Bitcoin ETFs Set a New Milestone, Topping Original Holder Satoshi Nakamoto

The popularity of Bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs) has soared to new heights, turning them into the largest holders of the leading cryptocurrency. Recently, these funds collectively surpassed $100 billion in assets under management. This achievement marks one of the quickest and most significant launches of an ETF. The combined holdings of the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs total more than 1. 1 million bitcoins, making up about 5% of the total bitcoins in existence. Interestingly, this amount exceeds the holdings of Bitcoin's mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. The small but influential U. S. spot ETFs hold the most bitcoin, followed closely by entities such as Binance, MicroStrategy, and the U. S. government. Investment experts like Brian Hartigan from Invesco point out that ETFs have become the go-to choice for Bitcoin ownership. With over $10 trillion in assets under management in U. S. ETFs, Bitcoin now accounts for 1% of that total, a substantial figure given previous debates on portfolio allocation. The rising popularity of Bitcoin ETFs can be attributed to pent-up demand and a bullish market. Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, notes that over ten years of anticipation and stellar market performance have created ideal conditions for these products. Looking ahead, the Bitcoin and ETF industries anticipate further growth in 2025, driven by hopes of relaxed institutional investment rules and a friendlier regulatory environment. The introduction of a crypto "czar" and supportive SEC nominees signals a shift towards a more favorable regulatory climate. The goal is to make digital coins more accessible to institutional investors, capitalizing on the liquidity and regulation benefits of ETFs. Some industry experts predict that Bitcoin ETFs could even outpace gold ETFs by 2025. Gold ETFs, which have been around for over two decades, currently hold about $125 billion in assets. With the rapid growth of Bitcoin ETFs, surpassing this benchmark in the near future is not out of the question. This unprecedented growth highlights the shift in investor preferences towards digital currencies.