BlackRock Takes on Invesco’s Nasdaq 100 Monopoly with New ETF-Because Why Not?

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Key Highlights

  • BlackRock has decided that Invesco’s reign over the Nasdaq 100 is a bit too comfortable, so it’s filing for its own ETF to shake things up.
  • This shiny new ETF gives investors a chance to ditch Invesco’s QQQ funds and consider something wildly similar but with a different logo.
  • BlackRock’s latest move is all about the Nasdaq 100, a segment that’s been growing faster than your average stock market bubble.

In a move that could only be described as audacious, BlackRock has decided it’s time to toss a wrench into Invesco’s ETF machine. The company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a fund so thrillingly similar to Invesco’s QQQ, it might just make your head spin. The iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, symbol IQQ, would-if approved-finally give investors an alternative to Invesco’s monopolistic grip on the Nasdaq 100. Not that Invesco has been busy hoarding all the ETFs for decades or anything.

For those unfamiliar with the wild world of U.S. ETFs (where we all like to pretend we know what’s going on), this ETF battle puts BlackRock toe-to-toe with Invesco’s massive QQQ and QQQM ETFs, which currently manage a jaw-dropping $374 billion and $70 billion, respectively. For perspective, that’s more money than most countries have in their treasuries. Thank you, Nasdaq, for making sure Invesco had almost complete control over this market for all these years. But hey, things change, right?

Now, if you’re wondering why Nasdaq hasn’t simply thrown a tantrum and kicked BlackRock out of the building, it’s because Nasdaq has been playing nice with Invesco for quite a while. They’re the partners everyone hopes to have: stable, supportive, and occasionally sending you flowers to remind you how important you are. But BlackRock? It’s just here to see if it can outdo them with a shiny new product. Nasdaq even had the gall to remind Bloomberg, “We maintain a valuable partnership with Invesco,” as if they hadn’t noticed the new kid in town.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s ETF expert Eric Balchunas is practically frothing at the mouth over the Nasdaq 100’s past performance. He claims it’s doubled the return of the S&P 500 since QQQ launched in 1999. But let’s face it, his true thesis is simple: Steve Jobs made Nasdaq cool when he decided to list Apple there in 1980. So, thanks, Steve. You really nailed that one.

The Nasdaq 100 is an amazing index. It has doubled SPX‘s return since $QQQ launched in ’99 and demolished every active fund mgr. My thesis on why it’s SO freakin’ potent comes down to two words: Steve Jobs. When he decided to list Apple there in 1980 when it was upstart 3rd…

– Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) April 6, 2026

BlackRock Gets Into Crypto with New ETFs-Because Why Not Make Things Even More Fun?

Not one to shy away from the excitement of volatile markets, BlackRock is also stepping into the cryptocurrency game. The firm has filed for the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which will trade under the code $BITA. This ETF is designed to generate income by using covered call strategies on Bitcoin holdings. Yes, that’s a real thing that’s happening in 2026. The future is weird, but let’s roll with it.

If you think that’s wild, consider this: BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), launched in January 2024, is now trading with daily volumes that are dangerously close to rivaling Binance. And if you’re wondering how much that is, it’s a cool $16-18 billion. No biggie.

IBIT is rivaling traditional crypto infrastructure. The ETF now trades $16-18 billion daily, nearly matching Binance’s spot volumes and more than doubling Coinbase’s $6-8 billion daily activity, establishing regulated products as competitive alternatives to crypto-native…

– Kaiko (@KaikoData) March 30, 2026

Meanwhile, U.S. trading sessions now account for 47% of global Bitcoin volume. Yep, we’ve completely given up pretending we don’t love crypto. And as more ETFs pop up like mushrooms in a damp forest, liquidity is getting better-just in time for everyone to start making bigger trades without causing the whole market to implode.

So, here we are. BlackRock is making waves in both traditional and digital markets. Whether you want exposure to the Nasdaq 100 or a piece of the Bitcoin action, there are now plenty of choices. Just remember: It’s all about innovation, liquidity, and pretending we know what we’re doing. Cheers!

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2026-04-06 17:08