- BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Switzerland.
- This decision follows the success of BlackRock’s U.S. Bitcoin ETF.
- The Bitcoin ETP could boost cryptocurrency adoption alongside the EU’s MiCA regulation.
BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, is preparing to introduce a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, signaling a significant step in the firm’s expansion into the cryptocurrency market.
The new ETP is expected to be domiciled in Switzerland. The move follows the strong performance of BlackRock’s U.S. Bitcoin ETF, which demonstrated high investor demand and helped establish the firm as a major player in crypto investment products.
BlackRock’s U.S. Bitcoin ETF had amassed approximately $57.5 billion in net assets by early February 2025, highlighting investor appetite for regulated, exchange-traded exposure to Bitcoin without direct ownership complexities.
Comments by CEO Larry Fink at the World Economic Forum in Davos emphasized Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against currency debasement, underscoring growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as an alternative store of value.
The European ETP is likely to attract both institutional and retail investors who want Bitcoin exposure but prefer the familiar structure and oversight of an exchange-traded product rather than managing private keys or custody themselves.
Switzerland as a hub for digital asset innovation in Europe
Choosing Switzerland as the domicile for the ETP is a strategic decision that leverages the country’s reputation as a center for digital asset innovation, particularly within its “Crypto Valley” in Zug.
Switzerland’s progressive regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies has made it an appealing location for BlackRock to expand its Bitcoin investment offerings beyond North America.
Locating the ETP in Switzerland aligns with BlackRock’s aim to benefit from a favorable regulatory landscape while positioning the firm to take a leadership role in the European market.
The planned European launch also comes as the European Union implements its own regulatory framework for crypto through the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which was established in 2023.
MiCA is designed to protect consumers and ensure market integrity, creating a more stable environment for crypto investments. Although Europe’s crypto market capitalization—about $17.3 billion—remains smaller than the United States’ $116.4 billion, BlackRock’s entry could significantly energize the sector.
BlackRock’s move into Europe highlights the broader trend of growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies, a momentum that gained further traction following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.