Since its inception, the digital asset realm has been primarily shaped by retail investors, setting it apart from traditional financial sectors due to its volatility and technological uncertainties. However, in recent years, institutional interest in cryptocurrencies has surged. It started in 2021 when large companies, investment banks, and corporations revised their attitude toward crypto and started to adopt it little by little.
Today, most of the biggest names on Wall Street claim their intentions to incorporate digital assets and offer financial services with crypto to their clients. For example, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America have introduced crypto trading desks for their clients.
What Differentiates Institutions from Retail Traders in the Digital Asset Market?
Crypto exchange sizes for retailers and institutions vary due to different functionality and services. These are custody solutions, reporting tools, compliance with regulations and laws to avoid troubles with the Securities and Exchange Commission, analytics, and algorithmic tools. The matter is that institutions often act on behalf of their clients, while retail investors use their own money. Thus, institutions risk more and need a more serious approach to risk management.
In addition, institutions operate large amounts, which increases their risks compared with retailers’ risks of trading with much smaller funds. Moreover, institutions require strict compliance with relevant regulations and reporting, unlike retail traders. All these institutional requirements are met by the biggest exchanges crypto – Coinbase, Binance, Gemini, and Kraken.
Features of Trading Venues that are Crucial for Large Investors
Here are the key features of an institutional crypto exchange:
● Liquidity. Institutional exchanges aim to offer deep liquidity, enabling large-volume trades without significantly impacting market prices.
● Security. They implement robust security measures – cold storage, multi-signature wallets, and insurance – to protect assets from theft and breaches.
● Regulatory compliance. These platforms adhere to strict regulatory standards, providing institutions with a compliant environment for trading.
● Advanced tools. Institutional crypto exchanges offer advanced trading features, such as algorithmic trading, margin trading, options, and derivatives.
● Custody solutions. They provide secure custody services for digital assets, allowing institutions to store and manage their holdings safely.
● APIs and connectivity. They offer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for seamless connectivity with trading bots, algorithms, and other trading systems.
● Execution efficiency. Institutional exchanges prioritize fast order execution and high throughput to handle large trading volumes.
● Reporting. They provide reporting tools and ensure compliance with reporting requirements for institutional investors.
Conclusion
An institutional crypto exchange plays a crucial role in offering a tailored, secure, and regulated environment for large institutions to participate in the crypto market. It addresses the unique needs and challenges that institutions face, providing them with the tools, security, and services required for effective trading in the digital asset space.
