S2F Creator PlanB Ditches Self-Custody For Bitcoin ETFs

Renowned crypto analyst PlanB, creator of the popular Bitcoin stock-to-flow (S2F) model, has just made a surprising move. According to a post on X,  PlanB revealed that he has moved all his Bitcoin (BTC) holdings from self-custody to spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

This shifts from the usual belief that Bitcoin should be held personally. Now, he manages it like stocks and bonds for convenience.

The Appeal of ETFs: Convenience Over Control

In his post, PlanB said managing private keys was difficult. He revealed that losing them means losing access to funds forever. Also, hackers are always a threat. With crypto hacks increasing, ETFs provide a structured and regulated way to hold Bitcoin without the risk of theft or mismanagement.

Investors like PlanB are seeking regulated options, making Bitcoin ETFs attractive.

Mixed Reactions from the Community

PlanB’s move has raised eyebrows in the crypto community, and not everyone agrees. Some see ETFs as a step toward mainstream adoption, making Bitcoin easier for more people to own. 

Others argue that it contradicts the core idea of Bitcoin of financial independence. The debate highlights a growing divide between those who value decentralization and those who seek ease of use.

One primary concern was whether moving Bitcoin into ETFs would trigger taxes. PlanB clarified that Bitcoin sales don’t create capital gains tax under the Netherlands’ tax system. Instead, a “wealth tax” applies, where an estimated return on assets is taxed annually. 

This tax structure makes ETFs a good choice for long-term holders. It allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without the hassle of ownership and self-custody.

Bitcoin ETFs Are Booming, What’s Next for Bitcoin?

As Bitcoin ETFs continue to gain traction, industry leaders predict massive inflows in the coming years. Bitwise investment chief Matt Hougan recently projected that U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs could attract over $50 billion in inflows by 2025. 

Bitwise research head Ryan Rasmussen also shared this sentiment. He forecasted that ETF inflows in 2025 will likely surpass those of 2024. Last year, the digital asset investment product gained massive traction, pulling in 59 billion. 

This shows strong demand from both retail and institutional investors. As more investors look for regulated ways to access Bitcoin, ETFs are becoming preferred.

Bitcoin is trading around $97,500, showing little movement over the past 24 hours. However, analysts believe that it could move higher if Bitcoin breaks above $98,700 and $100,000 with substantial volume. 

A push toward $103,900 is likely. If momentum continues, BTC may even retest $110,000 soon. In the previous year, PlanB predicted that the digital asset’s price could hit $1 million in 2025.