Asset management giant BlackRock has recently come under the spotlight for its involvement in the world of memecoins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), signaling a significant shift in its approach to digital assets. On-chain investigations have revealed that BlackRock now holds a portfolio of at least $40,000 worth of memecoins and NFTs, following the establishment of a new tokenization fund.
BlackRock address receives memecoins and NFTs
The data indicates that a substantial $100 million deposit in USD Coin (USDC) was made on Ethereum on March 15. This deposit coincided with BlackRock’s filing to introduce the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund in collaboration with Securitize, a San Francisco-based asset tokenization firm.
Since March 19, various anonymous crypto users have transferred 40 different coins and 25 NFTs to an address associated with the firm. These assets range from Bitcoin-based Ordinals Pepe (PEPE) coin to unique NFTs like CryptoDickbutts S3. Notably, sizable quantities of 500,000 unshETHing_Token (USH) and 10,000 Realio Network (RIO) tokens were also sent to the firm, with values peaking at $13,755 and $11,600, respectively.
The RIO token, known for real-world asset tokenization, experienced a 47% surge after being transferred to BlackRock, as reported by CoinGecko. Additionally, the asset manager received significant amounts of Mog Coin (Mog), VoldemortTrumpRobotnik-10Neko (ETHEREUM), and Shina Inu (SHI) tokens.
Larry Fink’s evolution of Bitcoin and blockchain
Notable NFTs such as Chungos and KaijuKingz were also among the assets sent to the firm. Records show that the BlackRock address initiated its crypto journey with a $200 USDC deposit on March 5, followed by a $10 test deposit on March 15. Shortly after, a substantial deposit of $99,999,960 was made, according to Etherscan data.
BlackRock’s Chairman and CEO, Larry Fink, has notably shifted his perspective on Bitcoin and blockchain technology over the years. Previously skeptical, Fink referred to Bitcoin as an “index of money laundering” in 2017. However, his stance has evolved, leading BlackRock to file for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in June 2023, which has gained approval and attracted significant trading volumes.
In a Bloomberg interview, Fink expressed the firm’s vision for the tokenization of financial assets on Ethereum, envisioning a future where every stock and bond exists on a unified ledger. This aligns with BlackRock’s latest initiative, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, tickered as “BUIDL.”
This fund offers eligible investors the opportunity to earn U.S. dollar yields by participating through Securitize Markets, LLC. The firm’s foray into memecoins, NFTs, and asset tokenization signifies a notable evolution in its investment strategy, reflecting a growing acceptance and adoption of digital assets within the traditional financial landscape.
