Banks and traditional asset managers used to stay away from Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, fearing for their reputation and scared of lack of regulation and wild volatility. However, the recent performance proved that Bitcoin should not be ignored.
Crypto Funds Returned 6% More than Traditional Hedge Funds
A recent survey carried out by Eurekahedge found that dedicated crypto funds returned over 16% last year. Elsewhere, Hedge Fund Research (HFR) said that traditional hedge fund strategies returned 10.4% for the same period.
Galaxy Digital’s asset management boss Steve Kurz told the Financial Times (FT):
Bitcoin has a higher return on a one, three and 10-year basis than any other asset class. When the returns are so high, investors will have to pile in.
So far, no major bank has developed a specialized desk to trade Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on behalf of customers. Banks and asset managers have been worried that another correction similar to the 2018 bearish mood could hurt their investments.
However, as the Bitcoin price continues to move higher, more institutional investors are thinking about allocation a portion of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies.
CME and Cboe Opened the Doors to Wall Street, But More Investors Eye Bitcoin
At the end of 2017, Chicago-based CME and Cboe launched their Bitcoin futures contracts, bringing cryptocurrencies into the mainstream. Meanwhile, Wall Street investors started to look into establishing dedicated crypto investment services. For instance, former Goldman Sachs executive Michael Novogratz launched Galaxy Digital.
While the interest in Bitcoin faded in 2018, the cryptocurrency surged last year. It is poised to potentially update the all-time highs this year, at least according to several experts. This will ultimately attract many traditional funds and major banks.
Max Boonen, another former Goldman executive who started a crypto trading company, told FT that digital assets, including Bitcoin, will “quickly become part of the investment landscape.”
“There is a lot of fuss around bitcoin but at the end of the day it’s just another asset to trade,” he stated.
Boonen noted that crypto trading spreads have reduced, even though they’re still high when compared to fiat pairs and other traditional markets. Also, the costs for custody and other processes declined as well. Bitcoin has become similar to equities and bonds, Boonen said.
Chris Zuehlke, global head of Cumberland, argued that it was “only a matter of time before traditional banks get involved, perhaps as brokers between customers and liquidity providers like us.”
Do you think Bitcoin will become accepted by traditional funds the same as ETFs and other equities? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
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Mexico’s 3rd-richest man, Ricardo Salinas has recently shared insights on why people should adopt Bitcoin (BTC) as an alternative to banks, noting that Bitcoin will catalyze inflation taxes due to the inability to debase the digital asset.
Unravel the complex relationship between troubled banks and the potential of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to reshape the financial system and provide a solution to the challenges they pose.
The post Can Bitcoin Counter the Dangers of Zombie Banks? appeared first on BeInCrypto.
The banking system has always been against virtual currencies like bitcoin, and they repeatedly use it to raise concerns about mining activities harming the environment. Still, according to the latest report presented by Greenpeace and WFF, it is found that banks themselves have contributed to a majority of climate chaos.
CNBC recently reported that more American banks will be adopting Bitcoin, allowing their customers to buy, sell, and HODL through their bank accounts. This is according to Cryptocurrency custody firm NYDIG, whose recent partnership with Fidelity National information services could merge banks and Bitcoin into one space.
Bitcoin has recouped the losses from recent sell-off after news that the world’s oldest cryptocurrency is soon coming to hundreds of United States banks. Data from CoinMarketCap shows that bitcoin is hovering at $57,091.
Bitcoin dropped during Asia-Pacific and European trade Thursday as rising bond yields prompted concerns that central banks may begin tightening monetary policies sooner-than-expected. The benchmark cryptocurrency fell up to 3.
Wall Street banks are about to curve under employee pressure to start supporting Bitcoin. First off, Bitcoin has largely outperformed most other investment assets like stocks and gold, and this happened despite the numerous resources employed by Bitcoin opponents to stifle its growth and popularity.
Some US banks have restarted their outrage against Bitcoin even as others have warmed up to the asset in the past year.
The post After brief cheers, U.S. banks are back to bashing Bitcoin again appeared first on CryptoSlate.
The arguments as to why bitcoin is superior to the banking system are pretty clear cut to anyone that has used it. A decade ago BTC was conceived to cut out the fatcat middlemen and allow people to transact between themselves.
The demand for bitcoin has certainly been tangible over the past few months. Even with a correction of around 30% the digital asset is still up over 160% this year. That growth could have been spurred by central banks devaluing their own currencies as economic skies darken.
The latest news emerging from South Korea indicates that Bitcoin exchanges are facing a surprisingly increased level of scrutiny of commercial banks amid the renewal of banking services. The revelation comes as the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) continues to urge countries to enact stricter regulatory controls over the crypto industry.
Myanmar, a small developing country tucked in the western side of Southern Asia is showing signs of ignoring the bitcoin craze that has been on since its development. Since bitcoin is built on a concept that could entirely do away with banks if adopted due to its decentralization aspect, central banks are a little terrified […]
And What That Really Means It is 2019 folks. And Bitcoin is 10 years old already. Despite the continuing polarization of opinion on whether or not big banks should be working with Bitcoin (or any similar digital currencies), the winds have slowly been shifting towards it. For now, there are several U.S. based banks that […]
Satoshi Nakamoto designed Bitcoin (BTC) as an alternative to centralized payments, to exist independently from the flawed banks. As central banks tighten the valves of monetary policies, this aspect of cryptocurrency may come back to the foreground.
transaction fees, especially with Bitcoin, are flat-rate –regardless of the amount being transacted. With banks, the more money being transacted, the higher the fees.
The post Disturbing Report: Using Banks Is 300 Times More Expensive Than Transacting With Bitcoin appeared first on Ethereum World News.
Since 2017, so-called “experts” in the finance sector have criticized Bitcoin for being too expensive. Yet, banks are pocketing 83 percent profit on every wire transfer. According to Bank of America’s official data, the $302 billion bank charges $30 for outbound domestic wire transfer and $35 for outbound international wire sent in foreign currency.
Kenya’s central bank has penalized five major commercial banks for handling stolen state funds in the corruption scandal involving the country’s National Youth Service and Ministry of Devolution and Planning.
Decentralised cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are anathema to traditional banking. Bitcoin allows people to trade directly with each other, bypassing banks, the conventional middlemen. Banks make money by charging fees for the services they provide, including keeping one’s money in a bank.
Japanese Fintech heavyweight SBI Holdings plans to launch a Ripple-powered mobile payment application called MoneyTap. In a tweet shared with his followers, Takashi Okita, CEO of SBI Ripple Asia shared the web page of the new payment application, which promises to offer "easy bank transfer application" without fees.
Europe’s central bank (ECB) won’t be touching cryptocurrency any time soon. Its president Mario Draghi shot down hopes of an EU-sanctioned digital currency, criticising blockchain tech for being too young and fragile to be useful.
Over the past week, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley have doubled down on their plans to offer tradable instruments and products around Bitcoin. Alistair Milne, the chief information officer at Altana Digital Currency Fund, stated that the increasing interest towards cryptocurrencies as an asset class by banks and regulated financial institutions is crucial, as it demonstrates.
Bank frauds in India have opened a can of worms this year, leaving the public questioning concepts such as board, governance, public sector, bankruptcy, and investor transparency with anxiety and anger.
Digital currency is being adopted in several nations fighting economic distress as a means to avoid inflation. In fact, crypto evangelists cite examples of African communities and countries like Venezuela to describe how digital coins could provide security from central banks’ policies and subsequent inflation in times of crisis.
Crypto is an industry which is increasing at an alarming rate. With Bitcoin in the news more now than it ever has and other cryptocurrencies getting more and more interest by public eye, this is a good time for the market.
A year-old legal battle between two of the crypto industry’s leading organizations is coming to a close. After a volley of countersuits that had the companies jumping from courthouse to courthouse, Ripple and R3 have brokered a settlement that will put the drama to rest.
MoneyToken crypto-backed loans platform has announced making zero-interest loans available for everyone.
From 12th September September forward, anyone will be able to join the MoneyToken platform and get a loan under a 0% interest rate.
South Korean banks are reportedly taking measures to limit services for customers who are not using the real-name system. It has been over seven months since the Korean government introduced the crypto real-name system, but only 40-50% of accounts at the country’s top four cryptocurrency exchanges have been converted into real-name ones, according to local […]
The post Korean Banks to Limit Services for Crypto Traders Without Real-Name Verification appeared first on Bitcoin News.
Do People Trust Bitcoin More Than Central Banks CNN recently aired a video highlighting how people around the world are starting to trust bitcoin more than they trust central banks. The video features Andrew Ross Sorkin, best known for writing “Too Big to Fail”.
People often wonder why a cryptocurrency with a limited supply like bitcoin has been gaining traction over the years. Since the 2008 financial crisis, the world’s central banks have printed around $12-30 trillion worth of promissory notes, and more than $10 trillion in negative-yielding global bonds.
The RBI Circular was intended to put a pause button on cryptocurrency activity in India, but as the mandate that restrained banks to be involved in this space goes through debate, protests, and court pit-stops, beneath the surface a lot has transpired.
In many countries, there are emerging monetary crises as local currencies lose value. Local governments or central banks are unwilling or unable to solve inflation, and that’s a key chapter in the story of Bitcoin.
One of the first major investment banks to enter the cryptocurrency sector, Goldman Sachs has been hinting at launching a Bitcoin trading desk since June. Following news of a delay, Goldman Sachs CFO Martin Chavez is now saying that the firm never had a timeline for it in the first place.
Abra, the all-in-one digital wallet and cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its support for Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) bank accounts. European users can now enable direct wire transfers from European banks to purchase any of Abra’s 28 available cryptocurrencies.
Marijuana is an ever-growing industry where even some authorities have backed away from it. Nevertheless, in combination with credit card businesses and banks denying to provide services to many companies, limits have been put in place which has given alternative systems a great chance to prove themselves.
Iran has purportedly accepted cryptocurrency mining as an official industry. According to a high-ranking official, all related institutions have already agreed on it. A Breath of Fresh Air Iran has historically been fairly controversial in its stance towards cryptocurrencies.
Virtual Crypto Technologies Reveals Plans for Crypto-Backed Payment System for Cannabis Dispensaries Cannabis has been the most-debated topic in the US as its legalization has gained both supporters and naysayers.
The legal US cannabis industry growing strong where local authorities have stepped out of its way. However, in combination with banks and credit card companies refusing to provide services to many businesses, restrictions have created a perfect opportunity for alternative systems to prove themselves.
India’s crypto community was shocked when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a circular on April 6, 2018, which prohibited banks and other financial institutions from providing any crypto-related service, revealing the RBI’s anti-crypto stance.
We’ve touched upon this sort of issue before, but it’s a topic that comes back again and again.
Bitcoin was produced as a site of liberation, a decentralised product designed to allow people a chance to break away from the capitalist financial system, a way to take control of your own money across a democratic medium.
This past week has seen progress in two aspects of Bitcoin: privacy and payments. Attitudes toward blockchain technology are also showing progress as two surveys reveal.
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