CoinShares Acquires FCA-Regulated Bastion Asset Management to Boost Crypto Investment Services

European digital asset manager CoinShares, overseeing approximately $10 billion in assets, announced its acquisition of Bastion Asset Management, regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The financial terms of the deal, pending regulatory approval, remain undisclosed. This strategic move enhances CoinShares' capabilities in actively managed cryptocurrency strategies and supports its expansion into the U.S. market. Bastion, based in London, specializes in systematic and quantitative investment approaches for digital assets, focusing on market-neutral strategies for institutional clients. Post-acquisition, Bastion's leadership team, including CEO Philip Scott and CIO Fred Desobry, will integrate into CoinShares. Known for its exchange-traded products (ETPs) offering passive crypto exposure, CoinShares aims to combine these with Bastion's active management to create a comprehensive investment suite. For instance, pension funds using CoinShares' Bitcoin ETPs could soon access market-neutral crypto funds to mitigate volatility. Additionally, with an existing Investment Advisor license, CoinShares plans to launch actively managed funds for U.S. institutional investors, capitalizing on growing regulatory clarity. CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti stated, "This acquisition aligns with our vision to deliver complete digital asset management solutions, and we've seen firsthand the performance and expertise of Bastion's strategies."