BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) achieved record inflows this week, highlighting accelerated institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies despite enduring skepticism from traditional financial advisors.
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) attracted $448 million in fresh capital, representing nearly 38% of the $1.17 billion total net inflows across all U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund followed closely with $324 million in inflows.
The recently launched Ether spot ETF market demonstrated remarkable momentum, drawing $383.1 million net inflows. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) dominated this segment with a single-day influx of $300.9 million.
Investment through Bitcoin ETFs massively exceeded new coin creation, with ETF purchases totaling $28.22 billion worth of Bitcoin compared to $7.85 billion in newly minted coins throughout the year. This acquisition imbalance highlights institutional participation as a primary demand driver.
Despite the record flows, traditional financial advisors remain hesitant to recommend spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs to clients, indicating persistent caution in legacy finance circles regarding cryptocurrency allocation.
The substantial institutional inflows represent a transformative moment for digital asset markets, signaling growing acceptance of crypto as an investable asset class while potentially enhancing market liquidity and stability.