According to Cointelegraph, the introduction of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other institutional Bitcoin products is significantly impacting the core principles of cryptocurrency, originally envisioned by Satoshi Nakamoto. Onchain data reveals a steady decline in Bitcoin self-custody since January 2024, coinciding with the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs. This shift marks a notable change in investor behavior, as more individuals opt for institutional custody solutions like ETFs over managing private wallets.
The creation of new Bitcoin addresses has slowed after nearly 15 years of growth, with active addresses dropping sharply from nearly 1 million in January 2024 to approximately 650,000 by late June 2025, levels not seen since 2019. Analyst Willy Woo noted that the growth rate of self-custody users has declined since the availability of spot ETFs. This trend reflects Bitcoin's integration into the traditional financial system, attracting more investors through BTC funds. However, some view this as a departure from Bitcoin's original purpose of individual sovereignty.
The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs by companies such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale has been a pivotal moment for Bitcoin. These ETFs provide investors with regulated, institution-grade access to cryptocurrency without the need to manage wallets, exchanges, or private keys. They also offer tax advantages and secure custody, along with the convenience of traditional brokerage platforms. The market demand for these products has been robust, with spot Bitcoin ETFs witnessing around $50 billion in net inflows within the first 18 months. BlackRock’s IBIT led the market, reaching $83 billion in assets under management by July 18, 2025, and holding over 700,000 BTC.
Bitcoin ETFs are not the only traditional gateway into the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin treasury companies, which hold Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, have evolved from a few high-conviction players into a broader institutional movement. By the end of Q2 2025, the number of public companies holding BTC increased to 125, a 58% rise from the previous quarter. As of mid-2025, over 250 organizations, including public companies, private firms, ETFs, and pension funds, hold BTC on their balance sheets. These treasury companies provide an indirect way to invest in Bitcoin, eliminating the need for self-custody or direct interaction with crypto exchanges, while offering regulatory oversight and institutional-grade custody.
