What happened?
BlackRock plans to launch the iShares Bitcoin ETF on the Australian Securities Exchange by mid‑November 2025, wrapping its U.S. iShares Bitcoin Trust and charging a 0.39% fee. The product will be physically backed and custodied by Coinbase, offering Australians regulated exposure to Bitcoin without holding it directly. This follows BlackRock’s recent UK launch and expands its global crypto ETF footprint amid large inflows into its digital asset platform.
Who does this affect?
Australian retail and institutional investors gain another easy, regulated way to access Bitcoin through their brokerage accounts. Existing local issuers like VanEck, Monochrome, Global X and DigitalX face stiffer competition for investor flows and liquidity. Regulators, advisers and product providers are also impacted because ASIC’s new guidance and AFSL requirements mean firms must meet licensing and compliance rules by mid‑2026.
Why does this matter?
BlackRock’s entry should boost competition and liquidity in Australia’s Bitcoin ETF market, likely putting downward pressure on fees and making crypto exposure more mainstream. Given BlackRock’s large crypto AUM and recent inflows, the new ETF could pull significant capital and shift market share toward big, well‑known providers. At the same time, ASIC’s tighter oversight raises compliance costs and could favor larger firms, increasing barriers for smaller challengers.