Barclays Reports 48% Increase in Bitcoin ETF Shares

Barclays reported 3,942,900 shares in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust at September 30, a 48% increase from its June 30 position, according to its latest regulatory filing. The shares were valued at $186.66 million at quarter-end. The bank’s Form 13F was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6.

The filing shows Barclays held about 1.28 million more IBIT shares than the roughly 2.66 million reported at the end of June. Its position value rose from $88.5 million to $186.66 million, reflecting both the larger share count and a rise in the fund’s market price during the quarter. IBIT gained about 41% in the third quarter, according to reporting on the filings.

Citigroup also reported larger Bitcoin exchange-traded fund positions. Its September filing listed 1,636,387 shares of Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, known as FBTC, valued at $118.87 million. The filing did not list an FBTC position for the June quarter. Citi also reported 521,144 IBIT shares, up from 347,114 at June 30, an increase of about 50%.

The filings provide quarter-end snapshots, not a record of when securities were bought or whether the positions were subsequently changed. They also...