Brava Finance shares institutional digital assets research responses
11 December 2025 UK
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In its latest research across the pension and hedge fund space, the non-custodial stablecoin management platform Brava Finance has reported that both sectors are seeing growing prioritisation of digital assets.
In its study of pension funds across 12 countries, 88 per cent say that digital asset adoption is a strategic priority for their organisation, with 56 per cent of those stating it is an “urgent and immediate” priority.
Similarly, the company’s hedge fund research across eight countries demonstrates the sector's rapid adoption of digital asset strategies, with investment into digital assets considered a strategic priority by 92 per cent of those surveyed, with 68 per cent considering it an “urgent and immediate priority”.
According to the study, all surveyed pension funds say they are developing a digital asset strategy, with 42 per cent claiming to have a well-defined strategy already in place.
The report showed 80 per cent of pension funds already have some asset allocation in digital assets, with more than 26 per cent of pension funds holding up to two per cent in their investment portfolios, while more than 54 per cent hold between two and five per cent.
Throughout the last 12 months, pension funds already invested are reported to have increased their allocations to digital assets, while in the next 12 months, 48 per cent expect to increase the allocation to between 10–25 per cent, with 38 per cent expecting to increase allocation to between 5–10 per cent.
According to Brava’s research, the recent record valuations of bitcoin were a catalyst for 88 per cent of pension funds, leading to “serious, strategic conversation” for 12 per cent of those surveyed.
On the flip side, bitcoin’s recent adjustments in price from all-time highs are concerning for 86 per cent of pension funds, resulting in 76 per cent seeking alternative digital assets.
A key facet identified by the research for pension funds to consider digital assets has been improvements to the regulatory environment, in addition to the increasing number of financial companies entering the market, and the strong performance of some digital assets.
Despite this, the research shows that regulatory uncertainty, concerns about custody and security, as well as volatility, present the greatest barriers to pension funds’ strategies being built.
98 per cent of pension funds report they are being placed under pressure to consider digital asset strategies.
Founder and CEO of Brava, Graham Cook, understands pension funds to have “recognised that certain digital assets such as stablecoins are both robust and stable and offer them another string to their bow”.
Hedge funds with digital assets in their portfolios have also increased their allocations, according to Brava’s research, with 44 per cent holding up to two per cent, and 20 per cent holding between two and three per cent.
92 per cent of hedge funds questioned report they are developing a digital asset strategy, although only eight per cent say they have a well-defined strategy in place.
Those with digital assets in their portfolios have increased their allocations, with 44 per cent holding up to two per cent, and 20 per cent holding between two and three per cent.
All hedge funds surveyed said they plan to make considerable increases in their allocations to digital assets within the next 12 months, with 40 per cent moving to 5–10 per cent, and another 28 per cent to between 1–25 per cent, according to the research.
The recent highs of Bitcoin were also a catalyst for 96 per cent of surveyed hedge funds, leading to “serious, strategic conversations” for 48 per cent of those surveyed.
The increasing number of TradFi companies entering the market was the key factor in why these hedge fund companies are considering digital assets, according to Brava, in addition to the improving regulatory environment, the positive sentiment that President Donald Trump has shown towards digital assets, and the strong performance of some specific digital assets.
Despite this, 92 per cent of hedge funds have outlined their concern over bitcoin's fall in value, resulting in 76 per cent looking for alternative digital assets, including stablecoins.
Hedge funds also say the greatest challenges they face regarding digital strategies being built are concerns around custody and security, ESG, and reputational concerns, in addition to regulatory uncertainty.
Implementation is more likely to be blocked by internal processes — or lack thereof — according to Brava, with a lack of clear operational processes, concerns over vendor reliability, and internal sign-off and governance concerns being highlighted as the predominant three concerns.
All hedge fund managers surveyed say their clients and trustees are pressuring them to consider digital asset strategies.
Commenting on the hedge fund research, Cook says: “They are now seeking to build digital asset strategies that will help them to deliver a diversified source of yield and improve risk-adjusted returns for their clients.”
In its study of pension funds across 12 countries, 88 per cent say that digital asset adoption is a strategic priority for their organisation, with 56 per cent of those stating it is an “urgent and immediate” priority.
Similarly, the company’s hedge fund research across eight countries demonstrates the sector's rapid adoption of digital asset strategies, with investment into digital assets considered a strategic priority by 92 per cent of those surveyed, with 68 per cent considering it an “urgent and immediate priority”.
According to the study, all surveyed pension funds say they are developing a digital asset strategy, with 42 per cent claiming to have a well-defined strategy already in place.
The report showed 80 per cent of pension funds already have some asset allocation in digital assets, with more than 26 per cent of pension funds holding up to two per cent in their investment portfolios, while more than 54 per cent hold between two and five per cent.
Throughout the last 12 months, pension funds already invested are reported to have increased their allocations to digital assets, while in the next 12 months, 48 per cent expect to increase the allocation to between 10–25 per cent, with 38 per cent expecting to increase allocation to between 5–10 per cent.
According to Brava’s research, the recent record valuations of bitcoin were a catalyst for 88 per cent of pension funds, leading to “serious, strategic conversation” for 12 per cent of those surveyed.
On the flip side, bitcoin’s recent adjustments in price from all-time highs are concerning for 86 per cent of pension funds, resulting in 76 per cent seeking alternative digital assets.
A key facet identified by the research for pension funds to consider digital assets has been improvements to the regulatory environment, in addition to the increasing number of financial companies entering the market, and the strong performance of some digital assets.
Despite this, the research shows that regulatory uncertainty, concerns about custody and security, as well as volatility, present the greatest barriers to pension funds’ strategies being built.
98 per cent of pension funds report they are being placed under pressure to consider digital asset strategies.
Founder and CEO of Brava, Graham Cook, understands pension funds to have “recognised that certain digital assets such as stablecoins are both robust and stable and offer them another string to their bow”.
Hedge funds with digital assets in their portfolios have also increased their allocations, according to Brava’s research, with 44 per cent holding up to two per cent, and 20 per cent holding between two and three per cent.
92 per cent of hedge funds questioned report they are developing a digital asset strategy, although only eight per cent say they have a well-defined strategy in place.
Those with digital assets in their portfolios have increased their allocations, with 44 per cent holding up to two per cent, and 20 per cent holding between two and three per cent.
All hedge funds surveyed said they plan to make considerable increases in their allocations to digital assets within the next 12 months, with 40 per cent moving to 5–10 per cent, and another 28 per cent to between 1–25 per cent, according to the research.
The recent highs of Bitcoin were also a catalyst for 96 per cent of surveyed hedge funds, leading to “serious, strategic conversations” for 48 per cent of those surveyed.
The increasing number of TradFi companies entering the market was the key factor in why these hedge fund companies are considering digital assets, according to Brava, in addition to the improving regulatory environment, the positive sentiment that President Donald Trump has shown towards digital assets, and the strong performance of some specific digital assets.
Despite this, 92 per cent of hedge funds have outlined their concern over bitcoin's fall in value, resulting in 76 per cent looking for alternative digital assets, including stablecoins.
Hedge funds also say the greatest challenges they face regarding digital strategies being built are concerns around custody and security, ESG, and reputational concerns, in addition to regulatory uncertainty.
Implementation is more likely to be blocked by internal processes — or lack thereof — according to Brava, with a lack of clear operational processes, concerns over vendor reliability, and internal sign-off and governance concerns being highlighted as the predominant three concerns.
All hedge fund managers surveyed say their clients and trustees are pressuring them to consider digital asset strategies.
Commenting on the hedge fund research, Cook says: “They are now seeking to build digital asset strategies that will help them to deliver a diversified source of yield and improve risk-adjusted returns for their clients.”
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