Swiss banking giant UBS significantly increased its exposure to Bitcoin through BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in the second quarter of 2026. According to a regulatory filing, UBS ramped up its call option exposure by over 24-fold, reaching 1.95 million underlying shares as of June 30, compared to just 80,000 in the previous quarter. The bank's direct holdings of IBIT also rose by 12% to 407,890 shares, valued at approximately $13.6 million. Conversely, UBS reported a decline in put option exposure, dropping about 53% to 143,300 shares.
Tudor Jones Increases IBIT Holdings
Tudor Investment, led by billionaire Paul Tudor Jones, also expanded its stake in the IBIT during the same period. The firm increased its holdings by 18.9% to 688,529 shares, worth around $22.9 million, as of June 30. This marks a notable rebound after a year of selling, although the current stake remains 91.4% below its peak in 2024. Tudor's call options fell by 85.2% to 148,000 underlying shares, while its put options decreased slightly to 715,000 shares. The filings did not specify the strike prices or expiration dates of these options, leaving uncertainty about the firms' net directional exposure.
Both UBS and Tudor Jones have framed their investments in Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, reflecting a growing interest in cryptocurrency as a strategic asset class. UBS's significant increase in call options suggests a bullish outlook on Bitcoin's future performance, while Tudor's adjustments indicate a cautious approach amid market volatility.
Related coverage: UBS Q2 Profit Rises 17% to $2.8 Billion, Plans $3 Billion.
The increased exposure to Bitcoin by major financial institutions like UBS and Tudor Investment could signal growing institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency market, potentially influencing Bitcoin prices and related assets. Investors will watch for further developments in Bitcoin ETF regulations and any shifts in market sentiment that could affect these holdings.
Based on reporting by: coindesk.com