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BlackRock to Launch Spot Bitcoin ETP in Europe

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2 months ago

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BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager with over $11.5 trillion in assets under management, is preparing to launch a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, according to a report from Bloomberg. 

The fund is expected to be based in Switzerland and BlackRock could begin marketing it as early as this month, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Though, at the time of writing, a BlackRock representative declined to comment on the matter.

This listing would mark yet another step in BlackRock’s international expansion of its Bitcoin-related offerings, as the firm has already launched spot Bitcoin ETFs in both Canada and Brazil. 

BlackRock appears eager to build on the success of its U.S.-based spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, which became the “greatest ETF launch in history,” amassing over $50 billion in assets under management in just its first year of being live.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink stated that he is a “big believer” in Bitcoin, and that its price could run up to $700,000 if more asset allocators start buying it, and if there is more fear of currency debasement, political and economic instability. 





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Bitcoin spot ETF

BlackRock to allocate up to 2% of model portfolio to IBIT Bitcoin ETF

Published

3 weeks ago

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February 28, 2025

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BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with over $10 trillion in assets under management, is incorporating Bitcoin into its own model portfolio.

According to a Bloomberg report on Feb. 28, the asset manager will allocate 1% to 2% of its Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund to target model investment portfolios. These allocations, sourced from the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF under the ticker IBIT, will be directed toward the company’s portfolios that include alternative investments.

In the investment world, model portfolios are pre-structured funds designed to offer ready-made strategies. They provide managed investment strategies that invest in fund shares and are marketed to financial advisors.

Model portfolios have seen significant growth across the market, driven in part by rising interest in digital assets and crypto exchange-traded products.

BlackRock’s IBIT is currently a $48 billion spot Bitcoin ETF, holding 576,046 bitcoins, which accounts for about 2.9% of the total Bitcoin market share. According to Bloomberg, BlackRock plans to allocate 1% to 2% of IBIT into its $150 billion model portfolio.

Although this $150 billion pool represents a small portion of BlackRock’s overall model portfolio business, the inclusion of IBIT could significantly boost demand for the spot Bitcoin ETF.

Michael Gates, lead portfolio manager for target allocation ETF models at BlackRock, reiterated the company’s confidence in Bitcoin as an investment.

“We believe Bitcoin has long-term investment merit and can potentially provide unique and additive sources of diversification to portfolios,” Gates said in a note to investors on Feb. 27.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved IBIT and several other spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, WisdomTree, and VanEck were among the firms that received regulatory approval for the listing and trading of Bitcoin ETFs.

Investor demand for these funds helped push Bitcoin’s price above $69,000 in March 2024. Later, heightened interest amid the U.S. election cycle propelled Bitcoin to an all-time high above $109,000.

However, a sell-off has since driven BTC down to $79,000, with significant outflows from spot ETFs, including IBIT, in the past week.



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Banking Giant Barclays Owns $136,834,631 Worth of BlackRock’s Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund

Published

1 month ago

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February 15, 2025

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The multinational banking giant Barclays holds nearly $137 million worth of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The London-headquartered bank disclosed it holds 2,473,064 shares of BlackRock’s IBIT fund in a recent quarterly filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

IBIT, the largest Bitcoin (BTC) ETF in terms of assets under management (AUM), is priced at $55.33 at time of writing, meaning Barclays’ holdings are worth around $136.8 million.

Barclays also recently disclosed in a 2024 annual report that the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is probing the bank over potential anti-money laundering rule violations.

Explains the firm,

“The FCA’s investigation focuses primarily on the historical oversight and management of certain customers with heightened risk. Barclays has been cooperating with the investigation.”

Barclays has shown an interest in the blockchain and digital asset space for years. In 2024, the bank teamed up with other financial institutions and the industry body UK Finance to participate in a tokenized deposits pilot project.

And back in 2022, reports emerged that Barclays planned to buy a multimillion-dollar stake in Copper, a European crypto firm aiming to provide a secure infrastructure for institutions looking to invest in digital assets. That same year, the bank also backed Elwood Technologies, a crypto infrastructure and market data platform founded by billionaire Alan Howard.

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Bitcoin

Nasdaq Proposes In-Kind Redemptions for BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF

Published

1 month ago

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February 10, 2025

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Nasdaq has submitted a groundbreaking proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that could transform the operational framework of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The proposal, focused on BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), seeks to introduce “in-kind” bitcoin redemptions, offering a streamlined and cost-effective alternative to the current cash redemption process.

What Are In-Kind Redemptions?

Under the proposed system, institutional players known as authorized participants (APs) – responsible for creating and redeeming ETF shares – could opt to exchange ETF shares directly for bitcoin rather than cash. This innovation eliminates the need to sell bitcoin to generate cash for redemptions, simplifying the process while cutting operational costs.

While this option would only be available to institutional participants and not retail investors, experts suggest that the improved efficiency could indirectly benefit everyday investors. By reducing operational hurdles, in-kind redemptions have the potential to make Bitcoin ETFs more streamlined and cost-efficient for all market participants.

Related: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Forecasts $700K Bitcoin Price Amid Inflation Worries

Why the Change?

The cash redemption model, implemented in January 2024 when spot Bitcoin ETFs were first approved by the SEC, was designed to keep financial institutions and brokers from handling bitcoin directly. This approach prioritized regulatory simplicity during the nascent stages of Bitcoin ETFs.

However, the rapid growth of the Bitcoin ETF market has created new opportunities to improve its infrastructure. With evolving regulations and a more mature digital asset ecosystem, Nasdaq and BlackRock now see a pathway to adopt a more efficient in-kind redemption model.

Benefits of In-Kind Redemptions

  1. Operational Efficiency:
    • Reduces the complexity and number of steps in the redemption process.
    • Streamlines ETF operations, saving both time and costs.
  2. Tax Advantages:
    • Avoiding the sale of bitcoin minimizes capital gains distributions, making ETFs more tax-efficient for institutional investors.
  3. Market Stability:
    • Reduces sell pressure on bitcoin during redemptions, potentially stabilizing the asset’s price.

Regulatory and Market Context

Nasdaq’s proposal coincides with significant regulatory developments under the pro-Bitcoin Trump administration. Recent policy shifts, such as the repeal of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121), have paved the way for broader cryptocurrency adoption. The removal of SAB 121 eliminated barriers that previously discouraged banks from offering cryptocurrency custody services, creating a more favorable environment for innovations like Nasdaq’s in-kind redemption model.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF: A Market Leader

Since its 2024 launch, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF has emerged as a market leader, with over $60 billion in inflows. The fund’s consistent growth highlights institutional demand for Bitcoin investment products. Innovations like Nasdaq’s in-kind redemption model could further enhance IBIT’s appeal to institutional investors.

BlackRock’s IBIT Inflows Since Launch. Source: Bitcoin Magazine Pro. View Live Chart 🔍

Note the consistent upward trend of green candles, reflecting strong and steady inflows.

Related: What Bitcoin Price History Predicts for February 2025

Conclusion

Nasdaq’s proposal to introduce in-kind redemptions for BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF represents a pivotal moment for the Bitcoin ETF market. By simplifying redemption processes, offering tax efficiencies, and reducing sell pressure on bitcoin, the model stands to significantly enhance the appeal and performance of Bitcoin ETFs for institutional investors.

As the Bitcoin ETF market matures and regulatory support continues to grow, innovations like this are poised to drive further adoption. If approved, Nasdaq’s proposal could mark a critical step forward, solidifying Bitcoin ETFs as a cornerstone of institutional digital asset investment while indirectly benefiting retail participants.

With a favorable regulatory climate and growing institutional interest, the future of Bitcoin ETFs looks brighter than ever.





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