BlackRock Asset Management has submitted an amended plan to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to include Bitcoin investments in its Strategic Income Opportunities Fund (BSIIX), according to a filing on March 4.

As of March 1, BSIIX had a total fund size of $36.5 billion and total net assets in its share class of $24.2 billion. The fund typically invests in fixed-income securities and other market sectors under certain conditions.

Bitcoin Investment Portfolio

The inclusion of a Bitcoin ETF in the fund’s portfolio is expected to enhance its appeal and performance, providing a modern investment approach to traditional assets.

According to a March 4 filing, BlackRock intends to acquire shares of an exchange-traded product (ETP) that closely tracks the price performance of Bitcoin by directly holding the digital asset.

This includes BlackRock potentially purchasing shares from Bitcoin ETPs sponsored by affiliates, such as its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), as well as other recently approved spot Bitcoin ETFs.

The document shows:

“The Fund seeks to acquire shares that mirror the performance of the price of Bitcoin by directly holding shares of Bitcoin (Bitcoin ETPs), including Bitcoin ETPs sponsored by affiliates of BlackRock.”

BlackRock’s move to integrate a Bitcoin ETP into its portfolio signals a growing willingness in the financial sector to explore the potential of cryptocurrencies.

The move reflects a broader trend among traditional investment firms toward cautious engagement with digital assets, balancing the innovative promise of cryptocurrency investing with the regulatory and market risks associated with these assets.

Recent reports confirm that traditional financial institutions including Bank of America and Wells Fargo are beginning to soften their stance on Bitcoin and are considering allowing clients to gain exposure to the flagship cryptocurrency through newly launched ETFs.

The prospectus also describes how the expenses of the ETP will be passed on to shareholders in the form of fees, unless exempted.

Record-breaking performance

The move comes on the heels of record success for IBIT. Since its launch, the ETF has become the best performing product on the market. The fund currently manages $10 billion in assets.

The ETF’s outperformance has driven a sharp rise in Bitcoin ETF trading volume, with $5.4 billion traded as of March 4. This figure is the second-highest daily volume since the ETF was launched and is another sign of growing institutional demand for Bitcoin.

This milestone is particularly significant given the overall volatility and uncertainty that crypto markets are often characterized by, and reflects a growing consensus among investors that Bitcoin, and IBIT in general, are a viable and profitable component of a diversified portfolio.

The success of this ETF also benefits from BlackRock’s reputation as a global asset management leader. Investors are attracted to IBIT because of the trust and credibility that the BlackRock brand carries, and BlackRock has a strong track record of delivering strong returns on its investment products.

This trust is further strengthened by BlackRock’s proactive compliance and regulatory approach, ensuring that IBIT operates within the framework established by financial regulators, thereby providing investors with a safe investment environment. #比特币ETF  #贝莱德