Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, Latin America’s largest private bank, has advised clients to allocate up to 3% of their portfolios to Bitcoin for 2026.

The bank framed the cryptocurrency not as a speculative asset, but as a hedge against the erosion of the Brazilian real.

Why Itau Wants Clients’ Funds in Bitcoin

In a strategy note, analysts at the Sao Paulo-based lender said investors face a dual challenge from global price uncertainty and domestic currency fluctuations. They argued that these conditions necessitate a new approach to portfolio construction.

The bank recommends a Bitcoin weight of 1% to 3% to capture returns uncorrelated with domestic cycles.

“Bitcoin [is] an asset distinct from fixed income, traditional stocks, or domestic markets, with its own dynamics, return potential, and — due to its global and decentralized nature — a currency hedging function,” the bank wrote.

Itau emphasized that Bitcoin should not become a core holding. Instead, the bank framed the asset as a complementary allocation calibrated to an investor’s risk profile.

The objective is to capture returns that are not closely tied to domestic economic cycles and to provide partial protection against currency depreciation. It also aims to preserve exposure to long-term appreciation.

The bank pointed to the relatively low correlation between Bitcoin and traditional asset classes. It argued that an allocation of 1% to 3% can enhance diversification without overwhelming overall portfolio risk.

Bitcoin Performance vs Traditional Assets. Source: Itau

The approach, the note said, requires moderation, discipline, and a long-term horizon, rather than reactions to short-term price swings.

“Attempting ‘perfect timing’ in assets like Bitcoin or other international markets is risky — and often counterproductive,” the bank warned.

Itaú’s 3% ceiling places it squarely in line with the most forward-looking global guidance, narrowing the gap with US counterparts.

Notably, major US banks such as Morgan Stanley and Bank of America have recommended that their clients allocate up to 4% of their assets to the flagship digital asset.

For Brazilian investors, however, the stakes are different.

Itaú said that in a world of shortening economic cycles and more frequent external shocks, Bitcoin’s “hybrid character” sets it apart from traditional assets.

The bank described the flagship cryptocurrency as part high-risk asset and part global store of value. It argued that this combination offers a form of resilience that fixed income can no longer guarantee.