Bahrain’s Al Abraaj Goes All-In on Bitcoin—First Middle Eastern Fund to Hold Crypto Reserves

In a move that’s got traditional bankers clutching their pearls, Bahrain’s Al Abraaj just became the region’s first institutional player to allocate treasury reserves to Bitcoin. No more dipping toes—this is a cannonball into the deep end of crypto.

Why it matters: When a heavyweight like Al Abraaj—backed by Bahrain’s progressive Financial Services Authority (FSA)—makes this play, it’s not just diversification. It’s a middle finger to inflationary fiat and a bet on Bitcoin as the ultimate hard asset.

The kicker? Watch how fast other Gulf funds ‘discover’ their own sudden passion for blockchain tech. Nothing moves money like FOMO—especially when oil revenues start looking stale.

Good news for the industry! In a first for Bahrain – and the entire Middle East – Al Abraaj Restaurants Group has taken a giant leap by becoming the region’s first publicly listed company to hold Bitcoin as part of its treasury reserves.

This is as clear a sign as any that bitcoin is moving from something people watch nervously to something companies are actively embracing in the Gulf. After all, when a fully regulated, publicly traded firm makes this move, it changes how everyone looks at crypto in the region.

Here are the deets. 

It’s Not a Trend: What This Means for Crypto in Bahrain

Bitcoin treasury adoption has been mostly a Western story, with companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla leading the way. 

Now, Al Abraaj is showing the Middle East wants in on the action. It’s a great move to hedge against inflation and future financial uncertainties. For a company in the food sector to do this in Bahrain, a country working hard to be a tech-friendly hub, it’s a clear signal the region’s mindset on crypto is evolving.

What Could This Mean for the Gulf?

Here’s my take: this MOVE might be the first domino to fall. It could encourage more firms in the Gulf to rethink their treasury strategies and consider digital assets seriously. This is exactly the kind of shift that could bring crypto deeper into the mainstream here.

Let’s hope the government takes note and endorses the move. That WOULD make for a great 2025, wouldn’t it? 

Joining the Global Bitcoin Treasury Club

We’ve seen big countries like U.S, China, UK build significant Bitcoin stockpiles. Firms like Metaplanet and MicroStrategy continue to accumulate. Bitcoin adoption around the globe is on the rise.

Now, Bahrain’s making it clear the Middle East is ready to play, too.