Fidelity Investments, one of the largest brokerages on the planet, is set to launch their crypto trading service in the coming weeks, which means that an influx of fresh institutional capital may soon be introduced to the markets.
The launch of their crypto trading service comes on the heels of a report they conducted that found that institutional investors are extremely interested in the nascent markets, which may signal that bullish price action is right around the corner.
Fidelity Set to Launch Crypto Trading Service Targeting Institutional Investors
The launch of this new service will initially be aimed exclusively at institutional investors, who will invest through Fidelity’s new digital asset trading service, aptly dubbed Fidelity Digital Assets.
This service, which puts the Boston-based brokerage ahead of its competitors, will not be open to individual investors at this time, unlike some competing services offered by Robinhood and E*Trade, according to an unnamed source who recently spoke to Bloomberg.
While speaking about the imminent launch of the new service, Fidelity spokeswoman Arlene Roberts told Bloomberg that they have already developed a set list of clients who will initially be using the service, and will be rolling out additional services based on the needs of clients over the coming weeks and months.
“We currently have a select set of clients we’re supporting on our platform… We will continue to roll out our services over the coming weeks and months based on our clients’ needs, jurisdictions, and other factors. Currently, our service offering is focused on Bitcoin,” Roberts explained.
Institutions Very Interested in the Crypto Markets
The boundless potential of Fidelity’s new service was confirmed earlier this month when news broke regarding a survey conducted by the Fidelity Digital Assets, which found that nearly 50% of the institutional investment groups they interviewed – which included hedge funds, family offices, foundations, and endowments – considered crypto worthy of being added to their portfolios.
Moreover, the report also found that of the institutional investment groups interviewed, family offices and financial advisors viewed the rapidly evolving technology most favorably.
“Financial advisors (74%) and family offices (80%) view the characteristics of digital assets most favorably,” the report noted.
Fidelity also explained that many institutions have already forayed into the crypto markets, with roughly 22% of those surveyed noting that they already have some exposure to the crypto markets, even if that exposure is relatively small.
“According to the survey, about 22% of institutional investors already have some exposure to digital assets, with most investments having been made within the past three years. Four in ten respondents say they are open to future investments in digital assets over the next five years,” Fidelity Digital Assets said.
As services like the one being offered by Fidelity begin gaining traction and growing in popularity, they will offer institutions a gateway into the crypto markets, which may ultimately result in a surge in fresh capital making its way into the markets, possibly kindling the flame that ignites the next bull market.
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