Barclays Bank Reports $131M Stake in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF – Institutional Adoption Rising?

On February 13, Barclays Bank announced that it invested in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, becoming the latest major financial institution to do so.

The UK-based bank disclosed that it now holds over 2.4 million shares of the ETF, worth $131 million as of December 31.

This purchase was made during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 and further reflects Barclays’ growing involvement in the cryptocurrency market.

Barclays Bank Joins Growing Trend of Financial Institutions Investing in Bitcoin Products

The institution revealed its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) through an official 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

BlackRock’s IBIT is a spot Bitcoin ETF designed to provide investors with direct exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements without the need to own or store the cryptocurrency.

By investing in this product, Barclays Bank gains a stake in the world’s leading digital asset while leveraging a regulated financial structure.

Barclays Bank is not alone in this shift. Other major financial institutions have also increased their Bitcoin-related holdings, signaling a change in sentiment toward digital assets.

JPMorgan Chase, once a vocal skeptic of Bitcoin, has quietly ramped up its involvement .

Recent 13F filings reveal that the bank’s Bitcoin-related holdings have surged by 69% in the last quarter, reaching $964,322, up from $595,326.

The institution now owns 5,242 shares of BlackRock’s IBIT. These figures suggest a growing institutional acceptance of Bitcoin ETFs as a viable investment vehicle.

Goldman Sachs is another heavyweight entering deeper into the crypto space.

On February 11, the financial giant disclosed that, as of the end of 2024, it held approximately $2.05 billion in ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The value of $1.3 billion was in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF shares, while $300 million was invested in Fidelity’s ETF.

Goldman’s total crypto ETF holdings increased sharply by 50% from the previous quarter, when its investments were valued at around $720 million.

Whether these holdings are proprietary investments or client-managed assets remains unclear, but the growing exposure reflects a broader institutional shift toward Bitcoin products.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin itself has seen marked price fluctuations. The asset currently trades at $96,861 , rebounding from $94,100 amid ongoing inflation concerns.

With Barclays Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs increasing their positions in Bitcoin investment products, institutional involvement in regulated crypto markets is becoming more pronounced.

U.S. Bitcoin ETFs Have Recorded $40.05 Billion in Inflows Amid Bullish Crypto Projection

The U.S. cryptocurrency market is witnessing an unprecedented surge in institutional investments.

According to SoSoValue real-time data , investors have poured over $40 billion into U.S. Bitcoin ETFs since their debuts in January 2024, while spot Ether ETFs have attracted $3.2 billion.

This massive influx of capital signals growing confidence in Bitcoin adoption, with institutions and retail investors seeking exposure to digital assets through regulated channels.

Interestingly, the momentum is expected to continue, with experts predicting even greater adoption in the coming years.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently projected that the cryptocurrency industry is entering a new growth phase in the U.S. and noted that by 2030, up to 10% of global GDP could be crypto-based.

Armstrong also predicted that the U.S. would position itself as a crypto adoption leader, pointing to recent policy shifts.

He highlighted President Trump’s swift actions to fulfill his campaign promise of making the country a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation.

With regulatory clarity improving and major financial institutions like Barclays Bank taking notice, the stage is set for the next phase of institutional crypto investment.

The future of crypto adoption may hinge on the level of trust these institutions can foster.

As established banks embrace digital assets, their regulatory expertise and risk management frameworks could ease market anxieties—further legitimizing crypto as a viable asset class and reshaping global financial systems.