BlackRock names bitcoin ETF a top 2025 theme despite price slump

Group 1 - BlackRock has identified its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF as one of the top three investment themes for 2025, despite Bitcoin's decline this year [1] - Bitcoin has experienced a drop of over 4% year-to-date, marking its first decline in three years, and IBIT has reflected this performance [2] - IBIT has attracted significant investor interest, ranking sixth among all ETFs for 2025 inflows with over $25 billion since January [2] Group 2 - The emphasis on IBIT suggests BlackRock's strong conviction that Bitcoin should be included in diversified portfolios, rather than merely promoting a high-revenue product [2][3] - BlackRock's decision to spotlight IBIT, despite its underperformance compared to other ETFs, indicates a long-term commitment to the crypto asset [3] - Positioning Bitcoin alongside traditional assets like cash and stocks may alter perceptions of cryptocurrency among investors who view it as speculative [3]