BlackRock Introduces Bitcoin ETP in Europe
26 Mar, 2025 ● Kripto novosti
BlackRock, the largest asset manager globally, has introduced a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) across several European stock exchanges.
The iShares Bitcoin ETP started trading on March 25 on Xetra, Euronext Amsterdam, and Euronext Paris, as noted on BlackRock’s product page.
This rollout follows the strong performance of the firm’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF in the U.S., which currently holds $50.7 billion in assets under management and represents about 2.73% of the total Bitcoin supply.
Stephen Wundke, director of strategy and revenue at crypto investment firm Algoz, told Cointelegraph that “the availability of the iShares Bitcoin ETP may not have the same reaction across Europe” as it experienced in the U.S.:
“Quality investment products through regulated asset managers have been more available throughout Europe than in the US, and secondly, Bitcoin is also more easily purchased. […] However, the ability for traditional family offices across Europe to hold a small percentage of their asset base in ‘digital gold’ is no doubt a good thing. […] Just don’t expect $60 billion of purchases in the first quarter.”
The new ETP is listed under the ticker IB1T on Xetra and Euronext Paris, and as BTCN on Euronext Amsterdam.
Bloomberg previously reported that BlackRock was planning this launch, which follows its earlier Bitcoin ETF debut on CBOE Canada.
According to Bloomberg, the ETP features a temporary fee waiver of 10 basis points, reducing the expense ratio to 0.15% through the end of 2025.
Europe’s leading crypto ETP, CoinShares Physical Bitcoin, charges 0.25%, making BlackRock’s product more cost-effective while the waiver is active.
“There is no doubt BlackRock’s aggressive fee structure was designed to keep competitors out of the market and question the commitment of any new entrants,” Wundke said.
He added that “this type of competition is good for investors and ultimately good for digital currencies,” emphasizing that it will push market participants to offer more competitive options.
This marks BlackRock’s first crypto ETP offering outside North America.
Manuela Sperandeo, BlackRock’s head of Europe and Middle East iShares Product, told Bloomberg:
“[This launch] reflects what really could be seen as a tipping point in the industry — the combination of established demand from retail investors with more professionals now really getting into the fold.”
Ajay Dhingra, head of research at decentralized exchange aggregator Unizen, told Cointelegraph that the move shows BlackRock’s trust in the EU’s regulatory framework:
“From Trump to Biden and now Trump again, US digital asset policy has been largely inconsistent. In contrast, the EU has steadily embraced compliant blockchain adoption — offering the regulatory stability companies are looking for.”
Michael Bar, founder and president of tokenized stock platform Auroca, told Cointelegraph that BlackRock’s expansion into Europe is “natural.
He also said it “indicates the strengthening markets in the EU, which we believe once again has to do with advances in regulatory clarity.”
According to BlackRock’s latest earnings report, the company managed over $11.55 trillion on average in Q4 2024.
In addition to its flagship Bitcoin ETF, BlackRock also launched the Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF, now the leading Ether ETF with $3.46 billion in assets under management.
Sources:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-launches-bitcoin-etp-europe
https://www.blackrock.com/fi/intermediaries/products/337088/
https://s24.q4cdn.com/856567660/files/doc_financials/2024/Q4/BLK-4Q24-Earning-Release.pdf
