JPMorgan to Accept Bitcoin ETF Shares as Loan Collateral in Crypto Policy Shift
JPMorgan Chase is preparing to accept shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as collateral for loans, marking a major shift in how the Wall Street giant treats crypto-linked assets.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the bank will soon allow trading and wealth management clients to use certain spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as backing for loans. In select cases, clients’ crypto holdings will also be counted when calculating their net worth and liquidity, putting digital assets on a more equal footing with traditional securities like stocks and bonds.
The change is expected to roll out in the coming weeks and signals a broader move by JPMorgan to align with rising demand from high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.
This shift follows recent comments by CEO Jamie Dimon, who has long been skeptical of cryptocurrencies, citing concerns about their use in illicit finance. However, he recently confirmed the bank would allow clients to buy Bitcoin, marking a stark reversal from his previously critical stance.
Mounting Pressure from Investors and Politics
JPMorgan’s pivot reflects increasing pressure from both clients and policymakers to provide greater access to crypto. As digital assets become more embedded in traditional finance—especially through regulated products like ETFs—wealth managers are under growing pressure to meet client interest.
At the same time, the political environment is shifting. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, expectations are rising that federal regulators may loosen their stance on crypto, encouraging banks to engage more fully with the sector. In this context, denying crypto access may increasingly be seen as exclusionary rather than cautious.
As crypto firms continue to go public and investors seek regulated onramps into digital assets, major financial institutions like JPMorgan are moving to keep up—or risk falling behind.
Featured image from: cointelegraph.com