Grayscale Bitcoin Trust Outflows Raise Questions about Dominance as BlackRock Gains Ground

Following the Bitcoin spot ETF's approval, substantial inflows have been observed in the Bitcoin ecosystem, with Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) dominating the ETF market. However, GBTC has recently experienced significant outflows, totaling $358.8 million on March 21, 2024, as well as $642 million on March 18, raising concerns about bearish fund inflows.

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust Outflow: A Sign of Diminishing Dominance?

Following the introduction of the Bitcoin spot ETF, billions of dollars have flooded into the Bitcoin ecosystem. Prominent providers such as GBTC, BlackRock, and others have emerged, with Grayscale leading the pack. However, recent data suggests a significant outflow from the GBTC ecosystem, raising questions about its continued dominance.

Is BlackRock Creeping Up on GBTC's Turf?

GBTC, despite its global footprint, has experienced a substantial outflow of funds in recent days. Notably, on March 21, 2024, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust reported net outflows of $358.8 million, following a week-long outflow of $642 million. This raises eyebrows, as the ETF category boasts eleven players, including BlackRock, which has been steadily increasing its inflow.

The Battle for ETF Supremacy: Who's Gaining Ground?

To paint a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of the Bitcoin ETF inflows for March 21, 2024:

• IBIT (BlackRock): $233.4 million
• FBTC: $2.9 million
• BITB: $12 million
• ARKB: $2 million
• BTCO: $4.2 million
• EZBC: $3.8 million
• BRRR: $4.7 million
• HODL: $1.8 million
• BTCW: $0 million
• GBTC: -$358.8 million

Is GBTC Losing Its Grip?

James Seyffart, a market observer, notes that GBTC has lost a staggering 42.3% of its shares since converting to an ETF. This raises concerns about the fund's appeal, especially considering BlackRock's growing presence in the market.

Other ETF Providers: A Quiet Ascent

While BlackRock and GBTC dominate the headlines, other ETF providers are also gradually increasing their presence. In the past 24 hours, the total volume in the Bitcoin ETF category reached $4.80 billion, with a market capitalization of $56.81 billion.

Holdings Battles: Who Has the Lion's Share?

As of this writing:

• Grayscale (GBTC) holds 350,281 Bitcoin
• BlackRock (IBIT) holds 242,816 Bitcoin
• Fidelity holds 135,742 Bitcoin
• Ark/21 Shares holds 40,213 Bitcoin
• Bitwise holds 30,036 Bitcoin
• Van Eck holds 8,112 Bitcoin
• Valkyrie holds 6,531 Bitcoin
• Invesco holds 5,049 Bitcoin

Other Market Movements

• Estonia has enacted a bill requiring legal licensing for digital asset service providers.
• The United Nations has adopted a resolution on artificial intelligence, emphasizing the protection of human rights and personal data.
• Patrick McHenry suggests that the stablecoin bill is nearing readiness for a House vote, indicating bipartisan support for digital currency regulation.

Market Update: The Rollercoaster Continues

The crypto market remains volatile, with significant bullish and bearish swings in recent months. Market capitalization has plunged over 5% in the last 24 hours, standing at $2.41 trillion.

Bitcoin (BTC) has struggled to gain traction intraday, losing 4.41% of its value. Analysts attribute this to the ongoing investigation into the Ethereum foundation and the delayed approval of Ether ETFs. The regulatory green signal for Ethereum spot ETFs is expected in May 2024.

Disclaimer

Views expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice.