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08/05/2026

Intesa Sanpaolo Slashes Bitcoin ETF Holdings, Triples Staked Ether ETF Exposure

What happened: Italy's largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, reduced its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) holdings by 94% in Q2 2026, from 646,809 to 40,723 shares (valued at $1.

Intesa Sanpaolo Slashes Bitcoin ETF Holdings, Triples Staked Ether ETF Exposure

What happened: Italy's largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, reduced its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) holdings by 94% in Q2 2026, from 646,809 to 40,723 shares (valued at $1.36 million at quarter-end). The bank also nearly eliminated IBIT call options and added a 500,000-share put position, suggesting a hedged stance. Meanwhile, it tripled its iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB) holdings to 349,600 shares, now worth $7.10 million. The bank also increased its BitGo position and drastically reduced exposure to Coinbase and Tesla, while initiating a new $966 million SpaceX holding.

Why it matters: The sharp reduction in bitcoin ETF exposure and simultaneous increase in staked ether ETF holdings reflect a significant portfolio rotation amid Q2's crypto market downturn (BTC -14%, ETH -25%). The move may indicate shifting institutional sentiment toward Ethereum-based assets, especially as spot BTC ETFs saw $4.89 billion in net outflows and ETH ETFs $715 million in outflows over the quarter. However, the addition of put options suggests a cautious or hedged approach rather than outright bearishness.

Source: CoinDesk