BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has launched its first Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe on March 25, 2025. The iShares Bitcoin ETP is now trading on major European exchanges, including Xetra in Germany, Euronext Paris in France, and Euronext Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It is listed under the ticker IB1T on Xetra and Euronext Paris, and BTCN on Euronext Amsterdam. This move follows the success of BlackRock’s U.S.-based iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which has amassed over $50 billion in assets since its launch in January 2024.

The European ETP is domiciled in Switzerland and is physically backed by Bitcoin, with Coinbase serving as the custodian and Bank of New York Mellon as the administrator. It offers a temporary fee waiver of 10 basis points, reducing the expense ratio to 0.15% until December 31, 2025, after which it will rise to 0.25%. This launch taps into growing demand for cryptocurrency exposure in Europe, where the ETP market, though established, remains smaller than the U.S., with total assets around $13.6 billion compared to over $116 billion in U.S. Bitcoin ETFs.

BlackRock’s entry into the European crypto market builds on its earlier success in North America and reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption of Bitcoin, especially following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs last year. The firm’s expansion comes amid record financial performance, with its assets under management reaching $11.6 trillion in Q4 2024.  BlackRock’s entry further validates Bitcoin as a credible asset class. As the world’s largest asset manager, its involvement signals to traditional investors—pensions, endowments, and retail clients—that cryptocurrencies are becoming a staple in diversified portfolios. The ETP structure allows European investors to gain Bitcoin exposure through regulated exchanges without needing to manage private keys or navigate crypto exchanges, lowering the barrier to entry and potentially accelerating retail and institutional adoption.

The iShares Bitcoin ETP could increase Bitcoin’s liquidity in Europe, where crypto ETPs have lagged behind the U.S. With BlackRock’s scale and marketing power, this product might attract significant inflows, mirroring the $50 billion success of its U.S. counterpart, IBIT. Increased demand via the ETP could exert upward pressure on Bitcoin’s price, especially if it draws in new capital from conservative investors. However, this depends on market sentiment and broader economic conditions, such as interest rates or inflation trends.

This move intensifies competition with existing European providers like 21Shares and CoinShares, whose ETPs hold a combined $13.6 billion in assets. BlackRock’s lower fees (0.15% initially) could spark a fee war, benefiting investors but squeezing smaller players. BlackRock’s involvement might push European regulators to clarify or harmonize crypto rules, especially in the EU where the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework is still rolling out. Switzerland’s role as the ETP’s domicile highlights its crypto-friendly stance, potentially influencing other jurisdictions.

The success of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, followed by BlackRock’s European expansion, could encourage regulators elsewhere (e.g., UK, Asia) to greenlight similar products, creating a global ripple effect. With inflation concerns lingering and traditional assets like bonds underperforming in some markets, Bitcoin’s appeal as a “digital gold” could grow. BlackRock’s timing suggests it’s positioning to capture this shift in investor preference. For European investors, a Bitcoin ETP offers another way to diversify away from euro-denominated assets, especially as geopolitical tensions and energy crises continue to challenge the region’s economy. Bitcoin’s notorious price swings could deter conservative investors or lead to outflows during downturns, testing BlackRock’s ability to manage expectations.

While Switzerland is crypto-friendly, cross-border sales in the EU might face hurdles if regulators view the ETP as a test case for MiCA compliance. Relying on Coinbase as custodian introduces counterparty risk, especially given past crypto exchange failures like FTX. Any security breach could undermine trust in the iShares Bitcoin ETP product. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP launch in Europe is a pivotal step toward integrating crypto into traditional finance, likely boosting adoption and liquidity while challenging regulators and competitors. However, its success hinges on market conditions, investor appetite, and BlackRock’s ability to navigate crypto’s inherent risks.

Mining no longer starts with a rig—it starts with a phone. As the crypto world grows more inclusive, projects like Litecoin and MANTRA show how early vision and focused utility can lead to long-term presence and returns. Litecoin, with over a decade behind it, has leaned on speed and simplicity. MANTRA, in contrast, taps into DeFi and real-world asset tokenization to drive its climb.

But BlockDAG’s recent surge, fueled by its X1 mobile miner and hybrid DAG + PoW model, reflects a deeper shift. It isn’t just adding users—it’s redefining crypto accessibility through phone mining at scale.

Litecoin: A Decade of Growth and Innovation

Launched on October 7, 2011, by former Google engineer Charlie Lee, Litecoin (LTC) was designed as a “lite” version of Bitcoin, aiming to offer faster transaction times and a more abundant supply. Specifically, its first block was mined on October 13, 2011. Since then, Litecoin has consistently ranked among the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

For example, in November 2013, Litecoin’s value experienced a significant surge, doubling within 24 hours. Later, by early 2020, its market capitalization exceeded $10 billion, reflecting a 100% increase since August 2020. As of March 24, 2025, Litecoin’s price stood at $93.67, with a market cap of approximately $7.14 billion.

On the technical front, Litecoin has implemented features like Segregated Witness (SegWit) and the Lightning Network ahead of Bitcoin, serving as a testing ground for such upgrades. As a result, these advancements have contributed to its sustained relevance and growth in the cryptocurrency market.

MANTRA: Rapid Ascent in DeFi

MANTRA (OM) was conceptualized in late 2019 and officially launched in early 2021 by co-founders John Patrick Mullin, Will Corkin, and Rodrigo Quan Miranda. In terms of focus, the platform centers on staking, lending, and governance within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. Its native token, OM, has a total supply of 888,888,888 tokens.

Initially, OM traded at approximately $0.3820 in August 2020, though its price experienced fluctuations, reaching a low of $0.0175 in October 2023. However, by February 2025, the token achieved an all-time high of $8.53, marking an extraordinary return of over 15,000% over the past year. Currently, as of March 26, 2025, OM is trading at $6.53, with a market capitalization of approximately $6.44 billion.

Importantly, MANTRA’s growth is attributed to its focus on real-world asset tokenization and high staking rewards, bridging traditional assets like real estate and green energy with blockchain technology. Furthermore, the launch of its mainnet and strategic partnerships have further boosted its adoption and investor confidence.

BlockDAG’s X1 App Brought Crypto to the Masses

BlockDAG’s X1 Miner App has redefined what it means to participate in crypto. By design, it turns everyday smartphones into mining tools, eliminating the steep learning curve and expensive hardware that kept millions on the sidelines. To date, with over 750,000 users already mining through the app, the X1 has transformed passive users into active contributors of a decentralized network.

At the core of this shift is accessibility. The X1 app doesn’t ask users to understand code or invest in costly equipment—it simply offers a clean interface, quick setup, and real mining rewards. Consequently, what was once the domain of tech-savvy miners has now been opened up to anyone with a phone and a few minutes to spare.

Simultaneously, this mass adoption is fueling the momentum of BlockDAG’s presale, which has now raised a staggering $208 million. Currently, in batch 27, the token price sits at $0.0248, up 2,380% from batch 1. Over 18.9 billion coins have already been sold, underscoring the scale of belief in the project’s direction—and the community building behind it.

By combining mobile mining with a hybrid DAG + PoW consensus model, BlockDAG has created a system where participation is not only possible—it’s encouraged. Ultimately, the X1 app isn’t just onboarding users; it’s helping redefine what network contribution looks like in Web3. And it’s working.

From Legacy to Accessibility: Where Crypto Is Headed

Litecoin laid the groundwork, MANTRA expanded the possibilities, but BlockDAG is shifting how people interact with crypto altogether. While the first two found their place through strong fundamentals and steady community growth, BlockDAG is opening the door to everyday users—no technical knowledge required.

Its X1 app turns phones into entry points and contributors to a high-throughput, secure network, showing that accessibility isn’t just an option—it’s a strategy. As crypto moves forward, the projects that lower barriers without sacrificing performance may not just thrive—they may define what comes next.

Website: https://blockdag.network

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced a $15 million grant to support 3,000 young entrepreneurs across 52 African countries, reinforcing its commitment to fostering economic transformation on the continent.

The announcement was made on Sunday in Abuja by Tony Elumelu, the Founder of TEF and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), during the unveiling of the 2025 cohort of the foundation’s Entrepreneurship Program.

Each selected entrepreneur will receive a non-refundable $5,000 seed grant to launch or expand their business. This initiative is part of the foundation’s broader effort to democratize access to funding and mentorship, ensuring that African youth have the necessary resources to thrive in their respective industries.

Elumelu reflected on the foundation’s journey, tracing it back to 2010 when the vision for a self-sustaining Africa was first conceived. He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial empowerment in driving economic progress, stating that investing in young entrepreneurs was one of the most sustainable ways to create jobs and reduce poverty.

He explained that capital alone is not enough to build a successful business, highlighting the importance of business education, mentorship, and training. These additional resources, he said, play a crucial role in developing well-rounded, resilient entrepreneurs capable of navigating Africa’s complex business environment.

“We understand the challenges they face in contributing to Africa’s economic transformation.

“If empowered and encouraged, these young Africans can drive meaningful change,” he said.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Program was officially launched in 2015 with an ambitious goal to economically empower 10,000 young African entrepreneurs over a decade, providing each with a $5,000 grant, mentorship, and business training. However, over the years, the foundation has far exceeded its original target, expanding the program to reach over 21,000 entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries.

Since its launch in 2015, the foundation has lifted over two million Africans out of poverty, provided 2.5 million young Africans with access to training through TEFConnect, and disbursed more than $100 million in direct funding to thousands of African entrepreneurs, according to data from its website.

As the foundation marks its 15th anniversary, Elumelu reiterated that Africa must shift its focus from reliance on aid to investments in youth-driven economic initiatives. He stressed that Africa does not need aid but rather investment in its youth, reaffirming the foundation’s mission to equip the next generation of African entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed.

“In the 21st century, Africa does not need aid; what it needs is investment in its youth,” Elumelu said.

TEF CEO, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, highlighted the overwhelming demand for the program, revealing that over 200,000 applications were received for the 2025 cohort, reflecting the widespread need for financial and business support among Africa’s young entrepreneurs. Out of this highly competitive pool, 3,000 entrepreneurs from 52 African nations have been selected to receive the $5,000 non-refundable grant.

Chris-Asoluka also emphasized the broader economic impact of TEF’s entrepreneurship program, stating that it has empowered over 21,000 young African entrepreneurs, helped create more than 1.5 million enterprises, and generated $4.5 billion in revenue across supported businesses. She stressed that TEF entrepreneurs have demonstrated that ideas are the lifeblood of the African continent and that the foundation remains committed to nurturing these ideas into thriving businesses.

To ensure accountability and sustainability, the foundation has implemented a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to track beneficiaries’ progress. This system ensures that recipients adhere to their approved business plans, allowing TEF to assess the long-term impact of the funding and mentorship provided.

Beyond financial assistance, the TEF Entrepreneurship Program offers a robust training and mentorship structure to help entrepreneurs navigate challenges, scale their businesses, and create employment opportunities in their communities. Beneficiaries gain access to a network of experienced mentors, business leaders, and investors, equipping them with critical knowledge and insights to enhance their business acumen.

Over the years, TEF has maintained that Africa’s economic growth depends on its youth, and the foundation remains committed to nurturing the next generation of African business leaders. TEF is laying the groundwork for an Africa driven by innovation, enterprise, and financial independence by providing direct funding, mentorship, and training.

As the foundation looks toward the future, its focus remains on scaling its impact even further, ensuring that more entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. Through this continued investment in Africa’s youth, TEF aims to shape a continent that is not only economically self-sufficient but also positioned as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.