Wells Fargo Boosts Bitcoin ETF to $160M in Q2 Amid Demand
US bank Wells Fargo increased its Bitcoin ETF holdings in Q2 2025, raising its stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) from $26M to over $160M. It also expanded its position in the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO) from around $3M to $26M and added small GBTC and Bitcoin Mini Trust allocations. Additional disclosures include stakes in ARK Invest/21Shares, Bitwise, CoinShares/Valkyrie, Fidelity, VanEck, and spot Ethereum ETFs. Separate filings show Harvard University holds $117M of IBIT, while BlackRock’s trust now holds about 660,842 BTC, closing in on the 1.1M BTC ‘Satoshi’ benchmark. These moves coincide with Bitcoin’s new highs and a crypto-friendly regulatory climate, underscoring a bullish surge in institutional demand and market stability.
Bullish
The substantial increase in Wells Fargo’s Bitcoin ETF holdings signals strong institutional confidence, which typically drives higher trading volumes and price support. In the short term, large inflows into IBIT and BTCO can buoy Bitcoin prices through renewed demand and positive market sentiment. Over the long term, repeated expansions by major banks, along with participation from Harvard University and other institutions, suggest sustained buying pressure and improved market maturity. The alignment with crypto-friendly regulations further reduces policy risk, promoting stability and encouraging more institutional entrants, reinforcing a bullish outlook for BTC.