Bitcoin News Today: Wall Street Institutions Boost Bitcoin Holdings Via ETFs

Major Wall Street institutions and global financial players have significantly increased their Bitcoin exposure in the second quarter of 2025, according to recent SEC filings and market reports. This surge in institutional investment has been largely channeled through spot Bitcoin ETFs, with BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC) emerging as key vehicles for these large-scale allocations.

Brevan Howard nearly doubled its stake in IBIT, holding 37.9 million shares valued at $2.6 billion, making it one of the largest institutional holders. Similarly, Goldman Sachs reported a total exposure of $3.3 billion across IBIT and FBTC, along with $489 million in Ethereum’s ETHA trust. Harvard University also disclosed a $1.9 billion investment in IBIT, while Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala continues to hold $681 million in the fund. Wells Fargo quadrupled its IBIT holdings to $160 million, and Jane Street now holds $1.46 billion in IBIT, the firm’s largest position after Tesla [1].

The trend is not limited to traditional financial firms; Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund has gained 192% year-over-year exposure to Bitcoin, holding 7,161 BTC, equivalent to around $841 million, through equity stakes in companies such as MSTR, Coinbase, and Block. Cantor Fitzgerald has also pushed its IBIT exposure past $250 million and added positions in MSTR, Coinbase, and Robinhood [1].

Despite these massive institutional moves, the average professional fund manager in the U.S. remains largely unallocated to crypto. According to a Bank of America survey, the average fund manager holds just 0.3% of assets under management (AUM) in crypto, with 75% of managers having zero exposure [1]. This divergence highlights a growing gap between institutional and retail investment behaviors in the crypto space.

Analysts suggest that the increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin is validating it as a legitimate asset class. Spot ETFs, in particular, are seen as the primary gateway for institutional participation, offering a regulated and familiar investment vehicle. As more major players commit capital to Bitcoin, it may encourage others to follow, potentially leading to a broader acceptance of crypto within traditional asset management.

The broader crypto market, however, has seen mixed performance. Major cryptocurrencies have dipped 3–6% recently, with Bitcoin holding at around $115,000. Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) have also seen significant declines. In contrast, XMR is up 4%, leading the top movers [1]. Meanwhile, Grayscale has filed for a Dogecoin ETF, and Gemini has submitted paperwork for a public listing under the ticker GEMI, though the timing remains unspecified [1].

Regulatory developments are also shaping the landscape. The SEC is reportedly working on new custody regulations for digital assets, aiming to increase clarity and security in the U.S. crypto markets. The Federal Reserve has also officially ended its “novel activities” program, which had increased scrutiny on crypto-related bank activities [1].

The growing institutional presence in Bitcoin suggests a shift in perception, with major players treating the asset as a core component of their portfolios. While individual fund managers remain hesitant, the increasing legitimacy and scale of institutional investments may eventually encourage broader adoption, narrowing the current allocation gap [1].

Source: [1] Morning Minute: Wall Street Loads Up on Bitcoin (https://decrypt.co/335598/morning-minute-wall-street-loads-up-on-bitcoin)