- Wisconsin’s pension system invests $164 million in Bitcoin ETFs, signaling strong institutional confidence.
- Investment may boost Bitcoin’s price, stirring interest on whether new all-time highs are achievable.
Following an earlier CNF update, the Wisconsin State Investment Board’s (SWIB) purchase of Bitcoin has been recognized as a major step towards institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. The SWIB has now invested a substantial $164 million in Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), specifically BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), as revealed in a May filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
David Krause, a finance professor emeritus at Marquette University, highlighted the significance of this move in a recent PBS Wisconsin interview. He described the investment as an initial “toe in the water,” testing both public and market reactions. This cautious approach underlines the potential risks and rewards of integrating such volatile assets into a conservative investment pool like a pension fund.
Collin Brown, a prominent member of the crypto community, echoed the sentiment of increased investment from the Wisconsin Pension Plan in a recent tweet, suggesting that this could be just the beginning of a larger scale involvement.
Wisconsin Pension Plan Likely to Invest Much More in Bitcoin ETF, Marquette Professor Says. David Krause, a finance professor at Marquette University, views the State of Wisconsin Investment Board's initial investment as 'a toe in the water' to gauge public reaction. 🚀 #Bitcoin… pic.twitter.com/2qOXskgeEZ
— Collin Brown (@CollinBrownXRP) June 3, 2024
In discussions about the implications for pensioners and workers given Bitcoin’s volatility, Krause reassured that the diversification benefits of Bitcoin make it a compelling addition to the portfolio. He emphasized its potential as an inflation hedge and its non-correlation with traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds, which can reduce overall portfolio volatility.
As of now, Bitcoin trades at $68,923.79, reflecting a 1.59% increase over the past day, though it has seen a slight decrease of 0.59% over the past week.
Can it Propel BTC Price to New ATH?
The increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin, highlighted by Wisconsin’s investment strategy, poses a significant question: Could this lead to Bitcoin reaching new all-time high prices? With substantial backing and evolving market perceptions, the trajectory for Bitcoin’s value looks promising.