BlackRock Highlights Bitcoin ETF as Key Focus Alongside Treasury Bills and Tech Stocks

BlackRock pins Bitcoin ETF as major theme alongside T-bills, tech stocks

BlackRock has identified its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) as one of its top three investment themes for 2025, positioning it alongside Treasury bills and major U.S. technology stocks.

Key Highlights:

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is recognized as a significant investment alongside Treasury bills and popular tech stocks.
IBIT has generated over $25 billion in net inflows this year, making it the sixth most popular ETF despite a negative return thus far in 2025.
Experts like Nate Geraci and Eric Balchunas suggest that if IBIT can attract substantial investments in a down market, its potential in a strong market could be even greater.
Total inflows for IBIT since its launch have reached approximately $62.5 billion.
BlackRock has also proposed a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF and made strides with its iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA).

In addition to IBIT's performance, the asset management firm’s ETF tracking Treasury bills and another for the “Magnificent 7” technology stocks, which include Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla, have similarly gained traction.

So far in 2025, IBIT has drawn over $25 billion in inflows, securing its position at the sixth spot among all ETFs. Notably, it has trailed behind broader index funds, even though it hasn't performed well in terms of returns this year.

Nate Geraci, President of NovaDius Wealth Management, commented on Monday that BlackRock's focus on IBIT indicates that the firm remains unfazed by Bitcoin's 30% decline from its peak in October. Additionally, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas shared a similar viewpoint last Friday, suggesting that if IBIT can attract $25 billion during a less favorable year, the inflow potential in a better year could be tremendous.

SEC, Data, Ethereum ETF, Bitcoin ETF, BlackRock IBIT's ranking among ETFs by inflows in 2025 as of mid-December. Source: Eric Balchunas

The $25 billion influx for 2025 builds on approximately $37 billion that IBIT raised in 2024, totaling roughly $62.5 billion in inflows since its inception, as per Farside Investors data. This figure exceeds five times that of its closest rival, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC).

In September, BlackRock also filed to register a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which aims to sell covered call options on Bitcoin futures to generate yield.

BlackRock’s Move into Ethereum ETFs

Moreover, BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) has surpassed expectations as well, amassing over $9.1 billion in inflows this year and nearly $12.7 billion overall. In November, they filed to register an iShares Staked Ethereum ETF to enhance ETHA. Initially, BlackRock did not include staking in ETHA, but due to a more favorable stance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) toward cryptocurrency ETFs, asset managers can now test new ideas.

Interestingly, BlackRock has not entered the altcoin ETF space like some other asset managers, who have recently launched products focusing on digital currencies such as Litecoin, Solana, and XRP.

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