BlackRock, a leading ETF provider in the cryptocurrency sector, has unexpectedly become the owner of two Rocks NFTs sent by an unknown individual. Within days, a prankster first delivered a black Rock, followed by a white Rock, both now residing in one of BlackRock's public wallets.
Known for its serious approach to crypto—issuing ETFs and launching its real-world asset (RWA) token, BUIDL—BlackRock now also holds NFT-like inscriptions (Ordinals) on the Bitcoin blockchain.
The Mystery Behind the Rocks NFTs
- A sender deposited a black Rock NFT into a BlackRock wallet.
- The next day, Arkham Intelligence detected another transaction containing a white Rock NFT.
- These random inscriptions target BlackRock's ETF wallet, the largest among crypto holders. As of late August, BlackRock holds the biggest ETF reserves after Grayscale reduced its holdings.
The Rocks landed in the wallet of BlackRock's IBIT ETF. While BlackRock has previously received "dust" or tracker transactions, these NFTs originated from CoinJoin addresses, making the sender untraceable.
"BLACKROCK NOW OWNS A WHITE ROCK"
The same sender just delivered a White Rock. What’s the motive?
— Arkham (@ArkhamIntel)
Key Details About the Rocks NFTs
- Not affiliated with the original Ethereum EtherRock collection, which once sold for 777 ETH.
- Low value and rarity, estimated at $0.31.
- Likely a publicity stunt, as the IBIT wallet has few transactions, making the Rocks highly visible.
BlackRock’s NFT Wallet Activity
The IBIT ETF wallet has received other NFTs, hidden among financial transactions. The Rocks can be viewed on NFTScan:
👉 Explore BlackRock’s NFT Wallet on NFTScan
- The Black Rock (#75625843) was inscribed on September 9, followed by the white Rock a day later.
- Neither belongs to a collection; both feature low-quality images.
- Unlike the Bitcoin Rocks collection on MagicEden, these are standalone inscriptions.
The same ETF address ($33M+ in BTC) has received other inscriptions, such as #75151663 (minted September 2). While Ordinals hype has faded, ~20K inscriptions still occur daily on Bitcoin, with 80% being plain text.
BUIDL Token Growth and RWA Expansion
Beyond NFTs, BlackRock continues expanding its BUIDL token influence:
- Supply surged to $514M, now held across 20 addresses.
- Represents 25% of tokenized U.S. government debt (excluding stablecoins).
- Injective Protocol launched a tracker for BUIDL’s supply fluctuations.
Recently, BlackRock redeemed $500K USDC from its on-chain fund, sending it to Ondo Finance. Another private address received 250K USDC, linked to a high-profile ETH wallet with multiple NFTs—possibly a crypto insider.
FAQ
1. What are the Rocks NFTs sent to BlackRock?
Two standalone Bitcoin inscriptions (Ordinals) mimicking NFT trends, worth ~$0.31, sent anonymously.
2. Why did someone send NFTs to BlackRock?
Likely a publicity stunt, leveraging BlackRock’s high-profile ETF wallet.
3. Is BlackRock involved in NFTs or Ordinals?
No official involvement; these were unsolicited gifts to a public wallet.
4. What is the BUIDL token?
BlackRock’s RWA token tied to U.S. T-Bills, offering passive income and collateral utility.
5. How significant is BUIDL in tokenized debt?
It accounts for 25% of the market, second only to stablecoins.
6. Can the sender of the Rocks be traced?
No—transactions came from CoinJoin addresses, ensuring anonymity.
👉 Discover More About Crypto ETFs
BlackRock’s unexpected NFT ownership highlights the crypto space’s unpredictability, blending traditional finance with decentralized mischief.
Reported by Cryptopolitan