BlackRock has launched two new exchange-traded funds in Canada, including one that tacks a 3% Bitcoin allocation onto a global equity portfolio. The fund, IBQT, gets its crypto exposure through BlackRock's Canadian iShares Bitcoin ETF, meaning investors can get a slice of Bitcoin without holding it directly.
Inside IBQT
IBQT is built as a global equity fund with a twist. It holds a diversified basket of stocks from around the world, and then adds a 3% position in Bitcoin. That Bitcoin piece is not bought on a crypto exchange — it's done through BlackRock's own iShares Bitcoin ETF, which trades in Canada. So the fund is essentially a traditional equity portfolio with a small, steady crypto kicker.
A small but notable allocation
Three percent might not sound like much, but it's a meaningful step for a firm of BlackRock's size. Most mainstream equity funds have stayed away from crypto entirely. By carving out a fixed slice for Bitcoin, BlackRock is giving conservative investors a way to dip in without going all-in. The allocation is small enough to limit downside risk, but big enough to matter if Bitcoin moves.
How the Bitcoin piece works
The Bitcoin exposure is indirect. IBQT holds units of BlackRock's Canadian iShares Bitcoin ETF, which in turn holds actual Bitcoin. That structure keeps the fund's operations simple — no direct custody, no wallet management. For investors, it means the Bitcoin allocation is priced and traded like any other ETF holding, with the same liquidity and transparency.
What this means for Canadian investors
Canadian investors now have another way to add Bitcoin to a balanced portfolio. Instead of buying a pure crypto fund, they can get global equities and Bitcoin in one ticker. That's convenient for people who want exposure but don't want to manage multiple positions. The two ETFs are now listed on Canadian exchanges, and investors can buy them through their usual brokerage accounts.
