BlackRock CIO Rick Rieder stated bitcoin is going 'considerably higher' during a June 15, 2026 appearance on Bloomberg ETF IQ. Rieder made the remark when asked whether bitcoin, which had sold off roughly 50% from its peak, represented a buying opportunity. The statement coincided with BlackRock's launch of the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF (BITA) on June 16, providing institutional context for the firm's continued bitcoin product development despite the asset's correction from its late-2025 all-time high above $126,000.
Rieder States Bitcoin Going Considerably Higher on Bloomberg ETF IQ
Asked directly whether bitcoin represented a buying opportunity, Rieder answered: "I think it's ultimately going considerably higher. I think the technicals, there's some technical condition around it that causes it to chop around. I think it's ultimately going higher." He added that the fund is "keeping it a pretty moderate exposure, quite frankly," citing competing opportunities in technology and emerging markets debt as reasons for not increasing allocation.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, co-host of ETF IQ, shared the clip on X, noting that Rieder was "an early believer inside BlackRock" and that one of his mutual funds holds a small bitcoin position through IBIT, the iShares Bitcoin Trust. Rieder oversees assets across BlackRock's fixed income and global allocation strategies and serves on the firm's Global Executive Committee and chairs its Investment Council.
Bitcoin Trades $65,700-$66,500 Range Following Correction
Bitcoin traded in the $65,700 to $66,500 range over the last day on June 15 and 16, 2026, following a correction that pushed it under $60,000 earlier in the month. The asset remains approximately 47% below its late-2025 all-time high above $126,000. Reports indicate some investors have been selling crypto holdings to fund positions in SpaceX and other opportunities, adding near-term pressure to BTC.
IBIT Holds 766,162.82 BTC Worth Over $50 Billion
BlackRock's IBIT controls roughly 766,162.82 BTC worth just over $50 billion, according to figures recorded on June 15. Only one corporate holder owns more: Strategy, whose MSTR treasury contains 846,842 BTC worth $55.9 billion. Among ETFs, IBIT stands as the clear heavyweight, with BTC assets under management exceeding those of the next-largest fund, FBTC, by more than $38 billion. BlackRock's two crypto trusts have kept accumulating both bitcoin and ethereum since their debuts.
BlackRock Launches BITA Income ETF With 0.65% Fee
BlackRock launched the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, ticker BITA, around June 16, 2026. The actively managed fund holds roughly 69% in direct bitcoin and approximately 33% in IBIT shares, while generating monthly income by selling call options on a portion of the portfolio. BITA carries a sponsor fee of 0.65% and targets meaningful participation in bitcoin's upside while aiming to deliver lower volatility than a pure spot exposure. The product is designed for investors who want yield alongside bitcoin access.
FAQ
What did Rick Rieder say about bitcoin on June 15, 2026?
Rick Rieder stated on Bloomberg ETF IQ June 15, 2026 that bitcoin is going "considerably higher." He acknowledged technical conditions causing price volatility but maintained a long-term bullish view, though he noted his fund keeps bitcoin exposure moderate due to competing opportunities in technology and emerging markets debt.
How much bitcoin does BlackRock's IBIT hold?
IBIT controls roughly 766,162.82 BTC worth just over $50 billion, according to figures recorded on June 15. This makes IBIT the largest bitcoin ETF by assets under management, exceeding the next-largest fund, FBTC, by more than $38 billion. Only Strategy's MSTR treasury holds more bitcoin, with 846,842 BTC worth $55.9 billion.
What is BlackRock's BITA income ETF launched on June 16?
BITA is an actively managed fund launched around June 16, 2026 that holds roughly 69% in direct bitcoin and approximately 33% in IBIT shares. It generates monthly income by selling call options on a portion of the portfolio, carries a 0.65% sponsor fee, and targets lower volatility than pure spot bitcoin exposure while providing yield.
