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BlackRock Expands Bitcoin Bet with Australia’s First iShares Bitcoin ETF
- IBIT will launch in Australia in mid-November 2025, offering regulated Bitcoin exposure on the ASX.
- The ETF is backed by the US iShares Bitcoin Trust, charges 0.39% management fee, and reflects growing institutional demand for Bitcoin.
- BlackRock’s ETF growth continues globally, with strong inflows of US$153 billion (AU$237.15 billion) in Q3 2025 and Australian iShares assets surpassing US$50 billion.
BlackRock is set to launch the iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) on the Australian Securities Exchange in mid-November 2025. This marks the asset manager’s latest step in broadening its Bitcoin investment offerings across major global markets, following successful entries in the US and Europe.
IBIT will charge a management fee of 0.39% and be backed by the US-listed iShares Bitcoin Trust, which has accumulated US$98 billion (AU$151.9 billion) in assets since its January 2024 launch. The ETF will enable Australian investors to gain regulated Bitcoin exposure through a familiar stock exchange mechanism, offering a simpler alternative to direct crypto ownership.
BlackRock’s Director of Institutional Client Business, Tamara Stats, said the launch illustrates the company’s commitment to innovation and responds to growing institutional demand for Bitcoin.
The introduction of IBIT in Australia highlights BlackRock’s ongoing efforts to innovate and reflects the growing interest from institutional investors seeking efficient, convenient access to Bitcoin as a potential diversifier within their multi-asset portfolios.
Tamara Stats, Director of Institutional Client Business, BlackRock Steve Ead, Head of Global Product Solutions at BlackRock, added that listing IBIT on the ASX will broaden access and democratise investment opportunities for Australians.
“IBIT offers Australian investors a familiar ETF wrapper to access Bitcoin, drawing on BlackRock’s global scale and infrastructure.”
Related: BlackRock Eyes Tokenised ETFs After Bitcoin Fund Success
ASIC Updates Crypto Rules
The timing of the ETF coincides with Australia’s evolving regulatory landscape. ASIC recently reclassified most digital assets as financial products, requiring service providers to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence by June 2026. This framework is designed to enhance investor protections and market transparency.
BlackRock’s ETF business continues to be a major growth driver. In the three months ending 30 September 2025, the firm reported US$153 billion (AU$237.15 billion) in ETF inflows, with total iShares assets reaching US$5 trillion (AU$7.75 trillion). In Australia alone, iShares ETFs have crossed $50 billion in assets under management.
The Australian launch follows BlackRock’s recent listing of the iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) in London, further cementing the company’s position at the centre of Bitcoin’s institutional adoption worldwide.
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Rachel Lourdesamy
Rachel is a freelance writer based in Sydney with experience within financial services, marketing, and corporate communications in the APAC region. An avid reader and a graduate of the University of Sydney, she covers topics including business, finance and human interest.
