Just-In: Wisconsin Investment Board Invested $163M in BlackRock, GBTC Bitcoin ETF

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) has disclosed its purchase of $163 million worth of Spot Bitcoin ETFs, according to a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investment includes BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) Bitcoin ETF.

Wisconsin Investment Board Buys Bitcoin ETFs

The surge in institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs has been notable since their approval in January 2024. The SWIB’s investment reflects a growing trend among prominent financial institutions, such as Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Wolverine Asset Management, all of which have also bought into Bitcoin ETFs. This trend underscores the increasing confidence and interest in digital assets within the traditional finance sector.

The finance sector has been abuzz with discussions about digital assets, particularly Spot Bitcoin ETFs, at the start of 2024. These investment vehicles were expected to drive significant changes in the market, primarily by fostering greater institutional adoption. The latest move by the SWIB, involving a substantial investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, is a testament to this growing acceptance and the strategic importance of Bitcoin ETFs.

The SWIB manages assets within various state trust funds, including the Wisconsin Retirement System and the State Investment Fund. The decision to invest nearly $100 million in BlackRock Bitcoin ETF offering highlights the board’s strategic move to diversify its portfolio and leverage the potential benefits of digital assets. This investment could serve as a model for other state investment boards considering similar allocations.

Ammon’s analysis provides a compelling case for the potential benefits of Bitcoin investments. He highlights that if New Hampshire had allocated just 5% of its 2016 rainy day fund to Bitcoin, it would now be worth nearly half a billion dollars, representing a 10,000% return on investment. 

Should the State of New Hampshire investigate allocating a small percentage of its reserves into a Bitcoin ETF?

— Rep. Keith Ammon (@RepKeithAmmon) May 12, 2024

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Institutions Drive Demand for Bitcoin ETFs

Manuel Nordeste, Fidelity’s Vice President of Digital Assets, emphasizes the growing trend among major pension funds and big banks toward allocating funds to spot Bitcoin ETFs. Nordeste’s insights reveal that 25% of pension managers personally own digital assets, indicating a significant shift in interest within the digital asset market. This shift is driven by the recognition of Bitcoin’s potential for high returns and its role as a hedge against traditional market volatility.

Ammon suggests that if only 1% of state pension assets under management were allocated to Bitcoin, it would surpass mining revenue, creating a supply shortage relative to demand. This scenario likely drives further price increases for Bitcoin, highlighting the strategic importance of early adoption by institutional investors.

BlackRock has emerged as the most successful issuer among the initial 11 approved Bitcoin ETFs. With over $10 trillion in assets under management, BlackRock’s position as a trusted issuer has been reinforced by the growing institutional investments in its Bitcoin ETF offering. The increasing prevalence of institutional investments in Bitcoin ETFs indicates a sustained interest that is unlikely to diminish soon.

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