Bitcoin News Today: Institutional Firms Chase $15.8 Billion Crypto ETF Surge

In the second quarter of 2025, institutional investors poured over $15.8 billion into U.S. Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs, with inflows highly concentrated among top performers. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) captured 96.8% of the market’s net inflows, with $12.45 billion flowing into the fund during the period. This trend was mirrored in Ethereum ETFs, where BlackRock’s ETHA attracted nearly $1.45 billion in inflows, significantly outpacing its peers.

Among the largest institutional investors, Mubadala Investment, the Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund, disclosed a $534 million position in a Bitcoin ETF in the quarter, marking a notable allocation for the fund. This stake, reported by social media analyst @rovercrc, highlights growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a strategic asset. While the specific ETF ticker and issuer were not disclosed, the investment underscores the fund’s broader trend of diversifying into digital assets.

The surge in institutional interest was also reflected in the trading activity of major investment firms. Brevan Howard, one of the world’s largest macro hedge funds, nearly doubled its position in IBIT, with holdings valued at approximately $2.3 billion by June. The firm also added $400,000 in put options to hedge potential downside risks. Similarly, Goldman Sachs increased its Ethereum ETF holdings, particularly in ETHA, with the number of shares rising by 283% quarter-on-quarter. Goldman’s total spot ETF holdings exceeded $2.7 billion as of Q2 2025.

Jane Street, a prominent quantitative trading firm, expanded its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF holdings to over $2.2 billion, with IBIT and ETHA forming the core of its strategy. The firm added 23.967 million shares of IBIT, a 268% increase from the previous quarter, and significantly expanded its options exposure to manage volatility. For Ethereum, Jane Street’s ETHA holdings exceeded $130 million, with options positions rising to $42 million. These moves reflect a broader trend of institutional players leveraging both spot and options markets to optimize returns and manage risk.

Other major players, such as Horizon Kinetics, Avenir Group, and Capula Management, also increased their exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Horizon Kinetics, with over $1.43 billion in crypto ETFs, maintained a strong focus on Bitcoin spot ETFs, while Avenir Group became the largest Asian institutional holder of IBIT, with holdings exceeding $1.01 billion. Capula Management, a European hedge fund manager, allocated over $580 million to IBIT and expanded its Ethereum ETF positions by 196% in the quarter.

These developments point to a growing institutional consensus on the role of Bitcoin and Ethereum as strategic assets, with spot ETFs providing a regulated and accessible vehicle for investment. BlackRock’s dominance in the ETF space, coupled with the aggressive allocation by major investors, suggests that the market is entering a phase of consolidation and institutionalization. As these funds continue to adjust their holdings, the performance of ETFs like IBIT and ETHA will remain central to the broader crypto market dynamics.

Source: [1] 12 institutions have invested $15.8 billion, BlackRock has ... (https://www.chaincatcher.com/en/article/2198823) [2] The latest "battle" of crypto ETFs: 12 institutions invested ... (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/a66d9eb6-3d76-462a-82c4-f3786deb5a08) [3] BTC ETF News: Brevan Howard, Goldman Sachs and ... (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/17/brevan-howard-goldman-sachs-and-harvard-lead-billions-in-bitcoin-etf-buying-spree) [4] Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund Discloses $534M ... (https://blockchain.news/flashnews/abu-dhabi-sovereign-wealth-fund-discloses-534m-position-in-btc-etf-per-rovercrc)