The demand for spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been predominantly driven by retail investors, according to recent data. The average trade size of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Fund (IBIT) is 326 shares, equivalent to around $13,000, indicating that these trades are being made by nonprofessional investors.
Since the launch of spot bitcoin ETFs in January, billions of dollars have flowed into these investment vehicles, coinciding with a positive shift in sentiment towards the cryptocurrency. Despite the substantial inflow of funds, experts note that the majority of the money is not coming from institutional investors, but rather from retail investors.
Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, highlighted that the average trade size of 326 shares for the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) suggests a significant presence of retail investors in the market. While BlackRock, the issuer of IBIT, declined to comment on the matter, sources familiar with the situation indicated that retail investors are the primary drivers of the demand.
Kyle DaCruz, director of digital assets products at VanEck, another issuer of a bitcoin ETF, also acknowledged the significant retail participation in the market. However, he noted that the early days of ETF launches lack transparency regarding the identity of investors, as many trades are executed by authorized participants, market makers, and brokers on behalf of entities.
ETFs provide an accessible avenue for individual investors to gain exposure to bitcoin without directly holding the asset. This ease of access has attracted a wide range of investors, including those who may not typically invest in cryptocurrencies. BlackRock’s IBIT, which has amassed over $14 billion in assets within just two months, stands out as a popular choice among investors due to its high liquidity and low fees.
Despite the success of most bitcoin ETFs, Grayscale’s GBTC has experienced outflows since converting into an ETF in January. Nevertheless, the overall performance of these products has been impressive, with Balchunas noting that even the smallest ETF, WisdomTree’s Bitcoin Fund (BTCW), has garnered significant attention.
In conclusion, the surge in demand for spot bitcoin ETFs appears to be largely fueled by retail investors seeking exposure to the cryptocurrency market through accessible and cost-effective investment vehicles. As the market continues to evolve, the role of retail investors in shaping the landscape of bitcoin investments is expected to remain significant.