In a year marked by significant growth and adoption of cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has emerged as the top performer, attracting over $37 billion in net inflows. This figure surpasses its closest competitor, Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which saw nearly $12 billion in net inflows.
BlackRock Leads the Pack in Ether ETFs as Well
As the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock also dominated the Ethereum ETF market, with the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) pulling in a significant $3.5 billion in net inflows during 2024. Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund (FETH) trailed closely behind, with $1.5 billion in net inflows.
According to data from Farside Investors, BlackRock’s dominance in the ETF market is a testament to its expertise and reputation in the financial industry. "Fidelity is a closer second here, 44% of Blackrock’s total, compared to 31% in Bitcoin," said Farside in a December 31 post on the X platform.
United States Bitcoin ETFs See Record-Breaking Inflows
The aggregate net inflows for United States Bitcoin ETFs during 2024 exceeded $35 billion. This figure translates to approximately $144 million in net inflows each trading day, according to Farside Investors. While this is a significant achievement, it’s worth noting that Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) saw more than $20 billion in net outflows. GBTC was launched in 2013 and initially had management fees of 2.5%. However, the asset manager listed Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) as a cheaper alternative with an annual management fee of 0.15% in July.
The Rise of Bitcoin ETFs
Bitcoin ETFs have been on the rise since their listing in the US in January after a lengthy tussle with regulators. The crypto market surged following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, as many believe his win will benefit the industry, according to Cointelegraph Research.
On November 21, US Bitcoin ETFs broke $100 billion in net assets for the first time, according to data from Bloomberg Intelligence. This milestone highlights the growing popularity of cryptocurrency-based ETFs among investors.
Bitcoin Dominates ETF Landscape
Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, noted that Bitcoin has dominated the ETF landscape this year, accounting for six of the top 10 most successful launches in 2024. Of the approximately 400 new ETFs launched in 2024, the four biggest launches by inflows have all been spot BTC ETFs, Geraci said in September.
Implications and Future Outlook
The dominance of Bitcoin ETFs has significant implications for the financial industry and investors alike. As more investors become interested in cryptocurrency-based investments, it’s essential to understand the benefits and risks associated with these products.
BlackRock’s success in the ETF market is a testament to its expertise and reputation in the financial industry. However, the rise of cheaper alternatives like Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) may pose a challenge to BlackRock’s dominance in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has emerged as the top performer in the ETF market, attracting over $37 billion in net inflows. The company’s dominance in both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs is a testament to its expertise and reputation in the financial industry. As the popularity of cryptocurrency-based investments continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how BlackRock and other asset managers adapt to the changing landscape.
References
- Farside Investors
- Cointelegraph Research
- Bloomberg Intelligence
- The ETF Store
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