Intesa Sanpaolo Ventures into Bitcoin Market with €1 Million Purchase
Intesa Sanpaolo, the largest bank in Italy, has reportedly made its first foray into the Bitcoin market by acquiring €1 million worth of the leading digital asset. This acquisition amounts to approximately 11 BTC, as per an internal email allegedly signed by Niccolo Bardoscia, the head of the bank’s digital asset trading and investment division.
Confirmation from Credible Sources
While Intesa has not officially confirmed the purchase, reputable media outlets like Reuters have reported on it, lending credibility to the news.
Strategic Moves in the Digital Asset Space
Intesa’s Bitcoin acquisition follows a series of strategic initiatives in the digital asset sphere. Last year, the bank’s crypto division reportedly received approval for spot crypto trading, adding to its existing offerings of crypto options, futures, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Although it remains unclear whether this Bitcoin purchase signifies a broader expansion into the digital assets ecosystem, industry experts like Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Bitcoin Miner Riot Platforms, emphasize the growing recognition of Bitcoin’s potential among financial institutions.
“All of the banks need to start accumulating BTC to recapitalize their balance sheets.”
Intesa Sanpaolo: Leading the Digital Asset Adoption in Italy
Intesa is widely regarded as a pioneer in digital asset adoption within Italy’s traditional finance sector. It also holds the top spot among Eurozone banks by market capitalization, valued at €69 billion, surpassing competitors like Santander (€67 billion) and BNP Paribas (€66 billion).
Institutional Bitcoin Interest on the Rise
Market observers note that Intesa’s Bitcoin purchase mirrors a broader trend of increased adoption of Bitcoin among financial institutions. Data from Bitwise reveals that corporate demand for Bitcoin in 2025 has outstripped the supply of newly mined coins. Companies have collectively bought 5,774 BTC since the start of the year, while only 5,469 BTC were mined during the same period.
Leading corporate buyers like MicroStrategy, which has added around 3,600 BTC to its reserves this year, underscore the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin. Other companies, such as Semler Scientific and Ming Shing Group, have also integrated Bitcoin into their liquidity and reserve diversification strategies.
Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, predicts that the trend of corporations buying Bitcoin will continue to be a significant theme throughout 2025.
“Corporations buying Bitcoin is going to be a major theme of 2025.”
