Bitwise Asset Management has announced the acquisition of London-based ETC Group, the issuer of Europe’s largest physical Bitcoin ETP (BTCE), according to a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine. This acquisition not only expands Bitwise’s global footprint but also adds more than $1 billion in assets under management to its portfolio.
Bitwise CEO’s Vision
"Bitwise is building a global crypto asset manager for investors and financial advisors who want a best-in-class partner specialized in this fast-growing asset class," said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley. "This acquisition allows us to serve European investors, to offer clients global insight, and to expand the product suite with innovative ETPs. We’re proud of the reputation we have built over the last six years with advisors, institutions, and investors as a sophisticated asset manager in crypto markets, and look forward to bringing this expertise to European investors."
ETC Group’s Stronghold in Europe
Founded in 2019, ETC Group has built a reputation as a leading crypto ETP issuer in Europe, offering a suite of physically backed products that include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Over the coming months, these ETPs will be rebranded under the Bitwise name, although the core investment strategies will remain unchanged.
Excitement Over the Acquisition
"We think Bitwise is building the best-of-breed firm for this new asset class and have proven their professionalism and leadership over many years," said ETC Group co-founder Bradley Duke. "For an asset management firm, culture and values are essential, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue our work in Europe as part of Bitwise."
Impressive Growth and Expansion
With the addition of ETC Group’s products, Bitwise’s total assets under management now exceed $4.5 billion, with their U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF (BITB) becoming one of the 25 fastest-growing ETPs of all time, closing in on over $2 billion in assets today, according to the press release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying gold a good option for retirement planning?
While buying gold as an investment may seem unattractive at first glance it becomes worth the effort when you consider how much gold is consumed worldwide each year.
The most popular form of investing in gold is through physical bullion bars. But there are many other options for investing in gold. You should research all options thoroughly before making a decision on which option you prefer.
If you don’t need a safe place for your wealth, then buying shares of mining companies or companies that extract it might be a better alternative. If you are looking for cash flow from your investment, buying gold stocks will work well.
You also can put your money into exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which essentially give you exposure to the price of gold by holding gold-related securities instead of actual gold. These ETFs typically include stocks from gold miners, precious metallics refiners, commodity trading companies, and other commodities.
How much should your IRA include precious metals
It’s important to understand that precious metals aren’t only for wealthy people. You don’t need to have a lot of money to invest. There are many ways that you can make money with gold and silver investments, even if you don’t have much money.
You may consider buying physical coins such as bullion bars or rounds. Also, you could buy shares in companies producing precious metals. Another option is to make use of the IRA rollover programs offered by your retirement plan provider.
You can still get benefits from precious metals regardless of what choice you make. They are not stocks but offer long-term growth.
They also tend to appreciate over time, unlike traditional investments. So, if you decide to sell your investment down the road, you’ll likely see more profit than you would with traditional investments.
How much should precious metals make up your portfolio?
To answer this question, we must first understand what precious metals are. Precious metals have elements with an extremely high worth relative to other commodity. This makes them highly valuable for both investment and trading. The most traded precious metal is gold.
But, there are other types of precious metals available, including platinum and silver. The price volatility of gold can be unpredictable, but it is generally stable during periods of economic turmoil. It is also not affected by inflation and depression.
In general, all precious metals have a tendency to go up with the market. They do not always move in the same direction. The price of gold tends to rise when the economy is not doing well, but the prices of the other precious metals tends downwards. Investors are more likely to expect lower interest rates making bonds less attractive investments.
When the economy is healthy, however, the opposite effect occurs. Investors are more inclined to invest in safe assets, such as Treasury Bonds, and they will not demand precious metals. They are more rare, so they become more expensive and less valuable.
It is important to diversify your portfolio across precious metals in order to maximize your profit from precious metals investments. It is also a good idea to diversify your investments in precious metals, as prices tend to fluctuate.
Should You Get Gold?
In times past, gold was considered a safe haven for investors in times of economic trouble. Many people today are moving away from stocks and bonds to look at precious metals, such as gold, as a way to diversify their investments.
While gold prices have been rising in recent years they are still low relative to other commodities, such as silver and oil.
Some experts think that this could change in the near future. They believe gold prices could increase dramatically if there is another global financial crises.
They also mention that gold is becoming more popular due to its perceived worth and potential return.
Consider these things if you are thinking of investing in gold.
- Consider whether you will actually need the money that you are saving for retirement. It is possible to save enough money to retire without investing in gold. The added protection that gold provides when you retire is a good option.
- Second, you need to be clear about what you are buying before you decide to buy gold. Each offers varying levels of flexibility and security.
- Finally, remember that gold doesn’t offer the same level of safety as a bank account. Losing your gold coins could result in you never being able to retrieve them.
So, if you’re thinking about buying gold, make sure you do your research first. Protect your gold if you already have it.
Can I own a gold ETF inside a Roth IRA
While a 401k may not offer this option for you, it is worth considering other options, such an Individual Retirement Plan (IRA).
Traditional IRAs allow for contributions from both employees and employers. Another way to invest in publicly traded companies is through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
An ESOP can provide tax advantages, as employees are allowed to share in company stock and the profits generated by the business. The money invested in the ESOP is then taxed at lower rates than if it were held directly in the hands of the employee.
Also available is an Individual Retirement Annuity. An IRA lets you make regular, income-generating payments to yourself over your life. Contributions to IRAs do not have to be taxable
Statistics
- Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
- You can only purchase gold bars at least 99.5% purity. (forbes.com)
- This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)
- Gold is considered a collectible, and profits from a sale are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. (aarp.org)
- If you take distributions before hitting 59.5, you’ll owe a 10% penalty on the amount withdrawn. (lendedu.com)