BofA Expands Crypto Access for Wealth Management Clients

Bank of America has introduced a significant policy update, announcing that beginning January 5, 2026, its wealth-management customers will be able to access cryptocurrency investments through fully regulated exchange-traded products. This marks a notable evolution in the bank’s stance toward digital assets.

The new offering will be available across the bank’s entire wealth ecosystem, including Merrill, Merrill Edge, and Bank of America Private Bank. With this rollout, the institution is effectively integrating digital assets into its mainstream advisory network.

More than 15,000 advisers will now have the authority to actively recommend cryptocurrency products to their clients. This is a meaningful departure from the bank’s earlier, more reserved approach, where advisers could discuss crypto only when prompted.

Bank of America has chosen to support four prominent Bitcoin exchange-traded funds: the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust, and BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust. These selections indicate the bank’s preference for established, institutionally trusted products.

According to the bank’s chief investment office, investors with an interest in emerging technologies and an appetite for volatility may consider allocating between one and four percent of their portfolios to digital assets. This recommended range aligns with broader risk-management principles.

Balancing Caution and Opportunity

More conservative investors may opt to stay near the lower end of the allocation range, while those comfortable with market turbulence might choose to take a slightly larger position. The bank’s framework provides room for both defensive strategies and growth-focused approaches.

This updated policy reflects growing trust among major financial institutions in the long-term viability of cryptocurrencies. Instead of leaving digital-asset exposure to self-directed traders, the bank is creating a structured, advisor-guided environment to support better-informed decision-making.

By enabling regulated access through professional advisers, Bank of America is helping position digital assets as a credible component of diversified investment portfolios. This move strengthens the perception of crypto as more than a speculative sideline.

Many investors see cryptocurrency as a hedge against inflation or a high-growth opportunity, despite the heightened risk it carries. The bank’s modest allocation suggestion keeps overall exposure limited while still allowing participation in potential upside.

In large and diversified portfolios, digital assets are expected to function as a supplementary element rather than a central holding. For investors who can handle volatility, crypto serves as a strategic “satellite” position that sits alongside traditional assets like stocks and bonds.