BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) exchange-traded fund has achieved a historic milestone by accumulating nearly $70 billion in assets under management (AUM) within just 341 days of operation. This unprecedented growth establishes IBIT as the fastest ETF ever to reach this threshold, significantly outpacing the previous record held by SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which required 1,691 days to achieve comparable AUM.
The rapid ascent reflects surging institutional demand for Bitcoin exposure and signals accelerating acceptance of digital assets within traditional finance frameworks. BlackRock currently holds approximately 661,457 Bitcoin through IBIT, demonstrating substantial institutional conviction in Bitcoin’s viability as an asset class.
This landmark achievement is expected to influence regulatory approaches toward cryptocurrency investment products and stimulate development of additional crypto-focused financial instruments. Heightened institutional participation through vehicles like IBIT is projected to enhance Bitcoin market liquidity and reduce price volatility, contributing to a more mature cryptocurrency ecosystem.