LPL Financial boosts Bitcoin ETF stake by 50% to $261 million

The independent broker-dealer expanded its spot Bitcoin ETF exposure in the third quarter, joining other large wealth managers adding to crypto funds LPL Financial grew its spot Bitcoin ETF holdings by 50% in the third quarter, bringing the position to $261 million. That figure comes from the firm’s 13F filing for the quarter ending September 30. LPL is one of the biggest independent broker-dealers in the US. What LPL actually disclosed LPL’s latest snapshot shows US spot Bitcoin ETF holdings worth $261 million, up 50% from the prior quarter. Spot Bitcoin ETFs hold actual Bitcoin. They let investors gain exposure through an ordinary brokerage account, with no need for a crypto exchange or a hardware wallet. The firm’s earlier filings show a pattern of gradual building. LPL had been adding step by step to products including the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC). The filing also disclosed a separate $112 million position tied to what is described as “Saylor’s Strategy.” That sits outside the ETF bucket. Combined, the two positions give LPL a crypto-linked footprint that spans more than one type of vehicle. One caveat applies to all 13F data. Holdings...