Blackstone Bitcoin ETF investment is now official. On May 20, 2025, asset management giant Blackstone disclosed its first crypto-related purchase: a stake in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). The move marks a historic shift for the $1.2 trillion firm, which had previously stayed away from digital assets.
The SEC filing shows Blackstone acquired over 23,000 shares of IBIT—valued at just over $1 million. While this is a modest amount relative to its total AUM, it is a powerful symbol of changing institutional sentiment toward Bitcoin.
In 2019, CEO Stephen Schwarzman called decentralized currencies “weird.” In 2025, Blackstone is buying them.
Blackstone Adds Exposure to Bitcoin Through ETFs and Crypto Stocks
Alongside its Blackstone Bitcoin ETF investment, the firm also purchased:
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~10,000 shares of BITO (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF) worth ~$181,000
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~4,300 shares of Bitcoin Depot, worth ~$6,300
All of these assets were allocated within Blackstone’s $2.6 billion BTMIX fund—a strategic multi-asset vehicle.
This marks the first time Blackstone has included Bitcoin ETFs in institutional portfolios, a significant endorsement in a market still recovering from regulatory uncertainty.
Why Blackstone’s Move Matters for Bitcoin Adoption
Even if the investment is small today, the implications are large. Blackstone crypto exposure—however limited—signals a major attitude shift among the world’s largest asset managers.
Historically, Blackstone had ignored Bitcoin and blockchain, despite being an alternative asset powerhouse. With over $37 billion in dry powder, the firm’s entry into IBIT could be a test run for much larger allocations in the future.
Their pivot mirrors the growing trend of institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs after U.S. regulators approved spot Bitcoin products.
