BlackRock Launches Bitcoin ETF in Europe
Date: 2025-03-26 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: BUSINESS
BlackRock has announced the launch of a Bitcoin ETF in Europe, expanding its presence in the cryptocurrency sector outside the US. According to Manuela Sperandeo, Head of iShares Product in EMEA, the decision to launch was made in response to growing interest from retail investors. According to her, this indicates a structural change in investment behavior and increasing acceptance of crypto assets.
The digital assets of the new ETF will be stored by Coinbase, which will act as a custodian. The instrument under the ticker IB1T is intended for institutional investors, as well as experienced retail market participants. It will be launched by a structure registered in Switzerland, which reflects the company’s desire for legal and operational flexibility in an international environment.
To attract investors, BlackRock set the starting fee at 0.15%, which compares favorably with competitors. For example, CoinShares offers a similar product with a fee of 0.25%. The lower fee from BlackRock can be a decisive factor when choosing an ETF, especially in the context of growing competition among asset managers.
Recall that in January 2024, BlackRock already made a splash in the industry by launching a Bitcoin ETF in the United States under the iShares brand. This product attracted billions of dollars in a short period of time and was recognized as the most successful ETF launch in the history of the cryptocurrency market.
In addition, the company recently expanded its activities in Canada, where a Bitcoin ETF denominated in Canadian dollars was introduced on the CBOE Canada exchange. These steps demonstrate BlackRock's strategic desire to strengthen its influence globally by offering access to digital assets through regulated and reliable instruments.
With its entry into the European market, BlackRock continues to cement its position as a key player in institutional cryptocurrency investment, offering innovative solutions to meet the needs of a new generation of investors.
