BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Is the Youngest Top ETF and May Surpass Satoshi in BTC Holdings, Bloomberg Analyst

The BlackRock Bitcoin ETF has emerged as the fastest-growing fund by assets, according to a recent disclosure by Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas. Just 1.4 years since its launch, the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has amassed $72.4 billion in assets under management, making it the youngest ETF in the top 25 by a margin of over a decade. According to Balchunas, this development positions IBIT as the only fund under 10 years old on the list, and one that is nine times younger than the next-youngest ETF. https://twitter.com/EricBalchunas/status/1929872901479539068Notably, IBIT’s rise signals historic investor demand for direct Bitcoin exposure through a regulated ETF wrapper.Historic Asset Growth for a NewcomerAmong the top ETFs by asset size, longstanding funds such as Vanguard’s VOO, SPDR’s SPY, and iShares’ IVV each carry more than $580 billion in assets and have been active for at least 14 years. In stark contrast, the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF ranks 23rd in size despite its short existence, with its 1.4-year age making it a significant statistical outlier. Other ETFs, such as VWO and IEMG, are over 12 years old, underscoring the unusual nature of IBIT’s ascent.In his analysis, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas described IBIT’s position among the top ETFs as “like an infant hanging out with teenagers and twenty-somethings,” emphasizing the fund’s unusually young age relative to its peers. He added that this is possibly the most amazing stats pulled by IBIT. While older ETFs built scale over decades, the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF accumulated assets at an accelerated rate. He also pointed out the role of structural advantages—such as liquidity, cost efficiency, and the trust associated with traditional ETF frameworks—as key drivers behind IBIT’s success in attracting inflows.BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Could Surpass Satoshi Nakamoto as Largest BTC HolderAlongside its asset growth, IBIT has also emerged as a leading custodian of Bitcoin. According to Balchunas, IBIT currently holds 660,842 BTC, ranking it as the second-largest holder globally. Only the balance belonging to Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, exceeds IBIT’s holdings. Estimates suggest Satoshi’s wallets contain approximately 1,123,500 BTC, though some analysts, such as London-based Farside Investors, have questioned the certainty of that figure.Meanwhile, Balchunas emphasized that even conservative estimates still place IBIT on track to become the largest holder of Bitcoin by late 2026. The BlackRock Bitcoin ETF has purchased around $50 billion worth of Bitcoin since its inception, surpassing major holders like Binance and Strategy, which hold 622,546 BTC and 580,955 BTC respectively.Long-Term ETF Market Impact DiscussedIn a separate development, Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor in April predicted that IBIT could eventually overtake Vanguard’s VOO to become the largest ETF globally. At a Bitwise-hosted Bitcoin conference, Saylor outlined a potential path over the next decade where Bitcoin ETFs reshape traditional fund rankings. Balchunas later echoed this possibility, noting that while such an outcome remains speculative, IBIT’s trajectory is significant within the broader ETF industry.