Topic: [2017-10-27] There are now more than 120 hedge funds focused solely on bitcoin (Read 3189 times)

It wasn't that long ago where I read an article about how money being invested directly in the businesses was severely lagging behind the profits that could have been booked by directly investing in crypto itself.

I am quite certain that this will change in the coming years, result being that there will be far more professional capital flowing into Bitcoin itself. It will steer this market to even higher levels, which is obviously a welcome 'side effect'.

If Goldman Sachs really ends up putting force behind their words and launch the platform they were referring to, it will be an entry for even more professional capital to flow in, but also from their insanely wealthy clients.

Most of these VC type funds invest in blockchain companies rather than in virtual currencies. All this will change if companies like Goldman Sachs enter the field. They can play the role of market maker and hold currencies.

• Data shared exclusively with CNBC from financial research firm Autonomous Next shows the number of funds investing in digital assets like bitcoin has grown rapidly to 124.
• Autonomous Next also estimates that the "crypto-funds" have about $2.3 billion in total assets under management.
• While several leading Wall Street banking executives remain skeptical about bitcoin, more seasoned money managers are moving into digital assets management.

More than 90 funds focused on digital assets like bitcoin have launched this year, bringing the total number of such "crypto-funds" to 124, according to financial research firm Autonomous Next.

Data shared exclusively with CNBC Friday showed that the largest share of the funds, 37 percent, used venture capitalist-type strategies and had about $1.1 billion in assets under management. Funds focused on trading digital assets came second at 32 percent, with about $700 million in assets under management.

Funds specifically using machine learning, data science or statistical arbitrage on digital currencies came in third at 10 percent and $100 million in assets under management, the data showed.

Total assets under management by crypto-funds now stands at $2.3 billion, according to Autonomous Next's estimates.

This year's surge in the price of bitcoin and another digital currency, ethereum, have drawn attention to the cryptocurrencies and the potential of their blockchain technology. Proponents say blockchain could transform the world as much as the internet did, and several major banks are researching or developing blockchain projects.

Digital currency enthusiasts also attribute much of the latest surge in bitcoin to record highs above $6,100 to increased interest from institutional investors. While several leading Wall Street banking executives remain skeptical about bitcoin, more seasoned money managers are moving into digital assets management.

Notably, former Fortress hedge fund manager Michael Novogratz is launching a $500 million digital assets fund through his new firm, Galaxy Investment Partners. The fund is expected to be the largest of its kind.

Besides investing in digital currencies like bitcoin and ethereum, enthusiasts are betting on a slew of new digital coins for projects built on the same blockchain technology. The tokens are launched through a process called an initial coin offering and have raised just over $3 billion, according to Autonomous Next.

That said, many of the digital coin projects are still in very early stages. China has banned initial coin offerings, while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has warned investors about the risks of investing in them.

The overall number of crypto-funds and their assets under management is also still minuscule compared to the record $3.15 trillion held by the hedge fund industry in the third quarter, according to HFRI.


Source : https://www .cnbc .com/2017/10/27/there-are-now-more-than-120-hedge-funds-focused-solely-on-bitcoin.html