Cryptoassets: Venture into the Unknown
February 18, 2019--Last year, investors watched as the prices of various cryptoassets collapsed. The industry's most famous digital asset, Bitcoin, lost roughly three quarters of its value, as it slid from more than $16,000 a coin to less than $4,000.
The dramatic declines that swept across the crypto space raised questions about the future of these assets and the blockchain technology that underpins them.
Yet, in looking across the investment landscape, we see an industry that is developing, not faltering. Blockchain technology introduces scarcity to the digital world, which can help innovators better monetize their work and foster innovation. It offers the potential to streamline processes across any number of businesses, such as inter-bank settlement. It also holds the hope for a new, more decentralized version of the internet, where users can better manage their privacy.
Source: Cambridge Associates LLC
BetaShares-Buy the rumour
February 18, 2019--Week in Review
It was another positive week for global stocks, as ongoing encouraging talk about progress in US-China trade talks remained the gift that keeps on giving. Last week it was Trump's announced willingness to extend the March 1 deadline that boosted sentiment.
It's fair to say a positive trade deal now seems increasingly "priced" into the market, and once it's settled it may well become a classic case of "buy the rumour, sell the fact".
Washington's deal to avoid another Government shutdown was also a relief, with Trump finally resorting to the national emergency route-and inevitable court wrangling-to get his Mexican Wall built. Whether or not The Wall is built is of secondary importance for markets, the big relief is that shutdown threats-and potential associated risks to economic growth-no longer seem part of Trump's bargaining tactics.
Source: BetaShares
TradeWeb Trading Activity Starts The New Year Strong
February 18, 2019--Trading activity set a new record in January 2019 following the previous high set in December 2018. Average daily volume (ADV) for Tradeweb Markets of $624.5 billion (bn) across rates, credit, money markets and equities during the month was up 20.7 percent (%) year over year and average daily trades totaled 51,221.
At Tradeweb, Mortgage trading averaged over $164 bn per day, up over 16% compared to January 2018; its best month in over five years. U.S. high-grade and high-yield credit set new platform records of $2.7 bn and $0.4 bn, respectively; U.S. high--grade exceed 11% of TRACE for the first time.
Source: Tradeweb
BlackRock and Vanguard pull in 57% of global fund flows in 2018
February 17, 2019-- Chart of the week: index funds far outpaced active peers in a year defined by volatility
BlackRock and Vanguard together grabbed more than half of global net new inflows into long-term mutual funds in 2018, ratcheting up the pressure on the business models of smaller rivals.
Worldwide, new business flows into long-term mutual funds (excluding money market products) dropped by almost 70 per cent last year, declining to $606bn from the $2tn record set in 2017, according to Morningstar, the data provider.
Source: FT.com
Flow Traders releases January 2019 ETP market statistics
February 14, 2019--Flow Traders N.V. ("Flow Traders") (Euronext: FLOW), today releases the monthly ETP (Exchange Traded Products) market statistics for January 2019. This refers to general market observations only.
Source: Flow Traders
ETFGI reports assets invested in global ETFs and ETPs industry rises back above 5 trillion US dollars in January 2019
February 14, 2019--ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETF/ETP ecosystem, reported today that ETFs and ETPs listed Globally gathered net inflows of US$17.35 billion in January.
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry finished the month up 7.13%, from US$4.82 trillion at the end of December, to US$5.16 trillion, according to ETFGI's January 2019 Global ETF and ETP industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)
Highlights
Assets invested in the Global ETF/ETP industry rise 7.13% in January.
During January 2019, ETFs/ETPs listed Globally attracted $17.35 Bn in net inflows.
Source: ETFGI
FSB report assesses FinTech developments and potential financial stability implications
February 14, 2019--The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report today on FinTech and market structure in financial services. The publication is part of the FSB's ongoing work to monitor FinTech market developments and their potential implications for financial stability.
The FSB defines FinTech as technology-enabled innovation in financial services that could result in new business models, applications, processes or products with an associated material effect on the provision of financial services.
Technological innovation holds great promise for the provision of financial services, with the potential to increase market access, the range of product offerings, and convenience while also lowering costs to clients. At the same time, new entrants into the financial services space, including FinTech firms and large, established technology companies ('BigTech'), could materially alter the universe of financial services providers. Greater competition and diversity in lending, payments, insurance, trading, and other areas of financial services can create a more efficient and resilient financial system.
Source: FSB
Equity Trading Costs Rise To Three-Year High
February 14, 2019--Increased equity volatility in the final quarter of last year led to the highest global trading costs in the previous three years according to research from broker ITG.
Trading in all regions became more expensive, with the exceptions of emerging Europe and Middle East & Africa. ITG said in a report that commissions per share decreased slightly in the US and remained flat for the global traded universe over the same time period.
Source: marketsmedia.com
World Gold Council-Gold Investor-February 2019
February 12, 2019--In this edition of Gold Investor, we look back to the financial crisis; we consider the effect on the gold market since then and we look to the future.
In this edition:
The curse of cash and the allure of gold
Ken Rogoff suggests that excessive reliance on paper money is responsible for ills ranging from tax evasion to terrorism. Monetary policy would be more effective in a largely cashless society. Cryptocurrencies are not an effective replacement for paper money, but gold's role is likely to increase as cash fades from view.
view the World Gold Council-Gold Investor-February 2019
Source: World Gold Council
Global blockchain market to reach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2030, IHS Markit
February 12, 2019--IHS Markit expects revenues could reach $462 billion from using blockchain technology across global financial services.
The value of blockchain in the global financial services market could reach nearly half a trillion dollars within 2030, according to IHS Markit.
The information provider believes given the number of blockchain projects expected to launch and become commercially developed in the coming years, revenues could likely reach $462 billion.
Source: globalcustodian.com