Bitcoin ETFs Surpass $50 Billion Inflows In 18 Months

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have reached a significant milestone, surpassing $50 billion in net inflows within just 18 months of their launch in January 2024. This rapid growth highlights the increasing acceptance and demand for Bitcoin as an investment asset. Leading this surge are BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which have seen net inflows of $53 billion and $12.29 billion, respectively. In contrast, Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) experienced a net outflow of $23.34 billion, making it the only fund to see a decrease in assets.

The dominance of IBIT is particularly noteworthy, as it became the first Bitcoin ETF to hold more than 700,000 BTC, representing over 55% of the total BTC across all spot Bitcoin ETFs. This achievement underscores the fund's popularity and the confidence investors have in BlackRock's management. The success of IBIT is further evidenced by the fact that it now generates more revenue annually than BlackRock's flagship S&P 500 fund, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF.

The overall digital asset market has also seen substantial growth, with a net inflow of $18.96 billion this year. Bitcoin accounts for nearly 83% of these inflows, while Ethereum makes up 16%. This distribution indicates that while Bitcoin remains the dominant cryptocurrency, Ethereum is also gaining traction among investors.

Corporate interest in Bitcoin has surged, with several companies establishing Bitcoin treasuries in 2024. Japan’s Metaplanet, for instance, acquired BTC worth $237 million, becoming the fifth-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin with a total stack exceeding 15,500 BTC. Similarly, France’s The Blockchain Group and the United Kingdom’s Smarter Web Company added significant amounts of Bitcoin to their treasuries, demonstrating the growing institutional adoption of the cryptocurrency. Remixpoint, a Japanese company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, also announced plans to raise $215 million to buy more Bitcoin, aiming to accumulate 3,000 BTC in the near future.

The rapid accumulation of Bitcoin by institutional investors reflects their growing confidence in regulated Bitcoin investment vehicles. IBIT became the fastest ETF to reach $70 billion in assets, achieving this milestone five times faster than any previous ETF launch. The fund reached $50 billion in just 228 days, compared to 1,329 days for the previous record holder. This institutional movement validates Bitcoin's role as a portfolio diversification tool. Professional investors now view Bitcoin ETFs as essential infrastructure for gaining exposure without custody complexities. Investment advisers held over $10.3 billion in spot Bitcoin ETFs by June 2025, representing nearly half of total institutional assets in these products.

The ETF milestone occurs as Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $112,000, with short sellers facing $200 million in liquidations. This price action demonstrates how institutional inflows create sustained upward pressure on Bitcoin prices. The success positions Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class within traditional finance frameworks. Major wirehouses and private banking platforms are expected to integrate Bitcoin ETF access throughout 2025, potentially exposing trillions in assets to Bitcoin investment opportunities. This regulatory acceptance contrasts sharply with early skepticism from financial regulators.

Bitcoin ETFs have proven their capacity to attract sustained institutional interest while maintaining orderly market conditions. The products bridge traditional finance infrastructure with digital asset exposure, eliminating operational barriers that previously limited institutional participation. As Bitcoin continues trading near record highs, ETF inflows provide stability that supports further institutional adoption across pension funds, endowments, and corporate treasuries.