BlackRock Fund Raises Exposure to IBIT Bitcoin ETF by 25%

BlackRock’s internal investment fund significantly boosted its stake in the firm’s Bitcoin ETF, highlighting the asset manager’s ongoing push to expand crypto exposure.

$99M in Bitcoin ETF Shares Held as of Q1 2025

According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio held 2,123,592 shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as of March 31, 2025. This stake was valued at approximately $99.4 million.

By comparison, the same fund held 1,691,143 shares just three months earlier, showing a 25% quarter-over-quarter increase in Bitcoin ETF exposure.

Picture BlackRock Fund Raises Exposure to IBIT Bitcoin ETF by 25% 2 | TON app

IBIT Now Dominates U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETF Market

IBIT is one of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs that received SEC approval in January 2024. Since then, it has grown into the largest fund in its class, surpassing $72 billion in assets under management (AUM), per Bitbo data.

The next closest rival, Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), has around $22 billion in AUM — a $50 billion gap.

Bond Portfolio Seeks Broader Market Exposure

The Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio is traditionally a bond-oriented investment vehicle. According to its prospectus, the fund aims to enhance overall returns while preserving capital through diversified exposure to various asset classes — including digital assets like Bitcoin.

Institutional Bitcoin ETF Demand Grows in 2025

Following a blockbuster year for spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, institutional interest continues to rise in 2025. Cointelegraph recently reported that over $1.5 billion flowed into U.S. Bitcoin ETFs in just two days in May.

BlackRock’s IBIT played a leading role in this surge, with daily net inflows regularly exceeding $500 million since early April.

Picture BlackRock Fund Raises Exposure to IBIT Bitcoin ETF by 25% 3 | TON app

Bitcoin ETF Flows Could Hit $120B in 2025

According to Bitwise Asset Management, Bitcoin ETF inflows could reach $120 billion by the end of the year and climb to $300 billion by 2026. This projection is based on trends seen during the rise of gold ETFs.

IBIT’s continued growth mirrors the early performance of gold ETFs, but analysts at Bitwise suggest the biggest opportunity lies ahead. Wealth management platforms and large advisory networks remain a mostly untapped market for spot Bitcoin ETFs.