BlackRock Receives Authorisation for Its First Tokenised Money Market Fund in Hong Kong

Stablecoins, with a total supply of $303B, rely increasingly on traditional banks for growth. Regulation in the U.S., Europe, and Britain accelerates this trend, requiring stablecoin issuers to integrate with regulated banking systems. Major banks are forming consortia to issue stablecoins, while Circle's stock dropped 6% on this news. Projections suggest stablecoin market could reach $1.9T-$4T by 2030, but risks like liquidity strains remain.

Nvidia (NVDA) joined investors in a $3B funding round for Mistral AI, valuing the French startup at $24B. Investors include Samsung, BlackRock, and others. Mistral plans to use funds for model development and research. Nvidia's investment may expand its customer base and AI ecosystem.

BlackRock reduced the minimum Bitcoin conversion to shares of its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) from $25 million to $1 million, expanding access to smaller institutional investors. The change allows for in-kind conversions, reducing transaction friction and potentially offering tax benefits. BlackRock's move follows increased institutional interest and competition among Bitcoin ETF issuers, with Bitwise also lowering its conversion threshold.

BlackRock (BLK) reduced the minimum Bitcoin conversion size for its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF to $1 million, facilitating over $5 billion in conversions. The move targets family offices and wealthy individuals, expanding the potential client base. Rival Bitwise also lowered its minimum to $3 million. The fund holds 3.645% of Bitcoin's supply and has $60.65 billion in net assets.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) processed over $5B in direct Bitcoin-to-IBIT swaps by August 2026, up 60% in under a year. The firm lowered the minimum transaction size to $1M, expanding access to high-net-worth individuals. The program allows Bitcoin holders to convert coins into IBIT shares without triggering immediate capital gains taxes, offering custodial benefits and integration with traditional brokerage accounts. IBIT remains the largest US spot Bitcoin ETF, with in-kind convers

Blackstone President Jon Gray stated that AI investments are not a bubble, as demand for computing power already exists but infrastructure supply is insufficient. He cited regulatory constraints and resource shortages as factors limiting growth. Gray acknowledged potential risks but expects AI demand to exceed expectations. Blackstone recently partnered with Nvidia and other firms to raise $500B in capital.