Bank of America Begins Integrating Regulated Crypto Exposure Into Portfolios

Bank of America is beginning to fold digital assets into its mainstream wealth-management strategy, advising a subset of clients to consider putting 1% to 4% of their portfolios into crypto.

The guidance applies across Merrill, the Bank of America Private Bank, and Merrill Edge – a sign that the firm is cautiously integrating regulated digital-asset exposure into traditional financial planning.

Chris Hyzy, Chief Investment Officer for the Private Bank, describes the recommendation as appropriate for investors who are comfortable allocating to emerging technologies and who can tolerate sharper market swings. The bank emphasizes that any exposure should come through regulated investment vehicles, not direct token purchases.

That stance will soon be backed by new product coverage. Beginning January 5, 2026, Bank of America will support research and recommendations for four U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs: Bitwise’s BITB, Fidelity’s FBTC, Grayscale’s BTC, and BlackRock’s IBIT. The firm is framing this as a controlled way for wealth clients to access the asset class without navigating custody risks or unregulated venues.

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The shift reflects a broader pattern across Wall Street. Major institutions – including BlackRock, Fidelity, and JPMorgan – have steadily expanded digital-asset offerings for their own clientele as regulatory clarity improves.

While Bank of America’s recommended allocation remains small, the message is clear: crypto, once treated as fringe, is increasingly viewed as a legitimate satellite position within diversified portfolios, provided it is approached with the same risk discipline as any other emerging asset class.