1,871 Institutions Now Hold $18.37B in Bitcoin ETFs – What the 13F Data Reveals

After analyzing the latest data highlighted by SaniExp, one trend stands out immediately, institutional exposure to spot Bitcoin ETFs is far deeper than many expected.

A total of 1,871 institutions have now disclosed combined holdings of $18.37 billion in Bitcoin ETFs. These disclosures, filed through mandatory 13F reports, offer a transparent look into how traditional finance is positioning around digital assets.

The data confirms that Bitcoin ETF ownership is no longer concentrated among a handful of crypto-native firms. It has become a broad institutional allocation theme.

Who Holds the Largest Positions?

The “Top Holders” breakdown shows major Wall Street and global asset managers leading exposure.

Among the largest reported holders:

• Jane Street Group
• Goldman Sachs Group
• Morgan Stanley
• BlackRock
• Wells Fargo
• Barclays

Several hedge funds and asset management firms, including Capula, Horizon Kinetics, and others, also appear prominently in the rankings.

The presence of both market makers (like Jane Street) and long-only asset managers suggests a mix of liquidity provision and directional exposure.

Why 13F Filings Matter

Form 13F filings are submitted quarterly by institutions managing more than $100 million in assets. They disclose long equity positions, including ETF holdings.

This means the $18.37 billion figure represents:

• Publicly disclosed long exposure
• Regulated investment vehicles
• Traditional finance participation

It does not include direct Bitcoin holdings held outside ETF structures, nor does it account for derivatives exposure.

In other words, the real institutional footprint may be even larger.

What This Means for Bitcoin

With nearly 1,900 institutions now reporting ETF exposure, Bitcoin has clearly crossed into mainstream portfolio allocation.

However, ETF ownership alone does not guarantee upward price pressure. Flow dynamics matter. Earlier in 2026, several U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs shifted from aggressive accumulation to net outflows, reflecting broader macro caution.

Still, the 13F data confirms a structural shift:

Bitcoin ETFs are now embedded inside hedge funds, banks, pension advisors, and asset managers at scale.

The question going forward is whether this $18.37 billion base expands during market weakness, or contracts further if macro conditions remain tight.

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