The American financial entity Wells Fargo considerably increased its participation in the digital asset market during the first quarter of 2026. According to official records presented on May 11, 2026, the bank increased its exposure to ether (ETH), Ethereum’s cryptocurrency, by 60% through the acquisition of shares in exchange-traded funds (ETF) linked to this digital asset.
This information was released through the Form 13F filed by the institution before the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This document is a mandatory quarterly report for institutional investment managers operating in the US market, where they must detail their positions in assets listed on the stock exchange.
The most notable growth was recorded in the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), a product managed by the manager BlackRock. Wells Fargo went from owning 672,600 shares at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 to control 1.1 million shares at the end of March 2026representing a 63% increase and a valuation of $17 million.
Likewise, the entity reinforced its presence in the Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW). In this case, its holdings grew by 37%, going from 186,800 shares to 257,000 units, with a value of 3.8 million dollars.
As Criptopedia, the educational section of CriptoNoticias, explains, an ETF allows investors to gain exposure to the price of a cryptocurrency without the need to purchase or custody the asset directly. By operating under this format, large banks can participate in the digital ecosystem within a regulated framework and with the same infrastructure that they use to buy shares of common companies.
Wells Fargo’s accumulation strategy was executed during periods of market price weakness. The entity seems to have taken advantage of the bearish trends of ETH to increase its positions, considering that ether recorded falls 29% in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 45% in the first quarter of this year, which made it possible to acquire the securities at lower prices.
In contrast to the notable interest in ether, the bank’s stance on bitcoin (BTC) was different. His positions in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), also managed by BlackRock, were reduced. Going from 7 million shares in 2025 to only 1.5 million in 2026. This movement represents a 78% reduction in said position, reporting holdings of $57 million.
Holdings in the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Trust (BITB) increased 24%, going from 821,082 shares in 2025 to reporting 1 million shares in 2026 valued at $36 million. While his stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) saw a 41% rally. The entity went from owning 1.4 million shares in 2025 to registering 2 million shares, reaching a value of $59 million in the first quarter of 2026.
In addition to its foray into digital assets, the bank’s portfolio maintains a diversified structure in traditional sectors. Wells Fargo also invests in companies such as Google, Amazon, Walmart, Pfizer and the oil company Exxon Mobil, balancing its technology and financial exposure with consumer goods and energy assets.
The magnitude of these movements confirms that large banking institutions maintain an active interest in crypto assets. Despite the volatility experienced in recent months, Wells Fargo has decided to consolidate its bet on ether.