Not so long ago, Bitcoin was seen as risky, rebellious, and too wild for the Wall Street crowd. Fast forward to 2025, and we have BlackRock — the world’s largest asset manager — proving the skeptics wrong with its game-changing Bitcoin ETF.
When BlackRock first launched its spot Bitcoin ETF in early 2024, few expected it to pull serious weight against traditional giants like the S&P 500 index funds. But here we are: in just over a year, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF has outperformed many of the biggest equity funds on the market.
Why is this such a big deal?
The S&P 500 has long been the gold standard for stable, long-term growth. It holds America’s largest companies — Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and more — so when an investment beats the S&P 500, investors pay attention.
BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF rode Bitcoin’s strong price rally through late 2024 and into 2025. Driven by growing institutional demand, limited supply due to the 2024 halving, and increasing mainstream adoption, Bitcoin’s price surged past previous records. The result? BlackRock’s ETF returned well over 70% in the last 12 months, leaving the S&P 500’s modest ~12% gain far behind.
What makes this ETF special?
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It’s accessible: Investors can buy it like any stock, without needing to mess around with crypto wallets or exchanges.
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It’s trusted: Coming from BlackRock, it reassures cautious investors who might never have touched Bitcoin otherwise.
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It’s regulated: A regulated ETF makes Bitcoin investing safer for big money managers like pension funds and institutions.
Is this the future?
BlackRock’s success has opened the floodgates. Other asset managers are rushing to launch their own crypto funds, hoping to attract the new wave of Bitcoin-curious investors. Meanwhile, some traditional stock funds are starting to look… well, a little old-fashioned.
Of course, Bitcoin is still more volatile than blue-chip stocks. A sharp price drop could quickly change these numbers. But one thing’s clear: crypto has officially gone mainstream — and BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF is leading the charge.
Final thoughts
For years, people asked: When will Wall Street really embrace Bitcoin?
Now we have the answer: They already did — and they’re making more money than ever.