There’s little doubt that the way digital currencies are discussed and portrayed in the media influences their trajectory and performance. The impact is all the greater when a famous figure gets involved in the public discourse and voices their opinion on crypto matters. The public has a tendency to hang on to the words of people who are regarded as knowledgeable and powerful. So, if an industry insider with a strong reputation would advise people to buy Ethereum with debit card because there’s a high chance it might appreciate in the future, many would probably take the cue and do it.
Like all other cryptocurrencies, Ethereum has its critics and its die-hard fans. It appears that Larry Fink, BlackRock’s CEO, is one of the latter. When you think of major Ethereum supporters, Vitalik Buterin, the mastermind behind the project, is probably the first name to come to mind. It’s only natural for the blockchain’s cofounder to endorse his brainchild and talk about it in favorable terms. But how and when did Larry Fink become such a staunch champion for the altcoin leader?
It’s important to point out that Larry Fink is not just another famous person who happens to have something to say about crypto. He’s a billionaire businessman, but most importantly, he’s the co-founder, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, so what he says matters and his views and thoughts on crypto reverberate throughout the entire market. And he seems to think that digital currencies have a bright future ahead and Ethereum is among the assets that will shine the brightest.
From skepticism to support
Despite the optimism and enthusiasm he currently displays, Fink hasn’t always been in favor of crypto. Quite the contrary, just a few years ago, he was evidently wary of this novel asset class that appeared to come out of the blue. In 2017, he made a rather stingy remark, calling Bitcoin an “index for money laundering,” an opinion which was on par with the general skepticism of industry leaders at the time, when the narrative around cryptocurrencies was dominated by concerns regarding their lack of legitimacy and regulation, involvement in unlawful activities and extreme volatility.
As the industry continued to evolve and mature, Fink’s opinions also started to shift. The increasing awareness of blockchain’s potential to transform operations and activities across a wide range of industries was most likely the factor that flipped the switch for most people, including BlackRock’s CEO. In light of blockchain’s newfound fame and popularity, the public also started to take note of the benefits and utility of crypto assets.
In 2023, Fink stated that he believed the tokenization of securities will play a key role in shaping the markets of the future, commenting on how distributed ledger technologies like blockchain could facilitate instant transactions and lead to the development of the financial landscape. So began Fink’s transition from a crypto opponent to a crypto buff.
Almost one year later, in early 2024, BlackRock wrote history by introducing the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) among its financial products. This is the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched in the US, which ended up being one of the fastest-growing ETFs ever, amassing over $20 billion in assets since its debut.
But Fink and BlackRock’s foray into the crypto market didn’t end there. A few months after the emergence of spot Bitcoin ETFs, the asset manager filed another application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, this time for the launch of spot Ethereum ETFs. It wasn’t long until the SEC gave the green light for spot ETH ETFs, allowing BlackRock to expand its crypto offering.
BlackRock’s interest in Ethereum not only bolstered its reputation as the altcoin leader, drawing attention to its innovative features and the part it played in the development of the DeFi ecosystem but also reflected a wider trend of digital currencies being increasingly accepted in institutional settings.
Fink’s views on Ethereum
It’s clear from BlackRock’s growing collection of crypto-based products that Larry Fink has turned into a true crypto devotee, but let’s see what he thinks of Ethereum specifically. According to Fink, Ethereum is primed for spectacular growth in the future, hinting that the crypto might be on the cusp of a new bull run. Since Ethereum is often discussed in connection to Bitcoin, Fink also asserted that Bitcoin already represents a fully mature asset class in the same playing field as gold.
Some might view Fink’s statements as overly optimistic, especially since Ethereum’s performance was below expectations in 2024. The gap between BTC and ETH has deepened over the course of the year, making it look like Ethereum is starting to lose some of its appeal.
However, BlackRock’s chairman seems to be sure in his belief that Ethereum, and crypto by extension, are going to gain more ground and play an increasingly important role in global finance as time goes by. His trust and confidence in crypto’s future can transfer onto others and potentially flip the script for Ethereum.
Bottom line
When famous people talk about crypto, their words carry weight and have the potential to influence opinions and behaviors. From Jamie Foxx to Tom Brady, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Matt Damon, the crypto squad has been endorsed by numerous celebrities over the years, which obviously improved their reputation and acceptance levels.
But having the backing of the man running the world’s leading asset management firm is the biggest endorsement that crypto can get. By openly expressing his interest in Ethereum and deeming it a key player in the financial landscape, tycoon Larry Fink is pushing crypto into the spotlight and giving this asset class the validation it so much requires to achieve mainstream adoption. This vote of confidence can encourage other individuals and organizations to adopt a similar attitude and embrace crypto in the future.