BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Surpasses Gold ETF as Investor Interest Shifts Towards Digital Assets
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has overtaken the firm’s longstanding iShares Gold Trust (IAU) in assets under management (AUM), highlighting a significant pivot in investor interest from traditional safe-haven assets like gold to digital assets. IBIT now holds approximately $33.1 billion in AUM, surpassing IAU’s $32.9 billion.
Launched in early 2024, IBIT has drawn massive capital, accumulating over $10 billion within its first two months—a feat that took gold ETFs nearly two years to reach. According to Farside Investors, IBIT has attracted more than $27 billion in net inflows since its inception, including a record $1.1 billion in a single day on November 7.
The impressive growth of IBIT can be attributed to strong demand from both retail and institutional investors, bolstered by recent Bitcoin price surges. Bitcoin recently reached an all-time high of $76,800, further fueling inflows into IBIT.
This shift towards Bitcoin ETFs over gold ETFs is particularly striking given gold’s longstanding reputation as a safe-haven asset. The increasing attraction to Bitcoin suggests a transformation in sentiment as investors increasingly view the leading cryptocurrency as a viable alternative—or complement—to traditional assets like gold.
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