Blackrock Eyes Europe for Bitcoin ETP Amid Institutional Crypto Boom
Blackrock, the world’s largest asset management firm, is reportedly preparing to introduce a spot bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, expanding its digital asset offerings beyond North America. Bloomberg reported this week, citing individuals familiar with the matter, that the fund is likely to be headquartered in Switzerland. One source suggested that Blackrock may begin promoting the investment vehicle as early as this month. This development follows the significant success of its U.S.-listed bitcoin ETF, which has accumulated nearly $60 billion in assets.
The company has cemented its position as a major player in the exchange-traded fund industry, overseeing more than $4.4 trillion in ETF-related assets. While cryptocurrency-linked ETPs have been present in Europe for several years, this marks Blackrock’s initial entry into the region’s crypto investment market.
Larry Fink, Blackrock’s CEO, has emphasized the asset manager’s growing focus on digital assets, recently advocating for bitcoin’s role as a hedge against currency devaluation during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking on a panel at the event, he projected that broader institutional adoption could push bitcoin’s price as high as $700,000. He recalled a discussion with a sovereign wealth fund considering an allocation of 2% to 5% in bitcoin. “There was a conversation, should we have a 2% allocation? Should we have a 5% allocation? If everybody adopted that conversation, it would be $500,000, $600,000, $700,000 for bitcoin,” he stated.
Fink characterized bitcoin as a financial safe haven, particularly for investors in countries experiencing economic instability or currency devaluation. He explained:
If you’re afraid of the debasement of your currency, or you’re frightened of the economic or political stability of your country, you can have an internationally based instrument called bitcoin that will overcome those local fears.
The introduction of multiple U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs over the past year has driven substantial institutional interest, with 12 funds collectively attracting $116 billion, according to Bloomberg data. Blackrock’s Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has emerged as a frontrunner, setting records as the most successful ETF debut to date. As of Feb. 6, IBIT holds around 585,732 BTC, with a market value of more than $56,521,103,748. The fund’s rapid growth has outpaced several traditional ETFs, drawing billions in investments and establishing new standards for cryptocurrency-based financial products. Analysts see IBIT’s performance as evidence of a rising institutional appetite for BTC.
Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election, bitcoin’s value has surged, reaching an all-time high in January. Anticipation of clearer regulatory guidelines and shifting political conditions have further encouraged institutional participation in the cryptocurrency market. While U.S.-based bitcoin funds have attracted substantial capital, Europe’s cryptocurrency ETP sector remains comparatively smaller, with a total market value of $17.3 billion spread across more than 160 products tracking bitcoin, ether, and other digital assets.
