Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager with over €2T in assets, is preparing to launch its first Bitcoin exchange-traded notes (ETNs) in early 2026, according to sources cited by The Big Whale. The move would make Amundi the first major European institution to formally enter the Bitcoin market through regulated investment products, a space long dominated by U.S. issuers.
After years of observation, Amundi has taken the decision to enter Europe’s digital assets market. The ETNs will serve as the regional counterpart to American Bitcoin ETFs, offering exposure to the underlying asset while complying with the continent’s stricter regulatory framework.
For the European market, the move could represent a turning point, signaling institutional validation for Bitcoin within traditional finance.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has amassed more than 800,000 BTC, or roughly 3.8% of Bitcoin’s total supply, valued near $97B. The ETF’s explosive growth (now BlackRock’s most profitable product) even surpassing its S&P 500 fund, underscores how Bitcoin exposure has evolved from niche speculation into a cornerstone of institutional portfolios.
Bitcoin shift through traded funds
Amundi’s entry comes at a time when institutional appetite for Bitcoin is intensifying on both sides of the Atlantic. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF performance has reshaped market expectations, illustrating how regulatory clarity and institutional infrastructure can support digital asset adoption.
While IBIT’s dominance highlights the United States’ regulatory lead, Amundi’s upcoming ETNs could close that gap. Analysts suggest the move will attract pension funds, insurers, and sovereign investors previously restricted from crypto exposure under EU regulations.
By leveraging its scale and credibility, Amundi could transform European Bitcoin access from a retail-driven niche into an institutional asset class.
BlackRock and Amundi will now anchor opposite ends of the same shift, Bitcoin’s institutionalization. One established regulatory precedent in the U.S.; the other is extending it to Europe, signaling Bitcoin’s integration into mainstream global finance.
Also Read: Bitcoin ETF Inflows Surge as Institutional Demand Soars
