ETF Spotlight: FBTC Marks First Year With $12B Inflows

The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) has accumulated $12.1 billion in inflows during its first year of trading, second only to the $56.5 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).

The strong flows into FBTC reflect the broader mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency investment products, with spot bitcoin ETFs collectively attracting $36.9 billion in their inaugural year of trading, marking one of the most successful ETF category launches in history.

FBTC and Bitcoin’s Political Rally

FBTC has grown to $21.4 billion in assets under management, according to etf.com data. After some hesitation during the holiday season, investors have resumed pouring money into these funds, with FBTC recording $418 million in inflows for 2025, according to data from U.K.-based asset manager Farside Investors.

According to data from CoinMarketCap, bitcoin’s price more than doubled in 2024, with a 36% jump following Donald Trump’s November presidential election. The cryptocurrency has been on a volatile ride since then, hitting a record $108,268 on Dec. 17 before declining 13%.

The rally intensified as Gary Gensler, who maintained strict oversight of the crypto industry during his tenure as Securities and Exchange Commission chair, announced plans to step down in November. Trump’s December announcement to nominate crypto-friendly Paul Atkins as Gensler’s replacement further fueled market optimism.

Trump’s crypto-positive stance extends beyond regulatory appointments. The president-elect has committed to establishing a new White House “crypto czar” position, selecting former PayPal CEO David Sacks for the role.

This appointment, combined with Trump’s stated goal of making the U.S. a global crypto hub, has bolstered investor confidence in the sector’s growth prospects.

Reflecting this optimism, prediction market Polymarket shows traders giving bitcoin a 60% chance of reaching $110,000 by March 31, with a 43% probability of hitting $120,000 and a 29% chance of soaring to $130,000.

The surge in institutional investment through ETFs like FBTC has marked a turning point for cryptocurrency markets, offering regulated access to digital assets through traditional investment vehicles for the first time.