July 22 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) is exploring

plans to offer loans backed by clients' cryptocurrency holdings,

including bitcoin and ethereum, as early as next year, the

Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with

the matter.

The move comes as other major U.S. banks, including Bank

of America ( BAC ) and Citibank, are developing

stablecoins amid a broader push for more crypto-friendly

regulation in Washington.

CEO Jamie Dimon, a longtime bitcoin skeptic, recently said

that the bank will be involved in stablecoins.

JPMorgan ( JPM ) declined to comment to the FT. The bank did not

immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment outside

regular business hours.

In May, Dimon

told investors

that he is "not a fan" of the bitcoin universe citing

concerns, including leverage, misuse, and money laundering

issues in the system, ruling out getting into custody - storing

crypto assets for clients - or expanding significantly even if

regulations ease.

"We're going to allow you to buy it, we're not going to

custody it," he said, likening the approach to permitting

behavior he personally disagrees with.