Sovereign Wealth Funds Eye Bitcoin After Spot ETF Boom: BlackRock Insider Drops Bombshell

As a seasoned crypto investor who has witnessed the rollercoaster ride of Bitcoin’s price swings and the entry of institutional investors into the space, I find the recent developments both exciting and nerve-wracking. The volatility we have seen in the market, with over $300 billion exiting the cryptocurrency space due to a sudden drop in Bitcoin’s price, is not new to me. However, the potential entry of sovereign wealth funds into the market is a game-changer.


As an analyst, I’ve observed a significant price drop in Bitcoin (BTC) from around $63,000 to just above $56,000, leading to an exit of over $300 billion from the cryptocurrency space. This volatility has not deterred sovereign wealth funds from considering Bitcoin as a potential investment opportunity.

Bitcoin has experienced a significant surge this year, with gains exceeding 39%. Over the past year, its price growth has been even more impressive, rising over 106%. This upward trend can be attributed in part to the approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US. Notable asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity have entered this market with their own offerings.

Based on new information, an executive at BlackRock has shared that sovereign wealth funds are considering investing in Bitcoin via the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF, potentially making transactions within the upcoming quarter.

BlackRock’s head of Bitcoin and crypto, Robert Mitchnick, was quoted as saying:

As a researcher in the field, I’ve noticed that numerous organizations, such as pension funds, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, insurers, asset managers, and family offices, are continuously engaging in due diligence conversations with firms. In this process, I contribute by providing educational resources and insights.

Last month, there were rumors that Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth Fund was considering investing heavily in Bitcoin, with Max Keiser estimating the potential investment could reach $500 billion. However, given that the Qatar Investment Authority manages assets worth $475 billion in total, it seems unlikely that they would allocate their entire fund to a single asset such as Bitcoin.

Making such an investment represents a marked shift in perspective towards digital assets. Notable foreign wealth funds, including Kuwait’s Investment Authority (KIA) and Norway’s large $1.6 trillion fund, have the potential to cause significant market fluctuations with modest investments.

I, as a crypto investor, have learned that BNP Paribas, the European banking giant with over $600 billion in asset management, has taken a direct position in Bitcoin through a listed exchange-traded fund (ETF).

As a seasoned crypto investor, I keep a close eye on the quarterly disclosures made by institutional investors with over $100 million in assets. These reports, known as 13F filings, provide valuable insights into their investment strategies. With the recent success of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States, these filings have become even more scrutinized by industry insiders and sleuths alike.

In the first quarter filings for 2024, asset managers, family offices, and smaller banks were among the notable buyers of cryptocurrencies. However, BNP Paribas’ participation signifies a significant shift, as the bank only invested a tiny fraction of its assets, approximately $40,000 worth, in the leading cryptocurrency.

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2024-05-03 03:18