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CRYPTO ETFS SEE SURGE AS WALLET HACKS SHAKE INVESTORS

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
MON, AUG 10, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 2 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

A $130 million theft from cold wallets has intensified demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs, according to BlackRock's head of digital assets. The Coldcard hack is pushing investors away from self-custody toward regulated fund vehicles.

Recent security breaches affecting thousands of supposedly secure cold wallets have shifted investor sentiment toward cryptocurrency ETFs as a safer alternative to self-managed storage. Robert Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, told Bloomberg that the market is seeing overwhelming demand for crypto ETFs. He characterized these funds as a "trusted vehicle" for Bitcoin exposure, particularly following the high-profile hack. The $130 million theft from Coldcard wallets undermines confidence in self-custody among retail and institutional investors. Rather than managing private keys independently, investors are increasingly turning to regulated ETF structures that offer institutional-grade security and custody protections. The shift reflects a broader trend: as crypto infrastructure faces security challenges, traditional finance mechanisms gain credibility. ETFs eliminate the technical burden and risk exposure associated with managing digital assets directly, appealing to investors prioritizing security over autonomy.

■ SOURCES

Bloomberg TechBloomberg Tech

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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