BlackRock, recognized as the largest asset manager globally with around $11.6 trillion in assets under its management, is currently in possession of more than 567,000 Bitcoin (BTC), which is worth more than $47.8 billion. This positions the asset manager among the biggest BTC holders in the world.
As reported by Arkham Intelligence, the latest Bitcoin acquisition by the asset manager happened on March 14, when a Coinbase Prime wallet transferred 268 BTC, valued at over $22 million, to the asset manager’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) wallet.
Tracking onchain funds to and from BlackRock. Source: Arkham Intelligence
Data from Arkham further indicates that the asset manager also holds over 1.2 million Ether (ETH), worth more than $2.3 billion, around 70 million of the USDC (USDC) stablecoin, and an extensive portfolio of altcoins.
The launch of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is frequently acknowledged as the most successful ETF launch in history, as firms like BlackRock inject tens of billions into the crypto markets, altering the cyclical capital rotation that typically defines crypto investments.
BlackRock’s crypto holdings. Source: Arkham Intelligence
Related: BlackRock Bitcoin fund sheds $420M as ETF losing streak reaches day 7
Crypto ETFs face four weeks of outflows
Throughout February 2025 and early March, crypto ETFs encountered four straight weeks of outflows attributed to macroeconomic instability and concerns regarding an extended trade conflict.
Data from CoinShares indicates that the outflows resulting from the recent market downturn reached $4.75 billion, with the week of March 9 witnessing a total of $876 million in outflows.
For the week of March 9, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin fund saw $193 million in outflows, amidst a broader trend where all BTC ETFs recorded $756 million in outflows for the month up to that point.
Weekly crypto fund flows illustrate a recent downturn featuring four weeks of consecutive outflows. Source: CoinShares
Despite the increased volatility and economic uncertainties, BlackRock integrated IBIT into its model portfolio in February 2025.
BlackRock’s model portfolios consist of predetermined investment plans encompassing a variety of diversified financial instruments catering to different risk levels. These portfolios are marketed to asset managers, who then offer these preset plans to potential investors.
Including an ETF or asset in a model portfolio can significantly enhance inflows by attracting new capital.
In the context of IBIT, the inclusion of this ETF in a predetermined investment portfolio allows investors, who may prefer a more passive strategy, to gain exposure to Bitcoin without the need to self-custody the digital asset or engage in any onchain transactions.
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