Cathie Wood’s ARK bags $5M in Bullish shares as the exchange celebrates US launch
ARK Invest has expanded its position in Bullish (NYSE: BLSH), purchasing over $5 million worth of shares across three of its exchange-traded funds. The move comes as the crypto exchange begins trading in the United States, marking a significant milestone following its recent approvals.
Bullish secured both a New York BitLicense and a money transmission license, allowing it to operate across 20 U.S. states. The firm’s public debut in August and ARK’s continued accumulation signal growing institutional confidence in regulated digital asset platforms. tradingview.com+2bullish.com+2
ARK Invest buys Bullish shares: what changed this week
Daily trade filings show ARKK acquired 72,537 BLSH shares, ARKW bought 21,354, and ARKF added 11,122. The activity follows ARK’s mid-October purchase of about $8.27 million and earlier accumulation around Bullish’s public debut. On Friday, BLSH closed at $50.57 (+1.24%).
Why ARK is leaning in
ARK’s continued buying comes as Bullish emphasizes regulated market access and institutional connectivity. The exchange’s leadership under CEO Tom Farley and its BitLicense status may be factors for funds prioritizing compliance and liquidity in digital-asset venues.
Bullish’s U.S. launch and market position
Bullish began U.S. spot trading in October for institutional clients, naming BitGo and Nonco as day-one participants. The rollout spans 20 states and builds on the exchange’s cumulative volume topping $1.5 trillion and its appearance among top-ten BTC/ETH spot venues.
The IPO backdrop
Bullish raised roughly $1.1 billion in its NYSE listing priced at $37 per share, initially valuing the firm around $5.4 billion before a strong first-day surge. The company trades under ticker BLSH and is positioned toward institutional flows.
Context & Analysis
ARK’s incremental buying signals confidence in regulated crypto-market infrastructure. Bullish’s BitLicense, institutional client roster and top-ten spot ranking provide a compliance-centric narrative that differs from retail-heavy peers. However, liquidity depth, spreads and custody integrations will determine whether BLSH sustains investor attention beyond news-driven bumps.
Conclusion
With new investments from ARK Invest and a U.S. launch backed by a New York BitLicense, Bullish is positioning itself at the forefront of institutional crypto adoption. The exchange’s regulatory approvals and steady ETF accumulation highlight growing trust from major market participants.
Looking ahead, Bullish’s key growth drivers include expanding operations beyond its current 20-state footprint and introducing new trading products such as crypto options. The company is also focused on attracting a broader base of brokers and market-makers, aiming to strengthen its liquidity and establish a deeper presence in the regulated digital asset ecosystem.
FAQs
Q : What did ARK buy?
A : ARKK, ARKW, and ARKF bought a combined $5M+ in Bullish (BLSH) shares, per daily disclosures.
Q : Why is Bullish notable in the U.S. right now?
A : It launched in 20 states after receiving a New York BitLicense and a money transmission license, starting with institutional clients BitGo and Nonco.
Q : Who leads Bullish?
A : Tom Farley, former NYSE president, is CEO.
Q : How big is Bullish’s trading footprint?
A : Since 2021, it has processed $1.5T+ in trades and ranks among top-ten BTC/ETH spot exchanges.
Q : Did ARK Invest buy during the IPO, too?
A : Yes. ARK accumulated shares around the IPO and in subsequent sessions, including a large day-after purchase.
Q : Where can I verify that ARK Invest buys Bullish shares?
A : Check ARK’s “Daily Trades” page and filter by ticker BLSH for each ETF.
Q : What’s next for Bullish’s product lineup?
A : Bullish has outlined options trading initiatives with top-tier partners.
Facts
Event
ARK purchases $5M+ of Bullish (BLSH) shares across ARKK, ARKW, ARKFDate/Time
2025-11-01T14:00:00+05:00Entities
ARK Investment Management; Bullish (BLSH); BitGo; Nonco; New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS); CEO Tom FarleyFigures
ARKK 72,537; ARKW 21,354; ARKF 11,122 shares; IPO proceeds ≈ USD 1.11 bn; initial IPO price USD 37/shQuotes
“The energy in the room said it all — the future is Bullish.” — Bullish (post-event social post) tradingview.comSources
Bullish U.S. launch (newsroom) + https://www.bullish.com/news-insights/bullish-launches-in-the-us-offering-institutions-and-advanced-traders-a-new-standard-in-digital-asset-trading ; Reuters IPO recap + https://www.reuters.com/technology/coindesk-owner-bullish-prices-ipo-above-range-raise-over-11-billion-2025-08-13/