US Bitcoin ETFs Surpass $50 Billion in Just 18 Months: Institutional Investment Boom
Within just 18 months of being approved by the SEC in January 2024, US spot Bitcoin ETFs have officially surpassed $50 billion in net inflows, marking a historic milestone for the digital asset industry.
According to data from Cointelegraph, led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which attracted $53 billion, followed by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund with $12.29 billion. This unprecedented growth rate comes despite a sharp outflow from the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC), which saw more than $23.34 billion withdrawn.
BlackRock Leads ETF Wave With Over 700,000 BTC Holdings
With Bitcoin holdings surpassing 700,000 BTC, BlackRock’s IBIT fund now accounts for over 55% of all Bitcoin assets in the entire spot ETF ecosystem. At current prices, the portfolio is worth over $75.5 billion, generating an estimated $187.2 million in annual management fees, surpassing the revenue of BlackRock’s own flagship S&P 500 ETF despite having nearly nine times smaller assets.
Fortune notes that IBIT is the fastest-growing ETF in history, reaching $70 billion in assets in just 228 days, five times faster than any other ETF ever launched.
Institutional Adoption Accelerates Globally: Japan, France, UK Join in
The wave of institutional investment in Bitcoin is spreading beyond the US:
Metaplanet (Japan) now holds over 15,500 BTC, worth over $237 million, making it the fifth-largest Bitcoin holder.
The Blockchain Group (France) and Smarter Web Company (UK) announced purchases of $12.5 million and $24.3 million of BTC, respectively.
Remixpoint (Japan) raised $215 million to allocate specifically to the asset.
ETFs Become the Ideal Bridge for Professional Investors
The acceleration of Bitcoin ETFs reflects strong demand from institutional investors and financial advisors who need a simple, regulated, and liquid way to access Bitcoin without having to self-custodial or worry about cold wallets.
As of June 2025, investment advisors held over $10.3 billion in Bitcoin ETFs, representing nearly 50% of all institutional assets in the sector.
Market Impact: Bitcoin Hits New High, Volatility Falls, Liquidations Rise
The success of Bitcoin ETFs coincides with an impressive rally in BTC, reaching an all-time high of $112,000. Short positions have liquidated over $200 million, suggesting that ETF inflows are the main driver of the market’s growth.
At the same time, BTC’s realized volatility has fallen more than 75% since its all-time high, suggesting that institutional money has increased market stability.
Redefining the Traditional Financial Landscape
The rise of Bitcoin ETFs is not just a temporary financial trend, but is redefining the place of digital assets in traditional portfolios. Private banks, retail investment platforms, and major financial institutions are gradually integrating access to Bitcoin ETFs, paving the way for trillions of dollars of exposure to this new asset class.
Regulatory acceptance, custody convenience, and cost efficiency are moving Bitcoin from the fringes to the center of the global financial system.
Conclusion
Just 18 months after its launch, the US spot Bitcoin ETF has not only reached the $50 billion mark, but has also become the new benchmark for institutional investment in cryptocurrencies. With the backing of major companies like BlackRock, Fidelity, and the globalization of asset allocation, Bitcoin ETFs are leading the wave of legalization and institutionalization of digital assets that was a distant prospect just a few years ago.