Wisconsin Pension Fund Sold $300M BlackRock Bitcoin ETF

Wisconsin Pension Fund Sold $300 Million Blackrock Bitcoin ETF Stock Amid Tariff Turbulence

16 May 2025 at 14: 31

Reading time: 2 minutes

The State of Wisconsin has quietly sold its entire $300 million stake in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) sold in the first quarter of 2025, as confirmed by a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This liquidation came amid increasing market uncertainty, caused by a wave of US tariffs that are weighing on global trade and risk assets. The filing, dated May 15, confirms that Wisconsin sold its Bitcoin ETF holdings ahead of the March 31 reporting date. At that time, the fund still owned 6.060.351 IBIT shares, worth approximately $321 million.

The economic shifts

The economic environment changed dramatically after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who launched an aggressive trade policy aimed at bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and stimulating domestic growth. On February 1, 25% tariffs were announced on goods from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on imports from China. Although the tariffs on Canada and Mexico were temporarily suspended a few days later, the tariff on Chinese goods went into effect on February 4. Pressure on trade continued to mount, leading the U.S. to raise tariffs on China to 4% on March 20.

The tariff war led to significant volatility in the markets. Crypto markets were not left unaffected; Bitcoin fell by 2,3% to around $83.200, while Ethereum fell by 4,5%. At the same time, US tariffs on Chinese goods rose to 145%, and China raised tariffs on US products to 125%, pushing Bitcoin below $75.000. In May, tensions seemed to ease when the US and China temporarily lowered tariffs, with the US lowering its tariff on Chinese goods to 30% and China lowering its tariff on US products to 10%.

The unpredictable trading environment continues to put pressure on investors. The crypto market has always been characterized by volatility, but recent events have only amplified those swings. Whether we reach a new low or the trend can reverse, the future of Bitcoin and Ethereum depends on more than just the crypto market itself. Let’s hope that the lessons learned from this turbulent time will eventually lead us to a more stable market. Remember the motto: ‘crypto, the magic of the market, can surprise you every day!’

Frequently Asked Questions

What Caused Wisconsin to Sell its Bitcoin ETF?
The sale was driven by uncertain market conditions and a wave of US tariffs affecting global trade.

What impact did the trade conflicts have on the crypto markets?
The trade conflicts led to significant volatility, with Bitcoin falling below $75.000 and Ethereum hitting two-year lows.

How did the government deal with the tariffs on imports?
Several tariffs were imposed, with significant increases on Chinese imports, but later some tariffs were temporarily reduced to ease tensions.

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