Bitcoin ETFs Boost Select Mutual Funds, Outperforming Benchmarks by 22 Percentage Points
A group of actively managed mutual funds incorporating Bitcoin exposure through ETFs have significantly outperformed their benchmarks. Seven out of 10 such funds beat their benchmarks by an average of 22 percentage points over a 12-month period through July, attributed to Bitcoin's 100% surge. The Kinetics Internet Fund, allocating half its $348 million assets to Bitcoin ETFs, outpaced the S&P 500 by 23 percentage points. This success comes amid $280 billion outflows from active equity mutual funds this year, while crypto-focused ETFs attracted $75 billion since last year. Analysis suggests a 5% Bitcoin allocation in a 60-40 stock-bond portfolio could have yielded over 200% returns in the past decade, compared to 96% without Bitcoin. However, adoption faces challenges due to investment mandate restrictions and investor caution.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
In a striking development for the investment world, a select group of actively managed mutual funds have found a new recipe for success: Bitcoin. By incorporating Bitcoin exposure through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), these funds have managed to significantly outpace their benchmarks, showcasing the potential impact of cryptocurrency investments on traditional financial products.
Bitcoin-Boosted Performance
Out of 10 mutual funds that have invested in Bitcoin via ETFs, seven have outperformed their benchmarks by an impressive average of 22.00 percentage points over a 12-month period through July. This outperformance can be largely attributed to Bitcoin's remarkable 100.00% surge over the past year, highlighting the cryptocurrency's potential to drive returns in diversified portfolios.
Standout Performer
One notable example is the Kinetics Internet Fund, which has allocated approximately half of its $348.00 million in assets to two Grayscale Bitcoin ETFs. This strategic move has paid off handsomely, with the fund beating the S&P 500 by a substantial 23.00 percentage points.
Shifting Investment Landscape
This success comes at a time when the investment landscape is undergoing significant changes:
- Active equity mutual funds have experienced $280.00 billion in outflows this year alone, part of a larger $2.30 trillion exodus since 2020.
- In contrast, crypto-focused ETFs have attracted around $75.00 billion since the start of last year, indicating growing investor interest in digital assets.
The Bitcoin Allocation Effect
Analysis suggests that incorporating Bitcoin into traditional investment strategies could yield substantial benefits:
- A conventional 60-40 stock-bond portfolio with a 5% Bitcoin allocation would have returned over 200.00% in the 10 years ending 2024.
- This compares favorably to the roughly 96.00% return of the standard 60-40 strategy without Bitcoin exposure.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite the potential benefits, widespread adoption of Bitcoin in mutual funds faces several hurdles:
- Many mutual funds operate under investment mandate restrictions that prohibit cryptocurrency investments.
- Only three of the 10 Bitcoin-holding funds have seen inflows this year, despite their outperformance, suggesting investor caution or lack of awareness.
Looking Ahead
The outperformance of Bitcoin-invested mutual funds presents an intriguing case for the potential of cryptocurrency in traditional investment vehicles. However, it also raises questions about risk management, regulatory considerations, and the long-term sustainability of such strategies. As the investment landscape continues to evolve, fund managers and investors alike will be closely watching the impact of digital assets on portfolio performance and market dynamics.