In a move that underscores the accelerating institutional adoption of digital assets, BlackRock has officially launched its iShares Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The listing marks BlackRock’s first Bitcoin ETP in Europe, following the strong performance of its U.S.-based iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which has already attracted more than $50 billion in assets under management.
The iShares Bitcoin ETP provides regulated and transparent access to Bitcoin for European investors, eliminating the need to directly buy or hold the cryptocurrency. Each security corresponds to a fixed amount of Bitcoin, fully backed by reserves held with Coinbase Custody International, the licensed custodian of the product. Traded in Swiss francs and supported by three leading market makers, the ETP ensures liquidity and efficient price discovery on Switzerland’s principal exchange.
With the launch, SIX Swiss Exchange now lists 487 crypto-related ETPs, welcoming BlackRock as its 20th issuer in this asset class. The move strengthens Switzerland’s position as a global hub for digital asset innovation, with SIX providing a secure bridge between traditional finance and the emerging crypto economy.
Dirk Klee, CEO of BlackRock Switzerland, highlighted the strong Swiss involvement in developing the product:
“There is a lot of Switzerland in this iShares Bitcoin ETP. Our Swiss team played a key role in its design. We are convinced that ETPs can build an important bridge between crypto and traditional finance—thanks to their efficiency and user-friendliness.”
The launch in Zurich follows listings earlier this year on Xetra, Euronext Paris, and Euronext Amsterdam. By bringing its Bitcoin ETP to Switzerland, BlackRock signals a strategic alignment with Europe’s new MiCA regulatory framework, which seeks to harmonize rules for digital assets across member states.
BlackRock’s step into the Swiss market also reflects growing demand from institutional investors for secure, regulated crypto products. In the United States, its iShares Bitcoin Trust has attracted major players such as Wells Fargo and Harvard Management Company, setting a precedent for capital inflows into Bitcoin as a recognized asset class.
With the addition of BlackRock’s ETP, the European crypto investment landscape is entering a new phase. The world’s largest asset manager is betting that the combination of Swiss financial infrastructure, MiCA’s regulatory clarity, and rising institutional demand will cement Bitcoin’s role in global portfolios.
