Bitcoin News Today: BlackRock's IBIT: Bitcoin's $100B Digital Gold Standard

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has achieved a landmark milestone, surging to nearly $100 billion in assets under management (AUM) after a sustained inflow streak of over $4 billion in recent weeks. The ETF, launched in January 2024, has attracted unprecedented demand, with institutional and retail investors collectively injecting $61.5 billion in net inflows since its inception. This rapid growth has positioned IBIT as the fastest ETF to reach the $100 billion threshold in history, outpacing Vanguard's S&P 500 ETF, which took 2,011 days to achieve the same benchmark. IBIT's AUM now represents approximately 6.78% of Bitcoin's total market cap, underscoring its growing influence in shaping the cryptocurrency's price dynamics .

The ETF's success is underpinned by its rapid accumulation of Bitcoin, with the fund holding 783,768 BTC as of October 3, 2025, valued at $98.31 billion at the time. Recent inflows have pushed its holdings to nearly 791,628 BTC, reflecting a 1.1% increase in just one trading session. This growth has been driven by a confluence of factors, including Bitcoin's surge to record highs above $125,000, macroeconomic tailwinds, and the increasing institutional adoption of regulated crypto vehicles. According to Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas, IBIT has become BlackRock's most profitable ETF, generating an estimated $244.5 million in annual revenue within 435 days of its launch .

The ETF's inflow momentum has outpaced historical precedents. On October 7, 2025, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.21 billion in net inflows, the second-largest single-day inflow since their inception. IBIT led the charge with $970 million in new capital, followed by Fidelity's FBTC and Bitwise's BITB. Cumulative inflows for the year have reached $61.5 billion, with October alone accounting for $3.47 billion in just four trading days. These figures highlight the ETF's role as a primary conduit for institutional capital into the Bitcoin market, with BlackRock's dominance in the space solidified by its 55% market share of Bitcoin ETF assets .

The surge in demand has had a tangible impact on Bitcoin's price trajectory. The cryptocurrency has climbed to all-time highs, with the ETF inflows contributing to increased liquidity and price stability. Analysts attribute this trend to the "digital gold" narrative, as institutional investors seek Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. The ETF's performance has also been bolstered by regulatory clarity, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024 removing a major barrier to mainstream adoption.

BlackRock's expansion plans further underscore the ETF's strategic importance. The firm announced its intention to launch a UK bitcoin ETP in October 2025 following regulatory easing by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This move is expected to tap into retail demand in the UK and diversify the ETF's investor base. Meanwhile, the firm continues to refine its product offerings, with analysts noting that its fee structure (0.25%) and operational efficiency have been critical to its rapid growth .

Despite its success, the ETF's trajectory is not without risks. Market volatility, regulatory scrutiny, and custodial challenges remain key concerns for investors. The recent $1.21 billion inflow was followed by a sharp price correction, with Bitcoin retreating to $122,922 from its peak above $126,500. While short-term fluctuations are inherent to the asset class, the ETF's ability to sustain inflows will depend on macroeconomic conditions and the Federal Reserve's policy stance. Analysts caution that while ETFs have become a cornerstone of Bitcoin's institutional adoption, they are not immune to broader market dynamics .

[1] The Block (https://www.theblock.co/post/373631/bitcoin-etfs-largest-daily-inflows-since-trump-election-blackrock-ibit-nears-100-billion-usd-aum)

[2] Bloomberg (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-07/blackrock-s-most-profitable-etf-ibit-is-a-nearly-100-billion-bitcoin-giant)

[3] CoinDesk (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/10/07/u-s-bitcoin-etfs-log-usd1b-inflows-again-a-level-that-s-marked-local-tops-six-times-before)

[4] Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/spot-bitcoin-etfs-second-highest-inflow-since-inception)

[5] The Coin Republic (https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2025/09/18/bitcoin-etf-reverse-track-after-7-day-inflow-streak-whats-next-for-btc-price)