BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) Holdings Hits $50B as BTC Surpasses $100K

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has surpassed $50 billion in assets under management (AUM), setting a new record as the fastest ETF to reach the milestone.

In an X post, Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted that IBIT achieved the feat in only 228 days, far outpacing the previous record-holder, iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), which took 1,329 days to reach the same AUM level.

Growing Adoption of BTC

IBIT’s strong performance highlights a growing institutional interest in Bitcoin (BTC) and the key role of spot Bitcoin ETFs in boosting adoption. Approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this year, these ETFs offer direct exposure to BTC spot prices without the need for custody or trading on crypto platforms.

By simplifying access to BTC, IBIT has been instrumental in attracting traditional investors to the crypto market. Since its launch in January, the fund has grown larger than BlackRock’s gold ETF in terms of assets under management. As of Wednesday’s market close, the ETF recorded $570.7 million in inflows.

BlackRock’s IBIT has gained further traction amid the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose pro-crypto policies have sparked optimism. Following his electoral victory, the ETF recorded its highest trading volume on November 6. The next day, it attracted $1.1 billion in inflows, recovering from two days of outflows totaling $113.3 million.

Regulatory Shift

Trump has pledged to support the U.S. crypto sector, including plans to create a Bitcoin reserve. He also aims to protect domestic crypto-mining operations.

The regulatory landscape is also set for significant changes. With the anticipated departure of SEC chair Gary Gensler, the appointment of Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner known for his market-friendly policies, is expected to usher in a more collaborative approach to crypto regulation.

The shift aligns with the optimism sparked by Trump’s pro-crypto stance, which could further bolster the sector. Notably, the crypto market is experiencing remarkable growth, with Bitcoin recently surpassing $100,000 for the first time. The cryptocurrency reached an all-time high of $103,679 after gaining over 140% in 2024.