BlackRock Raises Bitcoin Holdings by 38.4% in Q2 2025, Boosting BTC Price by 5.2%

BlackRock has increased its Bitcoin holdings by 38.4% in Q2 2025, with a total of 1,000,808 shares representing 0.4% of its $17.1B AUM. The allocation switch from Ethereum to Bitcoin involved $440 million. This move has prompted a 5.2% BTC price increase and reflects broader portfolio diversification strategies. Peer firms like Fidelity and Invesco also consider expanding their crypto ETFs, indicating a growing trend of institutional interest in Bitcoin.

BlackRock has significantly increased its Bitcoin holdings by 38.4% in the second quarter of 2025, with a total of 1,000,808 shares representing 0.4% of its $17.1 billion assets under management (AUM). This allocation switch from Ethereum to Bitcoin involved a substantial $440 million investment. The move has prompted a 5.2% increase in the Bitcoin price, reflecting broader portfolio diversification strategies. This shift is part of BlackRock's ongoing efforts to expand its cryptocurrency offerings and capitalize on the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin.

The Global Allocation Fund, which holds the Bitcoin shares, increased its allocation from 0.25% in the first quarter to 0.4% by the end of the second quarter. This represents a 62.5% increase in the fund's Bitcoin exposure, bringing it closer to the recommended 1% to 2% allocation range suggested by BlackRock. The fund's methodical approach to Bitcoin accumulation demonstrates a cautious yet strategic investment strategy.

BlackRock's move follows a broader trend of institutional interest in Bitcoin, as evidenced by the increasing demand for regulated crypto products. Peer firms such as Fidelity and Invesco are also considering expanding their cryptocurrency ETF offerings, indicating a growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a viable asset class within institutional portfolios.

The shift in allocation coincides with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) new generic listing standards, which have significantly reduced the approval times for crypto ETFs. The new framework allows asset managers to launch products in just 75 days, compared to the previous 240 days. This streamlined process is expected to accelerate the approval of pending ETF applications, including those for Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.

BlackRock's focus on Bitcoin and Ethereum, while leaving the altcoin ETF market open for competitors, reflects a strategic approach to leveraging the market's most established and liquid cryptocurrencies. The firm's digital asset business generated over $260 million in annual revenue in 2025, with Bitcoin ETFs contributing $218 million and Ethereum ETFs $42 million. This strong performance underscores the growing demand for institutional-grade crypto assets and highlights the potential for further expansion in the crypto ETF market.