BlackRock Canada has expanded its exchange-traded fund offerings with the launch of two new funds on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company introduced the iShares Equity + Bitcoin ETF Portfolio (IBQT) and the iShares Core MSCI All-International Equity Index ETF (XINT), aiming to broaden investment options for Canadian market participants.
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AAPLIBQT: Equities with a Bitcoin Touch
The IBQT seeks to give investors a globally diversified equity portfolio while incorporating direct exposure to Bitcoin. Nearly all of the fund—97%—is allocated to Canadian, US, international, and emerging-market equities. The remaining 3% is dedicated to Bitcoin, accessed through BlackRock’s existing Canadian iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), which is listed on Cboe Canada. Instead of investing in individual equities, IBQT primarily utilizes other iShares ETFs to deliver exposure to both equities and Bitcoin.
BlackRock stated that this structure is designed to provide an efficient and seamless way for Canadian investors to access a mix of traditional stocks and digital assets within one portfolio. The firm manages these funds as part of the RBC iShares alliance under BlackRock Asset Management Canada.
BlackRock reported managing about $6.2 trillion in assets across more than 1,700 ETFs globally as of June 30, illustrating the scale and reach of its index fund business.
The company’s US-listed iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) represents the largest US spot Bitcoin ETF, with $47.9 billion in assets under management, according to data from CoinMarketCap. This scale reflects continued institutional interest in crypto-related products within traditional financial markets.
XINT: International Diversification
The second launch, XINT, is designed to track the MSCI ACWI ex North America IMI Index. This fund gives investors exposure to over 5,000 companies across more than 40 developed and emerging markets, excluding Canadian and US equities. The approach offers strategic diversification outside North America for those seeking to balance their portfolios with a global outlook.
BlackRock’s ETF launches demonstrate an ongoing effort to blend digital assets with traditional securities, providing access points for a wide range of investors seeking exposure to both markets.
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