James Richardson
BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has officially become the fastest exchange-traded fund to reach $70 billion in assets, achieving the milestone in just 341 trading days. This new record puts IBIT leagues ahead of previous ETF champions like the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which took over 1,600 days to hit the same benchmark.
According to Bloomberg’s Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas, IBIT’s meteoric growth is unlike anything seen before in the ETF space. “It took IBIT just 341 days to cross the $70B mark — five times faster than GLD, the previous record holder,” Balchunas shared on X.
With over $70 billion in assets under management, IBIT is the undisputed leader among all spot Bitcoin ETFs. Its closest competitor, Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF, trails far behind with just $31 billion in AUM, based on PRIME Data Dashboard.
Adding to its momentum, IBIT recently enjoyed a 34-day streak of consecutive inflows, reflecting ongoing investor confidence and demand.
GLD’s Long Reign Now Eclipsed
The GLD ETF, launched in November 2004, was previously the fastest-growing commodity-based ETF. It allowed investors to gain exposure to gold prices without directly buying or holding the metal. Despite its historical success and approximately $100 billion in assets, GLD’s record timeline has now been shattered by BlackRock’s IBIT.
Bitcoin and Gold Rally Amid Global Uncertainty
Both Bitcoin and gold have delivered strong performances in 2025 as investors seek safe havens during economic volatility, some of which stems from President Trump’s renewed tariff initiatives. These assets are viewed as alternative stores of value in unpredictable financial environments.
BlackRock’s Bitcoin Ambitions Continue to Expand
Launched in January 2024, BlackRock’s IBIT has quickly established itself as a cornerstone investment vehicle in the crypto market. By April, the fund controlled approximately 2.8% of all bitcoin in circulation, according to Arkham Intelligence.
It’s important to note that while BlackRock holds the bitcoin on behalf of its clients, the firm does not directly own the cryptocurrency.
