As cryptocurrency companies seek alternative methods to bring new money into the market, a new trend in crypto products has emerged: cryptocurrency index funds.
Popular mobile Bitcoin and cryptocurrency wallet Abra has become the latest to hop on the bandwagon, and has announced a new crypto token weighted by the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
Abra Unveils BIT10 Crypto Index Token for Simple Investing
Abra has announced that they are launching the “world’s first” crypto index token, allowing users to gain access to 10 different cryptocurrencies with “one simple investment.”
Index investing is traditionally only offered to accredited investors with massive investment minimums, but Abra is making the BIT10 crypto index token available to retail investors with zero fees and a $5 minimum buy in. Abra is also placing no restrictions on transaction frequency, or buying windows, making the product ideal for fickle or uncertain investors who can’t decide on which cryptocurrencies to invest in.
The BIT10 crypto index token is “managed professionally” by San Francisco-based Bitwise Asset Management. Bitwise’s executive team features “decades of experience” and talent from Facebook, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and many more.
The new crypto index token offers an easy way to invest in 80% of the crypto market cap with one single investment, eliminating the need to do extensive research into which coins to invest in. BIT10 is weighted by market cap, and rebalanced monthly according to fluctuations in each coin’s respective market cap.
Abra points out that Bitwise funds have historically provided better returns for investors over investing into Bitcoin directly. This is the number one cryptocurrency by market cap that often dictates the movements of the overall market due to it being the most prominent trading pair.
Users who have the Abra app will be required to update their app to the latest software version in order to use the new BIT10 token.
Crypto Index Funds Are a Growing Trend
Abra joins the likes of Goldman Sachs-backed Circle and cryptocurrency powerhouse Coinbase in launching index-like crypto products for retail investors.
Circle offers a unique ‘Buy the Market’ feature through its Circle Invest app, and similarly to Abra and Bitwise’s BIT10, it allows investors to buy into a number of the top cryptocurrencies at once. Competitor Coinbase has also launched what it calls Coinbase Bundles, which allows its customers to buy into the six cryptocurrencies offered on its exchange in one simple purchase.
Cryptocurrencies are both an emerging technology and financial asset, creating much confusion and unease for investors seeking to enter the space.
With thousands of altcoins across the market, choosing the right asset can be a daunting task. These cryptocurrency index funds simplify investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and allow investors to gain exposure to a variety of assets in one simple purchase.
Companies like Abra, Coinbase, and Circle hope that by taking the guesswork out of cryptocurrency investing, those waiting on the sidelines eager to buy in, but are unsure how, will be more apt to make their first investment if the process is simple enough. As these funds catch on, more crypto firms are likely to follow with products of their own.
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