BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF just hit a massive milestone that proves crypto is now a mainstream bet
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- IBIT open interest reached $27.61 billion on Nasdaq, edging out Deribit’s $26.90 billion for the first time.
- Deribit had dominated offshore Bitcoin options since 2016, yet its open interest fell short of IBIT by $0.71 billion on Friday.
- Sidrah Fariq said U.S. retail investors now access regulated leverage via iShares Bitcoin Trust options, driven by supply‑chain, energy and geopolitical risks.
- Volmex supplied the data showing the $27.61 billion figure, confirming the market size shift.
- BlackRock launched the IBIT ETF two years ago, and its options now serve as a gateway for Wall Street institutions to hedge and speculate on Bitcoin.
Why it matters: Wall Street asset managers gain a $27.6 billion regulated options market, while offshore platforms lose retail share; the shift deepens price discovery and will accelerate institutional Bitcoin inflows.
