Itaú Asset Management has advised investors to consider allocating a small portion of their portfolios to Bitcoin in 2026, marking a notable endorsement from the investment arm of Brazil’s largest private bank, Itaú Unibanco. The recommendation reflects growing institutional interest in Bitcoin as a diversification tool amid ongoing global uncertainty.
In a recent research note, Itaú Asset Management analyst Renato Eid suggested that investors hold between 1% and 3% of their portfolios in Bitcoin next year. He cited rising geopolitical tensions, evolving monetary policy across major economies and persistent currency risks as factors strengthening the case for Bitcoin as a complementary asset.
Eid described Bitcoin as fundamentally different from traditional investments such as fixed income instruments, equities or domestic market assets. He said Bitcoin operates with its own dynamics and return profile and, due to its global and decentralized nature, can serve as a hedge against currency risk.
The recommendation comes after a volatile period for Bitcoin. The asset began 2025 trading near 95,000 dollars, fell toward 80,000 dollars during the tariff crisis, then climbed to a record high of 125,000 dollars before settling back around the 95,000 dollar level. Despite these price swings, Itaú Asset Management believes a limited allocation can add resilience to diversified portfolios.
Itaú Asset Management highlights diversification benefits of Bitcoin
According to Itaú Asset Management, Brazilian investors have experienced Bitcoin’s volatility more sharply than many global peers. The Brazilian real appreciated by roughly 15% this year, which magnified losses for local investors holding Bitcoin during price downturns.
Even so, Eid argued that Bitcoin can help balance portfolios when used in moderation. He pointed to internal data from the firm showing a low correlation between BITI11, Itaú’s locally listed Bitcoin exchange traded fund, and other major asset classes. This low correlation supports the case for using Bitcoin to improve portfolio diversification rather than as a speculative core holding.
The bank stated that allocating around 1% to 3% of an investment portfolio to Bitcoin allows investors to benefit from diversification without taking on excessive risk. Itaú Asset Management emphasized that the goal is not to replace traditional assets but to complement them with exposure to an asset class that behaves differently under macroeconomic stress.
Itaú Asset Management expands crypto strategy
The recommendation aligns with Itaú Asset Management’s broader push into digital assets. In September, the firm launched a dedicated crypto unit to expand its offerings in the sector. The new division is led by João Marco Braga da Cunha, a former executive at Hashdex, one of Brazil’s most prominent crypto asset managers.
The crypto unit builds on Itaú’s existing digital asset products, which include a Bitcoin ETF and a retirement fund with crypto exposure. Itaú Asset Management has said it plans to develop a wider range of products, spanning lower risk instruments similar to fixed income as well as higher volatility strategies involving derivatives and staking.
By formalizing its crypto operations and publishing guidance on Bitcoin allocation, Itaú Asset Management is positioning itself among a growing group of traditional financial institutions that view digital assets as a permanent component of modern portfolios.
As global investors continue to navigate currency fluctuations, policy shifts and geopolitical risk, Itaú Asset Management’s recommendation signals increasing acceptance of Bitcoin as a strategic diversification tool rather than a purely speculative asset.
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