UniCredit has introduced Italy’s first Bitcoin-linked structured certificate for professional clients, offering 100% capital protection and capped returns tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). This five-year, dollar-denominated product requires a minimum investment of US$25,000 and is available from 1 to 28 July.
Key Features of the Certificate
- Capital Protection: 100% principal protection at maturity.
- Capped Returns: Maximum return of 85% of IBIT’s gains over five years.
- Underlying Asset: Linked to BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, which holds over US$75 billion in Bitcoin assets.
- Accessibility: Exclusively for professional clients in Italy.
Why This Matters
UniCredit’s product bridges traditional finance and crypto, allowing investors to gain Bitcoin exposure without direct ownership or wallet management. Chicco di Stasi, UniCredit’s Head of Investment Product Solutions, stated:
"With this product, we offer our professional clients a distinctive solution—the first of its kind in Italy."
Institutional Crypto Adoption in Europe
The move aligns with a broader trend among European banks expanding crypto services:
- Intesa Sanpaolo: Launched a spot Bitcoin trading desk in 2025.
- Banco Santander: Exploring crypto services for digital banking clients.
- BlackRock: Offers a Bitcoin ETF in Europe via Euronext Paris and Xetra.
FAQs
1. Is the UniCredit certificate available to retail investors?
No, it’s exclusively for professional clients in Italy.
2. What happens if Bitcoin’s price drops?
Investors retain 100% capital protection, but returns depend on IBIT’s performance (capped at 85%).
3. How does this compare to direct Bitcoin investment?
It eliminates custody risks while providing regulated exposure via a traditional bank.
Conclusion
👉 Explore how institutional crypto products are reshaping finance. UniCredit’s innovation reflects growing demand for hybrid solutions that merge crypto growth potential with institutional safeguards.
For more on Bitcoin ETFs, see our coverage of BlackRock’s record inflows.