BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust Reaches $80 Billion AUM in 374 Days

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the fastest exchange-traded fund (ETF) to reach $80 billion in assets under management (AUM). This significant achievement was accomplished in just 374 days, a feat that surpasses the previous record held by the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, which took 1,814 days to reach the same mark. The rapid growth of IBIT underscores the increasing investor interest in Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market.

The swift ascent of IBIT to $80 billion in AUM is a testament to the growing acceptance and demand for Bitcoin as an investment asset. The ETF's success can be attributed to several factors, including the ease of access it provides to both institutional and retail investors. By offering a traditional investment vehicle for Bitcoin, IBIT has attracted a wide range of investors who may have been hesitant to enter the cryptocurrency market due to concerns over custody and compliance issues.

On July 10, IBIT recorded inflows totaling $448 million, driving the ETF’s net asset value to $80.11 billion. The market price closed at $64.50 per share. IBIT’s cumulative net inflow now stands at $53.45 billion, reflecting increasing investor demand for digital asset exposure. The ETF has moved up to become the 21st-largest ETF globally. Its development has been fueled by the entering capital, as well as by the increase in value of Bitcoin. Recently, IBIT has already accumulated more than 700,000 BTC, i.e., roughly 3.55 percent of all existing Bitcoin. This amount highlights the expanding power that it has had in the digital asset market.

The achievement of IBIT also highlights the broader trend of increasing inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs. This surge in interest reflects the growing appetite for direct Bitcoin exposure in traditional brokerage accounts, as investors seek to capitalize on the cryptocurrency's potential for high returns. The rapid growth of IBIT has positioned it as the 21st largest ETF globally by assets, a remarkable accomplishment for a fund that was launched just over a year ago. This ranking is a clear indication of the fund's popularity and the confidence that investors have in its management and strategy. The success of IBIT also serves as a benchmark for other cryptocurrency ETFs, which are seeking to replicate its achievements and attract similar levels of investment.

The milestone reached by IBIT is not only a significant achievement for BlackRock but also for the broader cryptocurrency industry. It demonstrates the potential for cryptocurrency ETFs to become mainstream investment vehicles, attracting a wide range of investors and providing them with a convenient and secure way to gain exposure to the digital asset market. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more ETFs tracking the price of various cryptocurrencies, providing investors with even more options for diversifying their portfolios. In addition to BlackRock’s performance, the total assets under management across all spot Bitcoin ETFs have now exceeded $140 billion. The combined inflows and asset appreciation have accelerated the sector’s rise, placing digital asset ETFs in direct competition with long-standing equity-based counterparts.