BlackRock Nears Cryptocurrency Frontier: Bitcoin ETF Application on the Horizon with Coinbase Collaboration

BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager with over $9 trillion in assets under management, is said to be on the verge of filing an application to launch a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), a source familiar with the matter revealed. The move would mark a significant step into the cryptocurrency space by the financial giant, further legitimizing digital assets as a part of mainstream finance.

According to the source, BlackRock will be using the services of Coinbase Custody, a division of the largest crypto exchange in the U.S., for the ETF, and also using the exchange’s spot market data for the fund’s pricing. Coinbase has declined to comment on the matter.

This collaboration between BlackRock and Coinbase isn’t a surprise to those who have been closely following the companies. BlackRock has been working with the crypto exchange since last year, aiming to make cryptocurrencies more directly accessible to institutional investors.

However, it remains unclear if the proposed ETF will be a spot or futures product. BlackRock has yet to respond to requests for comment on this matter.

The firm’s decision to make this move comes amidst a somewhat skeptical regulatory climate in the U.S. regarding Bitcoin ETFs. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the federal agency in charge of overseeing ETFs, has so far rejected every application for a spot Bitcoin ETF, citing market manipulation and other concerns.

However, the SEC has approved several Bitcoin futures ETFs, which track the price of bitcoin futures contracts rather than the cryptocurrency itself. This may increase BlackRock’s chances of obtaining approval if it chooses to launch a futures-based product.

If successful, the launch of a Bitcoin ETF by BlackRock could significantly boost the mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin and other digital assets, while providing investors with a more traditional way to gain exposure to the volatile crypto market.

As it stands, the anticipation surrounding the possible launch is growing, and the outcome of BlackRock’s application could mark a pivotal moment in the integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream finance.

Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds.