Cryptocurrency Bitcoin Expands in MENA Region: Al Abraaj Implements Treasury Approach for Bitcoin Adoption
In a groundbreaking move, 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 reflects a paradigm shift in how companies perceive cryptocurrencies and could encourage other companies in the region to consider digital assets.
Al Abraaj has acquired 5 BTC for its corporate balance sheet, with plans to extend its current holdings in the future. The company's partnership with 10X Capital, a New York-based investment firm, aims to facilitate Al Abraaj's entry into the Bitcoin market and benefit investors.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, Méliuz, a publicly-traded company, has joined the ranks of institutional Bitcoin adopters. The company has acquired 274.52 bitcoins worth $28.4 million, reinforcing its commitment to the adoption of digital assets. Méliuz's decision to invest in Bitcoin was inspired by the investment strategy of Michael Saylor and his company MicroStrategy, which is the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin in the world, owning more than 568,840 BTC.
The growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin is further legitimizing the cryptocurrency and facilitating its adoption by the general public. The Bitcoin ecosystem is welcoming another institutional investor, Méliuz, besides Al Abraaj Restaurants Group.
In other parts of the world, DDC Enterprise Limited, an Asian-based company publicly listed on NYSE, has aggressively expanded its Bitcoin treasury to 588 BTC as of August 2025, aiming to reach 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025. RSXYZ Public Company Limited in Thailand has also increased its Bitcoin holdings to 50 BTC in Q3 2025, aiming to be Thailand's leading Bitcoin treasury company.
However, in the MENA and Brazilian regions, apart from Al Abraaj and Méliuz, there is no explicit public company listed holding Bitcoin treasury assets according to the current data. Notable players from the regions remain limited or unreported in these sources.
The launch of the first Bitcoin investment fund by the National Bank of Bahrain is another sign of the growing interest in Bitcoin in the MENA region and the maturity of the crypto market. This fund allows investors to access Bitcoin without the need to buy or store the cryptocurrency directly.
Abdulla Isa, president of the Bitcoin Treasury Committee of Al Abraaj, has expressed enthusiasm for this initiative, highlighting the company's commitment to innovation and value for investors. The decision by Al Abraaj to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury asset is part of a growing trend of institutionalization of cryptocurrencies.
As Bitcoin continues to gain popularity among institutions, it is increasingly being seen as a long-term reserve asset, superior to existing assets like gold, due to its scarcity, resistance to censorship, and potential to act as a hedge against inflation and economic instability. This trend is likely to continue as more companies follow in the footsteps of Al Abraaj and Méliuz.
Technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the financial landscape, as companies like Al Abraaj Restaurants Group and Méliuz adopt Bitcoin as a treasury asset. This shift in lifestyle choices reflects a growing consensus among businesses to explore and invest in digital assets. Other companies in the MENA and Brazilian regions might follow suit, inspired by the success of these early adopters.
