BlackRock launches iShares Bitcoin ETF in Australia

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Yaroslav Dmytrenko

05.11.2025

BlackRock launches iShares Bitcoin ETF in Australia — BlackRock expands crypto market presence with Australian Bitcoin ETF

BlackRock is expanding its global presence in digital assets with plans to launch the iShares Bitcoin ETF on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), following an updated stance on crypto regulation from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Building on its successful U.S. experience, BlackRock is bringing its Bitcoin ETF to Australia, intensifying competition in this rapidly growing market.

The new ETF will charge a 0.39% management fee and include shares of the U.S.-registered iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), giving Australian investors regulated access to Bitcoin without needing to own or manage the asset directly.

BlackRock said this structure offers a cost-efficient and simple entry point into the cryptocurrency market.

According to Cryptonews.com, the arrival of BlackRock adds a major competitor to Australia’s active Bitcoin ETF sector, which already includes Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (EBTC), VanEck Bitcoin ETF (VBTC), Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (IBTC), and DigitalX Bitcoin ETF (BTXX).

Crypto-ETFs in Australia. Source: Stockspot

Each of these funds manages A$150–300 million in assets. VanEck leads in liquidity, while Global X and Monochrome continue to attract strong inflows.Monochrome’s IBTC, which directly holds over 1,000 BTC worth A$188 million, became the first fund in the country to hold Bitcoin directly.

The launch of BlackRock’s IBIT in mid-November is expected to further boost competition and market liquidity.

“Local access to IBIT reflects BlackRock’s commitment to expanding access and democratizing investment opportunities for more Australians,” said Steve Eid, Head of Global Product Solutions at BlackRock Australasia.

ASIC’s favorable stance encourages new market entrants

The move comes after ASIC updated its approach to digital assets. According to new guidelines released last week, most digital assets — including wrapped tokens, stablecoins, tokenized securities, and digital wallets — are now classified as financial products. Companies dealing with such products must obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) by June 30, 2026.

While Bitcoin itself is not classified as a financial product, ASIC clarified that investment instruments and services involving Bitcoin may fall under regulatory supervision. To ease the transition, ASIC introduced a “no-action” period until mid-2026, allowing providers time to comply with licensing requirements.

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