Bank of America Greenlights Wealth Advisers to Recommend Up to 4% Bitcoin Allocation

Core Insights - Bank of America has decided to allow its wealth management advisers to recommend a 1%-4% allocation to crypto assets starting in January, marking a significant shift in its investment strategy [1][2] - This change aligns Bank of America with other major financial institutions like BlackRock and Morgan Stanley, which have already embraced crypto investments [2] - The move follows Vanguard's recent decision to permit client access to crypto ETFs, indicating a broader trend among financial institutions to incorporate digital assets into their offerings [2] Group 1 - Bank of America will focus on four specific spot bitcoin ETFs: BlackRock's IBIT, Fidelity's FBTC, Bitwise's BITB, and Grayscale's BTC [1] - The bank previously did not allow its advisers to recommend crypto exposure, allowing clients to invest at their discretion [2] - The change is expected to increase pressure on other institutions that have yet to adopt similar policies, such as Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and UBS [3] Group 2 - Chris Hyzy, the chief investment officer at Bank of America Private Bank, stated that a modest allocation of 1% to 4% in digital assets could be suitable for investors interested in thematic innovation and willing to accept higher volatility [4] - The recommendation suggests that conservative investors may prefer the lower end of the allocation range, while those with a higher risk tolerance might opt for the upper end [4]