BlackRock Lowers Minimum Threshold to Convert Bitcoin Holdings into ETF Shares
In July 2026, BlackRock (BLK) reduced the minimum size required for converting large Bitcoin holdings directly into shares of its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF from $25 million to $1 million. This change has led to over $5 billion in conversions facilitated by the fund since October 2026, up from more than $3 billion previously reported. The move allows holders with substantial Bitcoin portfolios—such as family offices and wealthy individuals—to transition their assets into a regulated structure while maintaining exposure to Bitcoin's price. This shift is driven partly by concerns over custody risks like theft or ransom demands in private wallets. Rival firm Bitwise has also lowered its minimum threshold, from $100 million to $3 million. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) already holds about 3.645% of the total Bitcoin supply and manages net assets worth over $60 billion. However, the conversion process remains manual and can take more than a week, limiting scalability despite lower entry barriers.
Tickers: $BLK
Topics: Bitcoin ETF BlackRock digital assets institutional adoption iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)