Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager with $7.81 trillion under management, is getting into bitcoin. The firm has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for two of its funds to invest in bitcoin futures.
Blackrock Gets Into Bitcoin
Blackrock filed two “statements of additional information” with the SEC on Wednesday. One was for Blackrock Funds V and the other was for Blackrock Global Allocation Fund Inc. Both filings state:
Certain funds may engage in futures contracts based on bitcoin.
The two filings further detail, “The only bitcoin futures in which the funds may invest are cash-settled bitcoin futures traded on commodity exchanges registered with the CFTC.”
The documents also warn that “Regulatory changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in bitcoin futures or restrict the use of bitcoin or the operations of the bitcoin network or exchanges on which bitcoin trades in a manner that adversely affects the price of bitcoin futures, which could adversely impact a fund.”
In December, Blackrock CEO Larry Fink made some bullish statements about bitcoin. He said: “Can it [bitcoin] evolve into a global market? Possibly.” Furthermore, he noted that “Having a digital currency makes the need for the U.S. dollar to be less relevant.”
Blackrock joins several other asset management firms that are investing in bitcoin, including British fund manager Rufferand Skybridge. In addition, Guggenheim is planning to invest in the near future, pending approval from the SEC.