European Banking Titan BNP Paribas Enters Bitcoin Space with ETF Purchase

ByTim Russert

May 2, 2024

BNP Paribas, the second-largest bank in the European Union, has made a significant move into the cryptocurrency market. The French banking giant recently disclosed its purchase of BlackRock shares worth $41,684 in the first quarter, indicating a strategic interest in Bitcoin ETFs.

This investment marks a pivotal shift for the bank, suggesting a deeper foray into the digital currency space, which could have profound implications for the industry.

BNP Paribas Dips Toes into Bitcoin with Modest IBIT Purchase

According to a recent 13F filing, BNP Paribas has ventured into the cryptocurrency market by acquiring 1,030 shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) at an average price of $40.47 per share.


Although this investment represents a small fraction of the bank’s nearly $600 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM), it signifies a notable shift towards the mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin. This strategic entry into BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF reflects a broader trend among institutional investors, including a recent increase in Bitcoin-related activities by Morgan Stanley.

The approval of the spot Bitcoin ETF has opened new avenues for compliant firms to engage with this emerging asset class, suggesting that other major banks may soon follow BNP Paribas’s lead in exploring cryptocurrency investments.

Bitcoin’s Price Trends Upward as BNP Paribas Signals Market Confidence

Although the specific plans BNP Paribas has for Bitcoin remain undisclosed, the market is reacting positively to the bank’s recent investment in the cryptocurrency space. Currently, Bitcoin is showing signs of recovery, with its price increasing by 2.07% in the last 24 hours to $58,339.26.

This upward trend is also reflected in the performance of other altcoins, which are similarly rebounding after a prolonged market sell-off.

The growing investor confidence, buoyed by BNP Paribas’s involvement, is fostering optimism that Bitcoin may soon breach the $60,000 resistance level. Despite its volatile nature, Bitcoin continues to gain traction in the mainstream market, with a significant 37% increase over the past three months.


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