$100M Move: BlackRock Snags NFTs & Memecoins in Epic USDC Deposit!

Last Updated on March 21, 2024

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Larry Fink, BlackRock CEO. Source: BlackRock

Key Takeaways:

  • BlackRock has ventured into the digital asset space by acquiring a range of memecoins and NFTs worth around $40,000, following a significant $100 million deposit in USD Coin (USDC) on the Ethereum blockchain.
  • The firm’s entry into digital assets includes collaboration with Securitize for the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, signaling a shift towards tokenization of financial assets.
  • CEO Larry Fink’s perspective has evolved from skepticism to advocacy for blockchain and digital currencies, emphasizing the potential for a future where financial assets are managed on a digital ledger.

In a remarkable turn of events, BlackRock, the colossus of asset management, has ventured into the vibrant world of memecoins and NFTs, acquiring assets valued at approximately $40,000.

This development followed the detection of a wallet purportedly linked to BlackRock, connected with a fresh tokenization initiative, by online detectives.

On the blockchain ledger Ethereum, a staggering deposit of $100 million in USD Coin (USDC) was recorded on March 15.

This strategic move came just a day subsequent to BlackRock’s announcement of its intention to introduce the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund. This initiative is set to be launched in collaboration with Securitize, a San Francisco-based enterprise specializing in asset tokenization.

100M USDC transaction
100M USDC transaction. Source: Etherscan

The wallet associated with BlackRock saw an influx of at least 40 different coins and 25 unique NFTs starting March 19. These ranged from the Bitcoin-based Ordinals Pepe (PEPE) coin to the much-talked-about CryptoDickbutts S3 NFT.

Additionally, significant transfers included 500,000 unshETHing_Token (USH) and 10,000 Realio Network (RIO) tokens, with the latter experiencing a 47% surge in value following the transfer, as reported by CoinGecko.

RIO price
RIO price chart. Source: CoinGecko

This foray into digital assets is not limited to memecoins and NFTs. BlackRock’s wallet also received a variety of other tokens, including Mog Coin (Mog) and Shina Inu (SHI), alongside notable NFTs like Chungos and KaijuKingz.

The journey into digital asset management for BlackRock began with a modest $200 USDC deposit on March 5, followed by a $10 test deposit on March 15, culminating in a nearly $100 million deposit shortly after. This series of transactions highlights the firm’s growing engagement with the digital assets space.

The backdrop to these developments is a significant shift in perspective from BlackRock’s CEO, Larry Fink, who has moved from skepticism to advocacy for blockchain and digital currencies.

Since expressing a dismissive stance on Bitcoin in 2017, Fink has evolved to champion the tokenization of financial assets, foreseeing a future where stocks and bonds are universally managed on a singular digital ledger. This vision is embodied in the launch of the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, symbolically named β€œBUIDL,” which aims to offer investors USD yields through tokenized financial assets.

BlackRock’s pioneering move into tokenizing financial assets on Ethereum marks a milestone in the convergence of traditional finance and the burgeoning world of digital currencies, setting the stage for a future where financial assets are increasingly digital and blockchain-based.

About The Author

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News Reporter

Fleming Airunugba, a seasoned Web3 and crypto content expert, leverages his deep understanding of blockchain technology to bring the latest and most impactful news to the crypto community.

With a knack for engaging storytelling and strategic content creation, Fleming is dedicated to educating and inspiring his audience with insightful analysis on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and the future of digital finance.

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