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Hi readers,
In today’s newsletter, Hunting Hill Global Capital’s Adam Guren says that the institutionalization of digital assets and its convergence with traditional financial systems is not a passing trend, but a structural realignment of markets.
Then, Bastion’s Nassim Eddequiouaq writes that branded and established stablecoins win when they work together.
The Convergence of TradFi and Digital Asset Markets – A Maturing Ecosystem
The line between traditional and crypto markets is actively being redrawn. As digital asset markets mature, the convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and digital markets is accelerating, resulting in a more mature, institutional-grade ecosystem shaped by the frameworks, expectations and operational resilience that have historically characterized TradFi.
Recent developments underscore a paradigm shift in how digital assets are perceived by institutions. The U.S. government’s announcement of a strategic digital asset reserve, consisting of bitcoin, ether, XRP, solana and cardano, signals strong institutional validation. In parallel, more than eleven U.S. states have shown interest in or are actively working on bitcoin treasury bills. Sovereign investors such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) have disclosed significant positions, with a $436.9 million stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) as of December 31, 2024.
These aren’t speculative moves, but rather concerted investments to stay at the forefront of an evolving financial system. Support from these governments is reinforcing institutional engagement, marking a turning point where the risk of missing out outweighs the risk of exposure to the digital assets ecosystem.
The evolution of digital asset market infrastructure
Previously, institutional participation in digital assets was constrained by high volatility, regulatory uncertainty and fragmented infrastructure. Now, regulated custodians offer institutional-grade solutions, while trading platforms provide improved access and reliable execution. The expansion of risk management tools — including hedging, credit facilities and market surveillance — has enhanced the operational stability for a space once known for volatility.
These developments have lowered barriers to entry, enabling traditional institutions to approach digital assets with familiar risk and compliance frameworks.
Financial products driving convergence
Institutional adoption is further fueled by products that mirror traditional markets while leveraging blockchain advantages. Today’s institutional offerings include spot & derivatives markets, yield-bearing products, ETFs & in-kind redemptions and depositary receipts — all designed with similar underwriting logic and performance expectations.
The expansion of futures, options and structured products in crypto mirrors the mechanics of TradFi derivatives. These instruments provide price discovery, risk hedging and speculative capabilities that align with institutional mandates. Yield-bearing products like staking, crypto lending and tokenized fixed-income are being designed with yield profiles resembling TradFi. These structures provide fixed or floating returns while incorporating risk metrics familiar to institutions.
One of the most popular products has been spot bitcoin ETPs. Nasdaq’s proposed in-kind redemptions for BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF further align crypto ETFs with traditional counterparts, boosting efficiency and liquidity. Additionally, crypto depositary receipts enable institutions to access digital assets without direct custody, bridging traditional markets and crypto in a regulated, familiar structure.
Institutional investors are engaging through structures that blend traditional and digital techniques: hybrid funds, separately managed accounts (SMAs) and bespoke mandates. These tailor exposure while maintaining operational familiarity, providing institutions with regulated pathways to participate in this evolving ecosystem.
Institutional comfort and adoption trends
Regulatory clarity remains critical. Recent SEC moves and a more crypto-forward administration signal openness to clearer frameworks, encouraging increased institutional engagement. Some traditional players are still taking a wait-and-see approach, cautiously observing market infrastructure and regulatory signals before committing capital at scale.
On the other hand, firms like BlackRock, Fidelity and Citadel are entering the DeFi space. Institutional adoption is unlocking portfolio diversification, enhanced market efficiency and a more structured approach to risk management, all pointing to a more robust financial ecosystem.
Conclusion
The institutionalization of digital assets and its convergence with traditional financial systems is not a passing trend, but a structural realignment of markets. Forward-looking institutions are not just participating, they’re supporting the emerging ecosystem.
For CIOs and allocators, this convergence presents an inflection point. The ability to navigate digital assets with TradFi discipline and DeFi innovation is becoming a key differentiator — placing emphasis on the importance of partnering with firms who have deep experience across both markets. As the financial landscape evolves, institutions that stay informed and insightful will find themselves positioned to adapt and thrive.
– Adam Guren, founder and CIO, Hunting Hill Global Capital
Institutional Outlook
Branded and Established Stablecoins Are Not Competitors; They’re a Power Combo
Stablecoins are one of the most powerful innovations in modern finance. They meet modern demands and enable capital movement in ways that traditional financial rails simply can’t match, and businesses and consumers are taking advantage. Last year, the transfer volume of stablecoins hit $27.6 trillion, surpassing the combined transaction volume of both Visa and Mastercard.
As enterprise adoption increases and U.S. federal legislation progresses, stablecoin activity is positioned to boom. With momentum surging, the question for decision makers won’t be “should we use stablecoins,” but rather: how to combine branded issuance with established networks to maximize control, reach, resilience and growth.
Enterprises using or exploring stablecoins aren’t making an either/or choice between branded and established stablecoins. Instead, they’re using both — and the teams that leverage them effectively are gaining the most strategic ground.
Branded stablecoins can allow companies to capture benefits from the yield on reserves and align assets with brand-driven financial strategies — all without taking on the regulatory burden of direct issuance. By working with a licensed issuer that manages regulatory and compliance obligations, businesses can shape the flow of capital in their ecosystems, unlock opportunities for revenue streams, enhance customer monetization and strengthen treasury and payment operations.
Enterprises looking for liquidity, expendability and access to emerging markets turn to existing stablecoins, like USDC or tether. Whether settling global payments, tapping DeFi liquidity or integrating with global financial institutions, enterprise finance teams rely on the broad reach and infrastructure built around major stablecoins.
That’s why collaboration across the industry is critical for success.
Branded and established stablecoins win when they work together. Across sectors, enterprises can push yield as far as possible inside their branded ecosystems, then move funds through established stablecoins for global reach and composability. This strategy expands critical efforts to optimize capital efficiencies, maximize yield generation and boost ecosystem management while benefiting from the resilience and liquidity of established stablecoins.
This blended approach defines the next phase of stablecoin adoption: enterprises want yield, but they need reach and resilience. Leveraging branded and established stablecoins helps enterprises tap into the uncapped potential of stablecoins to create stable, compliant and global financial flows. Enterprises that invest in the infrastructure to bridge between branded and existing stablecoins will lead the innovation — building the scalable, resilient systems that will become tomorrow’s standard.
