As people live longer, retirement systems around the world are evolving. But with no single approach to retirement planning, what can countries learn from one another?
On The Bid #podcast, host Oscar Pulido speaks with BlackRock’s Casie Maurer and Helen Lees-Jones about how countries like the US, UK, Germany, Australia and Mexico are adapting to changing retirement needs.
From pension reforms to retirement income solutions, they explore how different approaches to saving and investing could shape the future of #retirement.
Listen: https://t.co/l0kSPewSmL
BlackRock
Global asset manager with $15.3T in assets under management as of June 2026
4.4/ 5
Our score
Very good
Products
Spot ETFsIndex fundsPrivate fundsManaged accounts+1
Assets under management
$15.3 trillion as of June 2026
Flagship products
iShares ETFsAladdinBlackRock Solutions
What is BlackRock?
BlackRock is a global asset manager offering investment funds, iShares exchange-traded funds and institutional investment technology. It reported $15.3 trillion in assets under management in June 2026, following $868 billion in net inflows over the previous twelve months. Its digital-asset activity sits within a much larger investment business.
Company and leadership
BlackRock was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in New York City. Laurence D. Fink is founder, chairman and chief executive officer. Before BlackRock, Fink co-headed First Boston's Fixed Income Division and helped pioneer the US mortgage-backed securities market. Robert S. Kapito is co-founder and co-president; he previously worked with Fink and other co-founders at First Boston. Susan Wagner, Barbara Novick, Bennett Golub, Hugh Frater, Ralph Schlosstein and Keith Anderson are also listed as co-founders. The company has about 19,800 employees and operates in 70 offices across 30 countries.
Products and systems
The product range centers on investment funds, iShares ETFs and Aladdin technology services. Portfolios invest across equities and fixed income. Aladdin provides portfolio management, risk analytics, trading and accounting technology for institutional investors and financial organisations. BlackRock also discusses tokenisation and digital assets in its investment research and industry work, while its fund catalog spans public and private markets.
Costs and access
Fund and ETF expenses vary by product structure, market and distribution terms. Access also depends on fund jurisdiction and investor classification. BlackRock's German site separates public access from professional-investor content and defines semi-professional access around conditions including a €200,000 investment commitment for certain alternative investment products.
Track record and risks
BlackRock became a public company through a New York Stock Exchange initial public offering in October 1999. It reported record first-half 2026 net inflows of $321 billion, including $192 billion in the second quarter, and 10% organic base fee growth. The firm serves clients in 100 countries. Investment products carry management fees alongside market volatility. ETFs and trusts can trade at premiums or discounts to their underlying assets. Digital-asset products may also introduce custodian concentration and the price volatility of cryptoassets. Fund terms and regulatory risks differ by jurisdiction.
Founders
Larry FinkChairman and Chief Executive Officer
Rob KapitoPresident
Best for:Institutional portfolio managersFinancial advisorsETF investorsProfessional alternative-investment clients
Pros and cons
Pros
- $15.3T in assets under management as of June 2026
- Founded in 1988 with a public listing since October 1999
- iShares ETF range alongside managed investment funds
- Aladdin covers portfolio management and risk analytics
- Clients in 100 countries
Cons
- Fund fees and minimums vary by product and jurisdiction
- Crypto-specific product terms are not uniform across markets
- ETF prices can trade at premiums or discounts to underlying assets
- Crypto exposure carries volatility and regulatory-change risk
- Alternative products can require professional or semi-professional eligibility
Our review
4.4/5
Very good
BlackRock provides institutional-grade digital asset exposure backed by massive balance-sheet scale, though investors trade away native onchain utility and direct asset custody.
BlackRock is the largest asset manager in the world, founded in 1988 by Laurence D. Fink, Robert S. Kapito, and six other partners. As of June 2026, the firm oversaw $15.3 trillion in total assets under management, logging $868 billion in net inflows across the preceding twelve months. Its digital asset offerings operate primarily through public exchange-traded products and institutional tokenized initiatives, connecting standard brokerage infrastructure with crypto assets.
The primary advantage of BlackRock's digital asset footprint is institutional legitimacy and regulated access. Clients trade crypto-linked exchange-traded products like iShares ETFs directly through conventional securities brokerages, financial advisors, and standard retirement accounts without running personal custody hardware or managing private keys. The firm also operates with established enterprise risk tooling via its Aladdin platform, alongside a dedicated vulnerability disclosure channel coordinated through HackerOne to mitigate technical risks.
However, entering crypto through an institutional asset manager introduces clear trade-offs. Buyers hold shares of an exchange-traded vehicle or fund rather than physical coins, eliminating native onchain utility like self-custody transfers and protocol governance. Investors are also exposed to standard fund management fees and broker commissions, alongside tracking variations relative to underlying spot prices. Availability depends on strict jurisdictional securities registrations, with institutional wrappers enforcing accredited or qualified purchaser thresholds.
BlackRock suits retail and institutional investors who want exposure to digital asset price performance inside standard brokerage accounts or tax-advantaged portfolios. It is the wrong choice for participants seeking direct onchain settlement or permissionless self-custodial ownership.
Specs
| Products | Spot ETFs, Index funds, Private funds, Managed accounts, Tokenized funds · unverified |
|---|---|
| Clients | Retail, Institutions, Financial advisors · unverified |
| Assets under management | $15.3 trillion as of June 2026 · unverified |
| Flagship products | iShares ETFs, Aladdin, BlackRock Solutions · unverified |
| Assets covered | Equities, Bonds, Digital assets · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Fees, Minimum investment, Regulators, Custodians.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Managed investment funds
BlackRock offers professionally managed portfolios investing in equities, bonds or both.
iShares ETFs
The iShares range provides exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock across several investment strategies.
Portfolio risk analytics
Aladdin combines portfolio management, risk analytics, trading, accounting and operational technology.
Institutional technology
Aladdin supports institutional investors and financial organisations with investment and operational workflows.
Private-market access
BlackRock distributes alternative investment products, including products with semi-professional eligibility conditions.
Tokenisation research
BlackRock publishes research and commentary on tokenisation and the connection between digital assets and financial infrastructure.
Inside BlackRock
iShares ETFs
Exchange-traded index and thematic funds designed to track market segments, including equities, bonds, and digital assets.
Investment funds
Professionally managed active and index portfolios targeting equities, fixed income, and multi-asset classes.
Aladdin
Institutional enterprise technology providing portfolio risk analytics, trade execution, accounting, and operational reporting.
BlackRock Solutions
Advisory and balance-sheet risk management services delivered directly to institutional investors and financial organizations.
BlackRock screenshots
What users say about BlackRock
Mentions primarily consist of off-topic discussions, general sentiment, and references to fraudulent third-party domains.
Scam warning: Scam websites and fake bot tools impersonate BlackRock using newly registered domains.
Based on 15 Reddit posts and comments, 8 App Store reviews from the last 12 months, checked Oct 23, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used BlackRock? Share your experience below.
FAQ
Who founded BlackRock?
BlackRock was founded in 1988 by Laurence D. Fink, Robert S. Kapito, Susan Wagner, Barbara Novick, Bennett Golub, Hugh Frater, Ralph Schlosstein, and Keith Anderson. Fink remains the firm's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Where is BlackRock headquartered?
BlackRock is headquartered in New York City and maintains 70 offices across 30 countries, serving clients in 100 markets.
How does BlackRock provide crypto exposure?
BlackRock provides digital asset access through vehicles like iShares exchange-traded funds and tokenized fund structures. These products allow retail and institutional clients to gain market exposure through traditional brokerage accounts.
Does BlackRock have a native crypto token?
No, BlackRock does not have a native crypto token. The firm is a publicly traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
How does BlackRock handle digital security disclosures?
BlackRock operates a structured vulnerability disclosure program through HackerOne to validate and remediate reported security vulnerabilities. Technical researchers can submit reports through that platform or contact [email protected].
Latest from BlackRock on X
The Middle East energy shock has so far had uneven effects across regions, sectors and asset classes.
That unevenness is creating new investment opportunities – but also greater dispersion and downside risk. Watch Ehsan Khoman, Economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explain more in the latest #MarketTake: https://t.co/nrQYI3XrWE
That unevenness is creating new investment opportunities – but also greater dispersion and downside risk. Watch Ehsan Khoman, Economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explain more in the latest #MarketTake: https://t.co/nrQYI3XrWE
Fixed income goes well beyond core bonds.
Explore how BINC seeks income opportunities across a broader range of global bond markets, with the flexibility of active management. https://t.co/13FOp4xDsr
Explore how BINC seeks income opportunities across a broader range of global bond markets, with the flexibility of active management. https://t.co/13FOp4xDsr
Paul, Director of Education at IEC Dallas, shares how the school prepares apprentices for careers in the electrical trades through hands-on training and competitions like the Wire-Off. Through BlackRock Future Builders™, The BlackRock Foundation is proud to support IEC Dallas to help more Texans pursue careers in the skilled trades.
India's households could become a much bigger source of domestic investment capital.
BlackRock Investment Institute's scenario points to a fourfold increase in the share of new household assets going into shares, funds and debt securities over the next decade.
We see this changing pattern of household investment as part of the future of finance mega force playing out in India. Ehsan Khoman, Economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains what it could mean for businesses seeking funding and for India's longer-term investment opportunity: https://t.co/rbkkF90H2Y
BlackRock Investment Institute's scenario points to a fourfold increase in the share of new household assets going into shares, funds and debt securities over the next decade.
We see this changing pattern of household investment as part of the future of finance mega force playing out in India. Ehsan Khoman, Economist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains what it could mean for businesses seeking funding and for India's longer-term investment opportunity: https://t.co/rbkkF90H2Y
Recent public posts from @BlackRock, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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