Institutional Investors

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan suggests the recent Bitcoin dip, driven by retail investor “desperation,” may signal a market bottom. Despite a “crypto winter” atmosphere, institutional interest remains strong, fueled by crypto ETFs and advisor support. Hougan notes a shift towards an institutionally driven market, less reactive to short-term volatility. He believes Bitcoin could reach new all-time highs by year-end, driven by diminishing selling pressure and continued buying interest, potentially even reaching Michael Saylor’s $150,000 target.

Elon Musk criticized proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis, labeling them “corporate terrorists” for influencing shareholder votes, particularly regarding his compensation package. These firms hold significant sway over institutional investors, especially with growing passive investment. Critics, including Musk, worry about their lack of nuance and potential to undermine corporate governance. Proponents argue they provide valuable research for investors lacking resources. The debate underscores a fundamental question about the control of publicly traded companies and the growing role of proxy advisors.

Acadian Asset Management is gaining attention as it shifts to a pure-play public systematic manager. Chairman John Paulson reaffirmed commitment after a stock sale driven by investor interest. Acadian’s quantitative models and algorithms are key to identifying market inefficiencies, offering a data-driven approach. This strategy faces risks, including model over-optimization and the evolving sophistication of market algorithms. Acadian managed $151 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, offering systematic strategies for institutional investors. Risks associated with forward-looking statements are noted.

Amber International (Nasdaq: AMBR), operating as Amber Premium, has launched its Real World Asset (RWA) Solution, a full-stack platform designed for institutional regulatory compliance in tokenizing real-world assets. This turnkey solution aims to enhance security, liquidity, and programmability while facilitating the entire asset lifecycle, from issuance to liquidity management. Key features include structuring & governance frameworks, smart contract automation, cross-chain interoperability, bank-grade custody, and DeFi strategies. The RWA solution seeks to bridge traditional finance and DeFi, signaling Amber’s commitment to serving institutional investors in the digital asset space.

BlackRock Inc. has increased its stake in Freedom Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: FRHC) to 0.85%, valued at approximately $89 million, making them the second-largest shareholder. This investment reflects a growing confidence in Freedom Holding, also shared by other institutional investors like State Street Corp. Freedom Holding operates in 22 countries, providing a financial and digital ecosystem including Freedom Bank and Freedom Broker. Freedom Holding’s CEO, Timur Turlov, views this as validation of their business model and strategic value.

General Enterprise Ventures (GEVI) announced a 1-for-6 reverse stock split, effective August 27, 2025, reducing outstanding shares to approximately 14.6 million. The stock will trade as GEVID temporarily before reverting to GEVI. This strategic move aims to meet national securities exchange listing requirements and attract institutional investors. The split won’t affect percentage ownership; fractional shares will be rounded up. The company, through its subsidiary Mighty Fire Breaker, seeks growth in wildfire prevention technology.