Bitcoin ETFs Surge in Popularity as Institutions Pile In

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. are experiencing a surge in popularity, with the largest single-day inflow of $303 million recorded on May 15th. This trend is fueled by growing institutional investment, with hedge funds and asset managers leading the charge.

Millennium Management Takes the Lead

Millennium Management, a hedge fund giant, disclosed a staggering $2 billion investment spread across five spot Bitcoin ETFs. This move signifies broader acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class within traditional investment circles.

Diversification Across Funds

Their holdings include BlackRock’s iShares BTC Trust (IBIT), Fidelity’s Wise Origin BTC Fund (FBTC), Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), ARK’s BTC ETF (ARKB), and Bitwise’s BTC ETF (BITB). This diversified approach across multiple Bitcoin ETFs is a first for this asset class.

Analysts Bullish on Bitcoin ETFs

Crypto analyst MacroScope believes this filing will garner significant attention and reflects strong market confidence in Bitcoin’s potential. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas emphasizes the rapid accumulation of liquidity in IBIT, a sign of investor interest.

Broader Institutional Participation

Investment advisors (60%) and hedge funds (25%) are driving the majority of the inflows. Financial institutions like Elliott Capital and Apollo Management Holdings have also reported holdings in Bitcoin ETFs.

Total Inflows Surpass $12 Billion

Across all 10 spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S., cumulative inflows have reached $12.1 billion. This growth indicates a shift in how Bitcoin is viewed, transitioning from a speculative asset to a viable portfolio diversifier.

Vanguard Remains Cautious

Despite the rising institutional interest, Vanguard has reaffirmed its stance against launching a Bitcoin ETF. Their focus remains on long-term, stable investments, which currently excludes cryptocurrency products.