LPL Financial Holdings Is Carefully Evaluating Bitcoin ETFS To Onboard 19,000 Advisors

Key Points:

• LPL Financial Holdings is reviewing recently approved Bitcoin ETFs for potential inclusion among its 19,000 financial advisors managing $1.4 trillion in assets.
• Led by Rob Pettman, the due diligence process will conclude in three months, considering the history of ETF closures.

According to Bloomberg, LPL Financial Holdings, a major independent broker in the U.S., is currently evaluating recently approved Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to determine their potential inclusion for the nearly 19,000 independent financial advisors overseeing $1.4 trillion in assets.

Read more: Grayscale Spot ETF: Basic Knowledge and Positive Future Outlook

LPL Financial Holdings Evaluates Bitcoin ETFs for Advisor Portfolio Inclusion

This comprehensive due diligence process, led by Rob Pettman, Head of Wealth-Management Solutions, is expected to conclude within the next three months.

Pettman emphasized the critical nature of this period, expressing concerns about the historical trend of ETF closures as investment preferences evolve. The evaluation aims to gauge how these funds perform in the markets, considering the volatile nature of emerging assets like Bitcoin.

The platform will decide which funds to offer its clients based on their assessment after the three-month review. Balancing the potential rewards of an emerging asset class with the need to shield clients from risky investments is a key challenge for gatekeepers in the financial industry, including Pettman.

Balancing Risk and Reward in a Shifting Market Landscape

While some platforms like Fidelity and Charles Schwab already offer Bitcoin ETFs for Registered Investment Advisors, Vanguard Inc. currently has no plans to introduce its own Bitcoin ETF. At present, LPL financial advisors can purchase Grayscale’s GBTC ETF, with the other nine funds, including BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC, undergoing thorough evaluation.

Pettman is particularly wary of ETFs with limited asset accumulation, as these often face closures, causing complications for advisors, investors, and platforms like LPL Financial Holdings. The decision-making process over the next three months will play a pivotal role in determining which Bitcoin ETFs will become available to LPL Financial Holdings’ extensive network of financial advisors and clients.