Wealth management is experiencing a subtle yet significant turning point. This change stems from a strategic adjustment by a top U.S. financial institution—starting January 5th, over 15,000 financial advisors across its private banking, Merrill, and other systems have gained new authority: they can proactively recommend Bitcoin spot ETF products to clients.

This may not sound groundbreaking, but the context is crucial. Previously, these advisors primarily played a "gatekeeper" role regarding crypto assets—responding only when asked and never initiating the conversation. Now, with the policy shift, Bitcoin ETFs have transitioned from "a special requirement exclusive to certain clients" to a "regular option within investment portfolios."

The official recommended allocation is 1% to 4% of the investment portfolio, tailored for investors who can tolerate high volatility and are optimistic about innovative directions. The investment management team explained straightforwardly: a moderate allocation of digital assets may help optimize the overall risk-return profile.

On the implementation side, this institution specifically chose Bitcoin spot ETFs as the only compliant channel, rather than directly holding Bitcoin. Their chief investment office has approved four ETF products with leading scale and liquidity. This approach avoids the complexities and risks of self-custody while providing clients with a relatively standardized investment method.

The significance of this shift may be greater than the numbers themselves—it indicates that traditional financial institutions' attitude toward crypto assets is evolving from "cautiously observing" to "conditionally accepting."