Intesa Sanpaolo doubles crypto exposure in Q1 2026

Intesa Sanpaolo doubled its crypto exposure to $235M in Q1 2026, expanding Bitcoin, entering Ethereum and XRP, and reducing Solana, mainly via ETFs and trusts.

Intesa Sanpaolo more than doubled its cryptocurrency exposure in the first quarter of 2026, raising its crypto-related assets from about $100 million in late 2025 to roughly $235 million by March 31, 2026. This surge was fueled by expanded Bitcoin holdings, the bank’s initial entry into Ethereum via the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, and a new XRP position valued at approximately $18 million through the Grayscale XRP Trust. At the same time, the bank significantly reduced its Solana exposure. Intesa Sanpaolo’s strategy focused on regulated investment vehicles such as ETFs and trusts, rather than direct token ownership. This shift highlights growing institutional confidence in digital assets, positioning the bank as a key player in Europe’s institutional crypto market.