BlackRock & Grayscale Bitcoin ETF Grab Investment From Iowa Bank, What’s Next?

As an analyst with a background in traditional finance and a growing interest in the digital asset space, I find City State Bank’s recent 13F filings revealing and noteworthy. The bank’s strategic investments in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) underscore a growing trend among traditional financial institutions to diversify into digital assets.


As an analyst, I’ve uncovered some intriguing information regarding City State Bank’s investment in Bitcoin (BTC) through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In their latest 13F filing on July 8, 2024, this Iowa-based bank disclosed its exposure to the cryptocurrency. Notably, they have invested significantly in BlackRock and Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETFs.

Blackrock & Grayscale Bitcoin ETFs Witness Further Institutional Adoption

In its most recent 13F disclosure, City State Bank disclosed the acquisition of 33 units of the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) during the second quarter. This purchase underscores City State Bank’s increasing engagement with the crypto market. Moreover, it signifies a wider trend among conventional financial organizations expanding their portfolios to include digital assets.

City State Bank continues to keep its Bitcoin investment through the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), in addition to its recent acquisition of a position in the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust. The bank initially purchased 50 units of GBTC during the first quarter of 2024 and has chosen not to sell this holding, demonstrating their belief in Bitcoin’s future growth prospects.

As a crypto investor, I can tell you that two of the most well-known Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust. These ETFs offer me, as an investor, easy access to Bitcoin without the hassle of directly managing cryptocurrencies. The involvement of traditional financial institutions like City State Bank in these ETFs underscores the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a valid investment asset class within the broader financial sector.

City State Bank makes strategic moves as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies undergo increased price fluctuations. Notably, a major player disclosed its involvement with Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) last week. The Bank of New Hampshire (BNH) disclosed this information in an SEC filing from July 1, 2024.

About Bank of New Hampshire’s Investment

According to the latest 13F filing, BlackRock’s IBIT ETF received an investment of $9,389 from Bank NH, which corresponds to the purchase of 275 units. This action represents Bank NH’s initial foray into the crypto market, signifying a small yet significant step towards engaging with this emerging asset class.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that BNH is part of Toronto Dominion (TD), a significant financial institution, which disclosed Bitcoin ETF investments in its first-quarter reports. This connection implies a broader strategic inclination within TD’s organization towards exploring the possibilities offered by cryptocurrencies.

BlackRock’s decision to invest in its IBIT ETF is noteworthy, considering the asset manager’s prominent standing and impact within the conventional financial sector. Furthermore, the recent disclosures indicate that the second round of 13F filings for Spot Bitcoin ETFs may have started, implying potential Bitcoin ETF adoptions by more institutions and fund managers in the near future.

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2024-07-09 12:23