CoinShares Survey: Institutional Investors Managing $1.3 Trillion Are Increasing Their BTC Holdings

marsbitPublished on 2026-05-08Last updated on 2026-05-08

Abstract

CoinShares' latest quarterly survey reveals a cautious yet growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies. Among 26 surveyed investors managing a combined $1.3 trillion in assets, 32% now hold Bitcoin (BTC) and 25% hold Ethereum (ETH), though digital assets typically comprise only about 1% of their portfolios. The report identifies Bitcoin as having the strongest growth prospects, followed by ETH and Solana (SOL). This sentiment is reflected in sustained capital inflows. Digital asset investment products have seen four consecutive weeks of net inflows, totaling $3.9 billion in that period. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs alone attracted nearly $1 billion in net inflows in early May, coinciding with BTC's price rising above $80,000. Key drivers for this adoption include improved regulatory clarity and the availability of regulated ETF products, which simplify exposure. However, internal compliance restrictions and regulatory uncertainty remain the primary obstacles to larger-scale investment. A trend noted is capital shifting from older altcoins towards newer DeFi protocols and emerging blockchain sectors.

Author: Sam Bourgi

Compiled by: TechFlow Deep Tide

Deep Tide Introduction: The latest quarterly survey from CoinShares shows that among 26 institutional investors managing a combined $1.3 trillion in assets, 32% already hold BTC and 25% have allocated to ETH. The proportion of digital asset allocation remains low at only about 1%, but fund inflows have been positive for four consecutive weeks, with spot BTC ETFs seeing nearly $1 billion in net inflows in a single week in early May. Improved regulatory friendliness and the opening of ETF channels are the core drivers, while internal compliance restrictions remain the biggest obstacle.

Fund managers are embracing digital assets again. The latest CoinShares survey shows that Bitcoin continues to dominate institutional allocation preferences, and overall crypto market sentiment is also warming.

This April survey covered 26 institutional investors with a combined AUM of $1.3 trillion. The allocation of digital assets in investment portfolios remains low, at about 1%. CoinShares describes this as a "typical entry-level position," corresponding to the current risk-off market environment.

James Butterfill, Head of Research at CoinShares, wrote in the report: "Bitcoin remains the digital asset with the most compelling growth prospects." Sentiment towards ETH and SOL has also improved moderately compared to previous quarters.

Survey data: 32% of respondents have already invested in BTC, and 25% have allocated to ETH.

Institutional investors are gradually increasing their positions, driven by factors such as improving market sentiment, rising ETF adoption, and a more friendly regulatory environment. Meanwhile, respondents cited internal compliance restrictions and regulatory uncertainty as the primary obstacles to broader adoption. The survey also noted a trend: funds are flowing from "legacy altcoins" to newer DeFi protocols and emerging blockchain sectors.

Caption: Fund managers believe Bitcoin has the strongest growth prospects among digital assets, followed by ETH and SOL

Source:CoinShares

Sustained Inflows, Sentiment Indicators Warm Across the Board

The survey's optimistic tone aligns with broader institutional flow data. CoinShares data shows that digital asset investment products have recorded net inflows for multiple consecutive weeks, primarily driven by Bitcoin demand.

Crypto ETPs attracted $1.2 billion in inflows in the four weeks ending April 27, marking the fourth consecutive positive week, with cumulative inflows of $3.9 billion over those four weeks.

This momentum continued into early May. SoSoValue data shows that US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded nearly $1 billion in net inflows this week, with BTC prices climbing back above $80,000.

Caption: Bitcoin ETF inflows have continued to rise since last Friday

Source: SoSoValue

The inflow trend also aligns with a joint survey by Coinbase and EY-Parthenon: 73% of institutional investors plan to increase their digital asset exposure this year, with most expecting crypto asset prices to rise over the next 12 months.

The launch of US spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 is widely regarded as a turning point for institutional adoption. The ETF structure reduces operational friction for institutions, providing regulated Bitcoin exposure without the need for direct digital asset custody.

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Related Questions

QWhat percentage of the surveyed institutional investors manage $1.3 trillion in assets are currently holding Bitcoin?

A32% of the surveyed institutional investors are currently holding Bitcoin.

QWhat are the two main factors cited as driving increased institutional allocation to digital assets according to the CoinShares report?

AThe two main driving factors are improved regulatory friendliness and the opening of ETF access channels.

QWhat does the survey identify as the primary obstacle to larger-scale adoption of digital assets by institutions?

AThe survey identifies internal compliance restrictions and regulatory uncertainty as the primary obstacles to larger-scale adoption.

QHow much net inflow did US spot Bitcoin ETFs record in a single week in early May, according to the article?

AUS spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded nearly $1 billion in net inflows in a single week in early May.

QBesides Bitcoin, which two digital assets showed improved sentiment among institutional investors compared to previous quarters?

ABesides Bitcoin, sentiment for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) showed moderate improvement compared to previous quarters.

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