Loading article…
Italy's largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, more than doubled its crypto exposure to $235 million in Q1 2026, adding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP positions.
Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank, significantly expanded its digital asset portfolio in the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling its total crypto exposure to approximately $235 million [1]. This increase, up from roughly $100 million at the end of 2025, was driven by new positions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, alongside a strategic reduction in Solana holdings [1]. Regulatory filings indicate the bank utilized exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to gain this exposure, marking a notable shift in its proprietary trading strategy [1][2].
Key takeaways
The bank’s expansion was primarily fueled by increased Bitcoin positions through the Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF [1]. In a diversification move, Intesa entered the Ethereum market for the first time via BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust and added a stake in Ripple’s XRP through the Grayscale XRP Trust ETF, valued at approximately $26 million [1]. Additionally, the bank initiated its first foray into crypto derivatives by opening a position in iShares Bitcoin Trust call options [1]. The bank has previously confirmed to Criptovaluta.it that these holdings are for proprietary trading purposes, though it has not specified if any assets hedge client products [1].
While expanding into major cryptocurrencies, the bank recalibrated its risk profile
Coverage is mostly measured — 25 of 30 reports stay neutral.
Every Monday — the token unlocks, Fed dates & catalysts set to move crypto and markets this week. So you’re never blindsided.
Free · 3-min read · one-click unsubscribe
Unlike equity options, perpetual futures have no expiration date, allowing positions to be held indefinitely provided the trader manages funding payments and liquidation risks.
No, these contracts do not grant ownership, voting rights, or any legal claim on the underlying shares of the company.
Users can perform instant swaps through centralized exchange conversion tools, decentralized exchanges, or non-custodial aggregators.
AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jun 1, 2026 · How we report
Investors use these markets to gain exposure when they are shut out of heavily oversubscribed official IPO allocations.