US spot bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have reached a historic milestone by accumulating a collective 1,104,534 BTC.
This puts them as the largest holders of bitcoin, surpassing Satoshi Nakamoto, as reported by ETF specialist Eric Balchunas. The coin’s creator is estimated to have mined approximately 1,100,000 BTC during Bitcoin’s early days.
The achievement came after a day of massive buying. Yesterday, ETFs recorded capital inflows of $766 million.
Of that total, the BlackRock-managed iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) raised the largest share with $770 million. This fund already holds more than 520,000 BTC, consolidating itself as a leader in the sector with $50 billion in assets under management.
Other funds also saw significant inflows. The Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) reported inflows of $95 million, while the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) received $47 million.
However, these inflows were partially offset by outflows in other ETFs. The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) saw outflows of $148 million, and the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) lost $10 million, according to data from Soso Value.
The increase in ETF holdings reflects the growing institutional demand for bitcoin-based financial products . Although these instruments were launched in January of this year, they have quickly gained traction, offering investors a regulated way to gain exposure to the cryptoasset market without having to acquire bitcoin directly.
BlackRock’s market leadership is underlined by the scale of its operations. With over 520,000 BTC in its possession, the iShares Bitcoin Trust is positioned far ahead of its competitors . This advantage reinforces its role as a dominant player in an ecosystem that is still expanding.
ETFs surpassing Satoshi Nakamoto’s holdings marks a new chapter in the evolution of bitcoin as a financial asset. Spot ETFs, though new, are already making a significant mark on the market, attracting both large institutions and retail investors looking to participate in the ecosystem in a regulated manner
