Macquarie Rebalances Crypto Exposure: Cuts Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs While Increasing Circle Stake

Macquarie Group’s Q1 2026 Form 13F filing revealed a notable shift in how the firm allocates its crypto‑related investments. Instead of abandoning the sector, the filing shows a rebalancing away from direct crypto‑price exposure and toward crypto infrastructure, including a sharply increased stake in Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin.

Reduced Exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs

According to the filing, Macquarie reduced its holdings in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) from 5.126 million shares to 4.139 million shares, a drop of roughly 19.3%. The value of that position also declined from about $255 million to around $159 million by the end of the quarter.

The bank also trimmed its position in BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA). Holdings fell from 3.634 million shares to 3.289 million shares, representing a reduction of about 9.5%. The reported value of the position declined from roughly $81.5 million to about $52.1 million.

Despite these cuts, Macquarie still retained millions of shares in the Bitcoin ETF, indicating that the firm continues to maintain exposure to the digital‑asset market rather than exiting it entirely.

A Pivot Toward Crypto Infrastructure

At the same time that it reduced ETF exposure, Macquarie significantly increased its stake in Circle Internet Group (CRCL), the company behind the USDC stablecoin. Its holdings in the firm rose by about 188% during the quarter, reflecting a strategic tilt toward companies that provide core infrastructure for the crypto ecosystem rather than direct exposure to token price movements.

This type of shift—from asset‑price bets to underlying infrastructure—has become increasingly common among large institutional investors. Stablecoin issuers, payment networks, and blockchain service providers can offer exposure to crypto‑related growth without the same degree of volatility tied directly to Bitcoin or Ethereum prices.

Part of a Broader Institutional Reassessment

Macquarie’s adjustments also occurred alongside mixed signals from other institutional investors during the same reporting period.

For example, Harvard Management Company, which manages Harvard University’s endowment, took a much more aggressive step in Q1 2026: it fully exited its position in BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF and cut its stake in the iShares Bitcoin Trust by about 43%, according to its own SEC filing.

Such moves highlight how institutional investors are not moving uniformly in one direction. Some are increasing exposure to crypto assets, while others are scaling back or reallocating within the sector.

Why Institutions May Be Rebalancing

A Form 13F discloses holdings but does not explain the motives behind trades, so the exact reasons for Macquarie’s changes are not explicitly stated. However, several commonly cited factors may help explain why large investors rebalance crypto positions:

• Profit‑taking: After significant gains in crypto‑related assets, institutions may reduce positions to lock in returns.
• Portfolio rebalancing: Funds periodically adjust allocations to maintain risk targets or diversify exposure.
• Regulatory or market uncertainty: Shifting policy environments and volatility can lead institutions to favor indirect exposure over direct crypto holdings.

Because Macquarie still maintains substantial ETF positions and simultaneously increased its exposure to Circle, the filing suggests a repositioning within the crypto ecosystem rather than a retreat from it.

The Bigger Picture

Macquarie remains a major global financial institution with strong overall performance, reporting A$4.847 billion in net profit for FY2026, a 30% increase from the previous year.

Against that backdrop, its portfolio adjustments appear less like a reaction to distress and more like a strategic refinement of how it participates in the evolving digital‑asset market.

The key takeaway from the filing is clear: Macquarie did not abandon crypto exposure. Instead, it reduced some ETF holdings while increasing investment in crypto infrastructure—signaling a more nuanced institutional approach to the sector.