Bitcoin ETF Surpasses Gold in Institutional Investment Appeal

BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has achieved a significant milestone by attracting $6.96 billion in net inflows year-to-date, surpassing the $6.5 billion gathered by SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), the world's largest physically backed gold ETF. This development underscores a notable shift in institutional investment preferences, with Bitcoin emerging as a favored asset despite gold's 29% price rally compared to BTC's modest 3.8% gain. The growing confidence in Bitcoin's long-term store of value is evident, as institutional investors increasingly pivot toward digital assets. This trend highlights Bitcoin's evolving role in the financial landscape, potentially signaling a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a mainstream investment vehicle. The divergence between Bitcoin and gold inflows reflects changing perceptions of risk and return, with Bitcoin's potential for higher returns and diversification benefits attracting significant capital. As of June 2025, this institutional embrace of Bitcoin continues to shape the future of digital asset investments, reinforcing its position as a formidable competitor to traditional safe-haven assets like gold.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Outshines Gold Fund in 2024 Inflows

BlackRock's spot bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has surged ahead of traditional safe-haven assets, attracting $6.96 billion in net inflows year-to-date—eclipsing the $6.5 billion gathered by SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), the world's largest physically backed gold ETF. This institutional pivot toward Bitcoin comes despite gold's 29% price rally dwarfing BTC's modest 3.8% gain.

The divergence highlights growing confidence in Bitcoin's long-term store-of-value proposition, even as geopolitical tensions fuel gold's ascent. IBIT now ranks sixth among all ETFs by inflows, with GLD slipping to seventh place—a symbolic shift in asset allocation preferences among institutional investors.

Bitcoin’s Perfect Score: Time to Celebrate or Be Cautious?

Bitcoin's price surge has pushed 100% of holders out of paper losses, a rare milestone. The cryptocurrency briefly climbed above $97,500, fueled by optimism around potential U.S.-China trade talks and tariff reductions.

Historical data, however, suggests caution. Periods of peak profitability have often preceded significant corrections. IntoTheBlock data shows 95% of BTC holders are now "in the money," but market veterans know such euphoria can be fleeting.

12-Year-Dormant Bitcoin Wallet Moves $324 Million, Sparking Market Speculation

A 12-year-silent Bitcoin wallet holding 3,422 BTC ($324 million) suddenly transferred its holdings to a new address. The coins originated from BTC-e, a defunct exchange, and have appreciated 7,018x since their 2012 purchase at $46,000. This movement coincides with another whale transferring 2,343 BTC ($221 million), signaling potential shifts in long-term holder behavior.

Such large-scale movements from dormant wallets often precede market volatility. The crypto community watches closely as these ancient whales resurface—whether cashing out or repositioning remains unclear. Exchange inflows suggest some may be preparing to liquidate, but the scale implies strategic intent beyond mere profit-taking.

Japan’s Metaplanet Doubles Down on Bitcoin with $25M Raise After 555 BTC Purchase

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed firm, has aggressively expanded its Bitcoin holdings with a recent purchase of 555 BTC at an average price of $96,134, totaling $53.4 million. This brings its cumulative holdings to 5,555 BTC, valued at approximately $465 million, with an average entry price of $86,672 per coin.

The company, which unveiled its crypto strategy in April 2024, is now planning to extend its footprint into the U.S. with a $10 million Treasury Corp in Miami. Institutional demand for Bitcoin has surged over the past five months, and Metaplanet stands at the forefront of this accumulation trend.

UK Treasury Rejects Bitcoin Reserve Strategy, Focuses on Blockchain Debt

The United Kingdom has firmly dismissed the idea of establishing a national Bitcoin reserve, distinguishing its approach from potential U.S. initiatives to hold digital assets at a sovereign level. Emma Reynolds MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, clarified the stance during her speech at the Financial Times Digital Asset Summit in London.

"We don’t think that’s appropriate for our market," Reynolds stated, referencing Bitcoin accumulation. "We understand that’s what the U.S. is going for, but that’s not the plan for us." The remarks underscore a deliberate divergence in crypto strategy between the two nations.

Despite this, Reynolds highlighted ongoing transatlantic collaboration, noting recent discussions between UK and U.S. Treasury officials. The focus appears to be on blockchain-based debt instruments rather than direct cryptocurrency exposure.

Crypto Market Suffers $357M in April Hacks, BTC Dominates Losses

The cryptocurrency market faced another turbulent month in April 2025, with blockchain security firm PeckShieldAlert reporting 18 major exploits totaling $357.11M in losses. A single unauthorized Bitcoin transfer accounted for 92% of the damages—a staggering $330.7M breach that underscores persistent security vulnerabilities.

While @zksync, @KiloEx_perp, and @term_labs managed to recover $14.4M collectively, the scale of April's exploits highlights the sector's ongoing battle against sophisticated attacks. The incident follows March's substantial losses, suggesting hackers are increasingly targeting high-value blockchain transactions during market upswings.