Recently, The Defiant reported that Wisconsin's pensioners are now exposed to Bitcoin as the state's pension fund has allocated around 0.1% of its $156 billion portfolio to spot Bitcoin ETFs.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board made investments totaling approximately $160 million in Blackrock's iShares Bitcoin Trust and Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust, as detailed in a Form 13-F filing with the SEC.

The decision of a fund of such magnitude and financial stability to allocate even a small fraction of its managed assets to Bitcoin reflects the growing maturity of the digital asset market, positioning Bitcoin as a recognized investment avenue.

Wisconsin's State Pension Fund stands out as one of the most financially secure funds in the U.S. According to the State of Pensions 2023 report by pension analyst firm Equable, Wisconsin holds the 5th position in funded ratio at 100.2%, significantly surpassing the national average of 78%. This robust financial standing sets Wisconsin apart among similar funds.

The Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, ranking among the world's top 25 and the country's ninth largest, views this move as a considerable achievement.

David Krause, an Associate Professor of Emeritus Finance at Marquette University, commented during a PBS interview on May 31, suggesting that this allocation is an initial step to gauge public response. He noted that it is a preliminary move with minimal impact on the portfolio, aimed at diversification until it potentially reaches a 1 or 2% allocation.