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BlackRock Expands Bitcoin Investment Products to Europe After U.S. ETF Success
Table of Contents
- 1. BlackRock Expands Bitcoin Investment Products to Europe After U.S. ETF Success
- 2. IBIT’s U.S. Success: A Launchpad for European expansion
- 3. Strategic Pricing and Custody
- 4. ETPs vs. ETFs: Understanding the European landscape
- 5. What are the differences between ETPs and ETFs, and what implications do these differences have for European investors in Bitcoin?
- 6. BlackRock’s European Bitcoin ETP: an Interview with Market Strategist Anya Sharma
- 7. The European Crypto Landscape
- 8. BlackRock’s Strategic European Entry
- 9. ETPs vs. ETFs: Nuances of the European Market
- 10. Future outlook and Market Impact
March 25, 2025
Following its landmark entrance into the U.S. Bitcoin ETF market with the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), BlackRock is now setting its sights on Europe.The asset management giant is launching its first Bitcoin Exchange-Traded product (ETP) on European exchanges, signaling a important expansion of institutional crypto investment options beyond American borders. This move highlights the accelerating global race to provide regulated and accessible cryptocurrency investment vehicles.
BlackRock’s move into Europe comes on the heels of its monumental success in the U.S. “Signed the best start of the story for an ETF with its Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in January 2024,” the fund amassed a staggering amount in a short timeframe.
IBIT’s U.S. Success: A Launchpad for European expansion
The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) achieved unprecedented success in the U.S. market. In just over a year, “The Ibit has posted more than $60 billion in management: an absolutely exceptional performance.” This rapid accumulation of assets underscores the strong investor appetite for regulated Bitcoin exposure, paving the way for BlackRock to extend its reach into europe.
On March 25, 2025, blackrock officially announced its European crypto debut. “Blackrock has just launched its very first andp linked to cryptocurrencies on European scholarships – This is his first breakthrough in the crypto sector outside north America,its cradle.”
The new Bitcoin ETP will be listed under the ticker “IB1T” on Xetra and Euronext Paris (denominated in Euro) and “BTCN” on Euronext Amsterdam (denominated in dollars). This dual listing strategy aims to cater to a broader investor base with varying currency preferences.
Strategic Pricing and Custody
To attract early investors, BlackRock is offering a temporary reduction in management fees for the Bitcoin ETP, set at approximately 0.15%. “In 2026, the costs offered will therefore be the same as for Son ETF IBIT, namely 0.25 %.” The competitive pricing demonstrates BlackRock’s commitment to gaining market share in the burgeoning European crypto investment landscape.
Echoing its U.S. strategy, BlackRock has partnered with Coinbase for custody of the Bitcoin underlying the ETP. “Just like for the Ibit, it is Coinbase which will ensure the safety of the bitcoins of BlackRock via its Coinbase Custody service on Cold Wallets.” Coinbase Custody’s cold storage solution is designed to provide a high level of security for digital assets, addressing a key concern for institutional investors.
Furthermore, the BlackRock ETP Bitcoin will be available at Boursobank, which “announced this day That it was going to offer a range of crypto financial products, especially on Bitcoin, but also the XRP of Ripple, Ethereum, Solana soil and the Ada de Cardano.”
ETPs vs. ETFs: Understanding the European landscape
While the U.S. market has embraced Bitcoin ETFs, Europe’s regulatory surroundings necessitates a diffrent approach. “But only via ETPs and not via ETF as is the case in the United States.”
In Europe, the term ETF is reserved for funds that meet specific diversification requirements outlined in the European UCITS Directive. “For example, an ETF cannot be exposed to a single asset – unlike the American ETF.” This regulatory constraint prevents pure Bitcoin funds from being classified as ETFs.
Instead, Bitcoin investment products in Europe take the form of ETPs. These “Exchange-Traded Products” are a broader category that encompasses instruments replicating the performance of various underlying assets,including stocks,commodities,and cryptocurrencies. While ETPs have existed for several years, “Crypto products offered in the form of ETP are struggling to seduce in Europe especially in comparison with the
What are the differences between ETPs and ETFs, and what implications do these differences have for European investors in Bitcoin?
BlackRock’s European Bitcoin ETP: an Interview with Market Strategist Anya Sharma
March 25, 2025
Archyde News is pleased to welcome Anya Sharma, a leading market strategist at Global Investment Insights, to discuss BlackRock’s recent expansion into the European Bitcoin market with its new ETP, IB1T. Ms. Sharma, welcome.
The European Crypto Landscape
Archyde News: Ms.Sharma,can you paint a picture of the European landscape for crypto investment products? How does it differ from the U.S. market that has embraced Bitcoin ETFs?
Anya Sharma: Certainly. The key difference lies in regulation. In Europe, we utilize ETPs, or Exchange-Traded Products, rather than ETFs. This is, in large part, because European regulations, especially the UCITS directive, require ETFs to have a level of diversification that a pure Bitcoin fund wouldn’t be able to achieve. An ETF,by definition,cannot be exposed to a single asset,unlike the American ETF. Therefore, ETPs are the more suitable vehicle.
BlackRock’s Strategic European Entry
Archyde News: BlackRock is launching its Bitcoin ETP on Xetra, Euronext Paris, and Euronext Amsterdam. What do you see as the strategic rationale behind this move?
Anya Sharma: The European market represents a meaningful pool of institutional capital. BlackRock’s U.S. IBIT garnered over $60 billion in assets under management very quickly after its launch. Capitalizing on this success and the growing investor appetite for regulated Bitcoin exposure, Europe is the next logical step. The dual listing, offering both Euro and dollar denominated shares, is a smart move designed to reach a broader investor base.
Archyde News: BlackRock is offering competitive pricing and using Coinbase custody. How significant are these factors?
Anya Sharma: Extremely importent. The initial lower management fee of approximately 0.15% is a clear incentive to attract early investors. In 2026, the cost will eventually be 0.25%. partnering with a secure, established custodian like Coinbase, which is also doing the same for the IBIT, safeguards institutional investors’ assets, a critical factor in their investment decisions.
ETPs vs. ETFs: Nuances of the European Market
Archyde News: can you elaborate on the difference between an ETP and an ETF in this context? what are the implications for investors?
Anya Sharma: While both are exchange-traded products, the key difference is the regulatory framework. The UCITS directive restricts the ability to label what we know as a ‘pure-play’ bitcoin fund as an ETF. The European market,unlike the U.S.,has seen slower adoption for crypto products overall. An ETP,however,functions similarly,tracking the price of Bitcoin and offering investors exposure through a regulated instrument.
Future outlook and Market Impact
Archyde News: Boursobank will offer BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP, as well XRP of Ripple, Ethereum, Solana soil and the Ada de Cardano.What does this growth signal about the growth of crypto adoption in Europe?
Anya Sharma: It’s a very positive sign. The inclusion of the BlackRock ETP, along with other crypto products on a platform like Boursobank, which is very popular, illustrates an increasing acceptance of crypto as a mainstream asset class. This move makes crypto more accessible to a wider range of investors in Europe.
Archyde News: Looking ahead,what are the potential challenges and opportunities for BlackRock and the broader Bitcoin ETP market in Europe?
Anya Sharma: One challenge is educating investors about the distinctions between ETPs and ETFs and addressing any lingering regulatory uncertainties. The opportunities are considerable. As institutional adoption grows, demand will likely increase.However, competition will also intensify. BlackRock is well-positioned due to its brand recognition and proven success in the U.S., but it must keep innovating to succeed.
Archyde News: Final Question: Taking BlackRock’s entry into Europe, and combining it with recent developments, do you think Bitcoin is starting to go more mainstream as both an investment and possible future transactional currency.
Anya Sharma: The launch of BlackRock’s IB1T in Europe is a huge step. The momentum is clearly pointing towards a more regulated and institutionalized crypto market. We’re witnessing the evolution from a niche asset into an accepted component of a diversified investment portfolio. Whether Bitcoin fully becomes transactional remains to be seen, but its mainstream acceptance as a store of value is becoming increasingly evident.
Archyde News: ms. Sharma, thank you for your insightful perspective.
