Barclays Invests $137 Million in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF

Not only the Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund has made has made a substantial investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) as we reported earlier today, so did Barclays. It is holding nearly $137 million worth of shares, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The London-based bank owns 2,473,064 IBIT shares, with the ETF priced at $55.33 at the time of reporting.

IBIT has grown into the largest Bitcoin ETF by assets under management (AUM) since launching in January 2024. The product has attracted investments from major institutions as Bitcoin gains traction in traditional finance.

Barclays has been exploring opportunities in digital assets and blockchain technology for years. In 2024, the bank collaborated with other financial institutions and UK Finance on a pilot project focused on tokenized deposits.

At the same time, Barclays is facing regulatory scrutiny. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is investigating the bank for potential anti-money laundering rule violations. The inquiry centers on how Barclays previously managed high-risk customer accounts.

“The FCA’s investigation focuses primarily on the historical oversight and management of certain customers with heightened risk. Barclays has been cooperating with the investigation,” the bank stated in its 2024 annual report.