BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust Sees Record Inflows in May

Last month, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) attracted record interest from investors. As Bitcoin’s price went higher in May, the ETF saw its best monthly performance yet since it started, handling $6.35 billion of net inflows. 

As per Farside Investors data , thanks to the increase, the fund’s assets under management (AUM) went over $71 billion, which points to more interest in cryptocurrencies among institutional investors. The recent surge in activity happens as the world’s markets worry about inflation, war risks, and renewed trade conflicts. 

Institutions seem to be the primary investors putting money into Bitcoin lately. Some of the demand is internal, as BlackRock’s Strategic Income Opportunities portfolio has added IBIT, indicating its confidence in what this company offers. 

The surge in demand for mining equipment came after Bitcoin set a new record of $111,980 earlier in May. A boost in cryptocurrency prices came from easing rules by regulators, particularly when it comes to stablecoins in the U.S., and a feeling that regular safe-haven assets aren’t reliable. 

Another group of tariff actions has made investors more concerned. The president’s order in April to reapply reciprocal tariffs has caused significant turmoil in world trade and raised fears about slowing growth around the globe. While a U.S. Court of International Trade panel held that the administration had exceeded its ability to bring in the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, a federal court issued an order that set the verdict aside for now.

Against this backdrop of economic and political instability, many investors are considering Bitcoin a digital store of value, especially to protect themselves against the unpredictable changes in traditional markets.