
GBTC shares outstanding is a crucial metric to grasp for anyone interested in the market impact of Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust. GBTC has consistently had a large outstanding share count, with over 600,000 shares issued as of the latest update.
This high share count contributes to the trust's market capitalization, making it one of the largest publicly traded Bitcoin funds. The market capitalization of GBTC is a significant factor in its price movements, as it can influence investor demand and supply dynamics.
The large number of shares outstanding also affects the trust's ability to increase its supply of Bitcoin, which can impact its price. As the trust's share count grows, it may require more Bitcoin to meet investor demand, potentially driving up the price of the underlying asset.
Why?
GBTC has a unique position in the market due to its long operating history. It was created in 2013 and is the first publicly-traded Bitcoin fund in the US.
GBTC's history dates back to 2013, making it a pioneer in the US Bitcoin market. This milestone is a testament to its innovative approach to investing in cryptocurrencies.
GBTC was the first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded product to commence trading in the US, marking a significant milestone in the industry. This achievement showcases its commitment to providing investors with a secure and reliable way to invest in Bitcoin.
GBTC is sponsored by Grayscale, a leading crypto asset manager with over a decade of experience operating crypto investment products. This partnership brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.
The combination of GBTC's long history and Grayscale's experience has made it a trusted name in the industry. This reputation is built on its commitment to providing investors with a secure and reliable way to invest in Bitcoin.
Here are some key facts about GBTC's history:
- GBTC was created in 2013.
- It is the first publicly-traded Bitcoin fund in the US.
- GBTC is sponsored by Grayscale.
These facts demonstrate GBTC's position as a pioneer in the US Bitcoin market. Its long history and partnership with Grayscale have made it a trusted name in the industry.
Performance and Growth
GBTC shares have experienced significant growth, with investors who purchased shares during a period of undervaluation enjoying 137% gains as the discount narrows. This is a remarkable turnaround, especially considering the shares were trading at a 50% discount compared to their Bitcoin holdings.
The gap between GBTC's price and its actual Bitcoin holdings has been diminishing, with the discount falling to below 20% after Grayscale's recent courtroom victory. This has led to substantial profits for investors who bought in during the December dip.
GBTC's performance has outperformed the performance of Bitcoin itself, with the trust's shares rising by 137% since December 13, while Bitcoin's price rose by 48%. This is a testament to the potential for growth in the cryptocurrency market.
Here's a summary of GBTC's performance metrics:
GBTC's performance is a clear indication of the potential for growth in the cryptocurrency market, and it's essential to keep an eye on the trust's performance metrics to gauge its overall health.
Grayscale BTC Investors Enjoy 137% Gains
Grayscale BTC investors who bought the December dip are enjoying a whopping 137% gains as the discount narrows. This means that if you invested in GBTC during that time, you're now sitting on a substantial profit.
GBTC shares were trading at $19.71 as markets opened on August 31st, which is a significant increase from $8.29 on December 13 of the previous year. The discount between GBTC's price and its actual Bitcoin holdings has been diminishing, and this has led to substantial profits for investors.
During this period, Bitcoin's price rose by 48%, moving from $17,800 to approximately $26,300. GBTC's gains since December 13 have outperformed the performance of Bitcoin itself, which is a remarkable feat.
Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust, which boasts $17 billion in assets under management, offers investors exposure to Bitcoin through a security-based form. Each GBTC share represents ownership of a fraction of a Bitcoin, currently approximately 0.00090084 of one whole coin, valued at $24.49 when the market opened.
Daily Performance

The daily performance of the fund is a crucial aspect to consider. The Net Asset Value (NAV) per Share is $77.97, which is a significant figure to keep in mind.
The XBX Index Price is a whopping $98,308.59, giving you an idea of the fund's overall value. The NAV per Share 1D Change ($)$0.85 indicates a slight increase in value over the past day.
The daily volume of shares traded is a substantial *2,162,378*, which is a testament to the fund's popularity. The NAV per Share 1D Change (%)1.10% further emphasizes the slight increase in value.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's daily performance:
The market price of $78.02 is also worth noting, as it's only a slight increase from the previous day.
Market Trends
The GBTC shares outstanding have seen a huge increase over the past year, rising from around 250m to 692m.
This surge in shares was largely driven by the high demand for bitcoin in late December, which led to a premium of new shares coming to market.
The premium peaked at a significant level, with around 150m new shares already issued and a further 300m on the way over the following six months.
The influx of new shares put a lot of pressure on the market, causing the premium to fall and new subscriptions to dry up.
The good news is that the last shares will come to market in the coming weeks, meaning the selling pressure is largely behind us.
Recent trading sessions have seen the discount narrow, indicating a return of confidence in GBTC.
The future of GBTC will likely see the premium/discount trade within a much tighter range than we have seen in the past.
The GBTC risk to the bitcoin ecosystem is now behind us, but it's still worth noting that Grayscale should consider reducing their fees.
Bitcoin Share Value
Investors in GBTC should understand that discounts on the share price can actually increase returns over the asset in the long run.
A buyer of GBTC on 18 December 2017, when GBTC traded at a high premium, has lost 18%, despite the price of BTC rising by 85% since.
Investors who bought GBTC on the 13 May 2021, when it traded at a discount, have lost 17% in contrast to BTC, which is down 30%.
Paying a premium for GBTC will inevitably quash returns, whereas paying a discount will increase them.
In September 2017, GBTC investors were paying twice the price of BTC as the premium was 100%.
Yesterday, investors were paying -5% (or a 5% discount), meaning investors were getting some free BTC for every dollar invested.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much BTC does GBTC still have?
As of December 29, 2024, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) holds approximately 206,821 BTC. GBTC's current BTC holdings are subject to change over time.
Sources
- https://etfs.grayscale.com/gbtc
- https://bytetree.medium.com/gbtc-soars-as-shareholders-hodl-9c801eefca0f
- https://share.snipd.com/chapter/c411f87a-5737-468e-bad7-31c688ad5521
- https://www.unlock-bc.com/107583/grayscale-btc-investors-who-bought-the-december-dip-enjoy-137-gains-as-discount-narrows/
- https://coinmetrics.substack.com/p/coin-metrics-state-of-the-network-452
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