CoinShares to Acquire Bastion Asset Management to Enhance Actively Managed Digital Assets Capabilities

Core Insights - CoinShares International Limited, a European asset manager with approximately US$10 billion in assets under management (AuM), announced the acquisition of Bastion Asset Management Limited, a London-based FCA-regulated crypto-focused alternative investment manager, pending regulatory approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority [1][2] - The acquisition aims to enhance CoinShares' actively managed capabilities, positioning the firm as a comprehensive digital asset management platform [1] - CoinShares intends to combine passive beta products like ETPs with actively managed strategies to provide a complete investment solution across the digital asset spectrum [1] Company Strategy - The acquisition is part of CoinShares' strategic objective to become a global asset manager specializing in digital assets [1] - Bastion's institutional-grade approach will enhance CoinShares' ability to serve sophisticated investors seeking actively managed digital asset solutions [1][2] - The integration of Bastion's expertise in alpha generation with CoinShares' registered Investment Advisor status will facilitate the development of sophisticated, actively managed funds in the U.S. market [2] Leadership and Expertise - Fred Desobry, Bastion's CIO with over 17 years of experience in systematic investing and quantitative research, and Philip Scott, Bastion's CEO/Co-Founder with over 25 years of financial services experience, will join CoinShares post-acquisition [2] - Their expertise will support CoinShares' scaling and expansion initiatives, targeting a broad range of institutional clients [2] Regulatory Framework - CoinShares is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Jersey, France, and the U.S., by various financial authorities, which underscores its commitment to compliance and governance in the digital asset space [2]