Cryptocurrency dominates the MENA region: Al Abraaj implements a treasury approach in Bitcoin
In a significant shift for the corporate world, Al Abraaj Restaurants Group, a publicly-traded company based in Bahrain, has become the first company in the MENA region to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury asset. This decision was inspired by the investment strategy of Michael Saylor and his company MicroStrategy, as indicated on social media.
Al Abraaj has partnered with 10X Capital, a New York-based investment firm, to raise additional capital and increase Bitcoin holdings per share. The company has acquired 5 BTC for its corporate balance sheet, with plans to expand its current holdings in the future. This move could encourage other companies in the MENA region to consider cryptocurrencies, fostering growth in the crypto ecosystem in the area.
The growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin is a clear reflection of the maturation of the crypto market. Notable companies like Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), MARA Holdings, XXI, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), and Méliuz have all embraced Bitcoin as a treasury asset.
Strategy remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder with over 600,000 BTC, having evolved its business focus around Bitcoin treasury holdings. MARA Holdings, a Bitcoin mining and investment company, holds around 50,000 BTC, while XXI, another large miner and investor, owns approximately 43,514 BTC. TMTG has committed $2 billion in liquid holdings to Bitcoin and related securities, and Méliuz now holds a total of 320.2 BTC.
These companies demonstrate a growing trend among diverse firms—from miners to media groups—adopting Bitcoin for treasury management. They often cite inflation hedging, long-term value appreciation, and diversification as key reasons for their decision.
Bitcoin's scarcity, resistance to censorship, and potential to act as a hedge against inflation and economic instability are contributing to its increasing perception as a long-term store of value, superior to existing assets like gold. The launch of the Bitcoin investment fund by the National Bank of Bahrain is another sign of the growing interest in Bitcoin in the MENA region.
The Bitcoin ecosystem is welcoming another institutional investor, Méliuz, which believes in Bitcoin's potential as a store of value. The growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin is facilitating its adoption by the general public.
Al Abraaj views Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset and a potential store of value. This initiative aims to benefit investors and reflects Al Abraaj's commitment to innovation. The increasing acceptance by institutional investors and financial institutions is a testament to the legitimacy and potential of Bitcoin.
Sources:
[1] CoinDesk. (2025, August). Over 100 Institutions Hold 1.47 Million BTC Worth $165 Billion. [online] Available at: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/14/over-100-institutions-hold-1-47-million-btc-worth-165-billion/
[2] Business Insider. (2025, August). Top Companies Adopting Bitcoin as a Treasury Asset. [online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-adopting-bitcoin-as-a-treasury-asset/
[3] CoinTelegraph. (2025, August). MARA Holdings Acquires 50,000 BTC for Treasury. [online] Available at: https://cointelegraph.com/news/mara-holdings-acquires-50-000-btc-for-treasury
[4] Forbes. (2025, August). MicroStrategy's Evolution into a Bitcoin Treasury Company. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbrett/2025/08/14/microstrategys-evolution-into-a-bitcoin-treasury-company/?sh=623c71c964a6
[5] Reuters. (2025, August). Bitcoin's Institutional Adoption Fuels Growth in the MENA Region. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/bitcoins-institutional-adoption-fuels-growth-mena-region-2025-08-14/
- The decision by Al Abraaj Restaurants Group to hold Bitcoin as a treasury asset may encourage other businesses in the MENA region to consider cryptocurrencies, signifying potential growth in the crypto ecosystem.
- As Bitcoin's institutional adoption increases, companies like Strategy, MARA Holdings, XXI, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), and Méliuz are leading the trend, diversifying their businesses and demonstrating Bitcoin's potential as a treasury asset.
- In the corporate world, the increasing acceptance of Bitcoin by financial institutions and investors, such as 10X Capital and Méliuz, is a testament to its legitimacy and potential as a strategic reserve asset and long-term store of value.
