JPMorgan Chase is rolling out a crypto-backed lending program that is tentatively scheduled to debut early 2026. The bank is looking into loan products that would be secured by digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. If all goes as planned, this would be JPMorgan’s first foray into crypto-secured lending.
As reported by the Financial Times, the new offering comes shortly after the U.S. approved Bitcoin-backed mortgages and spot ETFs. JPMorgan has already accepted Bitcoin ETF exposure as collateral for select loans. Now, the bank aims to go further by directly accepting actual crypto like BTC and ETH.
Besides, third-party custodians would likely handle the digital assets to reduce risk and secure compliance.
From Critic to Builder: JPMorgan’s View on Crypto
JPMorgan’s pivot comes after years of skepticism from CEO Jamie Dimon. Back in 2017, Dimon called Bitcoin a fraud. However, things have since changed. While he continues to warn about illegal crypto uses, he does accept now that digital assets are here to stay. He recently admitted clients should have the freedom to invest in crypto if they choose.
Resultingly, JPMorgan is building the infrastructure to support crypto-based financial products. In June, it allowed clients to use BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as loan collateral. That ETF now manages over $70 billion in assets.
Policy Tailwinds Fuel Adoption
This news comes just a few days after the U.S. officially enacted the GENIUS Act. This new legislation lays out guidelines for stablecoins, which may boost confidence among crypto investors. The discussions around this bill sparked a buzz in the finance world with the President Donald Trump himself hailed it as a win for the entire crypto community.
However, JPMorgan has remained grounded with it predicting the stablecoin market to hit $500 billion by 2028 while warning against overly optimistic forecasts.
Also Read: Mexico’s Grupo Murano to Invest $1B in Bitcoin, Aims $10B Treasury
