Bank of America Opens the Door for Advisers to Recommend Bitcoin ETFs

For a long time, if you wanted to buy Bitcoin through a big bank like Bank of America (BAC), you had to be the one to bring it up. But as of January 5, 2026, that has officially changed. Bank of America is now letting its massive team of over 15,000 wealth advisers, including those at Merrill and its private bank, actively suggest Bitcoin ETFs to their clients.Claim 70% Off TipRanks This Holiday SeasonUnlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential This move shows that one of the biggest banks in the world is finally treating crypto as a normal part of a balanced portfolio. Here are the five key things you need to know about this change. 1. Advisers Can Now Lead the Conversation In the past, advisers were taking orders when it came to crypto. They could help you buy a Bitcoin ETF if you asked for it, but they weren't allowed to suggest it themselves. Now, they can proactively bring it up in meetings. This is a huge deal because it means Bitcoin is moving from a special request to a standard option that your financial pro might actually tell you to buy. 2. The Approved List of Four ETFs The bank isn't letting advisers pick just any crypto fund. They have approved four specific spot Bitcoin ETFs that they feel are safe and liquid enough for their clients: IBIT (BlackRock) (IBIT) FBTC (Fidelity) (FBTC) BITB (Bitwise) (BITB) BTC (Grayscale Mini Trust) (BTC) These were chosen because the companies behind them have the best track records and the most experience managing big money. 3. A New 1% to 4% Safety Rule Bank of America isn't suggesting people go all in on crypto. Instead, their new guidance says a modest allocation of 1% to 4% is the sweet spot. For someone who is more cautious, they might suggest just 1%, while someone who is okay with more risk might go up to 4%. The goal is to give people a bit of the growth of Bitcoin without letting a market crash ruin their entire retirement plan. 4. Training 15,000 Pros on Crypto To make this work, the bank is rolling out a massive training program. They want their 15,000+ advisers to really understand how Bitcoin works before they start recommending it. This includes formal research papers and training sessions so that when a client asks, "Why should I own this?", the adviser actually has a solid, researched answer ready to go. 5. What About Ethereum? While this is a big win for Bitcoin, the bank is staying quiet on other cryptos for now. They haven't added Ethereum ETFs to the recommended list yet. Experts think the bank is waiting to see how the market handles the Bitcoin launch first. If the Bitcoin rollout goes smoothly and there is enough demand, Ethereum and other "baskets" of crypto could be next on the list. Key Takeaway: Bitcoin Joins the Traditional Portfolio The takeaway is that the wall between traditional banks and crypto is officially coming down. By letting 15,000 advisers recommend Bitcoin, Bank of America is telling the world that they believe crypto is here to stay. While the 1% to 4% limit shows they are still being careful, it's a massive step toward making Bitcoin a normal investment for everyone from small savers to the ultra-wealthy. As stories like these highlight, staying informed about the crypto industry is crucial for investors. Track your favorite cryptocurrencies on TipRanks to stay ahead of major developments and shifts in the market. Click on the image below to find out more.