US Banks Dive into Spot Bitcoin ETFs
Two of the largest banks in the United States, Wells Fargo and JP Morgan, have recently disclosed their investments in Spot Bitcoin ETFs, showcasing their exposure to BTC, the leading cryptocurrency globally. This significant move is occurring amid a continual decline in the crypto market, resulting in BTC’s price sliding slightly above the $60,000 mark.
American Financial Institutions Embrace BTC Exposure
Wells Fargo and JP Morgan, prominent American financial services companies, have made public their involvement in BTC by revealing their utilization of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This decision to enter the realm of BTC ETFs marks a notable shift from the banks’ prior cautious stance towards cryptocurrencies.
- Wells Fargo’s BTC Holdings:
- The bank disclosed 2,245 shares of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), valued at $121,207, which were subsequently converted into an ETF.
- Additionally, Wells Fargo reported holding 37 shares of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO), valued at $1,195.
- JP Morgan’s BTC Investments:
- With approximately $2.9 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM), JP Morgan unveiled its total Spot BTC ETF holdings in an SEC filing.
- The bank revealed purchasing around $760,000 worth of shares in various Bitcoin trusts and ETFs.
- JP Morgan also owns 25,021 shares valued at $47,000 in the cryptocurrency ATM provider, Bitcoin Depot.
Growing Institutional Interest in BTC
Despite regulatory uncertainties and the continuous volatility in the market, institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, particularly BTC, is rapidly increasing. Analysts predict a wave of financial services companies following JP Morgan and Wells Fargo’s footsteps in unveiling their holdings in Spot Bitcoin ETFs as market makers or Authorized Participants (APs).
BTC Price Faces Further Declines
Despite the rising interest from traditional financial institutions seeking exposure to BTC, the cryptocurrency’s price is witnessing a surprising lack of bullish momentum. Since its halving event on April 20, BTC has been navigating sideways trading, enduring consistent declines that have pushed its price down to around $57,000 previously.
- Recent Price Movements:
- Bitcoin, which hit an all-time high above $73,000 in March, has experienced a 14.20% drop over the past month.
- The cryptocurrency surrendered a significant portion of its gains pre-halving and is currently trading at $60,494, as per CoinMarketCap data.
Market Sentiments and BTC’s Support Level
Blockchain research firm Santiment has indicated that the ongoing lack of interest in BTC, alongside broader market sentiments, may signal that the cryptocurrency is nearing its support level or bottom as investor sentiment wanes.