U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have reached a historic milestone, collectively holding 1.25 million BTC as of August 17, 2025. The new all-time high underscores the accelerating role of Wall Street in shaping Bitcoin’s institutional adoption.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) leads the surge, amassing 748,968 BTC, which accounts for nearly 60% of all Bitcoin held by U.S. ETFs. Alongside Fidelity’s FBTC, which has accumulated 199,798 BTC, the two funds now control more than 75% of the ETF market share. Their aggressive accumulation has cemented a new era of dominance in the Bitcoin investment landscape.
The rise of these heavyweight asset managers comes as Grayscale’s GBTC, once the single-largest Bitcoin fund with holdings exceeding 620,000 BTC, has seen its influence sharply decline. Grayscale now holds 180,576 BTC, a fraction of its former peak, as institutional capital flows into newer, lower-fee vehicles.
The shift highlights a dramatic reshaping of the market structure. For years, GBTC outflows dominated headlines and drove liquidity concerns. Today, attention has pivoted to the accumulation race between BlackRock and Fidelity, as both firms consolidate control over institutional Bitcoin exposure.
Market analysts view the 1.25 million BTC mark as more than symbolic. It signals not only sustained demand from U.S. institutions but also the integration of Bitcoin into traditional investment portfolios at an unprecedented scale. With ETFs offering regulated, liquid exposure, Bitcoin has secured a permanent seat in mainstream finance.
The era of a single dominant Bitcoin fund has ended. In its place, BlackRock and Fidelity have emerged as the new power brokers, their holdings defining the institutional face of Bitcoin as the asset continues its march deeper into Wall Street.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s price action is regaining momentum. The cryptocurrency has reclaimed its 50-day moving average, a level historically tied to short-term rallies. Market watchers note that the renewed technical strength, combined with ETF inflows, could signal the start of another bullish phase.
If you want to read more news articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and CoinMarketCap Community.
“Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”
