UBS Boosts BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Stake to $90 Million

UBS Increases BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Holding

UBS has significantly raised its stake in the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, now holding approximately 2.5 million shares valued at nearly $90 million as of June 30, 2026. This represents an increase of approximately 230% in value during the first half of 2026.

Share Count Growth

The share count surged roughly 355% from about 549,000 shares at the end of 2025. The substantial addition of nearly 2 million shares during this period contributed to the increase in position value, despite the market performance of BlackRock’s fund, which experienced a decline of 32.95% in market price over the same timeframe.

Form 13F Filing Details

UBS submitted its updated holdings via a Form 13F on August 13, 2026, as required for institutional investment managers with over $100 million in certain securities. This filing highlights UBS’s position but does not clarify whether the shares belong directly to UBS or its clients.

Institutional Exposure to Bitcoin

The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), through which UBS holds its stake, offers U.S. investors a regulated opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin without the complexities of direct cryptocurrency custody. As of the date of UBS’s filing, the trust had around $47.34 billion in net assets with 1.32 billion shares outstanding, meaning UBS’s holdings represent about 0.19% of this share count.

Investment Context

Despite the significant increase in its Bitcoin ETF investment, UBS’s reported position remains modest compared to its overall asset management, which reached a record $7.3 trillion in the second quarter of 2026. The bank noted net profits of $2.8 billion for the same quarter.

Broader Crypto Strategies

UBS has been actively expanding its cryptocurrency services for high-net-worth clients, positioning itself to offer a variety of digital asset investment options. This includes plans introduced earlier in 2026 to allow certain clients to invest in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs under careful eligibility and risk protocols.

Conclusion

The increase in UBS’s stake in the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF signals the bank’s ongoing commitment to providing regulated crypto investment options, although the investment itself remains a small aspect of its diversified asset management portfolio.