Spot Bitcoin ETFs hit $109 billion AUM as institutional adoption accelerates globally
Quick Take
- Allocations from global players like Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, Hong Kong’s Avenir, and Brown University’s endowment highlight Bitcoin’s growing acceptance among sovereign funds, asset managers, and even conservative academic institutions.
- The following is an excerpt from The Block’s Data and Insights newsletter.
Assets under management (AUM) in spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have reached a record $109 billion, underscoring the growing role these vehicles play in expanding institutional access to digital assets.
Since their launch, spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen steady inflows, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) quickly emerging as the market leader. The milestone supports the long-standing view that regulatory-compliant structures could unlock significant capital from institutional investors who were previously hesitant to navigate the complexities of direct crypto custody.
On April 28, IBIT recorded its largest single-day inflow in three months, attracting $970 million. The surge highlights sustained institutional demand well beyond the initial hype phase, signaling that Bitcoin ETFs are maturing into core allocation tools rather than speculative instruments.
The growing diversity of allocators also points to a global shift in institutional acceptance. Hong Kong-based Avenir reports nearly $700 million in exposure, while Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, has disclosed a $408.5 million allocation—an endorsement from a traditionally risk-averse investor. Even academic endowments are participating, with Brown University revealing a nearly $5 million position, modest in size but significant symbolically.
This is an excerpt from The Block's Data & Insights newsletter. Dig into the numbers making up the industry's most thought-provoking trends.
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