Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Expand Bitcoin and Ether ETF Holdings in Q2

Key Facts

In a strong signal of broadening institutional adoption of digital assets, disclosure reports have revealed a significant expansion in crypto ETF holdings by major U.S. banks. According to reports, Morgan Stanley increased its position in BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) by 23% to 16.5 million shares and grew its Ether ETF (ETHA) holdings by 202% to 4.6 million shares. Simultaneously, data showed JPMorgan's IBIT holdings reached 10.4 million shares, with a position of approximately 1.17 million shares in ETHA.

This trend reflects intensifying competition among Wall Street giants for market share in crypto-linked products, with Morgan Stanley's current figures now exceeding JPMorgan's specific positions in these assets. Per market data, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) shares closed at $363.11, while BlackRock (BLK) closed at $1182.84 as of August 13, 2026. Peers in the sector saw Bank of America (BAC) at $64.09 and Citigroup (C) at $138.73, placing these strategic maneuvers within a broader institutional portfolio realignment.

Regarding current price levels, JPM closed at $363.11 and BLK at $1182.84 (close of August 13, 2026). As markets monitor the sustainability of these inflows, the upcoming economic calendar remains light on direct crypto catalysts, leaving investors to focus on how these investments impact bank profitability alongside macro factors like the 4.1% U.S. unemployment rate.