Traders in the world of traditional markets are showing increased interest in digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, according to a new study conducted by the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange in Zurich.
Among the traders who participated in the survey, two-thirds said their clients have a growing interest in digital currencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and other “crypto products.” What’s more, roughly 80 percent said they believe the demand for crypto-based investment vehicles will increase in the future, and that digital assets will likely “streamline the trading and settlement process” and “reduce overall trading costs.”
In a statement, SIX Executive Director Tony Shaw pointed out that the exchange has made “significant headway in digital assets” as of late.
For example, just last month, the Swiss exchange added another Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) to its lineup—this one from digital asset manager WisdomTree. The product allows the exchange's clients to invest in Bitcoin without actually holding the currency in their own digital wallets, thereby mitigating some of the risk involved.
“We are making history innovating in this space and expect many of our clients will be too by being able to access and offer unique products and services,” Shaw said.
And SIX’s clients demonstrate an interest in innovative technologies beyond just cryptocurrency. According to the results of the survey, traders believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will reshape the way trading is done and increase opportunities. Two-thirds of the study’s participants believe that AI will reduce the costs associated with trading in the future.
“Innovation in this space is going to be a key driver,” said Shaw. “Exchanges such as ours are currently looking at various ways [AI] can serve to benefit clients across the entire value chain—from trading to post trade.”