- Gulf International Bank raised its Strategy stake as institutions expand Bitcoin-linked exposure.
- Strategy’s value swings with Bitcoin, posting big losses during price declines in early 2026.
- Despite volatility, Strategy stock remains up year-to-date on renewed Bitcoin recovery.
Gulf International Bank has increased its investment in Strategy as institutional interest in Bitcoin-linked stocks continues to grow. A recent filing from the bank’s UK unit showed it raised its Strategy holdings by 53% to 20,207 shares worth about $3.76 million.
The disclosure, highlighted by BitcoinTreasuries.NET on May 13, comes as more financial institutions seek exposure to Bitcoin through publicly traded companies.
Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, has become closely tied to Bitcoin after building one of the largest corporate Bitcoin reserves. As a result, many investors now treat the company’s stock as an indirect way to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market. The latest purchase also follows a recovery in Bitcoin prices after a weaker start to the year for digital assets.
Gulf Investors Deepen Bitcoin Exposure
Gulf International Bank operates under Saudi-linked ownership, including ties to the Public Investment Fund. The bank manages large asset portfolios across the Gulf and has gradually increased exposure to alternative investments. Its latest increase in holdings of Strategy reflects continued institutional interest in Bitcoin-linked equities.
Filings also show that Saudi-linked entities already hold positions in Strategy. Last year, disclosures indicated that the Saudi Central Bank owned 25,656 shares. The stake drew attention because investors view Strategy as an indirect way to gain exposure to Bitcoin through public markets.
Governments have long relied on gold and foreign currency reserves to support financial stability. In recent years, however, a few countries have started adding or discussing exposure to Bitcoin. These include El Salvador and Bhutan, while in the United States, Bitcoin has appeared in policy discussions and reserve-related proposals.
Strategy Faces Volatility Amid Bitcoin Swings
Strategy reported a sharp first-quarter loss after Bitcoin prices fell during the period. The company posted a $12.54 billion net loss for the first quarter of 2026 as Bitcoin dropped from about $87,000 to nearly $68,000. Prices later recovered above $80,000 in the second quarter, easing some pressure on digital asset holdings.
The company holds 818,334 Bitcoin purchased at an average price of $75,537. It also ended the quarter with $2.25 billion in cash, which it says could cover preferred dividend payments for roughly 18 months. The balance sheet remains closely tied to Bitcoin’s price movements, given the size of its holdings.
Strategy shares traded at $178.71 in the latest session, down 3.1% on the day, according to Yahoo Finance data. Despite the decline, the stock is still up about 20% year-to-date as investors continue to track Bitcoin’s recovery and broader institutional demand for crypto exposure.
Related: Bitcoin Spot Demand Strengthens as ETF Inflows Return, Glassnode Says
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