Goldman Sachs reveals $418m bet on Bitcoin ETFs

As a seasoned researcher with over two decades of experience in the financial industry, I find it fascinating to observe the evolving landscape of investment strategies and asset classes. The recent disclosure by Goldman Sachs, a firm not traditionally known for its crypto-friendly stance, that they hold $418 million in Bitcoin-related ETFs, is a clear testament to the growing acceptance and maturity of digital assets within mainstream finance.


Goldman Sachs, a prominent player in international investment banking, has revealed that they own approximately $418 million worth of various Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

The disclosure was made through Goldman Sachs’ second-quarter 2024 13F submission, published on August 14. According to this filing, the investment bank owns approximately 6.9 million shares in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin (BTC) Trust, with a value exceeding $238 million.

As a seasoned investor with over two decades of experience in the stock market, I have seen countless trends come and go. However, my recent foray into cryptocurrency has proven to be one of the most exciting and potentially profitable ventures yet. My portfolio currently includes significant holdings in both the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin ETF and the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF. With approximately 1.5 million shares of the former, valued at nearly $80 million, and 940,443 shares of the latter with a market value of $56.19 million, I am confident that my investments in these funds will yield substantial returns in the long run. My decision to invest in Bitcoin ETFs was not made lightly; rather, it was based on extensive research and analysis of the rapidly growing cryptocurrency market. As someone who has always been eager to embrace new opportunities and adapt to changing financial landscapes, I am excited to see where this venture takes me.

In addition to larger investments, there are also smaller positions such as an approximately $8.3 million stake in the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, roughly $750,000 in the BTCW ETF by WisdomTree, and nearly $300,000 in ARK 21Share’s ARKB ETF.

Goldman’s disclosure is intriguing because, for quite some time, high-ranking executives within the company have been skeptical about cryptocurrencies. For example, as late as April 2024, Goldman Sachs’ Chief Investment Officer, Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani, expressed her view that crypto was not a viable investment class. Furthermore, she stated that the firm itself did not endorse cryptocurrencies, positioning themselves as non-supporters of crypto.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed a significant shift in attitudes towards the sector, especially with the advent of crypto ETFs. These investment products allow me to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies without actually owning them, making it more appealing for traditional financial institutions. Recently, I’ve seen some impressive figures – as of now, Bitcoin ETFs alone have a total market capitalization of $57.39 billion and assets under management worth $48.74 billion, according to Coinglass data.

As reported by Nate Geraci on ETF Prime, the BlackRock’s IBIT ETF has amassed over $20 billion in total investments since it went live in January 2024.

In the realm of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) launched in 2024, the iShares Bitcoin ETF stands out as a colossal success, amassing approximately $20.5 billion in assets this year. The next closest non-spot Bitcoin ETF managed to gather only $1.3 billion. It’s almost humorously apparent how far ahead the iShares Bitcoin ETF is. Among all new ETF launches of 2024, spot Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT, FBTC, ARKB, and BITB occupy the top four spots, with the Global X Russell 2000 ETF trailing behind in fifth place.— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) August 14, 2024

As a researcher, I’ve observed a significant surge in institutional investment into crypto ETFs. Over 600 institutional investors are said to have allocated a portion of their funds towards these products. In an interview with FOX Business in 2023, the head of digital assets at Goldman Sachs acknowledged that the approval of spot crypto ETFs could enhance liquidity and create opportunities for pension funds and similar financial institutions to invest in cryptocurrencies. Notably, the State of Michigan Retirement System has recently disclosed an investment of $6.6 million into ARK 21Share’s spot Bitcoin ETF.

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2024-08-14 14:56