Spot Bitcoin ETFs broke records

Hey Degens,

2025 is already getting crazy. But first, we’ve got a quick favor to ask—help us get to know you better! Hit up this quick survey (totally optional!) to share your name (or nickname), and birthday. We’d love to call you something cooler than just “Degen.” 🎉

Now, onto today’s edition: it’s all about celebrating the 1-year anniversary of Bitcoin spot ETFs. These bad boys shook up the market and made crypto the darling of Wall Street.

🥳 Happy 1st Birthday, Bitcoin Spot ETFs! 🎉

A year ago today, on January 10, 2024, the SEC finally gave Bitcoin spot ETFs the green light. Since then, it’s been a wild ride that’s reshaped the crypto and finance worlds. Let’s break it down.

Bitcoin ETFs: Smashing Records Like Degens on a Bull Run

These ETFs are not your average crypto product—they’ve been game-changers.

• Assets Under Management: $109 billion. That’s 6% of Bitcoin’s total supply!

• Flipping Gold: By December 2024, Bitcoin ETFs overtook gold ETFs in AUM.

• Price Pump: Bitcoin’s price doubled from $46,000 at approval to $94,000 today, peaking at $100K twice (December 4 and January 6).

The Players Running the Show

Here’s the leaderboard:

1. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) - $58.2B AUM 🚀

2. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) - $28.6B AUM

3. Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) - $20.2B AUM

4. ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) - $4.8B AUM

5. Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) - $4B AUM

BlackRock dominated, but even the “smaller” players made billions. Not bad for year one.

Why the Boom?

1. Anticipation Meets Demand: Institutions wanted a way into Bitcoin without the self-custody headaches.

2. Timing is Everything: The SEC approval came when Bitcoin was undervalued, making this the best-performing ETF launch ever.

3. Macro Tailwinds: The fourth Bitcoin halving, U.S. debt concerns, and Fed rate cuts added fuel to the fire.

What’s Next?

Crypto bulls are buzzing about what’s to come in 2025:

• Altcoin ETFs? Solana (SOL) and XRP ETFs could be next, with applications already filed.

• Bigger Inflows: Analysts predict second-year growth will outpace year one, especially with more pro-crypto policies under President Trump.

• Global Domination: Bitcoin ETFs are expected to remain the king of crypto investment products worldwide.

DegenDen’s Take

ETFs didn’t just flip gold; they flipped the narrative on crypto investing. What once was considered risky is now a mainstream, billion-dollar asset class. The question is: how do you play this game?

Reply to this email and let us know—are you hodling, trading, or eyeing the next ETF to hit the market? 👇

That’s your BTC dose for the day. More degen energy and insights coming soon. Until then, stay bold and keep stacking.

—The DegenDen Team

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