Bahrain-based Al Abraaj Eating places Group has made historical past by turning into the primary publicly-traded firm within the Center East so as to add bitcoin to its company treasury. It is a main step ahead for regional bitcoin adoption.
On Could 15, 2025, Al Abraaj Eating places Group, a well known restaurant chain listed on the Bahrain Bourse, introduced it had purchased 5 bitcoin (BTC) as a part of a brand new treasury technique. This makes the corporate the primary in Bahrain, the GCC and the Center East to formally maintain bitcoin as a reserve asset.
It is a rising pattern globally the place firms are treating bitcoin not simply as an funding however as a long-term retailer of worth. Main firms like Technique, Tesla and Metaplanet have already completed this — and now Al Abraaj is following go well with.
Metaplanet lately added 1,241 BTC to its treasury, boosting the corporate’s holdings above El Salvador’s.
Associated: Metaplanet Overtakes El Salvador in Bitcoin Holdings After $126M Purchase
“Our initiative in direction of turning into a Bitcoin Treasury Firm displays our forward-thinking strategy and dedication to maximizing shareholder worth,” mentioned Abdulla Isa, Chairman of the Bitcoin Treasury Committee at Al Abraaj.
Al Abraaj’s transfer is basically impressed by Michael Saylor, Government Chairman of Technique, the world’s largest company holder of bitcoin. Saylor’s technique of allocating billions to bitcoin has set a mannequin that different firms — now together with Al Abraaj — are following.
A photograph shared by the corporate even confirmed a gathering between an Al Abraaj consultant and Saylor, with the corporate calling itself the “MicroStrategy of the Center East”.
“We consider that Bitcoin will play a pivotal function in the way forward for finance, and we’re excited to be on the forefront of this transformation within the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Isa added.
To help its bitcoin initiative, Al Abraaj has partnered with 10X Capital, a New York-based funding agency that focuses on digital property.
10X Capital has a powerful monitor file in bitcoin treasury methods, and lately suggested Nakamoto Holdings on a $710 million deal — the biggest of its form.
With 10X’s assist, Al Abraaj seems to lift extra capital and enhance its bitcoin holdings over time to maximise bitcoin-per-share for its traders. The corporate may even develop Sharia-compliant monetary devices so Islamic traders can get publicity to bitcoin in a halal way.
“Bahrain continues to be a frontrunner within the Center East in Bitcoin adoption,” mentioned Hans Thomas, CEO of 10X Capital. He famous, with a mixed GDP of $2.2 trillion and over $6 trillion in sovereign wealth, the GCC now has its first publicly listed bitcoin treasury firm.
This isn’t only a first for Al Abraaj — it’s a primary for the area. Bahrain has been positioning itself as a fintech hub and Al Abraaj’s transfer will encourage extra non-fintech firms within the area to look into bitcoin.
The corporate mentioned the choice was made after thorough due diligence and is consistent with the rules set by the Central Financial institution of Bahrain (CBB). Al Abraaj will probably be absolutely compliant with all digital asset transaction guidelines, together with transparency, safety and governance.
A particular Bitcoin Committee has been shaped to supervise the treasury technique. It contains skilled bitcoin traders, monetary consultants and portfolio managers who will handle threat, monitor market situations and guarantee finest practices in custody and disclosure.
The preliminary buy was 5 BTC, however Al Abraaj sees this as only the start. The corporate said that there are plans in movement to allocate a good portion of their treasury into bitcoin over time.
In accordance with the corporate’s studies, Al Abraaj is financially sound with $12.5 million in EBITDA in 2024. This robust monetary basis offers the corporate the arrogance to discover new methods like bitcoin funding.
