BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Outperforms Vanguard’s S&P 500 Fund Since 2024 Launch

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust exchange-traded fund (ETF), which tracks the price of bitcoin, has outperformed Vanguard’s popular S&P 500 ETF since its launch in January 2024.

An ETF is a fund that trades on a stock exchange, allowing investors to buy shares that represent ownership in a pool of assets, such as stocks or, in this case, bitcoin.

Returns since launch

According to Bloomberg data shared by Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF is up 71% since its debut, while Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF has gained 66% over the same period. Balchunas noted that while the bitcoin ETF’s performance has been more volatile, its returns have slightly exceeded those of the S&P 500 fund.

Key numbers

• BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) return since January 2024: 71%
• Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF (VOO) return over the same period: 66%
• IBIT’s assets under management: $61.4 billion
• Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund’s assets under management: nearly $11 billion
• Bitcoin’s recent price: $77,539

Market context

The iShares Bitcoin Trust began trading in 2024 after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved 11 spot bitcoin ETFs, following years of rejections. BlackRock’s product has become the most successful, managing $61.4 billion in assets, far ahead of competitors like Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, which holds nearly $11 billion.

Investors have recently increased their activity in bitcoin ETFs. From August 17 to 27, over $2.8 billion flowed into these funds, the highest amount since October 2025. Bitcoin’s price has also seen significant movement, reaching as high as $81,281 last week before dropping to $77,539. Over the past month, bitcoin has risen nearly 30%, marking its best performance in three years.

Sources

• Bitcoin Magazine