Big news for crypto fans: as of March 25, 2025, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has officially launched its first Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe. After raking in over $50 billion with a similar product in the U.S., the financial giant is now setting its sights on European investors hungry for a piece of the cryptocurrency action.
iShares Bitcoin ETP Debuts Across European Exchanges
The new “iShares Bitcoin ETP” is based in Switzerland and started trading today on exchanges in Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. BlackRock’s rolling it out with a sweet deal too—a temporary fee cut that drops the cost to just 0.15% until the end of the year. That makes it one of the cheapest options out there, undercutting Europe’s biggest crypto ETP, CoinShares’ $1.3 billion Bitcoin product, which charges 0.25%. Coinbase, the crypto exchange, is handling the actual Bitcoin behind the scenes, while Bank of New York Mellon is keeping the books in order.
From U.S. Success to European Ambitions
This isn’t BlackRock’s first rodeo with Bitcoin. Back in January 2024, they launched the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in the U.S., and it exploded—pulling in billions and becoming the most successful ETF debut ever. Now, with Europe’s crypto market still small potatoes at $13.6 billion compared to the U.S.’s massive $116 billion, BlackRock’s betting they can spark some serious growth across the pond.
A Tipping Point for Crypto Investing
Manuela Sperandeo, who heads up BlackRock’s iShares product team for Europe and the Middle East, called it a game-changer. “This is a tipping point,” she said. “Regular folks have been into crypto for a while, but now the pros are jumping in too.” The idea’s simple: give investors—big and small—a safe, regulated way to bet on Bitcoin’s price without having to buy and store it themselves.
Why Now? Rising Demand and Market Momentum
Why now? Well, demand’s been building. Ever since the U.S. greenlit spot Bitcoin ETFs last year, money’s been pouring into crypto funds. BlackRock’s U.S. fund alone has over $48 billion in assets, and analysts say Europe’s ready to catch up. Plus, with Bitcoin hitting record highs lately—thanks in part to a pro-crypto push from U.S. President Donald Trump—more financial bigwigs are eyeing the space.
Navigating Europe’s Crypto Landscape
Europe’s no stranger to crypto ETPs—there are already over 160 of them floating around—but BlackRock’s entry could shake things up. Switzerland’s a smart pick for home base, known for its crypto-friendly rules, and the listings in major cities like Paris and Frankfurt make it easy for investors to jump in. Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Europe’s new crypto regulations, called MiCA, are rolling out, and they’re stricter than before. BlackRock’s betting its name and track record will win over cautious newcomers.
Crypto Goes Mainstream
For now, the launch has crypto watchers buzzing. Will European investors bite? If the U.S. is any clue, BlackRock might just have another hit on its hands. One thing’s for sure: Bitcoin’s not just for the tech geeks anymore—it’s going mainstream, and BlackRock’s leading the charge.