BlackRock's Larry Fink and Roche's André Hoffmann Named Interim Co-Chairs of World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum has named Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, and André Hoffmann, Vice Chairman of L'Occitane Groupe SA, as interim co-chairs. Hoffmann's background includes roles at L'Occitane and Georgia-Pacific LLC, and he received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

In a significant development for the cryptocurrency market, BlackRock's Ethereum ETF, iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), has captured $640 million in inflows in August 2025, surpassing Fidelity's FETH ETF by a substantial margin [1]. This surge in investment has not only driven Ethereum prices above $4,600 but also marked a five-month streak of net inflows into Ethereum ETFs, signaling strong institutional confidence in the digital asset [2].

The ETF inflows are part of a broader trend where Ethereum ETFs collectively hold approximately $26 billion in assets, drawing near $11 billion in inflows during the current investment cycle [5]. This growth is being viewed as a potential reshaping of market dynamics and valuations, with Ethereum ETFs demonstrating a level of institutional adoption previously seen in Bitcoin-focused products [1].

BlackRock's overall exposure to cryptocurrency has expanded significantly, with its crypto portfolio reaching over $100 billion in value as of July 28, peaking at $107 billion by August 14 [6]. This growth is closely linked to the all-time highs reached by both Bitcoin and Ethereum during the same period [7]. The firm's CEO, Larry Fink, emphasized BlackRock’s leading role in Ethereum spot ETF inflows, citing a $640 million one-day allocation as a testament to institutional confidence [4].

The broader Ethereum ETF landscape has also experienced robust growth, with these funds collectively accumulating approximately $26 billion in assets and drawing near $11 billion in inflows during the current investment cycle [5]. This surge is being viewed as a potential reshaping of market dynamics and valuations, with Ethereum ETFs demonstrating a level of institutional adoption previously seen in Bitcoin-focused products [1].

While Ethereum has experienced a minor price pullback in recent days, the underlying trend remains upward, indicating sustained institutional support [9]. The ETF inflows are seen as reinforcing a broader market narrative where Ethereum is increasingly being viewed as a strategic addition to diversified portfolios. With BlackRock and Fidelity at the helm, the institutional shift toward Ethereum appears to be accelerating, potentially marking a transformative moment for crypto markets [1].

References:

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-blackrock-drives-640m-ethereum-etf-inflows-surpassing-fidelity-2508/
[2] https://www.laliberte.ch/articles/monde/andre-hoffmann-et-larry-fink-presidents-par-interim-du-wef-1177798?srsltid=AfmBOooomkkYX_vohGeIxijCY-8uGTluJqvfmynmIag1YGIEAEyOHG78