BlackRock and Fidelity made best debut on ETF market in 30 years

BlackRock and Fidelity Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs had the best debut in the ETF market in the last 30 years in their first month.

Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas highlights BlackRock and Fidelity’s IBIT and FBTC spot Bitcoin ETFs which the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved on Jan. 10, 2024 as the best performing ETF launch over the last three decades.

In its first month of trading, the instruments attracted more assets than any other exchange-traded fund in the United States. However, the analyst’s rating only considers ETFs that appeared at the time of launch. It excluded all conversions, including about 100 conversions of mutual funds to ETFs and GBTCs (as they transfer pre-existing assets).

He said most of the GBTC outflow was made by FTX and prop traders, suggesting a discount most likely not intended for another BTC ETF. Balciunas thinks the real invisible force here is competition.

“I think the real unseen force here is competition. 10 ETFs launching on the same day w/ some stud issuers just made everyone hustle their ass off, work every poss angle for inflows.”

Eric Balchunas, Bloomberg analyst

At the end of January, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds from BlackRock and Fidelity entered the top ten largest American ETFs by asset inflows. Between them, the amount amounted to $4.8 billion. The month’s net inflow into the iShares Bitcoin Trust amounted to $2.6 billion—the eighth highest. Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin ETF took tenth place with $2.2 billion. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) had the second-largest net outflow for the month – $5.7 billion.