Institutional cryptocurrency funds attracted record inflows in 2021, as demand for digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) continued to grow during a volatile and often unpredictable bull market.
Crypto investment products registered $9.3 billion in inflows during the year, up from $6.8 billion in 2020, according to the latest CoinShares data, which was released on Tuesday. Bitcoin funds attracted $6.3 billion worth of capital last year, while Ether products saw inflows totaling nearly $1.4 billion. Multi-asset funds were also popular, attracting $775 million in investor capital.
A total of 37 investment products launched in 2021, compared with 24 that hit the market the year before. Notably, crypto assets that were included in investment products expanded to 15 from nine the previous year.
Grayscale remains the single largest crypto asset manager with $43.5 billion in assets under management as of Monday. Other multi-billion-dollar asset managers included 3iQ, 21Shares, ETC Group, Purpose and ProShares.
01/03/22 UPDATE: Net Assets Under Management, Holdings per Share, and Market Price per Share for our Investment Products.
— Grayscale (@Grayscale) January 4, 2022
Total AUM: $43.5 billion$BTC $BAT $BCH $LINK $MANA $ETH $ETC $FIL $ZEN $LTC $LPT $XLM $ZEC $UNI $AAVE $COMP $CRV $MKR $SUSHI $SNX $YFI $ADA $SOL $AMP pic.twitter.com/67Pb7xneoQ
Despite massive volatility, cryptocurrencies enjoyed broader mainstream recognition in 2021, with both retail and institutional investors participating in the market. 2021 was the year that crypto became a multi-trillion-dollar asset class, putting it on the radar of fund managers and family offices. Along the way, a slew of BTC exchange-traded products hit the market, including the Purpose Bitcoin ETF in Canada, which offered North American investors spot exposure to the leading digital asset.
Related: Bitcoin open interest matches record high amid predictions of BTC price 'fireworks' this month
Regulators in the United States would also approve several futures-linked Bitcoin ETFs in 2021, opening the door to broader institutional adoption. The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to deliver its verdict on a pair of physically-backed Bitcoin funds from NYSE Arca and Grayscale in early February.