BlackRock, the asset manager poised to become the world’s largest money manager with $3,000bn under management, is preparing to create its own global trading platform – a move that could challenge the business at the heart of many Wall Street groups.

BlackRock plans to develop a “new world-class global trading platform across the firm”, according to an internal memo seen by The Financial Times. It has appointed Minder Cheng, who is joining BlackRock as part of its acquisition of Barclays Global Investors, to oversee its development.