TLDR
- Bank of America raised IBIT exposure to about $37 million in its Q1 2026 filing.
- The bank trimmed Ether and Solana ETF holdings while adding more exposure to Bitcoin funds.
- IBIT remained BofA’s largest reported crypto ETF position ahead of Bitwise and Fidelity Bitcoin products.
- The filing points to stronger demand for regulated Bitcoin exposure among large traditional finance firms.
- Reduced altcoin ETF positions show institutions may treat each crypto asset as a separate decision.
Bank of America raised its BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust position to about $37 million in Q1 2026. The figure came from its 13F filing, according to the details cited in the report.
The filing also showed lower exposure to Ether and Solana-linked ETFs. That gave Bitcoin funds a larger role in its reported crypto ETF book.
Bank of America Raises IBIT Stake in Q1 2026
Bank of America, the second-largest U.S. bank by assets, increased its stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. The fund trades under the ticker IBIT and gives investors exposure to spot Bitcoin. The Q1 2026 13F filing placed the position near $37 million.
IBIT became the bank’s largest reported crypto ETF holding in that filing. The bank also held Bitcoin ETF exposure through Bitwise BITB and Fidelity FBTC. Those positions were smaller, at about $8 million and $1.7 million.
The filing did not include a statement from Bank of America explaining the move. It also did not show direct Bitcoin ownership. That is because 13F forms cover listed securities, not wallet holdings.
The reported value remains small beside Bank of America’s wider securities portfolio. Still, large bank filings draw attention across crypto markets. Traders and analysts monitor these reports for institutional demand signals.
Ether and Solana ETF Exposure Moves Lower
The same filing showed smaller holdings in Ethereum and Solana-linked ETF products. BlackRock’s ETHA position was reduced to about $1 million, according to the data cited. Solana-linked positions were also trimmed, though they remained small.
The change shows a narrower crypto ETF mix inside the bank’s reported portfolio. However, 13F filings do not explain the reason behind each trade. They also do not show whether positions are held for clients or other accounts.
The shift separates Bitcoin ETF exposure from Ether and Solana ETF exposure. It shows that large firms may treat each token product as a separate choice. The filing does not support claims that all crypto ETFs are interchangeable.
The cut in altcoin-linked ETFs came while Bitcoin ETF exposure moved higher. That contrast is central to the Q1 filing. Claims of a “Bitcoin-only call” remain unconfirmed by the filing.
Bitcoin ETFs Gain More Attention From Large Banks
BlackRock’s IBIT has become a major U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF since its launch. Large investors often consider fund size, trading volume, fees, and brand trust. IBIT has drawn attention because BlackRock has broad reach across advisers and institutions.
Bitcoin ETFs offer a regulated route for investors that avoid direct crypto custody. They remove the need for wallets, private keys, and crypto exchange accounts. For banks and asset managers, that structure can be easier to manage.
Market watchers also track Bitcoin ETF flows during periods of price volatility. Inflows can show demand for spot Bitcoin exposure through regulated funds. Outflows can show risk reduction, though they do not always predict price direction.
The Q1 2026 report may add more attention to regulated Bitcoin products. However, the filing gives a snapshot from one reporting date. Later filings may show whether the position grew, fell, or stayed stable.
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