BlackRock’s income and bond-focused funds have acquired shares of the asset manager’s own Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) during the first quarter, according to regulatory filings. The Strategic Income Opportunities Fund purchased $3.56 million worth of the iShares Bitcoin Trust, while the Strategic Global Bond Fund made a $485,000 purchase. These acquisitions are a small portion of the overall investment portfolios of the funds, which are valued at $37.4 billion and $776.4 million respectively. The iShares Bitcoin Trust currently holds $19.61 billion worth of Bitcoin, making it the second-largest Bitcoin trust after Grayscale Bitcoin Trust. Across the globe, spot Bitcoin ETFs hold over 1 million Bitcoin, equivalent to nearly 5.10% of its circulating supply. More than 600 US investment firms, including Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Wells Fargo, have invested in spot Bitcoin ETFs since their launch in January. Millennium Management is the largest accumulator, with $1.9 billion invested. BlackRock recently had its spot Ether ETF bid approved in the US, pending SEC approval for trading.
BlackRock introduces Bitcoin ETF to its lineup of income and bond funds