BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has quietly accumulated more than 660,000 BTC, representing over 3% of Bitcoin’s total circulating supply (source [1] – Cointelegraph). This milestone highlights the extent to which traditional finance is embedding Bitcoin into mainstream portfolios.
Fastest Growing ETF in History
IBIT reached over $70 billion in assets under management in just 341 trading days—faster than even the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), a benchmark for institutional investment pace (source [2] – Cointelegraph via Cointelegraph).
Ownership vs. The Biggest Holders
With IBIT controlling roughly 662,500–666,000 BTC, the ETF now holds more BTC than many major exchanges like Binance or MicroStrategy. It is second only to the estimated ~1.1 million BTC held by Satoshi Nakamoto’s wallet (source [3] – CryptoSlate).
Why Institutional Adoption Matters
- Price Stability: Large-scale institutional holdings could reduce volatility and improve liquidity.
- Regulatory Signal: BlackRock’s aggressive position signals strong investor confidence and regulatory acceptance.
- Decentralization Risk: However, concentration of BTC in a few institutions may diminish Bitcoin’s decentralization ethos.
Future Outlook
Analyst Eric Balchunas from Bloomberg suggests that if current inflows continue, IBIT may surpass Satoshi’s holdings as the single largest BTC wallet by next summer. This shift could redefine both Bitcoin’s market structure and its perception as a financial asset (source [2]).
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