Could Wall Street Control BTC? Bitcoin ETFs Now Hold 4.04% of Bitcoin's Market Cap

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According to data from SoSoValue, as of March 7, the total net asset value of Bitcoin spot ETFs has reached $53.11 billion, accounting for 4.04% of BTC's circulating supply. Could this signal Wall Street's growing dominance over Bitcoin? Below is a detailed analysis.

Bitcoin ETFs Open Institutional Floodgates

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved Bitcoin spot ETFs in January 2025, creating a compliant pathway for traditional institutions with trillions in assets under management to invest in BTC. These ETFs have consistently brought incremental capital into Bitcoin over the past two months.

Key Statistics:

Record-Breaking Trading Volumes

As Bitcoin surged past $69,000 to set new all-time highs, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas reported that 10 Bitcoin spot ETFs achieved a historic single-day trading volume of $10 billion on March 6.

Top Performers:

Balchunas noted: "ETF volatility correlates strongly with trading volume, so this isn't entirely surprising. These numbers are unprecedented for ETFs less than two months old."

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Will Bitcoin ETFs Surpass Gold ETFs?

Balchunas projects that if Bitcoin ETFs continue growing at their current pace—adding $10 billion monthly—they could overtake gold ETFs by summer 2025. While this seems ambitious, rising Bitcoin prices could make it feasible.

Concerns About Centralization

Some crypto industry leaders express concerns that ETFs may lead to excessive centralization. Andy Bromberg, CEO of wallet developer Eco, warns:

"When you buy Bitcoin ETFs, you're giving Wall Street funds to control Bitcoin. They hold the asset while you hold paper claims—this contradicts Bitcoin's foundational ideals. If institutions eventually own 70% of circulating supply, is this the future we envisioned?"

Lucas Henning, CTO of Suku Wallet's development team, adds: "Most other cryptocurrencies won't get ETF approvals. After Ethereum ETFs, people will demand access to DeFi protocols—but ETFs can't provide that."


FAQ Section

Q: How do Bitcoin ETFs impact Bitcoin's price?
A: ETFs create sustained demand by converting institutional capital into BTC purchases, often supporting price stability during rallies.

Q: Can Bitcoin ETFs be redeemed for actual BTC?
A: No—ETF shares represent indirect exposure. Only authorized participants can exchange shares for underlying Bitcoin.

Q: What risks do Bitcoin ETFs carry?
A: They introduce counterparty risk (relying on custodians) and may reduce network decentralization over time.

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Disclaimer: This content does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry substantial risk—always conduct independent research.