Bitcoin Adoption Spreads Through Advisory and Brokerage Channels

The U.S. advisory and brokerage markets are witnessing an increase in Bitcoin adoption, thanks to a shift in access channels. Instead of individuals setting up separate wallets and using exchanges, portfolios run by wealth managers are increasingly including small Bitcoin allocations or investors are holding exchange-traded products (ETPs) within brokerage accounts.

A 2026 survey by Bitwise and VettaFi found that 42 percent of advisers could buy cryptocurrency in client accounts, a significant increase from 35 percent in 2024 and 19 percent in 2023. Among advisers already using cryptocurrency, 64 percent had allocated more than 2 percent of client portfolios to it.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's approval in January 2024 for listing and trading spot Bitcoin ETPs has been a key factor behind this trend. The product offered a structure suited to existing brokerage accounts and portfolio management systems, allowing advisers and brokers to add Bitcoin exposure similar to stocks, bonds, and funds.

The spread of blockchain-based financial products is also contributing to the growing familiarity with Bitcoin. Stablecoins and tokenized securities are examples of this trend, with the market capitalization of stablecoins rising about 50 percent in 2025 to reach $317 billion as of April 6.