Spot Bitcoin ETFs See $1B of Inflows as IBIT Becomes Fastest Fund to Hit $80B in Assets
Spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a record-breaking surge on Thursday, attracting over $1 billion in inflows—one of the highest single-day totals since their launch. This significant influx coincided with Bitcoin’s ascension to a new all-time high, surpassing $118,000. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the charge, achieving a remarkable milestone: surpassing $80 billion in assets under management (AUM). This accomplishment makes IBIT the fastest ETF in history to reach this level, achieving it in a mere 374 days—a fraction of the time taken by the previous record-holder, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which required 1,814 days.
IBIT’s rapid growth propelled it to the 21st position among the world’s largest ETFs by assets, a testament to its success in a relatively short timeframe. The $1 billion inflow on Thursday represents only the fourth instance of such a significant daily increase for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Previous occurrences were observed in January during the beginning of President Trump’s term, and twice in November 2024 following the U.S. election.
This surge underscores the growing investor demand for direct Bitcoin exposure within traditional brokerage accounts. Spot Bitcoin ETFs provide a simplified entry point for both institutional and retail investors, mitigating concerns regarding custody and regulatory compliance prevalent in the cryptocurrency market. The ease of access and regulatory clarity offered by ETFs are key factors driving this increased investment.
The momentum extends beyond Bitcoin. President Trump’s media company has filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF under the Truth Social brand, currently awaiting SEC approval. Similarly, several other ETFs tracking assets like Solana (SOL) and XRP are also pending regulatory clearance. The ongoing developments in the ETF landscape reflect the evolving regulatory environment and the increasing mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies. The unprecedented success of IBIT showcases the immense potential and appeal of Bitcoin ETFs in the financial markets.
