[REVISION HISTORY]

BlackRock Bitcoin ETF expansion and institutional adoption

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What changed

2026-08-15 21:56 UTC → 2026-08-16 13:18 UTC · added ~~removed~~

BlackRock has expanded its digital asset offerings by lowering the minimum threshold for in-kind Bitcoin conversions into its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) from $25 million to $1 million. This change allows large holders to swap Bitcoin directly for ETF shares. Additionally, the firm launched two new iShares ETFs in Canada, including a portfolio with a 3% Bitcoin allocation. Institutional adoption has intensified, with sovereign wealth funds in the United Arab Emirates and Norway increasing their exposure. In the UAE, Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company and the Abu Dhabi Investment Council hold a combined 22.94 million shares of IBIT, valued at approximately $763.7 million as of June 30. While market volatility reduced the reported value of these positions from $881 million in March, both funds maintained their share counts through the second quarter. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global also showed increased interest, with its Bitcoin exposure rising by 21.2% in the first half of 2026 to reach 11,549 BTC. A significant portion of Norway’s indirect exposure is held through MicroStrategy (MSTR) stock. Other institutional players are also stabilizing or adjusting positions. Harvard University’s endowment held its Bitcoin ETF stake steady in the second quarter following a 43% reduction in the previous period. Meanwhile, Edelman Financial Engines disclosed a $34 million position in Bitcoin ETFs, a holding that now exceeds its position in Amazon. The Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company also maintained its 197,844-share position in IBIT throughout the second quarter.

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