BlackRock Brings Bitcoin ETP to Europe

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is set to launch a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, following the success of its U.S.-based Bitcoin ETF. The new ETP will be based in Switzerland, a country known for its supportive regulations towards cryptocurrency investments.

The move comes after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds in January 2024, which triggered significant institutional investment in crypto funds. BlackRock's Bitcoin-linked IBIT product has already gathered $57.5 billion in net assets since its launch in early February 2025. However, market barriers have hindered global access to the fund beyond U.S. borders, prompting BlackRock's expansion into Europe.

The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework, established in 2023, has been transforming regulatory controls in the region. Although the market capitalization of crypto-linked investment products in Europe is less than one percent of the U.S. market, BlackRock's choice of Switzerland for its Bitcoin ETP operation highlights the region's progressive approach towards digital assets.

Institutional investors are increasingly adopting cryptocurrencies, with multiple institutions, including BlackRock, establishing themselves in the crypto asset sector through strategic investments. The introduction of this Bitcoin ETP marks an attractive opportunity to merge traditional financial systems and digital assets, which could lead to intensive global adoption of cryptocurrency products.