Key Highlights:
- The United Arab Emirates has mined almost 6,500 BTC worth $450 million, as reported by Arkham Intelligence.
- The UAE is following a long-term holding strategy for Bitcoin.
- This mining has been possible from cheap energy, strong infrastructure and government backing.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has quietly become a big player in crypto. It owns about $454 million worth of Bitcoin, which it got by mining and not by seizing them like some countries do, as reported by Arkham Intelligence, a platform that tracks crypto transactions, today, February 19, 2026, on social media platform X.
The United Arab Emirates worked with a partner called Citadel to carry out the mining process. As of now, UAE’s BTC is worth around $453.6 million and after covering the electricity and setup costs, the UAE is sitting on an estimated profit of about $344 million (not cashed out yet).
So basically, instead of buying BTC later, the UAE mined it for cheap, and now it is worth much more. This indicates that the country is thinking long-term and actively investing in future tech like blockchain.
UAE and its Bitcoin Mining Power
UAE has built an amazingly strong crypto mining system with, as mentioned above, Citadel Mining, which is mostly owned by a government-backed firm. Data from Arkham Intelligence also show that UAE has not moved much of its BTC for about four months now. This move indicates that the country believes in the long-term potential of BTC.
Citadel has a huge mining facility in Abu Dhabi, which was built in 2022 with Phoenix Group, and it has already mined thousands of Bitcoins.
UAE Boosts Bitcoin Bets and Global Crypto Dominance
In recent developments, within the UAE, Mubadala Investment Company has also increased its exposure to Bitcoin and has raised its spot ETF investments by 45% to around $630 million.
With institutional adoption and mining Bitcoin, the UAE is also building infrastructure and attracting global players. With all of these efforts, it is also positioning itself as a leading destination for digital assets and blockchain innovation worldwide.
UAE’s Rising Influence Connects Crypto, Politics and Tech
At the same time, the UAE’s growing influence is intersecting with global politics and business. US Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager posted on social media platform X today and stated that an Emirati royal has acquired a major stake in a crypto venture that is linked to Donald Trump, followed by approval of AI chip sales to the UAE despite concerns.
If one looks at it from the UAE point of view, then it simply reflects its expanding global reach, where investments, advanced tech and crypto are becoming increasingly connected, strengthening its role as a key player in the digital economy.
Also Read: Praetorian CEO Gets 20-Year Jail in $200 Million Bitcoin Fraud
