New data from a recent JP Morgan survey reveals that institutional traders around the world are still hesitant to expose their holdings to digital assets. While there has been a slight growth in the number of pro-crypto firms, the majority of participants, accounting for 78% of traders, have no immediate plans to trade cryptocurrencies. This figure marks an increase from the previous year’s results, where 72% of traders expressed a lack of interest in adding crypto assets to their portfolios. The primary reason behind this hesitation is attributed to the lack of uniform regulations in the market, which has deterred many investors from entering the space.
Out of the surveyed institutional traders, only 9% responded positively, indicating that they currently trade digital assets. While this percentage represents a marginal increase from the previous year, it is still relatively low. Notably, the tumultuous FTX saga from last year may have contributed to the cautious approach adopted by investors. Despite 14% of participants expressing interest in trading digital assets in the previous year’s survey, none of them currently plan to establish a division dedicated to virtual assets in the next five years.
Contrary to the general sentiment of the survey, there is a glimmer of hope within the data. 12% of the 4,000 traders expressed their desire to gain exposure to the crypto market, citing recent developments as a motivating factor. This figure highlights the increasing appeal of cryptocurrencies among a section of institutional traders.
As part of the survey, participants were also asked to identify the next significant technology in trading. The majority, with 61% of votes, indicated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) held the most promise. In contrast, only 7% of respondents recognized the potential of distributed ledger technology (DLT), popularly known as blockchain. This preference for AI showcases the growing interest in AI-powered trading tools and algorithms among institutional traders.
One of the primary reasons behind the cautious approach of institutional traders towards the crypto market is the prevalence of hacks and scams. In the last two years alone, the crypto space witnessed over 600 major hacks resulting in losses exceeding $2.61 billion, with only $674.9 million recovered thus far. Hacks and scams accounted for $1.51 billion of the total losses, creating a sense of insecurity within the market.
Regulatory Ambiguity and Its Consequences
The collapse of the Terra Network and the subsequent implosion of FTX in 2022 had a significant impact on the market. These incidents not only wiped millions off the market but also drew attention to the lack of regulatory oversight in the industry. In the United States, regulators have been actively pursuing legal action against cryptocurrency firms, further exacerbating the uncertainty. Consequently, some firms are considering relocating to jurisdictions with more favorable regulatory environments.
A Glimpse of Hope
Despite the prevailing challenges, the recent approval of a spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has injected renewed optimism into the market. Traditional investors now have a new avenue to explore and potentially invest their funds in, which could lead to increased institutional interest in the crypto space and catalyze broader adoption.
While institutional traders remain cautious about embracing cryptocurrencies due to regulatory concerns and past vulnerabilities, the survey results hint at a gradual shift towards acceptance. As the market continues to mature, establishing robust regulatory frameworks and addressing security vulnerabilities will be crucial in instilling confidence in traditional finance players and paving the way for mass adoption of digital assets.
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