In a significant development within the cryptocurrency market, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has surpassed Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) to become the largest spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) globally. This shift highlights the competitive dynamics in the ETF space and the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin. BlackRock’s IBIT now holds $19.68 billion in Bitcoin, slightly edging out GBTC’s $19.65 billion. The primary factor behind this transition is the fee structure. Grayscale’s GBTC charges a 1.5% fee, which is significantly higher than BlackRock’s IBIT fee of just 0.25%. This difference in fees led to a substantial investor pullout from GBTC, favoring the more cost-effective IBIT.
The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs nearly five months ago marked the beginning of this shift. Grayscale’s reluctance to lower its fees even after significant investor withdrawals exacerbated the situation. HODL15Capital noted that Grayscale held 620,000 BTC during its conversion in January 2024, more than 3% of the circulating supply. However, the refusal to adjust fees resulted in investors pulling over 330,000 BTC from GBTC.
Despite GBTC’s decline, the overall Bitcoin ETF sector remains robust, with total Bitcoin holdings by ETFs exceeding 1 million BTC, constituting nearly 5% of the total Bitcoin supply. This milestone underscores the influence of ETFs on the broader Bitcoin market. Regionally, the United States leads in Bitcoin ETF inflows, with $1.03 billion recorded last week. Other European countries like Germany and Switzerland also reported significant inflows, indicating a broad-based interest in Bitcoin ETFs.
BlackRock’s strategy also involved leveraging its other funds to invest in IBIT. The BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund and the Strategic Global Bond Fund purchased shares worth $3.56 million and $485,000, respectively, according to recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. These investments, though a small fraction of their total portfolios, reflect BlackRock’s commitment to supporting its Bitcoin ETF.
Moreover, the total value of digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) is approaching $98.5 billion, driven by sustained inflows into digital asset investment products. CoinShares data shows that digital asset investment products recorded inflows for the third consecutive week, totaling $1.05 billion, despite volatile price movements. This trend indicates a positive market sentiment towards digital assets, further bolstered by the growing acceptance and institutional adoption of Bitcoin ETFs.
Overall, BlackRock’s IBIT has emerged as the leading spot Bitcoin ETF, driven by a competitive fee structure and strategic investments. The broader Bitcoin ETF market continues to grow, reflecting the increasing institutional interest and confidence in Bitcoin as an investment asset.
