Intesa Sanpaolo Shifts Focus to Ethereum, Slashes BlackRock Bitcoin Investment by 93%

August 4, 2026
Intesa Sanpaolo Shifts Focus to Ethereum, Slashes BlackRock Bitcoin Investment by 93%
  • Form 13F captures only long US-listed positions, leaving net exposure and full option activity unclear.

  • The filing provides transparency into the bank’s digital asset strategy but does not confirm exact transaction dates within April–June.

  • The shift signals growing acceptance of Ethereum-based investments and staking-derived yields alongside risk-managed crypto exposure by large institutions.

  • Await Q2 disclosures around mid-August to see if this rotation signals a broader trend and to identify other banks reducing Bitcoin ETF positions.

  • Crypto ETFs offer regulated exposure to digital assets, avoiding the custody and operational complexities of direct crypto holdings.

  • The 13F reflects positions as of June 30, 2024, representing quarter-end holdings rather than intra-quarter trades.

  • Ethereum staking yields could differentiate ETH products, as staking rewards accrue from network participation unlike Bitcoin funds.

  • Intesa Sanpaolo slashed its common share position in BlackRock’s IBIT by 93.7% to 40,723 shares as of June 30, 2026, while adding a put exposure tied to 500,000 IBIT shares.

  • The bank massively increased its investment in the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, rising from 116,200 to 349,600 shares, adding roughly $5.6 million of Ethereum exposure.

  • Overall, the 13F points to a rotation toward ETHB exposure and selective adjustments in Bitcoin holdings, with ARKB remaining the largest disclosed crypto ETF position.

  • Market data for the story comes from SEC 13F filings and other repositories such as CoinGlass and Yahoo Finance.

  • The move may reflect ETF rotation and yield-seeking behavior as part of a broader institutional trend rather than a single bank’s decision.

Summary based on 8 sources


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