BlackRock Inc.’s iShares unit, known for managing more than 1,400 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) globally, witnessed a groundbreaking debut in 2024 with the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). In just 11 months, IBIT amassed over $50 billion in assets, setting a record as the fastest-growing ETF in history, reported Bloomberg.
This growth surpassed the combined assets of over 50 long-established European market-focused ETFs.
Industry experts Todd Sohn of Strategas Securities described its scale as unparalleled and Nate Geraci of The ETF Store dubbing it "the greatest launch in ETF history." Bloomberg Intelligence’s James Seyffart noted IBIT’s unprecedented growth trajectory across all asset classes.
IBIT marked a pivotal moment for Bitcoin. BlackRock’s endorsement, with its $11 trillion in assets under management, boosted Bitcoin’s credibility and catalyzed its price to exceed $100,000 for the first time.
