BlackRock and Strategy Inc. are in a race to become the world's largest corporate holder of Bitcoin.
BlackRock, previously a skeptic, is now competing with Strategy Inc. for dominance in the crypto space.
Both companies hold over half a million BTC each, raising the question of who will claim the crypto crown first.
BlackRock's CEO, Larry Fink, made a significant pivot from dismissing Bitcoin to managing the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
Key milestones in BlackRock's crypto journey include filing for a spot Bitcoin ETF, approval of IBIT, and surpassing $70 billion in AUM with around 667,000 BTC holdings.
BlackRock aims to become the top crypto asset manager worldwide by 2030.
Strategy Inc., led by Michael Saylor, remains a strong player with approximately 582,000 BTC held on its balance sheet.
Strategy Inc. was the first corporate buyer of BTC, converted its treasury into Bitcoin, and rebranded from MicroStrategy to Strategy Inc.
In June 2025, Strategy launched a BTC-backed preferred stock offering to raise nearly $1 billion for further Bitcoin purchases.
The competition and approaches differ between BlackRock through regulated ETFs and Strategy Inc. with a maximalist balance sheet strategy.
The race between BlackRock and Strategy Inc. is crucial for the mainstream legitimacy of crypto and the perception of Bitcoin as a strategic asset rather than speculation.
BlackRock contributes regulatory credibility and institutional capital, while Strategy Inc. brings conviction and a bold balance sheet approach to Bitcoin.
The outcome of this competition could influence how corporations, ETFs, and nations adopt Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset.
This race signifies the institutionalization of Bitcoin, reshaping the future of digital finance and benefiting the entire ecosystem.
The crypto market is evolving significantly, with a focus on strategic Bitcoin holdings and mainstream acceptance.