American family private equity funds are more concerned about the legality of Bitcoin securities investment

Commentary: As Myles Edwards, the organizer of the conference, said, this investor conference is decisively different from the common digital currency conferences we have seen, and the list of participants can tell at a glance. Indeed, for those who are familiar with the investment market, it should not be difficult to see that these participants are all stable investors. Hedge funds use hedging and other means to avoid investment risks and protect returns; private equity also has strict requirements for fundraising targets, which must be those with strong financial strength; family offices guarantee the interests of the company through advanced planning. Therefore, no matter how much money is involved in this meeting, it fully proves that all parties in the market have fully recognized the investment status of digital currencies such as Bitcoin through long-term prudent observation and consideration. It can be seen that it has a milestone significance in this field.

Investors with assets worth $100 trillion gathered together to discuss whether Bitcoin is ready to enter the list of mainstream assets.

This conference may be no different from countless other Bitcoin discussions, but the list of attendees is a decisive difference: the attendees include conference panelists, more than 110 family office investors, hedge fund investors, and private equity firms.

Myles Edwards, a representative of ultra-high net worth individuals and founder of the U.S. Family Office Private Equity Roundtable, said his company has always been interested in the securities investment field, so the purpose of this conference is to learn more about digital currencies.

“What attracted us tonight is the clear connection and synergy between the digital world and the financial services sector. It is also the catalyst for us to enter the next era of finance.”

Myles Edwards, who is also general counsel at financial advisory firm Shufro, Rose & Co., said he could not pinpoint a specific hedge fund that has securitized assets. But roundtable members see the portfolio as a seal of approval.

“Legitimate hedge funds and private equity funds are ready to invest, they’re doing their due diligence and they’re attracting attention.”

According to Quartz, in 2014, reports about Bitcoin being the worst asset of the year took the spotlight off the Russian ruble. However, starting in 2015, the discussion about the pros and cons of digital currencies was just a flash in the pan, and by 2016, the discussion had stabilized and become one-sided.

So far, the price of Bitcoin has fluctuated between US$458 and US$358, and has currently stabilized at around US$418.

Future Possibilities

Blockchain consulting firm Agentic Group held the event at the new Citco Gateway office on Park Avenue, where three companies representing the bitcoin and blockchain services industry took questions from the audience.

Bitcoin investment, financial regulation and blockchain medical applications, HIPAA compliance were the topics of the conference.

Participants included consultants from the blockchain and digital currency asset management industries, as well as traditional industry FINRA and SEC authorized brokers such as Young America Capital and Breckenridge Insurance Group.

Rik Willard

Rik Willard, founder and managing director of Agentic Group, said that while some family offices are hesitant to invest in blockchain and bitcoin-related products, hedge funds have increasingly begun planning for the asset class over the next two to five years.

“There’s not a lot of news about family offices in blockchain, and there’s a reason why they’re not seen in the bitcoin space. Venture capital firms have their own market plans. But there are trillions of dollars of assets waiting in the wings, and for me, it’s a waste not to develop this market.”