- BlackRock’s crypto ETFs record $17 billion in Q3 inflows, cementing the asset manager’s dominance as institutional investors deepen exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) nears $100 billion in net assets, becoming one of BlackRock’s most profitable ETFs and a key driver of Bitcoin’s institutional adoption.
- Total digital asset AUM surpasses $104 billion, helping push BlackRock’s overall assets to $13.46 trillion, up 17% year-over-year.
BlackRock’s latest financial report underscores a defining trend in global finance the mainstream institutional embrace of digital assets.
In the third quarter, the asset manager’s iShares ETF platform drew a record $205 billion in total net inflows, contributing to a 10% rise in organic base fee growth and 8% annual growth, according to CEO Larry Fink.
Within this surge, digital asset ETFs played a leading role, bringing in $17 billion in quarterly inflows and $34 billion year-to-date, as institutional demand for regulated Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure intensified.
As of September, crypto assets under management (AUM) reached $104 billion, accounting for roughly 1% of BlackRock’s $13.46 trillion total AUM the highest level in the firm’s history.
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iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) drives record profits
At the center of this performance is BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF approved by the SEC in early 2024.
IBIT has rapidly become a cornerstone of institutional crypto investment, generating $25 million more in fees than the company’s next-best-performing ETF and nearing $100 billion in net assets by early October.
Following IBIT’s success, BlackRock expanded its crypto ETF suite with the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) a spot Ethereum ETF launched later in 2024. After a modest start, ETHA surged in 2025 to become the third-fastest fund in history to reach $10 billion in assets.
These ETFs reflect BlackRock’s broader push to integrate digital assets, blockchain infrastructure, and data analytics into its long-term growth strategy a direction CEO Larry Fink described as “preparing for the future.”
Institutional capital fuels Bitcoin’s rally
The record inflows into BlackRock’s ETFs are reshaping the crypto landscape, with institutional investors increasingly turning to ETFs for regulated, custodially secure exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Industry data shows IBIT now holds over 800,000 BTC, far surpassing rival funds and making it one of the largest single holders of Bitcoin globally.
This institutional momentum has been a key driver behind Bitcoin’s continued bull run, which saw prices break a new all-time high above $126,000 earlier this month.
Analysts attribute part of this rally to the “debasement trade” — as investors seek protection against the U.S. dollar’s sharp decline, widening fiscal deficits, and rising inflation.
Bitcoin’s correlation with gold has strengthened, signaling a growing recognition of BTC as a store of value and inflation hedge alongside traditional safe-haven assets.
BlackRock’s growing influence on digital finance
BlackRock’s dominance in the ETF market spanning both traditional and digital assets positions it as a pivotal player in bridging TradFi and crypto.
The asset manager’s continued growth across both sectors reflects not only the institutional legitimization of Bitcoin and Ethereum, but also a shift toward integrated, data-driven portfolio management where digital assets are treated as core investment vehicles rather than speculative instruments.
With over $13.46 trillion in total assets and triple-digit growth in crypto-related products, BlackRock’s success underscores a new era of financial convergence one where digital assets sit firmly within the global investment mainstream.
