BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has reached a milestone of $70 billion in assets under management, attracting $1.1 billion in net inflows last week alone. The ETF’s success reflects growing institutional and advisor interest in crypto, with Bloomberg reporting that 20% of spot Bitcoin ETF shares are now held by investment advisors—a figure expected to double in the next year. Experts attribute this trend to BlackRock’s brand trust, regulatory tailwinds under the Trump administration, and advisors’ urgency to meet client demand. Ric Edelman of the Digital Assets Council recommends allocations of 10-40% to crypto, disrupting traditional portfolios. Meanwhile, analysts predict sustained growth for regulated crypto ETFs as professionals seek safer exposure to digital assets.
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BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Hits $70B Fastest in History
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has reached $70 billion in assets in just 341 days, five times faster than the previous record held by the gold-based GLD ETF. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas notes this milestone reflects Bitcoin’s growing legitimacy among institutional investors, with BlackRock now holding over $76 billion in digital assets. CEO Larry Fink, in his annual investor letter, cautioned that the US dollar’s reserve currency status is at risk due to rising national debt and the disruptive potential of decentralized finance (DeFi). While acknowledging Bitcoin’s innovation, Fink warned that unchecked deficits could push investors toward crypto as a safer alternative. The rapid ascent of IBIT underscores the shifting financial landscape as traditional and digital assets compete for dominance.
read moreRussia’s MOEX Adds BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Futures
The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) has announced the introduction of futures trading for BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), starting June 4, 2025, exclusively for accredited investors. IBIT, which launched in January 2024 after prolonged SEC delays, has quickly become one of the top 25 ETFs globally, with $72.4 billion in assets. According to Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas, IBIT’s rapid ascent is unprecedented, as it is the youngest ETF on the top 25 list by a significant margin. The move reflects Russia’s growing interest in crypto assets, though access remains restricted to qualified investors. At the time of writing, IBIT trades at $59.92, showing a slight decline over the past 24 hours.
read moreJP Morgan to Accept Crypto ETF Shares as Loan Collateral
JP Morgan is set to permit its high-net-worth clients to use shares in crypto ETFs, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, as collateral for loans, according to unnamed sources. The bank will also factor crypto holdings into clients’ net worth assessments, treating them similarly to real estate and vehicles. This move marks a notable shift for JP Morgan, whose CEO Jamie Dimon has historically been skeptical of Bitcoin but recently allowed customer trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The development highlights growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies in traditional finance.
read moreMicroStrategy’s $54.5B Bitcoin Holdings & $126K Price Prediction
Arkham Intelligence’s latest report reveals MicroStrategy now holds 70,816 additional BTC, totaling $54.5 billion in Bitcoin assets—87.5% of which are custodied with Fidelity Digital. The disclosure sparked debates over privacy, with critics arguing it exposes MicroStrategy to hacking risks. Meanwhile, analysts project BTC could hit $126K due to growing institutional interest, exemplified by MicroStrategy’s $84 billion fundraising plan and BlackRock’s competing Bitcoin Trust (573,869 BTC). Despite a recent 2% weekly dip, BTC trades at $108K, with bullish targets of $120K-$126K ahead.
read moreBlackRock Boosts Bitcoin ETF Holdings to $99.4M
BlackRock’s Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio has ramped up its investment in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), holding 2.1 million shares valued at $99.4 million as of March 31, 2025—a notable increase from late 2024. This move highlights the asset manager’s growing confidence in Bitcoin as a diversification tool. IBIT, one of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs approved by the SEC in early 2024, has become the largest in its category with over $72 billion in net assets, per Bitbo data. BlackRock’s in-house accumulation of IBIT shares underscores its long-term crypto strategy.
read moreBlackRock Warns of Quantum Threat to Bitcoin Security
BlackRock has raised concerns over quantum computing’s potential to undermine Bitcoin’s security in a recent update to its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) filing. The May 2025 amendment warns that advancements in quantum technology could break the cryptographic systems that protect Bitcoin, posing a significant long-term risk. This rare disclosure underscores the growing need for the cryptocurrency industry to address quantum-resistant solutions to safeguard blockchain integrity.
read moreBitcoin Hits $110K as Retail Interest Lags Behind
Bitcoin’s price has soared above $110,000, but retail interest lags far behind, as Google Trends data for ‘bitcoin’ remains stagnant. Institutional players like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust are driving demand, while retail volumes on exchanges like Coinbase are significantly lower than during the 2021 bull run. The ‘FIAMO’ (Fear I Already Missed Out) sentiment is prevalent, exacerbated by psychological barriers like unit bias and lingering trauma from the 2022 crypto crash. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is becoming increasingly politicized, with figures like Donald Trump advocating for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, potentially alienating some traders. Despite record highs, the market remains eerily quiet, suggesting a delayed retail response may still be on the horizon.
read moreBitcoin Hits Record $109K, Experts Predict $200K+ in 2025
Bitcoin reached a historic peak of $109,565, rebounding strongly from its April low of $75,000. Analysts attribute the rally to shifting investor sentiment amid easing trade tensions and institutional interest. Prominent figures like Blockstream’s Adam Back ($500K–$1M), Standard Chartered ($200K), and Bernstein ($200K) forecast substantial growth, while others like Tim Draper ($250K) and BlackRock’s Larry Fink ($700K long-term) offer even more ambitious targets. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong envisions multi-million valuations, citing potential nation-state adoption. Despite varying timelines, consensus suggests Bitcoin’s upward trajectory remains robust.
read moreCrypto ETPs Set for Major Inflows as Allocations Rise to 5%
Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan forecasts a significant increase in crypto exchange-traded product (ETP) adoption, with major financial firms expected to enable access by 2025. Institutional interest is growing, with inflows potentially reaching “many billions,” and portfolio allocations shifting from 1% to 5%. Bitcoin remains dominant, but Ethereum is gaining traction, particularly among family offices. BlackRock has already integrated Bitcoin into its model portfolios, while Ethereum ETPs show balanced institutional ownership. This trend reflects a broader maturation of crypto in professional investment strategies.
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