Aniket Pujari
Barclays Bank has disclosed a $131 million position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, according to its latest 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The UK-based institution holds 2,473,064 IBIT shares, marking a move into the Bitcoin ETF market.
The purchase took place during the fourth quarter of 2024, covering October through December. This period coincided with a post-election surge in Bitcoin (BTC) prices following U.S. President Donald Trump’s pro-Bitcoin stance.
Barclays’ move adds to a growing trend of institutional adoption of crypto-related products. Other major banks, including Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, have also expanded their Bitcoin ETF holdings.
Goldman Sachs recently reported an increase in Bitcoin ETF exposure, while JP Morgan disclosed holdings valued at nearly $1 million.
The broader U.S. Bitcoin ETF market saw strong inflows in January 2025.
BlackRock’s IBIT led with $3.2 billion in net inflows, followed by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund with $1.3 billion, according to Farside Investors.
As of Feb. 14, Bitcoin is trading at $97,241. Barclays’ entry into the Bitcoin ETF market highlights the increasing role of traditional financial institutions in digital asset investments.
