BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, recorded $84 billion in total net inflows in the first quarter of 2025, driven by surging demand for iShares ETFs and a growing investor appetite for alternative assets—including digital currencies.
According to its Q1 earnings report released on April 11, the firm’s assets under management rose to $11.6 trillion, reflecting a 3% annualized growth. A standout performance came from iShares ETFs, bringing in a record-breaking $107 billion in net inflows for the quarter.
Of that, $3 billion—or 2.8%—flowed into digital asset-focused ETFs, underscoring sustained interest in crypto investment vehicles even after a volatile start to the year for the broader Bitcoin ETF market.
In addition to ETF activity, BlackRock reported $9.3 billion in private market inflows, highlighting continued strength in alternative investments. Still, digital assets remain a relatively small part of the firm’s overall portfolio.
By March 31, 2025, digital asset holdings under management totalled $50.3 billion, making up roughly 0.5% of BlackRock’s total AUM. Base fees generated from these products stood at $34 million—less than 1% of long-term revenue.
Nonetheless, the $3 billion influx into crypto-related ETFs suggests BlackRock is steadily carving out a presence in the digital asset space, even as other firms face outflows.
This development follows BlackRock’s recent approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as a crypto asset firm—an important regulatory milestone for the investment powerhouse. The FCA’s authorization enables BlackRock to roll out its new European Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in the UK.
With around $12 trillion in assets under management, BlackRock became the 51st firm to register with the FCA, joining the ranks of industry giants like Coinbase, PayPal, and Revolut in expanding crypto-related offerings across the region. Additionally, BlackRock launched the iShares Bitcoin ETP, traded under the ticker IB1T, on Euronext Paris and Amsterdam.
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