The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is, as the name suggests, a cryptocurrency-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched to provide investors with exposure to Bitcoin (BTC), the largest and most recognised cryptocurrency. It was launched in January 2024, and at the beginning of 2025, it has a 30-day average volume of 46.1 million.
IBIT ETF – iShares Bitcoin Trust Price and Chart
Unlike direct investments in Bitcoin, IBIT offers a regulated way to gain exposure to the premier cryptocurrency’s price movements without needing to hold or manage digital assets directly. As a result, the ETF allows investors to participate in the cryptocurrency market through traditional brokerage accounts, simplifying access for those who may not be familiar with digital wallets, private keys, or cryptocurrency exchanges.
IBIT tracks the performance of Bitcoin based on a daily spot price.
At the start of 2025, IBIT’s total net assets of funds were approximately $52.5 billion, reflecting a recent surge in the price of Bitcoin.
IBIT ETF – iShares Bitcoin Trust Performance
| Year | Performance |
|---|---|
| Year | Performance |
| 2024 (YTD) | +102% |
| 2023 | – |
| 2022 | – |
| 2021 | – |
| 2020 | – |
Bitcoin Forecast
Bull Argument: Before the recent US election, analysts at wealth management firm Bernstein maintained their $200,000 price target on BTC by the end of 2025, regardless of the election result. The firm said in a note that the “genie is out of the bottle” for the leading cryptocurrency. Since the election, Bernstein noted that institutional demand, as well as potential regulatory changes, will support Bitcoin’s growth. Another factor helping the firm’s bullish outlook is the expected appointment of pro-crypto candidates to influential positions in the US government.
Meanwhile, Standard Chartered said before the election that they had a $125,000 target on Bitcoin if Trump won.
Bear Argument: While the current bullishness on Bitcoin and the crypto market in general continues, Yashu Gola, an analyst writing for CoinTelegraph, pointed to some potential bearish factors that could impact the price.
Gola explains that he believes if history repeats, the current bull cycle could hit a near-term top around the psychologically significant $100,000 level. This would then be “followed by a corrective move,” he wrote. “An interim target for such a pullback would be the 50-week EMA at around $60,000, suggesting a potential correction of over 40% in 2025,” said Gola, adding that the $60,000 level aligns with an ascending trendline that has previously acted as support in the recent bull cycle.
Our View: The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is an ETF many investors will consider in order to diversify their portfolios with Bitcoin exposure. It provides a regulated alternative to directly owning Bitcoin, making it suitable for investors who may be worried about security, convenience, and regulatory oversight.
However, IBIT carries the same volatility risks as Bitcoin itself, and potential investors should be aware of the significant volatility in the cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin’s transformative potential makes it an attractive option, investors should remain mindful of regulatory, market, and adoption risks.
Who Should Buy the IBIT ETF?
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts will, of course, be well suited to investing in the IBIT ETF if they are looking for a way to invest in Bitcoin outside of directly buying the cryptocurrency or want Bitcoin exposure without the complications of managing private keys or wallets.
Furthermore, those seeking to capitalise on the potential of blockchain technology and Bitcoin’s increasing adoption as a digital asset will also see the ETF as an attractive option.
The ETF also works for diversification seekers and those aiming to add an uncorrelated asset class to their portfolios to improve risk-adjusted returns. However, it is important that potential investors have a high risk tolerance and a long-term perspective.
Outside of retail investors, asset managers who need regulated Bitcoin exposure for portfolios without direct crypto holdings may also be interested in this ETF.
Meanwhile, risk-averse investors may want to look elsewhere, as Bitcoin’s volatility and sensitivity to market sentiment can lead to significant price fluctuations.
In addition, income-focused investors will want to turn their attention to other assets as the ETF does not generate income or dividends, with its returns solely tied to Bitcoin’s price performance.
