Bitwise Taps iCapital to Widen Reach
Bitwise Asset Management, one of the leading firms in the crypto investment space, has officially joined the iCapital® Marketplace, a move aimed at making crypto investments more accessible to financial professionals and institutions. The partnership brings Bitwise’s actively managed crypto strategies to a platform trusted by over 100,000 wealth managers seeking exposure to non-traditional assets.
Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, highlighted the increasing institutional interest in digital assets. “Crypto is rapidly emerging as a new alternative asset class, with unique drivers that can make it a compelling diversifier in portfolios,” he said. Horsley noted that 2025 has already seen a significant rise in institutional engagement, with many drawn by the asset class’s potential to offer uncorrelated returns compared to traditional financial markets.
Active Crypto Strategies Now Within Reach
Through this collaboration, iCapital users can now access Bitwise’s suite of professional-grade crypto investment options. These strategies include:
Non-directional approaches, designed to deliver returns regardless of market movement
Tactically directional strategies, which adjust based on real-time market signals
Long bias positions, aimed at capturing long-term growth potential
Special situations strategies, targeting inefficiencies and unique opportunities within the crypto space
Bitwise’s portfolio is managed by a team of experts in derivatives, risk management, and portfolio construction. These professionals bring an institutional level of oversight and active management to the volatile and often unpredictable world of digital assets.
iCapital Simplifies Access to Alternatives
iCapital’s platform is known for offering streamlined access to a curated selection of alternative investments, including private equity and hedge funds. With the addition of Bitwise, crypto officially becomes part of that suite—enabling advisors to integrate digital assets into client portfolios through a regulated and trusted channel.
The partnership is particularly significant for financial professionals who have long faced barriers when considering crypto allocations, including lack of infrastructure, regulatory concerns, and operational complexity. By bringing Bitwise on board, iCapital aims to eliminate many of those hurdles, allowing wealth managers to offer diversified exposure to digital assets without venturing into unfamiliar territory alone.
Navigating the Risks of Crypto
Despite the enthusiasm around the partnership, both Bitwise and iCapital caution that crypto remains a high-risk investment. Unlike traditional markets, crypto assets are not backed by governments or physical assets, and their value is driven purely by market forces. This makes them highly volatile and vulnerable to rapid price swings.
Potential investors are encouraged to assess their risk tolerance carefully and consult with financial professionals before allocating capital to digital assets. Threats such as market manipulation, cybersecurity breaches, and liquidity issues can result in significant financial losses. The firms emphasise that while active management can help navigate some of these risks, a clear understanding of the crypto market is essential.
The move by Bitwise signals a broader trend in the financial world, as more asset managers look to include crypto in diversified portfolios. With institutional infrastructure and professional oversight now more readily available, digital assets may soon become a standard part of alternative investment strategies for sophisticated investors.
