JPMorgan Mulls Crypto Trading for Institutional Clients: Report

U.S.-top bank JPMorgan is looking into offering crypto trading services to its institutional clients. This comes as more American banks accept digital assets as part of the financial system.

The bank is also searching for safe and regulated ways to give clients access to the crypto market. However, the plan is still at an early stage and no formal plan has been announced yet. 

JPMorgan Reviews Crypto Trading Options

According to a Bloomberg report, JPMorgan is looking at whether to offer crypto trading through its markets division. The bank is reviewing which products and services it could provide to grow its presence in digital assets. For now, these talks are still early, and no final decision has been made.

The bank is said to be considering both direct crypto trading and crypto-related derivatives. These options would let institutional clients trade digital assets or gain exposure through structured products.

JPMorgan’s next move will depend mainly on client demand. The bank will check if there is enough interest in certain crypto products before moving forward. It will also review possible risks, operational issues, and what is allowed under U.S. regulations. 

Notably, clearer rules around digital assets under the Trump administration have encouraged banks to explore this area more seriously.

Other Banks Move Ahead With Crypto Trading

While JPMorgan is still mulling crypto trading plans, other American banks have started taking decisive actions. Earlier this year, PNC Bank partnered with Coinbase to provide Bitcoin (BTC) trading services to its clients. 

Meanwhile, this initiative is not limited to U.S.-based banks. Other international financial institutions are already offering crypto trading services to their clients. 

In 2024, Spain’s BBVA added Ethereum (ETH) to its crypto trading services, creating a diverse offering for its private banking clients. 

These developments increase competitive pressure on traditional banks to expand their digital asset capabilities. 

JPMorgan Expands Crypto and Tokenization Efforts

Despite CEO Jamie Dimon’s doubts about crypto, JPMorgan has continued to work quietly in the crypto and blockchain space. The bank recently rolled out a tokenized market fund on the Ethereum blockchain as part of its wider tokenization plan.

JPMorgan also worked with Galaxy Digital to tokenize a short-term bond on the Solana network. In addition, it has filed for Bitcoin-backed structured notes linked to the performance of BlackRock’s Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETF). 

The bank already allows clients to use Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings as collateral for loans. As rules and regulations become clearer, large financial institutions feel more confident in building compliant crypto-related services.