Vanguard Launches Cryptocurrency Index Fund in Asia

Thursday 27th of March 2025 13:45:00

BlackRock Rolls Out Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product in Europe

In a move that further solidifies its commitment to the cryptocurrency space, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has launched a bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe.

The new ETP, which is listed on the Deutsche Boerse and the SIX Swiss Exchange, allows investors to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin without having to buy and hold the digital currency directly. The product is designed to track the performance of the bitcoin price, minus fees and expenses.

According to a statement from BlackRock, the ETP is a passively managed fund that holds bitcoin futures contracts, which are settled in cash. This structure allows investors to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin without the need to physically hold the digital currency.

"We believe that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have the potential to play a significant role in the future of finance," said Mark Wiedman, Head of iShares EMEA at BlackRock. "This ETP provides investors with a convenient and cost-effective way to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin, while also providing the benefits of a regulated and transparent investment product."

The launch of the bitcoin ETP is the latest in a series of moves by BlackRock to expand its presence in the cryptocurrency space. In 2020, the company launched a bitcoin index fund that tracked the performance of the bitcoin price, and it has also invested in several cryptocurrency startups.

The launch of the bitcoin ETP in Europe is seen as a significant development in the growth of the cryptocurrency market, which has experienced significant growth in recent years. The product is expected to be popular with institutional investors and individual investors looking to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin.

The ETP is listed on the Deutsche Boerse with the ticker symbol "ABTC" and on the SIX Swiss Exchange with the ticker symbol "ZBTC". It has a total expense ratio of 0.95%, which is significantly lower than many other bitcoin ETPs available in the market.