Italy-based UniCredit SpA introduced at this time it would provide to its skilled purchasers a structured funding product tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Belief ETF (IBIT), providing their purchasers full capital safety towards losses, Bloomberg reported.
“The financial institution plans to concern a five-year, dollar-denominated funding certificates linked to the iShares Bitcoin Belief ETF which can provide a 100% capital safety at maturity,” based on an inside memo seen by Bloomberg Information that was additionally confirmed by the financial institution.
The utmost return of the funding is as much as 85% of the ETF’s efficiency, with a minimal funding requirement of $25,000, based on the memo. The UniCredit certificates shall be solely obtainable to the financial institution’s skilled purchasers in Italy from July 1 to July 28.
The transfer displays rising institutional demand for regulated Bitcoin investments. BlackRock’s IBIT has seen a speedy progress since launching within the U.S. in January 2024, which now manages $75 billion.
“We’re seeing growing curiosity from skilled buyers in devices tied to rising asset courses similar to cryptocurrencies,” mentioned the Head of Group Funding Product Options and Fairness & Credit score Gross sales and Buying and selling of UniCredit Chicco di Stasi. “With this product, we provide our skilled purchasers a particular resolution —the primary of its type in Italy.”
On March 25, 2025, BlackRock expanded its footprint within the area with the launch of a Bitcoin alternate traded product in Europe. The iShares Bitcoin ETP started buying and selling on Xetra and Euronext Paris below the ticker IB1T, and on Euronext Amsterdam below BTCN. The product launched with a brief price waiver of 10 foundation factors, decreasing its expense ratio to 0.15% till the tip of the yr.
“It displays what actually might be seen as a tipping level within the trade — the mixture of established demand from retail buyers with extra professionals now actually stepping into the fold,” acknowledged the Head of Europe & Center East iShares Product of BlackRock Manuela Sperandeo.