iShares is a brand of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) managed by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. Originally launched by Barclays Global Investors in 2000, iShares was acquired by BlackRock in 2009. The brand's mission is to provide investors with efficient, transparent, and flexible access to a wide array of markets and investment strategies. iShares offers thousands of ETFs globally, covering equities, fixed income, commodities, and multi-asset solutions, making it a dominant player in the passive investment industry.