BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has officially entered the big leagues. According to new data from Bloomberg Intelligence, IBIT is now one of the 20 most-traded exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2025.

A chart shared by Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlights how the ETF landscape has evolved year over year. 

While well-established funds like $SPY, $QQQ, and $IWM have long dominated the top spots, IBIT’s presence among them signals that institutional interest in Bitcoin is not only real, it’s accelerating.

Launched in early 2024 after U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs received approval from the SEC, IBIT is operated by BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. What’s remarkable is the speed of IBIT’s rise.

Despite being the “baby” of the ETF world, as Balchunas puts it, IBIT has already surpassed many long-standing funds in daily trading volume. This achievement brings high liquidity, tighter spreads, and improved flexibility for both institutional investors and active traders.

Hedge fund legend Paul Tudor Jones recently echoed this trend, calling Bitcoin one of the best options for anyone seeking an edge against inflation.

Making Bitcoin accessible to conservative investors

IBIT fills a key gap for more conservative investors who were previously hesitant about entering the crypto space. By packaging Bitcoin in an ETF traded on traditional stock exchanges, BlackRock has made BTC accessible via brokerage accounts and retirement portfolios.

This accessibility could be a game-changer, especially for institutions and retail investors looking to diversify portfolios without diving directly into crypto exchanges.

For day traders, IBIT provides volatility and momentum in a regulated environment, creating new short-term trading opportunities.

Its presence on this year’s top-20 ETF list alongside giants like $SPY and $QQQ is more than a statistical milestone, reflecting a shift in investor behavior. Bitcoin is no longer just a fringe asset, it’s now a legitimate part of mainstream financial markets, and IBIT is leading that transition.

With more investors seeking diversified exposure and alternative returns, IBIT stands to benefit from both Bitcoin’s rising profile and the credibility of the BlackRock brand.

While these are still early days, IBIT’s rise into this elite ETF group confirms one thing: Bitcoin has secured a seat at Wall Street’s table.

Meanwhile, recent reports indicate a $3 billion drop in BTC whale inflows on Binance, adding an interesting backdrop to the broader institutional narrative.