Asset management giant BlackRock has officially launched its first European bitcoin exchange-traded product, the iShares Bitcoin ETP. The move follows massive demand for crypto investment vehicles in the U.S., where the firm has already attracted over $50 billion in assets.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is extending its crypto footprint with the launch of its first bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion into digital assets.
The newly introduced iShares Bitcoin ETP is now listed on multiple major European exchanges, including Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, and is domiciled in Switzerland, according to an official BlackRock product page.
This launch comes on the heels of BlackRock’s resounding success in the U.S. market, where the firm attracted over $50 billion in assets under management in spot bitcoin ETFs following their approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024. BlackRock was among the first institutions to offer such exposure to American investors.
While the firm declined to comment on the European rollout, the product page confirms that Coinbase will serve as the custodian for the ETP, while Bank of New York Mellon will act as the administrator, maintaining alignment with the infrastructure used for its U.S.-based offerings.
The launch underscores the accelerating demand for regulated crypto investment products, particularly in regions like Europe where institutional appetite for bitcoin exposure has been growing steadily. Investors seeking exposure to the cryptocurrency market via traditional investment platforms are increasingly turning to ETPs and ETFs for ease of access and compliance.
The move also signals BlackRock’s long-term confidence in bitcoin as a viable asset class, and a continuation of its broader strategy to offer diversified digital asset products to global investors.