IBIT ranking 6th in 2025 ETF flows despite negative returns is ‘a really good sign’

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) secured the sixth position in net ETF inflows year-to-date, attracting approximately $25 billion, even though it is the only fund in the top cohort showing negative annual returns. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas called this a "really good sign" for long-term potential, suggesting that substantial flows during a down year indicate strong investor behavior, which he termed a "HODL clinic" from long-term holders. Balchunas noted that if IBIT can achieve this volume in a down year, its potential in a good year is significant. This sustained institutional buying, however, has led some to question why Bitcoin's price hasn't risen more, to which Balchunas responded that the market might be maturing, with early holders taking profits. Furthermore, BlackRock executives have defended IBIT against recent outflows, emphasizing that their Bitcoin ETFs have become major revenue drivers and that periods of outflows are normal for capital allocation products.

(Source：Cointelegraph)