Institutional Investors Increase Exposure to Bitcoin Spot ETFs

Institutional investors have increased their exposure to Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in the fourth quarter of last year.

According to the latest 13F reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), major institutional investors significantly adjusted their holdings in Bitcoin spot ETFs during the fourth quarter of last year. The 13F report is a mandatory filing for institutional investors managing stock assets exceeding $100 million quarterly.

The most preferred Bitcoin spot ETF among institutional investors is BlackRock's 'iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)'. As of December 31, approximately 1,100 institutions held 247 million shares.

Goldman Sachs increased its IBIT holdings by 88% compared to the previous quarter, securing 24.07 million shares. This represents the second-largest holding following Millennium Management (29 million shares).

Barclays newly entered the Bitcoin spot ETF market by purchasing 2.47 million IBIT shares.

The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund also made its first IBIT purchase worth $436.9 million, immediately becoming the 7th largest holder of IBIT. The Wisconsin state employee pension fund reportedly more than doubled its holdings.