Major Institutions Boost Bitcoin Holdings: Invesco, Barclays, Bridgewater, and Goldman Sachs Reveal Latest Positions

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In recent weeks, several major global financial institutions have filed their latest 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), shedding light on their investment strategies and portfolio shifts. While institutional sentiment toward U.S. tech giants has diverged significantly, a growing consensus is emerging around digital assets—particularly Bitcoin.

From traditional Wall Street powerhouses like Invesco, Barclays, and Bridgewater to financial heavyweights such as Goldman Sachs, the data reveals a notable trend: increasing institutional adoption of cryptocurrency through ETFs and strategic equity positions. At the same time, divergent views on AI-driven tech stocks highlight shifting market dynamics in 2025.

Invesco Increases Exposure to Tech and AI Leaders

Invesco Ltd., with a total portfolio value of $540 billion at the end of Q4 2024 (up 3.84% from the previous quarter), continues to place strong bets on leading technology companies, particularly those positioned at the forefront of artificial intelligence.

The top ten holdings account for 18.95% of its total portfolio, with NVIDIA (NVDA) standing out as the largest single position. Invesco increased its NVIDIA stake by 7.59%, adding 9.17 million shares for a total holding of approximately 129 million shares—valued at $174.42 billion, representing 3.22% of the fund.

This strategic move underscores confidence in NVIDIA’s dominance in AI chips and high-performance computing infrastructure, which continues to power data centers and generative AI models worldwide.

Other key tech增持 include:

Meta Platforms (META) saw a minor reduction of 1.76%, but remains a core holding due to its robust advertising platform and investments in metaverse technologies.

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Notably, Salesforce (CRM) emerged as one of the most aggressively purchased stocks, with Invesco boosting its position by 42.54%—adding over 2.3 million shares. With Salesforce’s ongoing innovation in customer relationship management and AI-powered analytics, the firm appears well-positioned for long-term growth.

Top five buys:

Top five sells:

Barclays Cuts Big Tech, Adds Bitcoin ETF

Barclays Capital reported a total portfolio value of $357 billion in Q4 2024, down 5.3% from the prior quarter. The top ten holdings now represent a significant 41.46% of total assets, indicating a more concentrated strategy.

Unlike Invesco, Barclays took a bearish stance on most U.S. mega-cap tech firms:

These reductions suggest concerns about valuation premiums and slowing growth momentum in the broader tech sector—especially amid rising competition from Chinese tech innovators and regulatory scrutiny.

However, Barclays made a bold move into digital assets by initiating a new position in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). This aligns with growing institutional interest in regulated crypto exposure, especially after favorable policy signals following the 2024 U.S. election cycle.

Bitcoin’s price trajectory in late 2024—driven by macroeconomic tailwinds, increased adoption, and pro-crypto regulatory sentiment—helped push the asset toward an all-time high above $100,000 temporarily.

Bridgewater Bets on S&P 500, Dumps Most Tech Giants

Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater Associates ended Q4 2024 with a portfolio valued at $218 billion—an increase of 23.2% from the previous quarter. Despite this growth, the firm dramatically reduced exposure to most of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks.

Bridgewater slashed positions in:

Tesla was the sole exception, with Bridgewater opening a new position of 153,500 shares—likely driven by renewed optimism around Tesla’s Robotaxi announcement and progress in humanoid robotics.

The most striking shift was Bridgewater’s massive allocation to the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), whose weight in the portfolio surged from 2.72% to 22.12%, making it the fund’s top holding. This reflects a broader market-outperforming strategy and suggests confidence in overall equity market resilience despite sector-specific risks.

Portfolio concentration also increased—the top ten holdings now make up 43.19% of total value, up from 32.29%, signaling stronger conviction in core assets.

Goldman Sachs Makes Big Moves in Crypto

Goldman Sachs reported a Q4 portfolio value of $630 billion, up 1.6% quarter-over-quarter.

While its tech positioning was mixed—adding to Apple, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Meta while cutting Amazon and Google—the real story lies in its aggressive expansion into cryptocurrency.

Goldman significantly boosted its exposure to digital asset ETFs:

These moves confirm that one of Wall Street’s most influential banks sees Bitcoin and Ethereum not just as speculative assets but as legitimate components of diversified investment portfolios.

BlackRock also increased its stake in Strategy Corp (formerly MicroStrategy), raising its ownership to 5%—a testament to Strategy’s role as the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin.

👉 See how leading financial institutions are integrating crypto into mainstream portfolios today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why are major institutions investing in Bitcoin now?
A: Institutional adoption is accelerating due to increased regulatory clarity, the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, macroeconomic uncertainty, and Bitcoin’s proven scarcity model. These factors make Bitcoin an attractive hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

Q: Is Bitcoin replacing tech stocks in institutional portfolios?
A: Not entirely—but there's a reallocation happening. While some firms like Bridgewater are reducing tech exposure, others like Invesco maintain strong tech positions. Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a complementary asset class rather than a direct substitute.

Q: What does the rise of Bitcoin ETFs mean for investors?
A: Spot Bitcoin ETFs offer regulated, tax-efficient access to Bitcoin without custody risks. This lowers entry barriers for retail and institutional investors alike, driving broader market participation.

Q: How can I track institutional crypto investments?
A: Monitor SEC Form 13F filings quarterly to see what funds like Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and others are buying or selling. These reports provide transparency into large-scale investment trends.

Q: Are these crypto moves short-term or long-term plays?
A: Most institutional buys appear strategic and long-term focused. The scale of ETF investments and integration into diversified portfolios suggest confidence in crypto’s role over multiple market cycles.

Q: Should individual investors follow institutional crypto moves?
A: While institutions have research advantages, retail investors should conduct independent analysis based on risk tolerance and financial goals. Diversification remains key—even when following Wall Street trends.

The evolving landscape of asset management shows a clear trend: Bitcoin is no longer fringe—it's foundational.

As AI reshapes tech valuations and geopolitical forces influence markets, institutions are turning to scarce digital assets as stores of value and portfolio diversifiers.

Whether through direct ETF ownership or equity stakes in crypto-forward companies like Strategy Corp, the message is consistent—digital assets are here to stay.

👉 Stay ahead of the curve with real-time insights on crypto markets and institutional trends.