Institutions rushing into blockchain are driven by fear of missing out, says Everest Venture Group CEO

Core Insights - Many corporations entering the blockchain and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) space are motivated by anxiety rather than genuine innovation [1] - The recent interest from various institutions, including banks and asset managers, reflects emotional and political decision-making rather than purely rational processes [4][5] Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) - Digital Asset Treasuries are publicly traded companies that specifically raise capital to acquire and hold cryptocurrencies as core balance-sheet assets [2] - As of October 17, over 110 public companies collectively hold $129 billion in digital assets, with Bitcoin representing 83.9% of this total at $108.2 billion [3] Market Dynamics - MicroStrategy is the largest holder of Bitcoin with 640,031 BTC valued at $67.8 billion, while notable holders include Tesla with 11,509 BTC ($1.22 billion) and Trump Media with 15,000 BTC ($1.59 billion) [3] - The aggregate 30-day trading volume for Bitcoin is reported at $887.3 billion, indicating significant market activity [3] Institutional Behavior - The surge in institutional interest in cryptocurrencies reveals that firms are influenced by human emotions and political agendas, rather than being purely rational entities [4][5] - Institutions may engage in crypto investments to appear innovative or for various commercial reasons, rather than solely for financial returns [5] Strategic Focus - Companies like Everest Venture Group emphasize the importance of creating real-world value and generating revenue rather than merely following trends [5] - The focus should be on building sustainable systems that have a tangible impact on profitability, rather than seeking short-term publicity [5]