BlackRock is officially launching its highly anticipated iShares Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe, marking a significant expansion of the firm’s crypto investment offerings beyond North America. The move comes on the heels of the overwhelming success of its U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF, which has become the largest in the country.
Starting today, the iShares Bitcoin ETP will trade on Euronext Paris and Xetra under the ticker IB1T, as well as on Euronext Amsterdam under BTCN, giving European investors broader and more convenient access to regulated bitcoin exposure.
Institutional-Grade Bitcoin Backing with Coinbase Custody
The iShares Bitcoin ETP is physically backed by bitcoin, securely held in cold storage by Coinbase Custody International Ltd., ensuring institutional-level protection for investors. This underlines BlackRock’s ongoing commitment to merging traditional finance infrastructure with the digital asset space.
BlackRock’s First Crypto ETP Outside North America
According to Bloomberg, this launch marks BlackRock’s first foray into crypto-backed ETPs in Europe, signaling growing confidence in global institutional demand for regulated Bitcoin products.
The move also positions BlackRock to capitalize on the increasing appetite for crypto exposure among European investors, especially after its U.S.-based iShares Bitcoin Trust saw staggering success. The U.S. ETF has recorded $39.8 billion in net inflows and now manages $50.69 billion in assets, making it the largest spot bitcoin ETF in the United States.
Momentum Continues for Spot Bitcoin ETFs
Investor confidence in spot bitcoin ETFs continues to build. On Monday alone, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs saw $84 million in net inflows, while total trading volumes hit nearly $2 billion, according to SoSoValue. The asset class has now registered seven consecutive days of positive flows, highlighting strong institutional and retail interest.
Europe’s Growing Appetite for Crypto Exposure
With BlackRock entering the European market, the competitive landscape for Bitcoin ETPs is heating up. As regulatory frameworks across the EU continue to evolve — especially with MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) on the horizon — demand for compliant, institutionally backed products is expected to rise.
BlackRock’s latest move cements its position as a dominant force in global crypto finance, bringing legitimacy, liquidity, and large-scale capital into the European Bitcoin investment ecosystem.
As bitcoin continues its upward trajectory and institutional adoption spreads, BlackRock’s ETP launch could be a defining moment for crypto markets in Europe.
