A significant shift might be underway for financial advisors concerning Bitcoin investments. Bitcoin ETF inflows are accelerating as leading institutions prepare to make them accessible to a broader audience of investors. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, has indicated that the four major U.S. wirehouses — Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and UBS — are ready to facilitate access to Bitcoin ETFs.

If this materializes, it could substantially increase mainstream access to cryptocurrency.

🇺🇸 $12 billion Bitwise CIO expects big four wirehouses to allow their advisors to access #Bitcoin ETFs this year. – Merrill Lynch – Morgan Stanley – Wells Fargo – UBS Institutions are here.
— Next Layer Capital (@nextlayercap) April 30, 2025

These firms collectively manage around $10 trillion in assets, and their movements significantly impact the market. Presently, their clients lack direct access to Bitcoin ETFs, but Hougan reveals that due diligence is progressing, system upgrades are underway, and discussions are intensifying.

Anticipation is building that by the end of 2025, advisors from these institutions may recommend Bitcoin ETFs alongside traditional investments such as stocks and bonds.

Bitcoin ETF Inflows So Far in 2025

Currently, data indicates major investor trends — while Grayscale is seeing substantial outflows, BlackRock and Fidelity are witnessing the majority of inflows, with nearly over $500 million flowing in during late April.
Bitcoin ETF Inflows data for 2025 so far. Source: Dune

Projected Record Inflows into Bitcoin ETFs

The pace of inflows for 2025 appears slower compared to the previous year, when we logged a remarkable $35 billion. This year, we are hovering around $3.7 billion so far, but should wirehouses proceed, Hougan predicts that numbers could soar.

As the proverb goes, “slow now, big later.” Once Bitcoin ETFs are included on platforms that manage many Americans’ retirement and brokerage accounts, inflows could shift from a subtle trickle to a booming stream. Financial advisors may be prudent, but their long-term adoption typically secures investments in the notification.

Shift from Retail to Institutional Investment

A notable trend is the transition from retail to institutional investors. While individual crypto traders initially sparked the ETF movement, institutional involvement appears to be rising quickly.

Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s Head of Digital Assets, emphasized that wealth managers and institutional clients now hold a larger portion of Bitcoin ETF assets compared to retail investors. This denotes significant confidence from generally cautious financial players.

What Can We Anticipate from the Crypto Market?

Should the primary four wirehouses offer Bitcoin ETFs, we may observe increased liquidity, diminished price volatilities, and a reinforced market foundation. This action could pave the way for wider crypto asset integration within standard portfolios.

This situation does not only favor Bitcoin enthusiasts; it symbolizes that cryptocurrencies are establishing their credibility within the overall financial system. No longer a marginalized bet, they are becoming a serious consideration for prudent investors.

Conclusion

While we are not there yet, the gears are in motion. If Hougan’s forecasts prove accurate and major wirehouses embrace Bitcoin ETFs by late 2025, we will witness a significant evolution in the crypto landscape. This would be a critical milestone in incorporating digital assets into mainstream finance. Investors should be attentive; their advisors might soon mention Bitcoin more frequently than anticipated.