Investors should consider holding 1% to 3% of their portfolio in Bitcoin starting in 2026, according to Itaú Asset Management, Brazil’s largest private bank. The recommendation comes in a research outlook released this week, which positions Bitcoin as a small, complementary holding rather than a primary investment.
Itau supports small Bitcoin position
The bank’s memo points to Bitcoin’s low correlation with many traditional assets and the currency risks that have hit local investors hard this year. Itau also moved to build the infrastructure behind that view. In September 2025, it created a dedicated cryptocurrency department and appointed João Marco Braga da Cunha, a former Hashdex executive, to lead the team. The new unit will be installed alongside the bank’s existing products and aims to give customers access to regulated crypto tools.
Access through local products
Brazilian savers already have access to Bitcoin through products tied to Itau. The bank was part of the team that launched the IT Now Bloomberg Galaxy Bitcoin ETF, known under the ticker BITI11, which began trading on November 10, 2022. The ETF offers investors a spot route to Bitcoin within the local market, alongside unit trusts and pension products that offer crypto exposure.
A correlation matrix showing how BITI11, a Bitcoin ETF, moves in relation to major Brazilian and global market indices, according to data from Itaú.
The small but existing footprint of cryptocurrencies
Itau said the company’s regulated crypto asset suite manages around R850 million across funds and ETFs, a modest amount compared to the company’s broader business, but still a clear sign that the product is ready. The bank’s wealth arm is large, managing more than R$1 trillion for clients, which helps explain why its allocation guidance has garnered widespread attention.
Market conditions and timing
Itau’s move comes a year after currency fluctuations widened losses for some Brazilians with overseas assets. This reality appears to be part of the calculations behind recommending 1% to 3% positions. It’s not a bet aimed at replacing stocks or bonds, but rather a small buffer for those worried about local currency shocks. The bank structures its positions as disciplined long-term allocations rather than short-term trades.
What this means for investors
For the average investor, this guidance is easy to read and is about keeping your exposure small. A 1% position on its own is unlikely to change a diversified portfolio, but 3% is still within what many financial institutions call a “satellite” slot. Itau reportedly expects the new division to offer more options, from low-volatility wrappers to riskier strategies, as demand increases.
Featured images from La Nación, charts from TradingView
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