UAE Government Deepens State-Backed Bitcoin Mining With Natural Gas and Strict Land Rules

On 11 January 2026, the United Arab Emirates was highlighted as one of the governments actively sponsoring Bitcoin mining, using its natural gas resources to power state-linked facilities. Reports state that these operations, conducted through Citadel Mining, have accumulated over 6,300 BTC while operating under a framework that treats mining as strategic infrastructure but enforces strict land-use and energy regulations. The UAE’s strategy places it alongside countries such as El Salvador, Bhutan and Iran, which also integrate Bitcoin mining into broader energy and economic policies.