Amid reports suggesting a role in tokenizing a U.S. Treasury money market fund on the Hedera blockchain, BlackRock publicly clarified that it was not involved and denied any commercial relationship with Hedera, distancing itself from misleading marketing claims.

BlackRock, as the lead in a $23 billion acquisition of controlling interests in Panama Canal ports from CK Hutchison, faces delays amid Chinese regulatory pushback and politicized narratives championed by President Trump. The deal, initially scheduled for signing in early April 2025, has become a flashpoint in US-China geopolitical tensions.

An OECD complaint, brought by environmental and indigenous rights groups, accuses BlackRock of increasing its investments in agribusiness companies implicated in environmental devastation, including deforestation in the Amazon, which violates human rights and undermines global climate stability.

A formal complaint has been filed with the National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct by Friends of the Earth US and the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil. The complaint alleges that BlackRock’s continued investments in companies linked to deforestation, land grabbing, and violations of indigenous rights contravene OECD guidelines on environmental stewardship and human rights.

On November 20, Friends of the Earth US and The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) filed a complaint with the U.S. NCP alleging that BlackRock’s financing of agribusiness companies contributes to environmental degradation and human rights abuses, including deforestation and violence against indigenous communities. The complainants are demanding mediation and policy reforms to mitigate these harms.

Friends of the Earth U.S. and the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil filed an OECD complaint on November 20, 2024, alleging that BlackRock's investments in agribusiness are directly linked to environmental destruction, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and human rights abuses affecting Indigenous communities.

In November 2024, Friends of the Earth U.S. and the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil filed a formal complaint with the U.S. National Contact Point to the OECD. The complaint alleges that BlackRock, despite long-standing awareness of environmental and human rights risks in the agribusiness sector, has increased its investments in companies implicated in deforestation, labor abuses, land grabbing, and violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

BlackRock has drastically reduced its support for shareholder proposals on environmental and social issues, backing only 4% between July 2023 and June 2024 compared to 47% in 2021. This shift appears to be a response to conservative political pressure, undermining progressive corporate responsibility.

The OpenSecrets profile for BlackRock tracks the company's annual lobbying totals since 1998 and notes that BlackRock Inc has not reported lobbying on specific bills in 2024. This profile sheds light on the longstanding involvement in lobbying activities, prompting questions about corporate influence in politics.

OpenSecrets profile reveals BlackRock's $2.6M in political contributions and $2.84M in lobbying expenditures during the 2024 cycle, along with a high proportion of ex-government officials serving as lobbyists, raising concerns about corporate influence and regulatory capture.

A bipartisan investigation revealed that BlackRock invested approximately $1.9 billion in Chinese companies that are red-flagged by the U.S. government for advancing the PRC's military capabilities and human rights abuses, including the alleged Uyghur genocide. This financial engagement supports firms that contribute to the CCP's authoritarian regime.

A congressional committee is investigating BlackRock and MSCI for facilitating American investments in Chinese companies blacklisted for allegedly fueling China’s military advancements and human rights abuses. BlackRock has defended its compliance with US laws, but the probe raises concerns over its business practices and political impact.

A Congressional select committee is investigating BlackRock over its investments in Chinese companies that are linked to the People's Liberation Army and alleged human rights abuses, raising national security concerns.

BlackRock's political action committee has set a record in political spending, contributing approximately $647,000 to a range of congressional candidates, leadership PACs, and political parties from January 2021 through mid-October. The donations, distributed almost evenly between Democrats and Republicans—with strategic choices such as maximum contributions to figures like Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while avoiding others who opposed electoral certification—have raised scrutiny over the firm's influence. Additionally, CEO Larry Fink and other executives have made personal campaign contributions, further embedding the company in political engagement.

BlackRock Inc spent $1,940,000 on lobbying activities in 2021, as reported by OpenSecrets, highlighting its efforts to influence U.S. policy through significant corporate political engagement.

In the documentary 'THE CON', filmmaker Eric Vaughan criticizes the practice of the Treasury being staffed with former BlackRock personnel. He argues that this revolving door undermines regulatory independence and favors corporate interests, ultimately contributing to a system that may enable authoritarian capture of financial oversight.