America's Second-Largest Bank Raises IBIT Stake, Cuts Ether and Solana ETF Exposure

Bank of America, the second-largest bank in the United States, increased its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) while reducing exposure to Ether and Solana exchange-traded fund products, according to a Q1 2026 regulatory filing.

The shifts were disclosed in the bank’s 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which details institutional equity holdings at the end of each quarter. IBIT is BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, the largest Bitcoin fund by assets under management.

What Changed in the Bank’s Crypto ETF Allocation

The filing shows Bank of America raised its IBIT stake while simultaneously trimming positions in ETFs tied to Ether and Solana. The move represents a clear divergence in how the bank is allocating across crypto-linked products.

IBIT, which tracks the spot price of Bitcoin, was the only crypto ETF to receive a larger allocation from the bank. Both Ether and Solana fund positions moved in the opposite direction, suggesting a deliberate rebalancing rather than a blanket increase or decrease in crypto exposure.

13F filings are mandatory quarterly disclosures for institutional investment managers with more than $100 million in qualifying assets. They offer one of the few public windows into how major financial institutions are positioning across asset classes, including crypto ETFs that have gained regulatory approval in recent years.

Why the IBIT Move Stands Out

Bank of America’s decision to increase its Bitcoin ETF exposure while pulling back from altcoin funds carries weight because of the institution’s sheer scale. As the second-largest U.S. bank by assets, its portfolio decisions are closely watched by other institutional allocators.

The selective nature of the move is notable. Rather than broadly increasing or decreasing crypto ETF holdings, the bank rotated within the category, favoring Bitcoin-linked exposure over Ether and Solana products.

IBIT has emerged as the dominant vehicle for institutional Bitcoin exposure since spot Bitcoin ETFs launched. Its selection as the sole crypto ETF to receive additional allocation from a top-tier bank reinforces its position as the default institutional entry point, particularly for firms navigating an evolving digital asset regulatory landscape.

What This Could Mean for Crypto Markets

Institutional portfolio changes of this kind do not typically move prices on their own. 13F data is backward-looking, reflecting positions as of the end of the quarter rather than real-time intent.

When a bank of this size increases Bitcoin ETF exposure while reducing altcoin ETF positions, it can influence how other institutional managers think about their own allocations. The contrast may reinforce a view that large institutions remain more comfortable with Bitcoin as a standalone allocation than with broader crypto diversification.

The rebalancing also highlights a growing differentiation within the institutional asset allocation landscape. Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana ETFs are increasingly treated as distinct allocation decisions rather than interchangeable crypto exposure, with banks making pointed choices between them based on risk appetite and conviction.

The key takeaway is one of relative preference. Bank of America did not exit crypto ETFs entirely. It rotated, and that rotation favored Bitcoin.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.