BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Smashes Records: 700,000 BTC Accumulated in Just 18 Months

Wall Street's crypto embrace hits hyperdrive as BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF gobbles up 700,000 BTC—faster than a hedge fund discovers tax loopholes.

The institutional floodgates are open

Forget 'dipping toes in'—BlackRock just cannonballed into the Bitcoin pool. Their ETF now holds enough BTC to make Satoshi's pseudonymous eyebrows raise (if they existed).

700K coins and no brakes

That's $42 billion at current prices—assuming anyone in traditional finance actually checks crypto valuations between martini lunches. The accumulation pace makes the 2017 retail FOMO look like amateur hour.

What the ticker tape won't tell you

While suits high-five over 'innovation,' the real story? This ETF singlehandedly vacuumed up 3.3% of Bitcoin's total supply. Decentralization purists are screaming into their encrypted group chats.

One question remains: When JPMorgan launches its 'Blockchain Is Bad Except When We Do It' ETF, who blinks first?

TLDR

• BlackRock’s IBIT now holds 700,000 bitcoin and has gathered $76 billion in assets under management in just 18 months
• IBIT has surpassed major ETFs like IVV (S&P 500) and IWM (Russell 2000) to become BlackRock’s third-largest revenue driver
• U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs have attracted $50 billion in net inflows since launching in January 2024
• IBIT’s holdings exceed MicroStrategy’s 600,000 bitcoin, which the company started buying in 2020
• Grayscale’s GBTC holds 184,000 bitcoin while Fidelity’s FBTC holds 203,000 bitcoin

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has reached a new milestone by holding 700,000 bitcoin, according to Glassnode data. The fund has accumulated $76 billion in assets under management since its launch 18 months ago.

IBIT has now surpassed two major BlackRock ETFs in terms of assets. The fund has overtaken both the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) in total holdings.

The bitcoin ETF’s growth has been rapid compared to other major bitcoin holders. IBIT’s 700,000 bitcoin exceeds the 600,000 bitcoin held by MicroStrategy, which began purchasing the cryptocurrency in 2020.

Other spot bitcoin ETFs hold smaller amounts of the cryptocurrency. Fidelity’s FBTC currently holds 203,000 bitcoin, while Grayscale’s GBTC holds 184,000 bitcoin.

New milestone…

iShares Bitcoin ETF now holds over 700,000 btc.

*700,000*

Did this in 18 months.

Ridiculous.

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) July 8, 2025

Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, commented on the achievement through social media. He noted that reaching 700,000 bitcoin in 18 months was an impressive feat for the fund.

Record-Breaking ETF Performance

The U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024 and have achieved unprecedented success. These funds have attracted $50 billion in net inflows since their inception, making them the most successful ETF introductions in history.

IBIT has become a major revenue source for BlackRock across its entire fund lineup. The bitcoin ETF now ranks as the third highest revenue-generating ETF for the asset management giant.

BlackRock operates a total of 1,197 funds across its various investment products. Senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted this context when discussing IBIT’s performance within the company’s broader portfolio.

The success of bitcoin ETFs has reshaped the investment landscape for cryptocurrency exposure. These funds provide traditional investors with regulated access to bitcoin through familiar brokerage accounts.

Market Impact and Holdings

The rapid accumulation of bitcoin by these ETFs has created new dynamics in the cryptocurrency market. IBIT alone now controls a substantial portion of the total bitcoin supply through its institutional holdings.

The 18-month timeline for IBIT’s growth contrasts sharply with earlier bitcoin accumulation strategies. Traditional corporate buyers like MicroStrategy took years to build their current bitcoin positions.

The ETF structure has allowed for faster capital deployment into bitcoin than previous investment vehicles. This has enabled BlackRock to surpass established bitcoin holders in a relatively short timeframe.

Other asset managers have also seen success with their bitcoin ETF offerings. The combined holdings of major bitcoin ETFs now represent a substantial portion of institutional bitcoin ownership.

The growth of these funds continues as more investors seek regulated exposure to bitcoin. Current data shows IBIT maintaining its position as the largest spot bitcoin ETF by assets under management.