BlackRock’s $70B Bitcoin Bet: Bullish Signal or Silent Takeover?

Published by

Vignesh S G

June 5, 2025

BlackRock now holds over $70 billion worth of Bitcoin through its ETF products, sparking a heated debate within the crypto community.

While major headlines call it bullish for Bitcoin, critics are calling it something else entirely — a silent Wall Street takeover.

A viral thread by crypto user Leshka.eth on X breaks down how BlackRock’s rising influence may strip Bitcoin of its original purpose: decentralization and financial freedom.

BlackRock Dominates the Bitcoin ETF Market

Recent data shows that the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs now collectively hold over 1.2 million BTC. Out of this, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) alone controls at least 660,137 BTC — over half the ETF market.

That makes IBIT the largest crypto ETF by Bitcoin holdings, contributing significantly to BlackRock’s total $70 billion BTC exposure.

But not everyone is celebrating this as a win.

ETF Bitcoin Isn’t Real Bitcoin, Critics Say

One of the biggest concerns? ETF holders don’t actually own Bitcoin.

All ETF Bitcoin is held in Coinbase Custody, meaning investors do not control the private keys, nor can they transfer, spend, or verify the Bitcoin independently.

Leshka.eth explains this distinction clearly — Bitcoin is now splitting into two paths:

Sovereign BTC: Held directly by individuals with full control
ETF BTC: Held by institutions, locked in centralized custody

While Bitcoin ETFs make it easier for traditional investors to gain exposure, they remove user control, undermining Bitcoin’s core principles.

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Can BlackRock Shape Bitcoin’s Future?

According to BlackRock’s own iShares Bitcoin Trust filing, the firm can decide which chain to support during a fork. This power could allow them to dictate which version of Bitcoin survives.

In addition, ETF giants like BlackRock could push for:

OFAC-compliant transactions
Miner pressure to follow government-friendly policies
Centralized narratives around Bitcoin use and utility

This raises concerns that Bitcoin’s future could be shaped by politics and finance, rather than code and consensus.

The Real Risk: Bitcoin Becoming Digital Gold 2.0

Leshka.eth draws a parallel to how Wall Street tamed gold. He believes the same could happen to Bitcoin — turning it into a passive, price-driven asset, stripped of purpose and utility.

To prevent this, he urges holders to embrace self-custody — not ETFs.

“Wall Street wants Bitcoin’s brand and price, not its principles,” he warns.
“Hold your private keys. Stay sovereign.”

FAQs

Can BlackRock influence Bitcoin’s future through its ETF?

Yes, BlackRock’s ETF prospectus indicates the firm can decide which blockchain fork to support, potentially influencing Bitcoin’s direction.

What are the risks of holding Bitcoin via an ETF?

Holding Bitcoin through an ETF introduces counterparty risk and removes user control over the asset, contrasting with Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.

Why do some advocate for self-custody over ETFs?

Self-custody ensures full control over Bitcoin holdings, aligning with the principle “not your keys, not your coins,” and preserves decentralization.

Vignesh S G

Vignesh is a young journalist with a decade of experience. A proud alumnus of IIJNM, Bengaluru, he spent six years as a Sub-Editor for a leading business magazine, published from Kerala. His interest in futuristic technologies took him to a US-based software company specialising in Web3, Blockchain and AI. This stint inspired him to view the future of journalism through the lens of next generation technologies. Now, he covers the crypto scene for Coinpedia, uncovering a vibrant new world where technology and journalism converge.

Published by

Vignesh S G

Tags: Bitcoin

June 5, 2025

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