Cryptocurrencies Getting Closer to the Threshold for Major Institutional Adoption, Says Morgan Stanley

According to the latest report from investment firm Morgan Stanley, cryptocurrencies are getting closer to becoming an emerging investable asset class. 

Crypto-Assets Highly Speculative but at a Major Threshold

This was revealed in a new investor note handled by the Morgan Stanley wealth management unit dated Wednesday, March 17. The investor note penned by Lisa Shalet and Denny Galinda noted that any investment by institutions in crypto-assets like bitcoin is a speculative one. 

“For speculative investment opportunities to rise to the level of an investable asset class that can play a role in diversified investment portfolios requires transformational progress on both the supply and demand sides,” the report began. 

However, it stated that institutional investors’ increasing interest could mean that the threshold of adoption is slowly being reached. “With cryptocurrency, we think that threshold is being reached. A firming regulatory framework, deepening liquidity, availability of products, and growing investor interest—especially among institutional investors—have coalesced.” it continued

The authors also opined that cryptocurrencies were still in their speculative phase and carried a multitude of risks. They further advised that investors get the necessary information about crypto-assets and encouraged exposures in small positions in diverse forms similar to the approach used in venture capital investing. 

The report also urged investors to purchase cryptocurrencies with caution and preferably invest in multi-assets publicly traded products.  “For those qualified* investors ready to gain exposure, we suggest starting with publicly traded products—preferably ones that are multiasset and potentially accessing the growth opportunities through a venture capital/private equity investment in the blockchain ecosystem,” it concluded. 

Crypto-Assets Gradually Warming to Institutional Investors 

This investment note release comes after speculations that Counterpoint Global, a subdivision of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, was exploring investing in bitcoin. More Wall Street firms and assets managers are either exploring offering crypto services or adding cryptocurrencies to their portfolio balance. 

It was reported on Tuesday that US banking giant JPMorgan was considering including crypto clearinghouse options in its existing services. This comes after investment bank Goldman Sach revealed some weeks back that it would revive its bitcoin and crypto trading desk after a three-year hiatus. 

Although this latest note did not explicitly support cryptocurrencies, it provides insight into the current situation. Currently, crypto adoption is growing exponentially and many hedge funds and banks are getting aboard the train.