XRP is back in focus exposure reports from the largest Italian banking group. Detection, highlighted by crypto analyst @Xfinancebull on X, reveals a position related to Grayscale XRP Trust, which has re-engaged the market as investors assess the scope and implications of the holding.
The $18 million position is making waves
According to recent reports, Italian banking heavyweight Intesa Sanpaolo, a financial institution that manages roughly $1.1 trillion in assets, has significantly increased its cryptocurrency exposure between the end of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
Verified figures show yes it is crypto-related institution holdings it climbed from roughly $100 million in Q4 2025 to nearly $235 million by the end of March 2026. Within that expansion was a newly established cryptocurrency-related position through the Grayscale XRP Trust.
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As of March 31, the bank held 712,319 shares of Grayscale XRP Trust, a position valued at about $18 million. This makes it one of the most significant institutional allocations announced this year by a large European bank.
Exposure was not achieved by direct purchase of tokens on exchanges. Instead, the bank gained access through A Grayscale investment trust productwhich allows institutions to participate in XRP-related investments through regulated financial means. This distinction is important because many traditional financial institutions still prefer regulated routes of exposure to holding crypto assets directly on-chain.
The move immediately caught the attention of the entire community, especially as it came at a time when parts of the market remained uncertain about the short-term direction of prices. @Xfinancebull cited the development as such great evidence institutions continue to position themselves despite continued volatility in the broader crypto market.
XRP is part of a larger crypto strategy
The XRP allocation was just one part of a much larger crypto expansion strategy unveiled during the quarter. Along with the new XRP position, Intesa Sanpaolo also increased its Bitcoin exposure and added Ethereum-related investments for the first time.
The bank reportedly gained exposure to Ethereum through purchases related to the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust. At the same time, his Bitcoin holdings also increased significantly several ETF-linked productsincluding the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.
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Interestingly, doc increased exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRPthe institution sharply reduced its position related to Solana. Holdings related to the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF reportedly fell from more than 266,000 shares at the end of 2025 to just 2,817 shares by March 2026. Instead of taking small experimental positions, the bank appears to be actively restructuring its crypto exposure into more large digital assets.
For XRP supporters, the $18 million position stands out because it represents the participation of one of Europe’s largest financial institutions. While the investment remains relatively small compared to the bank’s overall asset base, the move still adds to growing evidence that traditional financial players are increasingly willing to cash in exposure to XRP related products while the digital assets sector continues to evolve.
Featured image created using Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
