Blackstone Enters the Bitcoin Market by Purchasing $1.08 Million Worth of Bitcoin ETFs

This marks Blackstone’s first-ever investment in digital assets. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) shares were added to the Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund

Blackstone has entered the crypto market with the purchase of Bitcoin ETFs. The private equity giant bought 23,094 shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) for a price of $46.54, according to a recent SEC filing.

The move marks a significant shift in Blackstone’s investment strategy, as the firm has traditionally avoided direct exposure to cryptocurrencies. As of March 31, Blackstone had $1.2 trillion in assets under management, and the new crypto assets make up less than 1% of the portfolio.

In addition to IBIT, Blackstone also disclosed a smaller stake in two other Bitcoin-related securities: 9,889 shares of the ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) and 4,300 shares of Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM).

The IBIT shares were added to Blackstone’s Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund (BTMIX), which had $2.63 billion in assets at the end of the quarter and is focused on making opportunistic investments across a broad range of asset classes.

The purchase of IBI shares comes after reports that leaders at Square, a company known for its Bitcoin advocacy, had reservations about the cryptocurrency.

Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman has previously expressed skepticism about digital currencies, and the firm’s earlier filings with the SEC did not mention any crypto holdings.

IBIT has seen consistent net inflows over the last six weeks, with investors channeling billions of dollars into the product. Since its launch in January 2024, IBIT has gathered more than $46.1 billion in net inflows, making it the top U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF.

The ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) also saw modest exposure from Blackstone, with the private equity firm purchasing 9,889 shares of the futures-linked ETF. As of March 31, the total value of the ProShares holding amounted to $181,166.

It’s worth noting that while IBIT allows for direct investment in Bitcoin, the ProShares ETF provides exposure to the cryptocurrency through futures contracts.

The introduction of regulated ETFs in digital assets by Canada marks another cautious step in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investing. Blackstone’s minimal investment in Bitcoin Depot, a company operating in the sphere of crypto ATMs throughout North America, further highlights this cautious approach.

With this strategy, Blackstone is able to limit its risk while still gaining some presence in the market. The investment aligns with the broader direction of the fund’s alternative strategy, which includes a focus on special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and distressed debt.

Moreover, the ProShares Bitcoin ETF's structure, which enables price changes in accordance with Bitcoin's price movements, makes it a convenient option for those seeking to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency.

This minimal investment from a private equity giant could be a significant factor in pivoting the firm's strategy towards crypto. It also diversifies Blackstone's exposure across multiple crypto-linked instruments, presenting a varied approach to the emerging digital asset class.