Monochrome’s IBTC: fastest‑growing Bitcoin ETF in Australia in May

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If you’ve been keeping up with updates about the crypto market recently, you might have heard mentions of the fastest growing Bitcoin ETF. 

That’s because, in May 2025, Monochrome’s IBTC achieved the title of the “Fastest Growing Bitcoin ETF” in Australia, outpacing four other Australian-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs over the same period. Now, this surge is something that acts as a critical inflection point for Monochrome Asset Management’s flagship Bitcoin ETF and represents the growing appetite among Australian investors for regulated, transparent crypto exposure.

You’ll be amazed to discover that Deep Tide Techflow reports that this fastest growing Bitcoin ETF actually reached 860 by June 20, 2025, and their holdings’ market value is now around 139 million AUD. 

What Made IBTC Lead The Pack? The A to Z About IBTC

The fact is, IBTC is Australia’s first spot Bitcoin ETF approved under the Australian Financial Services Licensing (AFSL) power. Unlike ETFs that gain Bitcoin exposure through futures contracts or synthetic instruments, IBTC holds actual Bitcoin in cold storage, offering investors direct access to the underlying asset.

What’s more is that, since it was launched by Monochrome Asset Management, IBTC aims to provide a regulated and institutionally structured way for Australians to gain exposure to Bitcoin. You’ll notice that its design is actually similar to the US spot ETFs that received SEC approval in early 2024, like BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC.

  1. Two-Way In-Kind Transfers

Most crypto experts find it interesting that IBTC offers a unique mechanism: the ability to transfer existing Bitcoin holdings directly into the ETF via in-kind transfers. Vice versa, too. This perk basically bypasses traditional cash transactions and ends up reducing friction while minimizing fees. It also enhances tax efficiency, particularly for crypto-native investors.

  1. Lowest-Range Fees

Furthermore, its management fees were halved from 0.50 percent to just 0.25 percent in March 2025. Now, that’s a move meant to improve the fastest growing Bitcoin ETF’s cost competitiveness. 

  1. Strong Performance vs. US Peers

Of course, as of 30 May 2025, IBTC’s compounded AUM growth rate since December  31, 2024, has managed to outpace its Australian competition. And then, alongside that, comparative charts from Monochrome also talk about the solid returns in both USD and AUD terms, relative to established US spot Bitcoin ETFs.

The Fastest Growing Bitcoin ETF: Investor Confidence and Media Attention

The surge in IBTC’s performance hasn’t gone unnoticed: You’ve likely also seen how financial news outlets such as The Australian Financial Review and Binance have featured Monochrome multiple times in May 2025, praising the fastest-growing ETF’s compliance-first approach.

For both retail and institutional investors in Australia, IBTC’s growth means some major developments in the crypto world. For starters;

  • Regulated crypto products are gaining trust
  • Spot-based ETFs have clear demand over synthetic options
  • Institutional adoption is slowly spreading in Australia

In many ways, the success of IBTC mirrors the overall maturation of the different Bitcoin investment vehicles all over the world. As the fastest growing Bitcoin ETF, it also encourages innovation among competitors, likely leading to a richer suite of digital asset products in the Australian crypto market.

Monochrome CEO Jeff Yew, the former founding CEO of Binance Australia, confirmed the ETF’s top growth status on his LinkedIn:

“In May, the Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (IBTC) was the fastest-growing Bitcoin ETF in Australia.” 

This public remark shows that this ETF has some serious investor recognition. Then, peer and media engagement also depicted that idea, sharing “IBTC: The Fastest Growing Bitcoin ETF in Australia in May 2025” as LinkedIn news across the platform.

How Is This Going To Affect The Australian ETF Competitive Landscape? 

Since the initiation of Australia’s first spot Bitcoin ETFs in early to mid-2024, Monochrome’s IBTC led the first inflows, when it was passing 100 BTC under management by mid-2024. Sure, while that initial surge was impressive, it was the ETF’s sustained growth post-product launch that really cemented its position.

But then May confirmed IBTC’s strength of presence as the Fastest Growing Bitcoin ETF, only bolstered further by its complete transparency backed by its proof-of-reserves partnerships like the one with Hoseki.

  1. Competitive Pressure on Fees

IBTC’s 0.25 percent fee challenged the market. Competitor ETFs carrying higher fee rates now face pressure to match or risk losing market share to the fastest growing Bitcoin ETF.

  1. Increasing Standards of Transparency

IBTC’s early adoption of proof-of-reserves sets a new norm for accountability. This may prompt regulatory scrutiny and turn into an industry benchmark for all spot crypto ETFs.

  1. New Developments Through Infrastructure

IBTC’s success highlights the benefit of in-kind applications. Other providers are now exploring similar infrastructure to offer tax-efficient, seamless crypto-ETF access, and that’s a trend you’ll probably witness accelerating soon. 

The Risks And Considerations To Bear In Mind

Even as you’re awed by the impressive momentum of the fastest growing Bitcoin ETF, as a crypto enthusiast, you already know that this may connect with Bitcoin’s volatility, discouraging some investors. And then, sudden price shifts have a chance of heavily swaying AUM and the overarching market sentiment among experts, analysts, advisors, and the investors themselves. 

It also goes without saying that the fact that regulatory frameworks – specifically, ones that are still evolving in Australia – means, any future changes could affect inflows or operations. These can be tighter restrictions or even changes in tax policies, although IBTC is currently operating inside regulated confines. 

It’s true that in-kind transfers still need a minimum of 0.1 BTC for entry, and then exiting also triggers a flat 500 AUD administrative fee, which constitutes a pretty strong hurdle for the small-scale investors in the crypto arena. 

Conclusion

Monochrome’s IBTC has, evidently, led the wave in May as the fastest growing Bitcoin ETF in Australia. This development could only happen thanks to some structural advancements, alongside competitive pricing, transparent practices, and, naturally, market timing. Thus, IBTC stood out among its peers: its design and performance also make it a benchmark in the Australian crypto-ETF industry. Undeniably, it’s set a potent template for future digital asset products.

As Australia continues to welcome more and more regulated digital asset investments, IBTC may be the one paving the way for a new era of crypto inclusion in mainstream finance.

So, whether you’re a retail investor looking for secure Bitcoin exposure or an institution preparing to diversify your portfolio, IBTC is the name to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How low are IBTC’s fees?

IBTC charges a 0.25 percent per annum management fee, halved from 0.50 percent in March 2025, positioning IBTC as one of the most cost-effective spot Bitcoin ETFs available to Australian investors. 

Can I redeem in Bitcoin?

Yes, IBTC supports in-kind redemptions and applications, with a minimum of 0.1 BTC and a flat 500 AUD admin fee on redemptions. In fact, this allows investors to convert their ETF holdings directly back into Bitcoin without relying on fiat settlements.

Does IBTC provide proof of reserves?

Yes, via a partnership with Hoseki, IBTC offers real-time proof-of-reserves for its Bitcoin holdings, and its transparency is what helps build trust among stakeholders.

Wajahat Raja
Wajahat Raja
Wajahat Raja is a seasoned finance writer and with years of experience and a focus on Finance, Insurance, Hedge Funds, and Private Equity. He explores complex financial topics with clarity and depth, delivering content that informs and engages. Wajahat’s work is driven by a passion for making industry developments and trends more accessible to a broad audience, offering insights that are thoughtful, well-researched, and easy to understand.

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