Saudi Central Bank Takes Indirect Bitcoin Exposure Through MicroStrategy

TLDR:

Table of Contents

Saudi Central Bank acquired 25,656 shares of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy)
Strategy currently holds 568,840 Bitcoin worth approximately $68 billion
This move represents an indirect investment in Bitcoin by a central bank
The investment follows a trend of central banks diversifying traditional reserves
Similar moves have been made by Norway’s sovereign wealth fund with crypto-exposed companies

Saudi Arabia’s central bank has taken an unexpected step into the cryptocurrency world by investing in shares of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder. This revelation came through a recent SEC 13F filing that shows the Saudi Central Bank now holds 25,656 shares of the company.

The move represents an indirect bet on Bitcoin, as Strategy has made the cryptocurrency its primary treasury reserve asset. According to reports, Strategy currently holds 568,840 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $68 billion at current market prices.

This investment marks a subtle but clear pivot toward cryptocurrency exposure for a major central bank. The Saudi Central Bank, previously known as the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), joins a small but growing list of central banks with some form of Bitcoin exposure.

🇸🇦 SAUDI ARABIA CENTRAL BANK JUST REVEALED HOLDING MICROSTRATEGY $MSTR SHARES.
SAUDI IS BIDDING ON #BITCOIN 🚀 pic.twitter.com/6VHA66auT0
— Ash Crypto (@Ashcryptoreal) May 15, 2025

The crypto community has viewed this development as a vote of confidence in Strategy’s Bitcoin-focused approach. Some observers suggest it could encourage other large companies and institutions to follow a similar path.

Central Banks Diversifying Holdings

Traditional central bank reserves typically focus heavily on gold and U.S. dollars as hedges for long-term value. However, a gradual shift is occurring as some banks begin to prioritize growth potential alongside stability.

According to publicly available information, about a dozen countries now hold Bitcoin in their treasury and central bank reserves. These include the United States, United Kingdom, El Salvador, Iran, and Bhutan.

The Saudi approach mirrors that of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, which previously increased its investments in crypto-exposed companies like Strategy, Coinbase, and Metaplanet. This method allows the central banks to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without directly holding digital assets.

This trend suggests a growing recognition of cryptocurrency’s potential place in a diversified national reserve strategy. By investing in Strategy, the Saudi Central Bank gains indirect exposure to Bitcoin’s potential upside while maintaining distance from direct cryptocurrency ownership.

Market Reactions and Future Outlook

Despite the news, Strategy stock (MSTR) dropped approximately 5% on Thursday, closing at $397. The stock has experienced volatility over the past week as analysts consider the broader implications for institutional crypto adoption.

Critics, including well-known Bitcoin skeptic Peter Schiff, have questioned Strategy’s aggressive approach of using borrowed funds to purchase Bitcoin. However, proponents see the Saudi Central Bank’s investment as validation of the company’s Bitcoin-focused strategy.

The kingdom’s central bank is not typically known for speculative investments, making this move particularly telling about its view on digital assets. As oil-rich nations seek to diversify their holdings and prepare for a changing financial landscape, Bitcoin appears to be gaining consideration as a potential asset class.

Saudi Arabia’s backing of Strategy could serve as a bullish signal for Bitcoin and may inspire other sovereign funds and central banks to explore similar strategies. This development adds to the growing evidence that Bitcoin is increasingly being taken seriously by major financial institutions worldwide.

The Saudi Central Bank’s investment in Strategy was disclosed in its recent SEC 13F filing, confirming its position of 25,656 shares in the Bitcoin-focused company.

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