The world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock has filed for the registration of the iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF that will track the investment results of the NYSE FactSet Global Blockchain Technologies Index. According to a Friday filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the ETF will track companies involved in ‘(a) cryptocurrency mining, (b) cryptocurrency trading and exchanges, or (c) crypto-mining systems.’ The underlying index is also composed of ‘(i) blockchain technology companies, (ii) cryptocurrency mining, (iii) cryptocurrency trading and exchanges, (iv) crypto-mining systems, and (v) video multimedia semiconductors,’ per the filing. The proposed fund will not invest in crypto directly or indirectly via crypto derivatives but plans to invest at least 80% of its assets in stocks included in the index including 20% in futures, options, swap contracts, cash, and cash equivalents. The filing doesn’t come as a surprise as Salim Ramji, the head of BlackRock’s global ETF initially hinted on a blockchain-themed ETF during a December episode of Bloomberg’s ‘Trillions‘ podcast. At the time, he said that the company would hold its crypto ETFs to its high standards for liquidity and transparency. “As the regulatory environment becomes clearer, and as the underlying liquidity dynamics of that market become more to our satisfaction, that some of those dynamics will work in our favor,” he added. BlackRock’s move into crypto ETF’s already aligns with the company’s indirect investment in Bitcoin (BTC). The company has invested close to $400 million in Bitcoin (BTC) mining stocks throughout 2021. Earlier this month, the asset manager revealed that its Strategic Income Opportunities Fund (BASIX) and its Global Allocation Fund (MDLOX) could invest in cash-settled bitcoin futures traded on commodity exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). BlackRock has nearly 400 iShares ETFs trading in the US, with combined assets under management of roughly $2.4 trillion. The firm’s total asset under management (AUM) stands at about $10 trillion.

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