When we recently launched Bond – the new platform that enables accredited investors to purchase digital equities in a diverse crypto/property asset fund – we didn’t just have cryptocurrency investors in mind, but traditional investors and those entering the crypto market for the first time too.
Professional investors have, by and large, tended to steer clear of cryptocurrency, eyeing it with a large degree of caution and scepticism. Used to working in a highly regulated, structured financial environment that seeks long-term stability, the decentralisation and volatility associated with cryptocurrencies simply makes it, in their eyes, incompatible with the rules of the professional investor game.
But we believe that this culture gap can be bridged. That is why, today, we have launched a facility that enables our digital equity offering (‘Bond Units’) to be purchased not only in cryptocurrency, but via traditional bank transfer too.
On the surface, this may seem like a tiny step towards bringing those outside the crypto community into the fold. But we know that for both professional investors and those who have never engaged with crypto before, the process of entering the market can be daunting. Some of the most frequent questions we get asked is ‘how do I buy cryptocurrency?’ and ‘I want to buy Bond Units but don’t own any existing cryptocurrencies with which to purchase them – what can I do?’.
By enabling investors to purchase Bond Units via bank transfer, we aim to make entering the cryptocurrency markets simpler, more streamlined and transparent than ever before. Doing so will also enable a new breed of cryptocurrency investor to enter the market with greater reassurance and familiarity.
How does it work? Accredited investors simply set up a BitShares account and, having cleared the KYC checks and chosen how many Bond Units they wish to buy, will be issued with an invoice that they can then settle via bank transfer. The process is quick, straightforward and secure.
The bank transfer facility – which will initially enable investors to purchase Bond Units in eight major international currencies – is part of a wider effort from Bond to fully support and ‘hold the hand’ of investors who are new to cryptocurrency.
We believe that, unlike many other investment options (both traditional and crypto) it is both irresponsible and unethical to simply take an investor’s cash, wish them luck, and send them on their way. Investment platforms have an obligation to their investors to offer them support, guidance and ease of use.
It’s what in the investment community is sometimes referred to as ‘the cuddle’, and its why we are offering a support network that goes hand-in-hand with our investment offering. Investors can discuss the purchase process with the Bond team over the phone, and will be invited into our Telegram app group where they can raise any concerns and ask questions to the Bond team and follow investors.
The ability to purchase Bond Units by bank transfer may not radically reshape the relationship between the traditional and cryptocurrency worlds. But it will offer familiarity and ease to new investors, as a first step to bridging the crypto/institutional investment cultural gap.
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