BlackRock launches two Canada ETFs, one allocating 3% to Bitcoin

BlackRock Canada launched two exchange-traded funds Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange, including a portfolio that allocates 3% of assets to Bitcoin.

"The launch reflects our continued commitment to expanding access to investing for Canadians through low-cost, one-ticker solutions," Steven Leong, Managing Director, Head of Canada Product and iShares at BlackRock, said.

The iShares Equity + Bitcoin ETF Portfolio (IBQT) holds 97% in Canadian, US, international and emerging-market equities and 3% in Bitcoin exposure through BlackRock's Canadian iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), which trades on Cboe Canada. The iShares Core MSCI All-International Equity Index ETF (XINT) tracks the MSCI ACWI ex North America IMI Index, covering more than 5,000 companies across over 40 developed and emerging markets. IBQT carries a 0.22% management fee; XINT charges 0.23%.

BlackRock's US-listed iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is the largest US spot Bitcoin ETF by assets under management, with about $47.9 billion in AUM, according to CoinMarketCap data. The firm's iShares business managed approximately $6.2 trillion in assets across more than 1,700 ETFs as of June 30. The launch extends BlackRock's push to embed Bitcoin exposure into mainstream portfolio products, potentially expanding demand for regulated crypto vehicles among Canadian retail investors.

Both funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada through the RBC iShares alliance. IBQT invests primarily in other iShares ETFs rather than individual stocks, providing a one-ticker solution for investors seeking diversified equity exposure alongside a modest Bitcoin allocation.

The 3% Bitcoin weighting positions IBQT as a conservative entry point for investors who want crypto exposure without the volatility of a direct allocation. The structure mirrors similar products in the US market, where asset managers have increasingly paired Bitcoin with traditional equities to offer balanced exposure. For Canadian investors, IBQT offers a regulated pathway to Bitcoin without the operational burden of self-custody or direct exchange access.

BlackRock's US IBIT has accumulated roughly $47.9 billion in assets since its January 2024 debut, making it the dominant spot Bitcoin ETF in the US market. The Canadian IBIT, listed on Cboe Canada, provides the underlying Bitcoin exposure for the new IBQT fund. The fund-of-funds structure means IBQT's Bitcoin allocation is indirect, with the underlying ETF handling custody and trading.

XINT, the second fund launched Monday, targets investors seeking international diversification beyond North America. The fund's benchmark captures large-, mid- and small-cap companies across developed and emerging markets, offering a low-cost building block for global equity allocation. With a 0.23% management fee, XINT competes directly with other international equity ETFs available to Canadian investors.

The launches come as BlackRock continues to expand its digital asset product suite globally. The firm's US spot Bitcoin ETF has been the primary driver of institutional Bitcoin flows since its approval, and the Canadian product line extends that reach to a broader retail audience. The IBQT structure, with its modest 3% allocation, may serve as a template for other asset managers seeking to offer Bitcoin exposure within diversified portfolio products.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.