Crypto for Advisors: beneath the crypto surface

⦿ Executive Snapshot

• What: Advisors and long-term investors are increasingly building durable allocations in crypto despite a stalled market.
• Who: Financial advisors, Andy Baehr (GSR), Patrick Velleman (Valdora), and investors.
• Why it matters: This trend indicates a growing comfort and strategic shift towards crypto investments, potentially leading to a more robust market foundation over time.

⦿ Key Developments

• The Conviction/Ambivalence gauge hit maximum ambivalence in Q1 2026, indicating a lack of strong market enthusiasm.
• DeFi borrow rates on Aave decreased towards 3% ahead of a recent exploit, compared to over 20% post-2024 election.
• The GSR Crypto Core3 ETF (BESO) was launched, packaging BTC, ETH, and SOL with staking rewards and active management.

⦿ Strategic Context

• The historical context shows that while crypto markets currently feel low-energy, the longer-term investment mentality among advisors is evolving.
• This development fits into a broader narrative of increasing institutional adoption and the maturation of the crypto market as a legitimate asset class.

⦿ Strategic Implications

• The immediate consequence is a shift in advisor-client conversations towards broader crypto allocations beyond just Bitcoin.
• Long-term implications may include a more stable and diversified crypto investment landscape as advisors adopt new strategies like automated vaults for client capital management.

⦿ Risks & Constraints

• Potential risks include regulatory uncertainties and the technical complexities associated with managing crypto assets.
• Competition from traditional financial products and infrastructure dependencies may pose challenges for crypto adoption among mainstream investors.

⦿ Watchlist / Forward Signals

• Key milestones to watch include the performance of the GSR Crypto Core3 ETF and the upcoming rollout of Morgan Stanley's crypto trading pilot.
• Future developments signaling success will include increased advisor engagement with automated investment strategies and a shift in client preferences towards diversified crypto portfolios.