Big banks add BTC ETH SOL ETFs

TLDR

Major banks are expanding their exposure and customer access to Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) through ETFs and regulated trading services.

1. Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan increased their BTC and ETH ETF holdings and added Solana ETF positions in Q2, even as crypto prices fell.
2. Israels largest bank, Bank Leumi, plans to let retail clients buy, hold, and sell BTC, ETH, and SOL directly in its investment app from early 2027.
3. These moves deepen mainstream, regulated access to BTC, ETH, and SOL, but ETF flows and prices will still react quickly to macro shocks and regulation.

Deep Dive

1. What The Banks Are Actually Doing

SEC filings show Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan expanded their exposure via US-listed crypto ETFs rather than buying coins directly. Morgan Stanley raised its iShares Bitcoin Trust stake by 23 percent to 16.5 million shares and more than tripled its BlackRock Ethereum ETF position, while also opening positions in Solana funds and other products that increased their crypto ETF holdings.

JPMorgan boosted its Bitcoin ETF holdings to about 10.4 million shares, roughly a 25 percent increase, and more than quadrupled its BlackRock Ethereum ETF exposure, alongside new positions in Solana and XRP products, according to similar Q2 disclosures.

Separately, Bank Leumi in Israel has partnered with Galaxy Digital so that, from early 2027, customers of Leumi and its Pepper app can buy, hold, and sell BTC, ETH, and SOL inside the banks Leumi Trade platform, making it the first Israeli bank to offer such services directly to clients, as detailed when Bank Leumi will let customers trade BTC, ETH and SOL.

2. Why This Matters For BTC, ETH And SOL

For institutions, ETFs are a familiar wrapper that fits existing risk, custody, and reporting systems, so more ETF usage suggests Bitcoin and Ethereum are being treated like core portfolio assets rather than fringe trades. The addition of Solana ETFs indicates that some banks are willing to extend that treatment to newer, higher beta assets.

On the retail side, Bank Leumis move means conservative investors who prefer a regulated bank app over a crypto exchange will soon have one-tap access to BTC, ETH, and SOL in the same interface as stocks and funds. That lowers practical barriers to adoption and could gradually widen the investor base in those assets in that region.

3. What To Watch Next

First, watch ETF assets under management and net flows across major issuers. Rising share counts at large banks are one piece; sustained inflows or outflows across the whole ETF ecosystem will tell you whether institutional capital is adding or trimming exposure.

Second, monitor which other global banks follow Bank Leumis path of integrating crypto trading into their own apps, and which coins they choose to list beyond BTC and ETH. More banks offering SOL or other altcoins would strengthen the multi asset narrative.

Third, keep an eye on regulatory developments around crypto market structure and ETFs, especially in the US and EU. Clearer rules can unlock more bank participation, while restrictive changes could cap or reverse the current expansion of products.

Conclusion

Big banks increasing BTC and ETH ETF positions and planning direct BTC, ETH, and SOL trading for retail clients signal that these assets are moving further into the financial mainstream. The effect on prices will still depend on broader flows, macro conditions, and regulation, but for crypto users, the structural takeaway is that regulated channels for holding and trading BTC, ETH, and SOL are steadily widening.