TradFi starting to relent on Bitcoin ETF access amid intense demand from clients TradFi starting to relent on Bitcoin ETF access amid intense demand from clients
Bank of America's Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo's brokerage division have begun offering clients the option to invest in spot Bitcoin ETFs.
2 min read
Updated: Feb. 29, 2024 at 9:10 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
TradFi institutions are starting to buckle under the pressure of demand from clients interested in Bitcoin (BTC) and are starting to add spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to their offerings.
Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo’s brokerage division have recently begun offering their clients the option to invest in spot Bitcoin ETFs, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 29, citing people familiar with the matter.
The development indicates a growing interest in the integration of crypto investments within traditional financial services. The move allows select wealth management clients with brokerage accounts to access approved Bitcoin ETFs, reflecting a cautious yet significant embrace of digital assets in investment portfolios.
The introduction of Bitcoin ETFs by Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo is notable against the backdrop of a record-setting week for such ETFs in the US, with BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF attracting $673 million in inflows on Feb. 28 alone.
Disproportionate impact
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted the disproportionate impact of Bitcoin ETFs on their managing firms’ performance since their launch.
Balchunas noted that IBIT only accounts for 0.2% of the firm’s ETF lineup but made up 42% of its net flows this year. Similarly, Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF, which constitutes 2% of its ETF lineup, has contributed to 64% of its net ETF flows.
This performance emphasizes the significant investor interest and market potential for Bitcoin ETFs, further legitimizing the decision by Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo to offer these products to their clients.
The banks’ move into Bitcoin ETFs aligns with speculative investment strategies and diversification efforts, catering to clients seeking exposure to digital assets.
Rumors of growing interest
The broader financial industry is also responding to the growing interest in crypto investments. Rumors suggest that other major banks, including UBS and Morgan Stanley, are considering offering Bitcoin ETFs to their clients.
Reports indicate a potential acceleration in the process for introducing these products, with Morgan Stanley purportedly shortening its standard 90-day new product timeline to 45 days. This indicates a wider financial industry trend towards embracing digital asset investments.
It reflects a recognition of the growing importance of digital assets in the investment landscape and the increasing demand from clients for diverse and innovative investment options.
As the financial industry continues to evolve, the integration of digital currencies like Bitcoin into traditional investment strategies represents a significant trend with potential implications for the future of investment management and financial services.
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Author 
Assad Jafri
AJ, a passionate journalist since Yemen's 2011 Arab Spring, has honed his skills worldwide for over a decade. Specializing in financial journalism, he now focuses on crypto reporting.
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In this article
Bitcoin, a decentralized currency that defies the sway of central banks or administrators, transacts electronically, circumventing intermediaries via a peer-to-peer network.
BlackRock
BlackRock, synonymous with global asset management, is an American multinational investment management corporation based in New York City.
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments Inc., commonly referred to as Fidelity, is a multinational financial services corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts.
The BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, known as the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), is an investment fund that provides regulated exposure to Bitcoin for investors.
The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC) is a spot Bitcoin ETF that offers investors exposure to the price of Bitcoin.