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BlackRock is set to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe, likely in Switzerland, marking its first such product outside North America.
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The firm remains confident in Bitcoin despite recent volatility, with its IBIT ETF already holding 2.7% of the total BTC supply.
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Switzerland’s crypto-friendly stance may help BlackRock, but it must still comply with EU regulations to expand its reach in the bloc.
BlackRock is venturing into Europe with a Bitcoin ETP, reflecting its confidence in Bitcoin’s future amidst recent market volatility.
BlackRock to Offer ETP in Europe
BlackRock has undergone substantial changes since becoming the world’s biggest Bitcoin ETF issuer. Its IBIT product has been hailed as the “greatest launch in exchange history,” and the firm holds 2.7% of the entire BTC supply.
BlackRock recently launched an ETF in Canada, and it’s continuing these expansion plans with a Bitcoin ETP in Europe.
“Being able to gain Bitcoin exposure via the ETP wrapper has proven to be a compelling combination for investors,” Samara Cohen and Jay Jacobs, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer of ETFs and Index Investments and US Head of Thematic and Active ETFs, respectively, wrote in a blog post last month.
According to reports, BlackRock is likely to domicile this new ETP in Switzerland. Over the past few years, the country has become a hub for friendly crypto regulation, with its “Crypto Valley” in Zug attracting much acclaim.
While Switzerland may have friendlier laws than the EU, it will need to comply with the MICA regulations to do business in the region.
For BlackRock, this European ETP is a strong signal of its executives’ confidence in Bitcoin. The asset’s price has been on a roller coaster for the past few months, generally holding onto gains from Trump’s election in November.
Still, these price wobbles are not enough to deter BlackRock’s new ETP strategy. Last December, IBIT boasted higher AUM than over 50 European ETFs, and it’s been growing since.
Recently, it also saw huge trading volumes despite continued tumult in Bitcoin. Ethereum ETFs recently overperformed their underlying asset by large margins; perhaps this will happen for BTC.
BlackRock may begin marketing this Bitcoin ETP in as little as one month. The company hasn’t made any public statements or responded to press requests, but a few employees spoke off the record.
Overall, the firm has a huge amount of capital and market influence, and this offering may substantially shake up EU markets. This plan may reap huge rewards.
Conclusion
This strategic move by BlackRock emphasizes its unshaken confidence in Bitcoin, aiming to leverage the crypto-friendly environment of Switzerland while navigating compliance challenges. With a substantial market influence, BlackRock’s ETP could reshape the European crypto investment landscape.
