Blackrock Amasses 110K Bitcoins for ETF Amounting to $5.4B in Crypto Assets

Blackrock, renowned as the world's largest asset manager, recently revealed that its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), has amassed a significant holding.

As of February 14, IBIT boasted 109,609 bitcoins and $109,955 in cash, equating to approximately $5,453,917,345 in net assets.

Rising Inflows and Market Impact

On February 14 alone, spot Bitcoin ETFs garnered a substantial inflow of $339.8 million, with IBIT leading the charge with a net inflow of $224.3 million.

Data compiled by Bitmex Research indicates that ten U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs collectively attracted over $4.1 billion since their launch. Grayscale's GBTC has experienced significant outflows since its debut on January 11.

Blackrock's Ishares Bitcoin Trust swiftly ascended to the top five in terms of inflows for all ETFs in 2024, achieving this milestone within a mere 17 days of its launch.

According to Bitcoin News, Blackrock's CEO, Larry Fink, recently expressed his newfound confidence in Bitcoin, affirming that he is now a "big believer" in the digital currency and emphasizing its significance surpassing governmental influence.

Regulatory Landscape and Market Outlook

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlit 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 10. In a recent interview, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler clarified that approving spot Bitcoin ETFs does not equate to endorsing Bitcoin itself.

He reiterated the SEC's stance as "merit neutral" while expressing concerns about Bitcoin's association with ransomware and its prevalence in illicit activities.

According to Zycrypto, many investors anticipate a substantial price surge for Bitcoin, fueled by the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs and the upcoming Bitcoin halving.

Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of Microstrategy, echoed this sentiment, asserting that Bitcoin has become the world's most sought-after investment asset. Saylor opined that the increasing demand for Bitcoin through ETFs far surpasses the supply generated by miners, indicating a bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency market.

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