Bitcoin Investment by Blackstone Marks Strategic Shift
Blackstone has made its first major Bitcoin investment through BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), according to a recent SEC filing. The move signals growing interest in regulated digital assets among traditional financial institutions.
Blackstone’s Position in IBIT Fund
As of March 31, Blackstone held 23,094 shares of the IBIT ETF—valued at approximately $1.08 million. This position was established via its Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund (BTMIX), which manages over $2.6 billion in assets.
Additionally, the fund includes:
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4,300 shares of Bitcoin Depot Inc. (~$6,300)
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9,889 shares of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (~$181,000)
Institutional Shift Toward Digital Assets
Historically cautious, Blackstone’s leadership—particularly CEO Steve Schwarzman—previously expressed skepticism toward crypto. However, the allocation to a regulated crypto ETF marks a shift in sentiment. Instead of direct exposure to BTC, firms are favoring structured vehicles like ETFs.
This trend reflects wider acceptance of digital asset classes in traditional finance.
ETF Inflows Highlight Growing Crypto Demand
BlackRock’s IBIT ETF has emerged as a frontrunner since launching in January 2024. As reported by Farside Investors, the fund has attracted over $46 billion in net inflows, maintaining a 20-day streak of positive flows.
Other competitors include:
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Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) — $11.8 billion
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ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) — $2.8 billion
These inflows show strong institutional demand for compliant BTC exposure.
What Investors Should Monitor
For investors exploring crypto through traditional channels, Blackstone’s move offers a model worth watching. Key actions include:
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Track quarterly 13F filings for institutional allocations
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Monitor ETF trends and flows via Farside
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Explore Bitcoin ETF options rather than holding crypto directly
Learn More
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Review the SEC disclosure here
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Analyze ETF data at Farside Investors
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