Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
BlackRock Expands IBIT Bitcoin ETF Offering in Canada
Crypto | Jan 15, 2025
Image: Freepik/pvproductions
BlackRock LaunchesiShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) in Canada on the Cboe Exchange
BlackRock, the world's largest money manager, certainly understands the phrase 'strike while the irons hot'. With $11.6 trillion in assets under management (AUM), influence and credibility, they are dominating a wide range of investment products especially its iShares ETF brand.
Last year, along with various other players, BlackRock launched it's leading spot bitcoin iShares ETF in the U.S. which has attracted USD $50 billion since launching in January 2024. Building off that success, BlackRock is now launching its popular Bitcoin exchange-traded fund in Canada on the Cboe Canada exchange, giving Canadian investors another regulated option to gain exposure to the world's most prominent cryptocurrency without having to deal with the complexities of managing digital wallets and security concerns.
See: BlackRock Launches New Fund on Ethereum, Bullish on Tokenization
The Canadian version of the iShares Bitcoin ETF will trade under the ticker symbol IBIT in Canadian dollars, on the Cboe Canada exchange (Note: IBIT.U is in USD) and mirrors the performance of Bitcoin with a 0.32% annual management fee. Bitcoin's asset type is classified as a 'commodity' on BlackRock's IBIT page, with the fund currently holding CAD $23.8 million in net asset value.
Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock said in an interview with Bloomberg:
“It’s about bringing access… to Canadian investors. Canada is a market where we feel like there is a significant opportunity. We’ve seen this resonate with all manner of investor types. It has the potential to be a unique diversifier.”
Investors Should Consider
Bitcoin has been one of the best performing asset classes in recent years and many crypto investment experts believe Bitcoin is expected to appreciate further in 2025 with potentially favourably regulatory policies under a new crypto-friendly U.S. administration under Trump, further increasing institutional adoption.
Canada has long been recognized as a leader in cryptocurrency investment innovation and was the first country to approve Bitcoin ETFs globally, setting the stage for wider adoption among individuals and professional investors.
See: How Fintechs Are Unlocking Value in Private Markets 2024
Although investing in crypto ETFs like IBIT make it super easy to back Bitcoin, prospective investors should understand that investing in cryptocurrencies is very high risk with significant price volatility.
Why It Matters
More regulated ETFs approved equals more adoption and acceptance of cryptocurrency as a mainstream asset class and investment option.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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