BlackRock's iShares has launched the first ETF to offer exposure to global AAA and AA rated government bond exposure.
BlackRock's ETF arm iShares plans to hire at least six people for its UK-based business to prepare for RDR next January.
BlackRock, the world's largest money manager, has reported its profits fell 11% in the second quarter, as the global downturn in markets cut into fee income.
BlackRock has called on the European markets authority to improve the way exchange-traded products are labelled, including identifying synthetics, and increase transparency over conflicts of interest.