BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has emerged as the second-largest holder of Bitcoin, trailing only the legendary Satoshi Nakamoto wallet. As of May 20, IBIT holds 636,108 BTC, accounting for:
- Over 3% of Bitcoin’s total capped supply (21 million).
- Nearly 57% of Satoshi Nakamoto’s estimated 1.12 million BTC stash.
Top Bitcoin Holders at a Glance
(Source: Shaun Edmondson)
- Satoshi Nakamoto: ~1.12M BTC
- BlackRock’s IBIT: 636,108 BTC
- Binance: Less than IBIT
- MicroStrategy: Largest corporate holder (surpassed by IBIT)
How IBIT Achieved This Milestone
Rapid Growth Since Launch
Launched in January 2024, IBIT quickly dominated the Bitcoin ETF space due to:
- Institutional Demand: Financial advisors reallocating client assets.
- Regulated Exposure: Preferred by investors seeking compliance.
- Market Performance: Outpaced gold ETFs and competitors in inflows.
Key Metrics (Source: SoSoValue):
- Net assets: $66.9 billion (as of May 19).
- Largest Bitcoin ETF by value.
Could IBIT Overtake Satoshi’s Holdings?
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas predicts IBIT might surpass Satoshi’s stash by summer 2025 if:
- Bitcoin’s price approaches $150,000, triggering broader institutional adoption.
- Inflows accelerate due to price momentum or macroeconomic shifts.
👉 Explore Bitcoin ETF trends for deeper insights.
Why This Matters
- Market Influence: BlackRock’s holdings signal institutional confidence.
- Supply Dynamics: IBIT controls 3% of Bitcoin’s finite supply, impacting liquidity.
- Regulatory Benchmark: Sets precedents for crypto-backed financial products.
FAQ
Q1: Who is Satoshi Nakamoto?
A: The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, whose untouched wallet holds ~1.12M BTC.
Q2: How does IBIT compare to other ETFs?
A: IBIT leads in net assets and inflows, surpassing even gold ETFs.
Q3: What drives IBIT’s growth?
A: Institutional demand and Bitcoin’s price potential.
Q4: Could IBIT’s holdings affect Bitcoin’s price?
A: Yes—large holdings reduce circulating supply, potentially driving prices up.
👉 Learn about institutional crypto adoption in our detailed guide.
Note: All data reflects market conditions as of May 2025.