Goldman Sachs Bets $1.4 Billion On Bitcoin Through BlackRock's ETF

The prestigious investment bank Goldman Sachs is increasingly strengthening its position in the crypto ecosystem. With a $1.4 billion stake in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, it now stands as the largest institutional holder of this financial product. What does this massive investment reveal about the banking giant’s future ambitions?

Goldman Sachs Invests Massively in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF

In the first quarter of 2025, Goldman Sachs reached a decisive milestone in its crypto strategy. According to official documents filed with the SEC, the investment bank has heavily invested in bitcoin. It now owns 30.8 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF, valued at more than $1.4 billion as of March 31.

This spectacular acquisition represents a 28% increase in just one quarter. Goldman Sachs thus surpasses Brevan Howard and establishes itself as the primary institutional investor in this Bitcoin ETF.

This positioning marks a turning point in the history of traditional finance, with one of Wall Street’s most prestigious banks openly embracing digital assets.

The enthusiasm isn’t limited to Goldman Sachs. Other major players like Jane Street, DE Shaw, and Symmetry Investments have also taken significant positions in the IBIT ETF.

This rush of leading financial institutions toward bitcoin illustrates a profound shift in the perception of cryptocurrencies, now seen as a legitimate asset class by the global financial elite.

A Strong Signal for Institutional Adoption

Goldman Sachs is not only betting on BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. Its approach is much more ambitious. By the end of 2024, the American bank had already built an impressive crypto portfolio worth $2.05 billion, diversified across several ETFs.

Specifically, this portfolio includes $1.4 billion in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, $300 million in Fidelity’s, and approximately $500 million evenly split between the Ethereum ETFs of both managers. This diversification reflects a carefully thought-out strategy rather than a simple opportunistic bet.

Goldman Sachs’ commitment accelerated significantly over a few months. The total value of its crypto investments jumped 50% compared to the previous quarter, a strong signal sent to the market. This rise coincides with the remarkable success of BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, which registered 18 consecutive days of positive inflows and now exceeds $63 billion in capitalization.

This timing is no accident. Goldman Sachs anticipates a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in the second half of 2025 after revising its inflation forecasts upwards. In such an economic environment, risky assets like bitcoin become particularly attractive.

Goldman Sachs’ offensive is not isolated. It is part of a broader movement, notably illustrated by the entry of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, which has invested more than $400 million in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF.

This historic movement marks bitcoin’s definitive entry into the exclusive circle of legitimate institutional assets. We are very likely witnessing the beginnings of widespread adoption that could permanently transform the global financial landscape.