BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF has quickly become the third-largest Bitcoin holder globally, trailing only behind Bitcoin's enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
The combined U.S. ETF holdings exceed 900,000 BTC, while Nakamoto’s alleged stash is around 1.1 million BTC, though this is disputed.
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas forecasts that Bitcoin ETFs could surpass Nakamoto’s holdings by 2025. Currently, BlackRock’s IBIT holds 347,767 BTC, and Fidelity’s FBTC has 176,626 BTC. Grayscale is another major player with 263,801 BTC.
Didn’t realize US ETFs are on track to pass Satoshi in bitcoin held in October. BlackRock alone is already #3 and on pace to be #1 late next year, and will likely stay there for a very long time Ht @EdmondsonShaun pic.twitter.com/QGsO00zrxp
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) August 12, 2024
Binance ranks second with over 550,000 BTC, despite regulatory challenges.
The actual BTC holdings of Satoshi Nakamoto remain debated, with some estimates suggesting less than 700,000 BTC.
BlackRock, the largest asset manager globally, continues to deepen its crypto engagement. Its iShares Bitcoin ETF manages about $21 billion, and its recent partnership with Circle to invest in USDC highlights its growing role in the sector.
BlackRock might soon launch its own blockchain to streamline asset management, potentially enhancing its influence in the cryptocurrency market.
In a fresh move to bolster its Bitcoin war chest, Strategy is rolling out a new fundraising vehicle—Stride preferred shares—targeting up to $1 billion in capital.
Metaplanet is aggressively expanding its Bitcoin holdings through an unconventional $5.4 billion capital raise, positioning itself as a leading BTC proxy in Asia.
BlueBird Mining Ventures, a London-listed firm traditionally focused on gold, is making headlines after announcing it will liquidate its gold reserves and begin accumulating Bitcoin as a treasury asset.
Bitcoin tumbled sharply today, shedding more than 3.5% in a matter of hours and briefly flirting with the critical $100,000 level.