The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) has made a significant investment in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investment totals $164 million, with $100 million invested in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and $64 million in Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust (GBTC).

This move exposes the Wisconsin Retirement System to cryptocurrency investments, a growing trend among institutional investors.SWIB's investment is part of a larger trend, with approximately 48% of its $156 billion assets invested in public equities as of December 2023.

Other investments include stocks in Cleanspark, MicroStrategy, and Coinbase. However, the SEC has cautioned investors to verify the accuracy and completeness of the data provided by the state agency.

This disclosure follows similar ones from other large banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, which have also invested in spot Bitcoin ETFs. Susquehanna International Group has invested over a billion dollars in spot cryptocurrency ETFs in Q1 2024. The SEC's approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January has led to a surge in the crypto market, with Bitcoin reaching new highs in Q1 2024.

In summary, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board has made a significant investment in Bitcoin ETFs, joining other institutional investors in the growing cryptocurrency market. This move exposes the Wisconsin Retirement System to cryptocurrency investments and follows similar disclosures from other large banks.