BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has set a new benchmark as the fastest exchange-traded fund (ETF) to reach $80 billion in assets, achieving the milestone in just 374 days, according to financial analyst Eric Balchunas.
The announcement, made via a post on X on Friday, highlights a dramatic surge in institutional interest in Bitcoin, outpacing the previous record held by the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ($VOO), which took 1,814 days to reach the same level.
The rapid growth, detailed in a chart accompanying Balchunas’ post, shows IBIT’s ascent surpassing other ETFs like the iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). As of Friday, total assets across all spot Bitcoin ETFs exceeded $140 billion, fueled by a Bitcoin price surge to $116,000.
This spike reflects increased institutional accumulation, bolstered by a more favorable U.S. regulatory environment under the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly policies announced earlier this year.
A 2025 study by PwC and the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) reports that 47% of hedge funds now hold digital assets, up from 29% in 2023, signaling a shift in perception from speculative to legitimate investment. BlackRock’s integration of Bitcoin into its Aladdin risk management platform further underscores this trend, legitimizing cryptocurrencies within traditional finance.
The milestone comes as Bitcoin continues to gain traction, with experts noting its appeal amid relaxed regulatory stances. However, the long-term implications remain under scrutiny as the market evolves.
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