fund, has tripled its bitcoin exposure to over $500 million and added a $567 million Bitcoin ETF holding. Abu Dhabi also offers startups incentives such as seed funding, office space, and tax benefits. Attendees split into two camps. Saylor’s loyal supporters followed him at the Bitcoin MENA conference, while Changpeng Zhao of Binance sported orange “Trump. Crypto President” sneakers at the same event. A parallel Finance Week attracted Coinbase, Circle, Ray Dalio, Steve Schwarzman and major banks, highlighting the blend of crypto innovators and traditional finance. Local intermediaries stressed that sovereign funds rarely hand out cash without years of relationship‑building and tangible projects. RockawayX, now owned by an Abu Dhabi‑backed firm, requires “skin in the game” and long‑term commitment from crypto startups. The overall message was that the UAE may become a digital‑finance hub, but investors expect substantive, sustained involvement.