BlackRock's IBIT Bitcoin ETF Outpaces GLD with $6.9B Inflows

BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, has recently made significant strides in the investment landscape, attracting substantial inflows and outpacing the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) in year-to-date (YTD) ETF inflows. This development has garnered attention from industry leaders, including Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, who highlighted the momentum on X (formerly Twitter).

IBIT has recorded consistent net inflows over the past 15 days, totaling approximately $500 million in a single day, indicating strong institutional demand. Despite gold’s historical status as a safe-haven asset, investors are increasingly opting for Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT for exposure to digital assets. According to the data, IBIT has risen over $6.9 billion since January 2025, surpassing even established giants like GLD, which recorded $6.5 billion despite a 23% surge.

Several factors are driving the shift towards IBIT over GLD. The involvement of financial powerhouses like BlackRock adds credibility, reducing perceived risk for traditional investors. Spot Bitcoin ETFs provide a simple, regulated way to gain exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements without the complexities of direct ownership. Additionally, Bitcoin’s price momentum and growing institutional acceptance create a positive feedback loop, attracting more capital.

This trend underscores a growing narrative around Bitcoin ETF dominance. As institutions enter the world of digital assets, the impact on legacy portfolios becomes more evident. Investors are becoming increasingly comfortable with the idea of Bitcoin as a mainstream asset class. In the last week alone, the fund added nearly $2.5 billion in net inflows, continuing that momentum on May 5 with another $531 million, starting the week on a strong note. Many industrial experts, like Nate Geraci, also mentioned this shift in their X post. Hunter Horsley believes this is just the beginning, stating, “I don’t know if people appreciate how significant this is.”

Many experts are analyzing his words amid a rapid rise in Bitcoin ETF inflows, signaling a long-term trend that could reshape asset allocation strategies globally. If current trends continue, Bitcoin ETFs might collectively surpass the total assets under management (AUM) of gold ETFs within the next 3-5 years. The continuous inflows into Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT underscore a broader change in market sentiment. This shift is not just about Bitcoin outperforming gold in inflows, but also about a changing mindset among institutional investors. As more capital flows into the digital asset space, the line between traditional and modern finance continues to blur.

As Hunter Horsley observed, the fact that IBIT is flipping GLD in inflows despite gold’s strong year signals a pivotal moment. It reflects a broader shift toward digital assets and highlights the growing importance of Bitcoin in diversified portfolios. With strong crypto inflows supporting this trend, the future of Bitcoin ETFs looks brighter than ever.