Bitcoin (BTCUSD) fans take note: This BlackRock ETF just hit a key milestone in record time. 

Launched just over a year ago, in January 2024, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is the world’s largest exchange-traded fund holding spot BTC. 

Remarkably, it recently touched the $70 billion assets under management mark to become the fastest fund among all asset classes to reach this milestone in just 341 days. IBIT reached this milestone five times faster than the previous record holder, the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), a gold-backed ETF that took 1,691 days to surpass $70 billion in assets.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust is up 60% over the past year. The ETF charges an expense ratio of 0.25%, or $25 on an initial $10,000 investment.

The Case for Bitcoin Is Stronger Than Ever

President Donald Trump’s affinity for Bitcoin has provided an additional tailwind for the cryptocurrency, making the case for investing in BTC or the IBIT ETF stronger than ever. 

Recently, at the Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Las Vegas, Vice President JD Vance said "We want our fellow Americans to know that crypto and digital assets, particularly Bitcoin, are part of the mainstream economy and are here to stay.”

Moreover, the Bitcoin Act of 2025 proposes that the U.S. government acquire 1 million Bitcoin over a five-year timeframe, establishing what would be a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, much like the country’s existing holdings of oil (CLN25) and gold (GCQ25). Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming has argued that even a long-term holding of 1 million BTC over two decades could, in theory, serve as a tool to halve the federal debt, which currently stands just below $37 trillion.

Notably, this development suggests that Bitcoin is no longer being treated simply as a speculative asset, but rather as a strategic instrument in the government’s financial arsenal.

A major factor driving this outlook is Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million coins. With over 19 million already in circulation, scarcity is likely to intensify, potentially increasing its value. Additionally, its decentralized, programmable, and always-on nature, free from traditional intermediaries and borders, makes it one of the rarest and most versatile assets in the modern financial landscape.

IBIT Adds Credibility

The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF stands as the largest and most actively traded spot Bitcoin fund in the market, currently holding roughly 665,000 Bitcoins. With BlackRock — the world’s largest asset manager — at the helm, the fund carries significant institutional weight and trust.

Additionally, backing its operations is Coinbase (COIN), one of the most prominent crypto platforms, which acts as custodian through its institutional-grade Coinbase Prime service. This arrangement ensures that the fund holds Bitcoin on its books, avoiding the need to track Bitcoin exposure through futures contracts, as seen with other offerings. This direct-ownership model simplifies access for retail and institutional investors alike.

Finally, with average daily trading volumes exceeding 47 million shares, the ETF is one of the most liquid vehicles for those seeking exposure to Bitcoin via public markets. That level of accessibility and transparency is especially appealing during times of macroeconomic volatility and inflationary pressure.

Final Take

Bitcoin is here not just to stay, but to thrive. However, it will likely also remain volatile.

In such a scenario, IBIT provides relatively more stable exposure to the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency with the additional support of a financial services giant like BlackRock. Thus, by parting with a modest fee, investors can consider the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.