INSTITUTIONAL | Italy’s Biggest Bank More Than Doubles Exposure to Crypto Assets in Q1 2026

Italy’s biggest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, more than doubled its exposure to crypto-related assets in the first quarter of 2026 increasing holdings to about $235 million from roughly $100 million at the end of 2025, according to reports citing the lender’s latest portfolio disclosures.

The Milan-based bank expanded its positions in Bitcoin-linked exchange-traded funds while also adding exposure to Ethereum and XRP products for the first time, underscoring growing institutional interest in digital assets among European financial firms.

The filings showed Intesa increased its holdings in the

• ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and
• iShares Bitcoin Trust

during the quarter.

The bank also initiated a position in the

• iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, and acquired shares in the
• Grayscale XRP Trust

valued at around $18 million, according to the reports.

At the same time, the bank sharply reduced its exposure to Solana-linked products, signaling a broader rebalancing toward larger and more established digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The move comes as traditional European lenders increasingly explore crypto and blockchain-related businesses following the rollout of Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which has provided clearer rules for institutional participation in digital asset markets.

Intesa’s latest expansion adds to a growing list of global banks and asset managers increasing exposure to digital assets through regulated investment vehicles rather than holding cryptocurrencies directly.

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