BlackRock believes 2026 could mark a major expansion in retail investors’ access to cryptocurrencies, even though spot bitcoin ETFs have been trading in the U.S. for two years. Jay Jacobs, BlackRock’s U.S. head of equity ETFs, says investor education around bitcoin and ethereum is still in its early stages.
BlackRock manages the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA). Despite recent price declines—IBIT down over 3% year-over-year and ETHA down nearly 6%—interest in crypto exposure continues to grow, helped by ETF structures that make digital assets easier for financial advisors and retail investors to access.
While crypto remains volatile, investor behavior has been notably steady. According to VettaFi’s Todd Rosenbluth, ETF investors are sticking with their positions rather than trading in and out, signaling confidence in the long-term outlook for cryptocurrencies.
Overall, BlackRock and industry analysts see crypto ETFs as a key driver of broader adoption, bringing digital assets further into mainstream investment portfolios despite short-term market swings.
