cover of episode How BlackRock, the World's Largest Asset Manager, Took Crypto Mainstream - Ep. 735

How BlackRock, the World's Largest Asset Manager, Took Crypto Mainstream - Ep. 735

2024/11/15
logo of podcast Unchained

Unchained

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
R
Robbie Mitchnick
Topics
Robbie Mitchnick:BlackRock的比特币ETF成功超出了预期,资金流入量创下历史新高。这部分归功于美国大选结果带来的市场乐观情绪以及ETF提供的便捷投资渠道。投资者的构成主要包括直接投资者、财富顾问和机构投资者,其中直接投资者的参与度最高。 虽然目前还难以预测新政府的加密货币监管政策,但行业需要耐心等待。SEC已经明确比特币和以太坊是商品,而非证券,但其他加密资产仍存在不确定性。未来监管框架的出台将有助于解决这些不确定性,并可能推动银行提供加密货币托管服务。 BlackRock进军加密货币市场是多年准备和基础建设的结果,包括与Circle和Coinbase的合作,以及推出私人比特币信托。 比特币是一种风险资产,但并非风险偏好型资产。其风险因素与股票和债券等传统资产不同,长期来看,比特币与传统风险资产的相关性较低,甚至可能呈现负相关。这种认识的转变促使许多投资者开始关注比特币的投资价值。 BlackRock的以太坊ETF表现不如比特币ETF,这可能是由于以太坊的投资论点不如比特币清晰,以及以太坊的质押机制导致投资者选择直接持有以太坊而非ETF。 BlackRock选择在公共区块链(以太坊)上进行代币化,而不是私有区块链,是因为公共区块链提供了更好的访问性和网络效应。 DeFi的潜力巨大,但其监管仍然是一个挑战,需要行业和政策制定者共同努力。 比特币期权的推出将提高市场效率,并允许投资者定制其比特币敞口。 BlackRock希望SEC能够允许ETF进行实物认购和赎回,并为稳定币提供明确的监管。 目前尚不清楚BlackRock接下来会推出哪些加密ETF,但比特币和以太坊仍然是投资者最关注的资产。 BlackRock不会将比特币纳入公司资产负债表,也不会为其ETF提供储备证明。 预测2025年加密货币市场走势具有挑战性,需要考虑政策、经济和地缘政治等多种因素。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter analyzes the factors behind the significant increase in bitcoin trading volume and inflows, particularly focusing on the roles of the US election, new investors, and existing investors' optimism. It also explores the different investor segments involved, including retail, wealth advisory, and institutional.
  • Record volumes and inflows in bitcoin around the US election.
  • Three investor segments: investor direct, wealth advisory, and institutional.
  • Gradual pace of adoption in wealth advisory and institutional segments.
  • Increased interest from institutional investors post-election.

Shownotes Transcript

BlackRock’s entry into crypto through its bitcoin ETF (and later on the spot ether ETF) has rewritten the record books, driving massive inflows and reshaping the narrative for institutional crypto adoption.

Robbie Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, unpacks the story behind this monumental shift. He shares the journey from skepticism to success, how BlackRock’s ETF has changed the market, and the surprises even he didn’t expect.

Plus, he explains why he believes people mistake bitcoin for a risk-on asset, what the investment case is for Ethereum, and what’s next for crypto in 2025.

Show highlights:

  • 01:31 What and who is driving this massive amount of activity in bitcoin trading

  • 05:05 Why Robbie offers some caution about the future of digital asset regulation

  • 08:35 What about crypto captivated Robbie

  • 13:32Whether Robbie was the one who “orange pilled” BlackRock CEO Larry Fink

  • 14:37 Why Robbie thinks that bitcoin is not a risk-on asset

  • 18:08 The backstory of how BlackRock ended up filing for a spot bitcoin ETF

  • 20:15 How inflows into ETFs surprised Robbie, even considering fairly optimistic projections

  • 24:14 Why BlackRock’s clients always ask about bitcoin’s correlation with other assets

  • 27:22 Robbie’s take on the critique that BlackRock could centralize a decentralized ecosystem

  • 29:34 What his thesis is on stablecoins, payments, and tokenization

  • 31:25 The reasons why Ethereum ETFs have not been as successful as bitcoin

  • 34:14 How Robbie pitches the ether ETF to clients

  • 35:26 Why BUIDL is built on Ethereum, a public blockchain, rather than on a private one

  • 36:48 Why DeFi’s potential is “immense,” according to Robbie

  • 41:56 How bitcoin ETF options will impact the behavior of investors

  • 43:57 What features BlackRock would love to see under a new SEC regime

  • 45:32 What it’ll take for regulators to approve staking in ether ETFs

  • 46:33 Why Robbie is not sure which crypto ETFs might come next

  • 48:16 Whether BlackRock will develop proof of reserves for its ETFs

  • 52:21 Robbie’s outlook for the markets in 2025

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

Thank you to our sponsors!

Guest:

- Robbie Mitchnick), Head of Digital Assets for BlackRock

Links

  • Previous coverage of Unchained on Bitcoin ETFs:

Why Bitcoin ETF Options Could Unlock Massive Amounts of Capital for Crypto)

How, in 7 Weeks, Bitcoin ETFs Reached Inflows That Took Gold ETFs 3 Years )

Bitcoin’s Price Is Way Up. And $48 Trillion in Wealth Just Got Access)

How Small Bitcoin ETF Issuers Will Compete With the Likes of BlackRock)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices)