• Eric Balchunas reveals Larry Fink’s full quote from BlackRock’s Q3 earnings call.
  • Fink calls Bitcoin a core asset and compares it to gold.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, during the Q3 2024 earnings call, described Bitcoin as a “core asset class,” signalling a major shift in the perception of cryptocurrencies by one of the largest asset managers in the world. 

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas shared Fink’s full quote from the earnings call, where Fink highlighted Bitcoin’s role as an alternative to traditional assets like gold. He also noted that Bitcoin could act as a hedge against inflation and global economic instability, marking a significant departure from his earlier skepticism​.

Fink emphasised that institutional interest in Bitcoin is growing, pointing to BlackRock’s involvement in the space with its Bitcoin ETF application. This ETF, if approved, could make Bitcoin investments more accessible, bringing the cryptocurrency closer to mainstream acceptance. Such developments will help Bitcoin transition from a speculative digital asset to a more widely recognized and used financial tool.

The Future of Digital Assets in Finance

In addition to Bitcoin, Fink also discussed the potential of Ethereum’s blockchain technology. He stated that Ethereum could play a significant role in transforming sectors such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts. BlackRock is closely watching these developments, reflecting its broader interest in digital assets beyond just Bitcoin. Ethereum’s potential to reshape financial services is seen as a key aspect of the future of blockchain technology​.

Balchunas’ reveal of Fink’s full quote underscores the importance of these statements for the crypto industry. With BlackRock’s involvement, digital assets are increasingly integrated into institutional portfolios. This could lead to broader adoption and acceptance of cryptocurrencies, further solidifying their role in the global financial system​. Fink’s statements also highlight the ongoing shift within the financial industry toward digital assets, as cryptocurrencies continue to gain traction.