In the first six days of trading, the newly approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have accumulated a significant number of bitcoins (BTC). The “Newborn Nine,” as they are called, have collectively acquired over 95,297 BTC since their launch on January 11, 2024. This surge in interest has pushed the total assets under management (AUM) of these ETFs to an impressive $3.96 billion.
Among the Newborn Nine, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) takes the lead with holdings of 33,706 BTC, closely followed by Fidelity Wise Original Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) with 30,384 BTC. Bitwise (BITB) holds 10,235 BTC, Ark Invest/21 Shares’ ARKB has 9,134 BTC, and Invesco’s BTCO boasts 6,192 BTC. On the other end of the spectrum, the VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL), Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (BRRR), and Franklin Templeton’s EZBC have accumulated 2,566 BTC, 1,726 BTC, and 1,169 BTC, respectively. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW) has the smallest holdings, sitting at 182 BTC.
In comparison to the Newborn Nine, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) holds the largest number of BTC, totaling 552,077 BTC. Despite experiencing $590 million in outflows on Friday, GBTC continues to maintain its spot as the Bitcoin ETF with the most substantial BTC holdings. Interestingly, BlackRock’s IBIT, Fidelity’s FBTC, BTCO, and HODL have been able to overshadow GBTC with their impressive inflows, setting new records for their respective funds.
The Growing Appeal of Bitcoin ETFs
As the total net flows of the Newborn Nine reach approximately $1.2 billion and their AUM surpasses $4 billion, it is clear that Bitcoin ETFs are gaining traction in the market. GBTC, with an AUM of $2.8 billion, holds a significant share of the market at 14%. While there may be speculation that a portion of the outflows from GBTC will be redirected to the new ETFs, it is believed that most of the funds from GBTC originated from the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX and other traders.
With the rapid adoption and success of the Newborn Nine, it is evident that Bitcoin ETFs are shaping the future of cryptocurrency investment. The growing interest from institutional investors, such as BlackRock and Fidelity, further validates the legitimacy and potential of Bitcoin as an asset class. As more investors seek exposure to this digital currency, it is expected that the assets under management for Bitcoin ETFs will continue to grow, solidifying Bitcoin’s position within the mainstream financial industry.
The rise of Bitcoin ETFs presents a new era for cryptocurrency investment. The Newborn Nine, along with the dominance of GBTC, indicate a strong demand for Bitcoin exposure from both retail and institutional investors. As these ETFs continue to accumulate BTC holdings and attract significant inflows, it is likely that they will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Bitcoin as a legitimate and widely accepted asset class.