On Halloween, 2008, a person or persons calling themselves Satoshi Nakamoto submitted a white paper extolling their vision of electronic cash that would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without having to travel through a financial institution. On this fateful day, blockchain’s implementation and bitcoin were introduced to the world. The mystery of Satoshi’s identity was only matched by the initial institutional disbelief of bitcoin’s inherent value and blockchain’s potential to change the world. Who could take Nakamoto’s creation seriously when it took over 18,000 bitcoins to buy a pizza? However, in the wake of the financial crisis, distrust of our current financial framework grew, giving rise to cryptocurrency’s legitimacy. Since then, more than 5,000 types of digital specie have been forged, servicing hyperinflated emerging economies like Venezuela while creating a global market worth more than USD$850 billion. With the coding of Ethereum, blockchain grew beyond the curation of cryptocurrency to assume a more functional role with things like decentralized autonomous organizations and smart contracts, edging into other verticals such as gaming, investment and data control. However, widespread adoption continues to be blockchain’s biggest challenge as common use requires a whole new mindset and cultural viewpoint which may take years to develop. Working to shorten that transitional gap by institutionalizing the space, Galaxy Digital’s (GLXY.T) expert management wields over 160 years of combined experience in digital assets, finance, compliance, venture capital and investment banking. With over $300 million in managed assets, investments in Ripple, Bitstamp and BlockFi, this trend-making firm trades across the crypto market while acting as a full-service investment bank. In short, Galaxy Digital provides the uninitiated with easy access to the incredible upside of digital assets without the commensurate individual risk, opening the door to a better world for both the investment community and its own shareholders.
