Core Insights - The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF closely mirrors the performance of Bitcoin, providing a simpler management option for investors compared to direct Bitcoin ownership [1][2] - Financial experts have varying predictions for Bitcoin's future, with some anticipating significant price increases by 2030, while others remain skeptical about its long-term value [4][6] Group 1: ETF Characteristics - The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF is designed to follow Bitcoin's price trends closely, with expectations of value appreciation over the next five years [10][11] - The ETF offers easier management compared to direct Bitcoin investments, allowing for integration into traditional investment accounts and facilitating tax-loss harvesting [12] - The ARK 21Shares ETF has a lower share price due to its structure, providing investors with more granular control over their investment amounts [13] Group 2: Market Predictions - Michael Saylor, chairman of Strategy, predicts Bitcoin will appreciate faster than any other asset in the long run, while Cathie Wood's ARK Invest has raised its 2030 Bitcoin price target from $1.5 million to $2.4 million [4][5] - Conversely, Warren Buffett expresses skepticism about Bitcoin's value, viewing it as a temporary fad without intrinsic worth [6][7]

Bitcoin has soared to a new all-time high, surpassing $118,000 for the first time in its history, reaching a milestone in its meteoric rise. The explosive rally was driven by renewed institutional demand, robust spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and growing optimism surrounding global crypto adoption. The rally also reflects broader investor appetite for alternative assets amid a shifting macroeconomic landscape.The surge comes amid persistent global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, signaling a growing percept ...

Group 1: Bitcoin Market Performance - Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of over $117,000 on July 11, 2025, driven by bullish momentum in risk assets and its correlation with tech stocks like NVIDIA, which recently achieved a $4 trillion valuation [1] - The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has increased by 15% this year, with a 4.3% gain in the past month, benefiting from favorable policy signals and tightening supply [2] - Bitcoin's recent performance is seen as a pressure release rather than a full-scale bull run, maintaining a tight $10,000 range over the past two months before the breakout [3] Group 2: Regulatory Environment and Institutional Adoption - Bitcoin's breakout coincides with Congress's "Crypto Week," where key regulations, including the GENIUS Act for a federal stablecoin framework, will be debated [4] - Positive outcomes from regulatory discussions may enhance institutional inflows into Bitcoin, with shares of Circle CRCL rising over 500% since their IPO [5] - Corporate adoption of Bitcoin is expanding, with companies like GameStop and Goldman Sachs increasing their Bitcoin ETF holdings, enhancing institutional credibility [8] Group 3: Bitcoin as an Inflation Hedge - Bitcoin is viewed as a hedge against inflation due to its fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, which may help it retain value amid increasing fiat issuance and potential global inflation from tariffs [7] - Bitcoin has gained 26.4% this year, outperforming the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), which gained 7%, showcasing its strength amid market uncertainties [6] Group 4: Interest Rate Outlook - Potential rate cuts later this year could favor risk-on assets like Bitcoin, as lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets [9][10] Group 5: Bitcoin Miners and AI Infrastructure - Bitcoin miners are pivoting to AI infrastructure, leveraging their data centers for more profitable ventures compared to traditional Bitcoin mining [12] - Companies like Bitfarms are well-positioned to meet the rising energy and space demands of AI computing, given their experience in building large facilities [13] Group 6: Investment Products for Risk-Averse Investors - New Bitcoin buffer ETFs have been launched to make Bitcoin more accessible to risk-averse investors, providing downside protection amid volatility [14][15]

Core Insights - BlackRock Inc. has completed the acquisition of HPS Investment Partners, marking a significant move into the private credit market, which is becoming increasingly lucrative in global finance [1][12]. Private Credit Market - The private credit sector is reshaping financial markets and facilitating the convergence of public and private markets, with capital markets becoming the primary financing avenue for asset managers [2]. Strategic Initiatives - To leverage opportunities in private credit, BlackRock is launching Private Financing Solutions (PFS), which will integrate its private credit, GP, LP solutions, and both private and liquid CLO businesses [3]. Financial Projections - The acquisition of HPS is projected to increase BlackRock's private markets fee-paying assets under management (AUM) by 40% and management fees by 35%. In 2025, HPS is expected to contribute approximately $850 million in base fees and nearly $360 million in post-tax fee-related earnings (FRE) at a 50% margin [4][12]. Growth Targets - BlackRock aims to raise $400 billion in private markets fundraising by 2030 as part of its strategy to enhance private credit capabilities [5]. Recent Acquisitions - In March 2025, BlackRock acquired Preqin to improve its private markets data offerings and previously acquired Global Infrastructure Partners to enhance its infrastructure capabilities [6]. AUM and Revenue Growth - BlackRock's AUM has shown a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%, reaching a record $11.58 trillion as of March 31, 2025, with net inflows of $83 billion [7]. Product Diversification - The company is diversifying its product suite, which is expected to bolster revenue mix and reduce revenue concentration risk, aiding AUM growth [9]. Dividend and Share Repurchase - BlackRock announced a 2% increase in its quarterly dividend to $5.21 per share and has a share repurchase plan aiming to buy back $1.5 billion worth of shares in 2025 [14][18]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have revised the earnings per share estimates for 2025 and 2026 upward to $44.92 and $50.71, indicating positive growth expectations [19]. Valuation Metrics - BlackRock's price-to-book ratio of 3.39X is lower than the industry average of 3.73X, suggesting the stock is trading at a discount relative to expected earnings growth [25][27].

📊 UPDATE: BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust added $3.85B in $BTC in June, capping the month with a $112M inflow on the 30th. https://t.co/FnUYsKeYQn ...

UniCredit will offer some clients a structured product tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF that features full protection against losses, as European banks seek new ways to tap into appetite for digital assets https://t.co/DYPr0iN6qb ...

Michael Saylor, the tech entrepreneur who founded the enterprise software provider Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy), has a net worth estimated at $9.3 billion. In the past few years, his focus has shifted to Bitcoin, the world's most valuable cryptocurrency. Saylor's business is now accumulating huge amounts of the digital asset.Based on his view that Bitcoin could skyrocket to $13 million per unit by 2045, Saylor is also implying that this popular exchange-traded fund (ETF), sponsored by giant as ...

Nvidia (NVDA 0.52%) has been a shining star of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Its 912% return since January 2023 is the second best in the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.80%). Yet the following hedge fund managers listed sold Nvidia and bought the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT -0.07%) in the first quarter:Billionaire Ken Griffin of Citadel Advisors sold 1.5 million shares of Nvidia, cutting his stake 50%. He also added 2 million shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust, upping his position 195%.Billionaire Steven Cohen ...

TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) (NYSE:BLK) today announced updates to the investment risk ratings of certain iShares exchange-traded funds (“iShares ETFs”), a reduction to the annual management fees of certain iShares ETFs, and the commencement of securities lending transactions of certain iShares ETFs, as further described below. Risk Rating Changes BlackRock Cana ...

Bitcoin’s launch in 2009 changed the world forever and triggered the crypto revolution. The world’s first cryptocurrency rose from obscurity, once primarily used for nefarious purposes like buying drugs off the dark web off websites like ‘The Silk Road,’ to the mainstream. Today, Bitcoin is a $2.08 trillion asset and is larger than some of America’s largest companies like Meta Platforms ((META) and Broadcom ((AVGO) ). Bitcoin’s undeniable success has bred further innovations and new products. Depending on h ...