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Jane Street Makes Surprise Crypto Move, Slashes Bitcoin ETF Stakes

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Jane Street Makes Surprise Crypto Move, Slashes Bitcoin ETF Stakes
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  • In Q1 2026, Jane Street reshaped its crypto investment strategy by reducing exposure to major Bitcoin ETFs and cutting its stake in Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) by nearly 78%. 
  • The firm also lowered investments in Bitcoin mining stocks like IREN, Cipher Mining, TeraWulf, and Core Scientific. 
  • However, Jane Street did not fully exit the crypto market. Instead, it increased exposure to Ethereum ETFs and boosted holdings in crypto-related companies such as Coinbase, Riot Platforms, and Galaxy Digital, signaling a more selective approach to crypto investing amid Bitcoin weakness.

One major issue still stands as Jane Street, U.S. based quantitative trading firm reports a record $16.1 billion Q1 and modifies its cryptocurrency portfolio!

Is Wall Street subtly altering its digital asset investment strategy? Is this a temporary portfolio rebalance, or a deeper shift toward Ethereum?

According to a 13F filing released on Tuesday, Jane Street reduced its holdings in major Bitcoin ETFs during Q1 2026, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC).

Its IBIT holdings dropped by around 71% from Q4 2025 to nearly 5.9 million shares worth about $225 million. Its FBTC stake fell by around 60% to nearly 2 million shares valued at about $115 million.

Meanwhile, Jane Street increased its exposure to Ether (ETH) ETFs by nearly doubling its stake in the Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH).

From Q4 2025, IBIT holdings decreased by over 71% to approximately 5.9 million shares valued at approximately $225 million, while FBTC holdings decreased by approximately 60% to approximately 2 million shares valued at approximately $115 million.

Jane Street expanded its exposure to Ether (ETH) ETFs concurrently, almost doubling its holdings in BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) and significantly increasing its investment in Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH), adding a total of over $82 million during the course of the quarter. Could rising Ether ETF demand signal a broader institutional trend?

The action aligns with early indications of institutional purchases of Ether ETFs in early 2026, such as Wells Fargo’s reported increased exposure.

Although 13F disclosures do not display the market maker’s entire trading book or net exposure, the filing indicates a reorganization of Jane Street’s reportable cryptocurrency-linked assets at quarter-end.

After A 473% Increase, Why Did Jane Street Reduce MSTR Holdings? 

In Q1 2026, Jane Street’s exposure to Bitcoin declined even more as a result of significant ETF cuts and a reduction in its ownership of Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR).

The company owned around 968,000 MSTR shares in Q4 2025, valued at about $145.9 million. The common equity position decreased by nearly 78% quarter over quarter by Q1 2026, to about 210,000 shares worth about $27 million.

In Q4 2025, Jane Street reportedly increased its Strategy (MSTR) position by 473%. Source: TheBTCTherapist Strategy selling followed substantial buying in the preceding quarter.

In Q1 2026, the company also reduced exposure across a number of Bitcoin mining stocks, including IREN, Cipher Mining, TeraWulf, and Core Scientific. TheBTCTherapist

Given that Jane Street apparently raised its MSTR investment by 473% in Q4 2025, strategy selling came after substantial buying in the preceding quarter.

The business reduced its exposure to a number of Bitcoin mining stocks in the first quarter of 2026, including IREN, Cipher Mining, TeraWulf, and Core Scientific.

Why Is Jane Street Buying More Crypto Stocks Despite Bitcoin Weakness?

In Q1 2026, Jane Street expanded investments in a few cryptocurrency startups despite the general decline of Bitcoin. Could crypto companies be a better investment than Bitcoin in 2026? Market volatility and profits from investments in AI contributed to the company’s record $16.1 billion in trading income, according to Reuters.

Jane Street demonstrated its ongoing faith in cryptocurrency-related companies by increasing its ownership of Coinbase (COIN) to around 888,000 shares. Does Jane Street expect crypto companies to grow faster than Bitcoin?

Galaxy Digital (GLXY) saw its largest shift, with holdings rising from over 17,000 shares to over 1.5 million. These actions imply that Jane Street may view cryptocurrency stocks as having greater growth potential than direct Bitcoin exposure. 

 

Stay informed with the latest trends in Web3, blockchain innovation, and cybersecurity updates at 3verseTV

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