BlackRock’s digital assets chief to speak at Bitcoin Treasuries Conference in New York City

Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s Managing Director and global head of digital assets, will take the stage at the second annual Bitcoin Treasuries Conference on September 28 in New York City. When the world’s largest asset manager sends its top crypto executive to a 300-person, closed-door gathering focused on corporate Bitcoin strategy, it’s worth paying attention to what gets discussed.

Mitchnick, who has led BlackRock’s digital assets business since 2018 and was the architect behind the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), joins a speaker roster that collectively represents more than 1 million BTC in holdings.

What the conference looks like

The event will be held at SECOND, located at 849 6th Avenue in Manhattan, with a hard cap of 300 attendees. The intimate format is deliberate: the Bitcoin Treasuries Conference positions itself as a deal-making environment rather than a traditional crypto expo.

Last year’s inaugural edition makes the case for that framing. The 2025 conference contributed to a $1.4 billion acquisition involving approximately 11,000 BTC.

This year’s speaker lineup extends well beyond Mitchnick. Adam Back, CEO of Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company ($BSTR), is on the bill, along with Grant Cardone, Matt Cole of Strive, and Ric Edelman.

Ticket pricing reflects a tiered approach: general admission runs $795, VIP access costs $1,995, and students or nonprofit representatives can apply for a $295 rate.

Why Mitchnick’s presence matters

Mitchnick isn’t a spokesperson doing a media circuit. He’s the person who built IBIT from concept to one of the most successful ETF launches in history.

The conference agenda is expected to cover several practical dimensions of corporate Bitcoin ownership. Topics include custody frameworks, the trade-offs between holding Bitcoin through ETFs versus direct on-chain ownership, and the strategic implications of mergers and acquisitions in the crypto sector.

The ETF versus direct holdings debate is particularly relevant given BlackRock’s position. IBIT gives institutions a regulated, familiar vehicle for Bitcoin exposure. But direct holdings offer different tax treatment, custody flexibility, and governance implications. Having the person who built IBIT in a room discussing the merits and limitations of that product alongside direct-holding advocates could produce unusually candid conversation.

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