- BlackRock’s U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, commands $50.69 billion in BTC as of March 24, 2025.
- BlackRock’s iShares offerings dominate Europe with a 42.6% market share worth over $1 trillion.
- Over 160 crypto ETPs trade on European exchanges, collectively commanding over $13 billion in net assets.
BlackRock is launching its first Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe as clear crypto regulations drive investor demand across the EU.
Looking to expand its European customer base, BlackRock joins a growing wave of U.S. asset managers who are introducing crypto-linked products to the bloc.
BlackRock’s Bitcoin
BlackRock is the latest asset manager to join Europe’s sizeable crypto ETP market.
The iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) will debut on Xetra, Euronext Paris, and Euronext Amsterdam.
Manuela Sperandeo, BlackRock’s head of Europe and the Middle East, told Bloomberg that the launch represents a “tipping point” for the industry as institutional and retail demand for crypto investment products continues to rise.
The launch aligns with BlackRock’s broader strategy to grow its $1 trillion European market share and expand its customer base from 9 million to 19 million over the next three years.
Additionally, BlackRock follows a growing trend of U.S. asset managers, including Franklin Templeton, entering the EU market with crypto and tokenized investment products.
European Edge
BlackRock’s dominance in the European market could give its new Bitcoin ETP a significant advantage.
According to Morningstar data, iShares investment products already command a 42.6% share of the region’s ETP market.
Interestingly, thanks to the EU’s sweeping MiCA regulations, there’s a clear and structured framework under which new products can launch.
Naturally, these clearer regulations have given rise to increased demand from investors.
BlackRock’s success with its U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT—which now holds over $50 billion in BTC—could further strengthen its position.
The firm’s reputation alone may help its latest offering stand out among the over 160 crypto-linked products currently trading on European exchanges.
Increasing Demand for ETPs
Keith Grose, Senior Managing Director of Coinbase UK, highlighted the increasing demand for regulated crypto investment vehicles among institutional investors.
According to Coinbase’s latest research, 60% of global institutions now prefer gaining crypto exposure through regulated products like ETFs and ETPs.
Among those already investing in digital assets, 55% use ETPs, and 69% of those planning to invest intend to do so via structured vehicles.
Grose highlighted that the trend is gaining momentum in the EU, with the full implementation of Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulations accelerating institutional product development.
He pointed to the launch of BlackRock’s physically backed Bitcoin ETP—with Coinbase as its custodian—as a sign that Europe is becoming a priority destination for institutional capital.
While the crypto ETP market in the region stands at $13.6 billion, he noted that growth is accelerating.
“As macro conditions evolve, institutional allocators will be looking for compliant, efficient vehicles to re-enter risk markets,” Grose said, adding that Europe’s regulatory clarity and infrastructure position it at the intersection of market maturity, regulatory momentum, and institutional demand.
He sees this as a step toward unlocking economic freedom and expanding access to an open financial system globally.
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