The world’s biggest asset management company, BlackRock, expands cryptocurrency operations to worldwide markets. The firm launched its iShares Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) through Europe on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, under the ticker “IB1T” on Euronext Paris and Xetra and “BTCN” on Euronext Amsterdam. BlackRock established its initial international Crypto-ETP business by moving away from North American markets during its surging U.S. Bitcoin ETF popularity. This strategic move is important as it indicates upcoming development trends in the crypto industry.
Building on U.S. Success
The U.S.-based iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) managed by BlackRock launched in January 2024 and has delivered substantial results. The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) currently holds $50.69 billion in net assets and $39.8 billion in cumulative inflows, making it the top-spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. market as of Monday. The spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen $84 million in new money flow into their U.S. market on Monday and generated $1.97 billion in trading activity on the same day, according to SoSoValue reports. BlackRock represents the market momentum with seven back-to-back increasing flow reports about this industry since its first launch.
The firm extends its market momentum to European markets. The iShares Bitcoin ETP serves as an identical product to its U.S. counterpart yet aims to provide its services to a new market segment. It contains Bitcoin stored securely in cold storage by Coinbase Custody International Ltd. BlackRock is making a fearless move into Euro markets by introducing crypto ETPs. However, the product category has existed before without reaching U.S.-scale status, which exceeds $50 billion.
Why Europe? Why Now?
The European cryptocurrency market stands as a space that requires significant disruptive changes. The combination of a lengthy European exchange history and a small market total value of $13.6 billion creates opportunities for BlackRock to transform the sector because of its established reputation. The timing’s no accident, either. BlackRock has gained stability in entering the market following the implementation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework since 2023.
What’s in it for investors? Plenty:
- The exchange of Bitcoin is now available to Europeans through conventional ETP structures without requiring users to hold crypto wallets.
- The ownership of BlackRock acts as a quality stamp, encouraging professional investors to consider working with the company.
- The expense ratio currently stands at 0.15% with a ten basis points fee reduction until year-end, giving cost efficiency surpassing multiple market competitors.
What’s Next for Crypto ETPs?
A signal emerges from this launch because it represents more than a one-time event. U.S. institutional demand for IBIT proved real after BlackRock achieved exceptional growth numbers in that market. The European market would likely copy this trend if leading companies decide to join in. The coming challenges for MiCA include slow-downs for innovation due to strict rules and CoinShares entering the field with other competitors.
Still, the vibe’s electric. Through its recent move, BlackRock has established a bridge between crypto and traditional finance, which turns Bitcoin into less of a “wild west” operating environment and more of a “Wall Street” secure platform. Investors now have the opportunity to benefit from market fluctuations through ETF ownership rather than dealing with direct ownership responsibilities. The development of crypto continues to progress, which may become the catalyst for boosting European market activity. Game on.
