BlackRock's decision to add Amin Nasser, a former oil executive from Saudi Aramco, to its board has been met with criticism from the media. Many are questioning how the socially conscious asset manager can justify appointing someone from the world's largest single emitter of greenhouse gases. Some see this as a reversal of BlackRock's supposed emphasis on ESG standards, while others speculate that it may be a defensive move to appease conservatives who accuse the company of being an enemy of the fossil-fuel industry. This controversy comes at a sensitive time as BlackRock's bid for approval of the first US Bitcoin ETF application is under review.