Bitcoin ETFs Surpass $50 Billion Inflows in 18 Months

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have reached a significant milestone, surpassing $50 billion in total inflows just 18 months after their launch. This achievement highlights the rapid mainstream adoption of Bitcoin by institutional investors, who have poured substantial capital into these regulated financial products. The inflows are a clear indication that Bitcoin is increasingly being recognized as a legitimate asset class, attracting both institutional and retail investors.

BlackRock and Fidelity are leading the charge in this market. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has seen $53 billion in gross inflows, making it a dominant player. However, the industry total is offset by $23.34 billion in outflows from Grayscale’s GBTC, bringing the net inflow across all ETFs to just above $50 billion. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) ranks second with $12.29 billion in inflows, further underscoring the strong demand for Bitcoin ETFs.

Bitcoin continues to dominate the digital asset inflows, accounting for 83% of all inflows this year, according to CoinShares. Ethereum trails at 16%. IBIT’s dominance is particularly notable, as it now holds over 700,000 BTC, or more than 55% of all BTC held across U.S. spot ETFs. This dominance highlights the significant shift in fund economics, where crypto has become a mainstream asset in asset management. In fact, IBIT is now more profitable for BlackRock than its flagship iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, a clear indication of the growing importance of Bitcoin in the financial landscape.

Corporate treasuries are also increasingly adding Bitcoin to their reserves. Japan’s Metaplanet recently bought $237 million worth of BTC, becoming the fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder with over 15,500 BTC. Two European firms, France’s Blockchain Group and the UK’s Smarter Web Company, also made significant moves by adding $12.5 million and $24.3 million in BTC to their reserves, respectively. Additionally, Remixpoint, another Japanese company, plans to buy 3,000 BTC after raising $215 million. These corporate investments further validate Bitcoin’s role as a store of value and a strategic asset for long-term treasury management.

Bitcoin hit a new all-time high of $112,000 this week, with $200 million in short liquidations. Meanwhile, Ethereum is also rising, up 6.6% in 24 hours and trading at $2,778. Analysts expect it could reach $3,000 soon if momentum holds. This surge in prices reflects the growing optimism and confidence in the cryptocurrency market, driven by both institutional and retail investors.

The $50 billion ETF milestone shows a structural shift in crypto adoption. With institutional capital flowing in and corporations embracing BTC as a treasury asset, Bitcoin’s position as a long-term store of value is strengthening. Ethereum, on the other hand, continues to benefit from broader crypto optimism and ETF spillover effects. This trend indicates a maturing market where Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are being integrated into mainstream investment strategies, reflecting a more stable and sustainable bull run.