Australia’s Largest Bank Offers Monochrome Bitcoin ETF To 17M Customers

As a seasoned crypto investor, I’m thrilled to witness the progressive steps taken by traditional financial institutions towards embracing digital currencies. The recent listing of the Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (IBTC) on the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) trading platform is an encouraging development for the industry. With a customer base of 17 million, CBA’s proactive stance in providing regulated Bitcoin investment opportunities is significant.


In a significant advancement, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has launched the Monochrome Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), named IBTC, on its trading platform. With this initiative, CBA extends Bitcoin ETF investment possibilities to its extensive clientele of 17 million. This action underscores CBA’s forward-thinking approach in addressing the escalating interest in cryptocurrency investments while adhering to regulatory standards.

Spot Bitcoin ETF Debut In Australia

The Monochrome Bitcoin ETF is overseen by Australian investment firm Monochrome Asset Management. This ETF made its debut on June 4, 2024, at 10:00 am (AEST) on CBOE Australia. Investors can use this ETF to access Bitcoin’s price fluctuations while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

In recent developments, the CBA’s listing of cryptocurrencies signifies a major milestone in making digital currencies more accessible as investment alternatives for the mainstream market. Australia joins international crypto ETF hubs like Hong Kong in this progressive move.

The country is adopting Bitcoin ETFs as a key component of its plan to foster innovation and cater to the shifting demands of investors. Additionally, Monochrome’s move to launch a Spot Bitcoin ETF underscores Australia’s dedication to promoting digital asset investments.

Monochrome Asset Management, in conjunction with CBOE Australia, began the regulatory application process back in April. This action underscores their commitment to leading the way in digital asset offerings within the region. Furthermore, Monochrome’s decision to make this move highlights their belief in the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies among individual and institutional investors alike.

CBA’s choice to add the IBTC Bitcoin ETF to its roster follows a growing industry-wide shift amongst banks towards crypto investment opportunities. Globally, financial institutions have started to see the value in digital assets as a complement to conventional financial solutions. Consequently, they are broadening their range of offerings to meet the shifting preferences of their clientele.

Brazil Bank Embraces BTC

As a researcher studying the financial sector in Latin America, I’ve discovered an intriguing parallel trend: Itau Unibanco, the leading bank in Brazil and the larger Latam region with over 60 million customers and almost 100,000 employees, has joined the Bitcoin (BTC) bandwagon. The bank has recently introduced crypto trading services through its internal investment platform, Ion.

At its inception in December, the trading service was only accessible to a select number of users. However, due to significant user interest in Itau Unibanco’s crypto trading platform, the service has been gradually expanding. As a result, investors can now trade Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH) on the platform.

As the head analyst at Itau Digital Assets, I’m thrilled to report that our cryptocurrency custody solution has received a warm welcome from our customers. The level of trust and acceptance we’ve encountered has been truly noteworthy, fueling our decision to expand this offering further.

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2024-06-13 14:38