BlackRock Goes All In: From Anti-Crypto to Competing for Bitcoin Supremacy
A New Crypto Crown at Stake
The race to become the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin is heating up — and it’s no longer a one-man show. Once a vocal skeptic of digital assets , BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is now in direct competition with Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) , vying for dominance in the crypto space. With both giants holding over half a million BTC, the question now is: who will claim the crypto crown first?
BlackRock’s Bold Pivot: From Doubt to Domination
Back in 2017–2018, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink dismissed Bitcoin , claiming there was “zero interest” from clients. Fast-forward to 2025, and the firm is managing the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)—the world’s most successful spot BTC ETF to date.
Key milestones in BlackRock’s crypto turnaround:
- 2023: Filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF
- Jan 2024: iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) approved
- June 2025: IBIT crosses $70 billion in AUM
- June 2025: BTC holdings reach ~667,000 BTC
- Public goal to become the world’s top crypto asset manager by 2030
BlackRock’s U-turn isn’t just strategic — it’s seismic. From lobbying for regulatory clarity to pushing crypto mainstream through ETFs, BlackRock is leading the institutional wave into Bitcoin.
Strategy Inc.: The First Mover Holding Strong
Strategy Inc., under the leadership of Michael Saylor, has long embraced Bitcoin as a strategic reserve . With ~582,000 BTC held directly on its balance sheet, the company remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder worldwide .
Strategy Inc. milestones:
- First corporate buyer of BTC in 2020
- Converted entire treasury into Bitcoin
- Rebranded from MicroStrategy to Strategy Inc. in 2024
- Views Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat devaluation
- In June 2025, Strategy launched BTC-backed preferred stock offering a 10% yield, aiming to raise nearly $1 billion to buy even more Bitcoin — a clear signal of its long-term conviction.
Side-by-Side: BlackRock vs. Strategy Inc.
Category BlackRock (IBIT) Strategy Inc.Bitcoin Holdings | ~667,000 BTC | ~582,000 BTC |
Strategy | ETFs, institutional asset manager | Direct purchase on balance sheet |
Market Position | World’s largest asset manager | Largest corporate BTC holder |
Recent News | IBIT hits $70B AUM, targets top crypto asset manager by 2030 | Issued BTC-backed preferred stock to raise $1B |
Approach | Regulated, compliant ETFs | Maximalist, leveraged direct buys |
Why This Race Matters for Crypto’s Future
This power struggle isn’t just about who holds the most Bitcoin — it’s a defining moment for crypto’s mainstream legitimacy.
🏛️ BlackRock brings regulatory credibility, Wall Street trust, and deep institutional capital.
🧠 Strategy Inc. brings ideology, conviction, and a bold balance sheet approach.
The outcome may shape how corporations, ETFs, and even nations treat Bitcoin — not as speculation, but as a strategic reserve asset.
Final Thoughts: From Critics to Catalysts
BlackRock’s transformation from crypto critic to market leader proves one thing: Bitcoin has gone institutional . Whether it’s BlackRock leading through ETFs or Strategy doubling down with leveraged buys, this race is reshaping the future of digital finance — and the entire ecosystem stands to benefit.
👉 Ready to join the crypto wave?
Start trading now on Bitget and explore the future of finance.
$BTC, $MSTR, $IBIT
A New Crypto Crown at Stake
The race to become the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin is heating up — and it’s no longer a one-man show. Once a vocal skeptic of digital assets , BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is now in direct competition with Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) , vying for dominance in the crypto space. With both giants holding over half a million BTC, the question now is: who will claim the crypto crown first?
BlackRock’s Bold Pivot: From Doubt to Domination
Back in 2017–2018, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink dismissed Bitcoin , claiming there was “zero interest” from clients. Fast-forward to 2025, and the firm is managing the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)—the world’s most successful spot BTC ETF to date.
Key milestones in BlackRock’s crypto turnaround:
- 2023: Filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF
- Jan 2024: iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) approved
- June 2025: IBIT crosses $70 billion in AUM
- June 2025: BTC holdings reach ~667,000 BTC
- Public goal to become the world’s top crypto asset manager by 2030
BlackRock’s U-turn isn’t just strategic — it’s seismic. From lobbying for regulatory clarity to pushing crypto mainstream through ETFs, BlackRock is leading the institutional wave into Bitcoin.
Strategy Inc.: The First Mover Holding Strong
Strategy Inc., under the leadership of Michael Saylor, has long embraced Bitcoin as a strategic reserve . With ~582,000 BTC held directly on its balance sheet, the company remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder worldwide .
Strategy Inc. milestones:
- First corporate buyer of BTC in 2020
- Converted entire treasury into Bitcoin
- Rebranded from MicroStrategy to Strategy Inc. in 2024
- Views Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat devaluation
- In June 2025, Strategy launched BTC-backed preferred stock offering a 10% yield, aiming to raise nearly $1 billion to buy even more Bitcoin — a clear signal of its long-term conviction.
Side-by-Side: BlackRock vs. Strategy Inc.
Category BlackRock (IBIT) Strategy Inc.Bitcoin Holdings | ~667,000 BTC | ~582,000 BTC |
Strategy | ETFs, institutional asset manager | Direct purchase on balance sheet |
Market Position | World’s largest asset manager | Largest corporate BTC holder |
Recent News | IBIT hits $70B AUM, targets top crypto asset manager by 2030 | Issued BTC-backed preferred stock to raise $1B |
Approach | Regulated, compliant ETFs | Maximalist, leveraged direct buys |
Why This Race Matters for Crypto’s Future
This power struggle isn’t just about who holds the most Bitcoin — it’s a defining moment for crypto’s mainstream legitimacy.
🏛️ BlackRock brings regulatory credibility, Wall Street trust, and deep institutional capital.
🧠 Strategy Inc. brings ideology, conviction, and a bold balance sheet approach.
The outcome may shape how corporations, ETFs, and even nations treat Bitcoin — not as speculation, but as a strategic reserve asset.
Final Thoughts: From Critics to Catalysts
BlackRock’s transformation from crypto critic to market leader proves one thing: Bitcoin has gone institutional . Whether it’s BlackRock leading through ETFs or Strategy doubling down with leveraged buys, this race is reshaping the future of digital finance — and the entire ecosystem stands to benefit.
👉 Ready to join the crypto wave?
Start trading now on Bitget and explore the future of finance.
$BTC, $MSTR, $IBIT
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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