Lenneke Arts

Blackrock has been working for “years” on launching a European bitcoin ETP. The asset manager officially introduced it this Tuesday morning on the Dutch, German, and French exchanges.

For an increasing number of ultra-wealthy Dutch individuals, the question is no longer just how much tax they pay—but whether the Netherlands remains the right place to live and invest.

Strategic partnerships are not only a trend for pension funds and fiduciary managers, said Robeco CEO Karin van Baardwijk. “Private banks are looking for larger allocations per asset manager. That creates opportunities to get more out of the relationship. However, it also means that there are fewer fund houses on the shelf.”

Investing in wine, art, Lego, luxury handbags, whisky, or violins may seem to share a common thread—they are all driven by passion. But for professional investors, most of these categories fall short of being viable investments, regardless of enthusiasm.

Geopolitical tensions, inflation uncertainties, and high equity market valuations are driving a trend towards investing in gold.

Recent issues in the private credit market have heightened the vigilance of Dutch asset managers regarding deals financed by private debt providers.

Amsterdam-based investment firm Van Lanschot Kempen is keen to expand its market share in Belgium.

Whisky asset manager Scotch Whisky Investments until recently focused mainly on private investors. That market continues as usual, but bringing in former ABN Amro director Eran Habets as CEO means more focus on selling to independent asset managers and family offices. And abroad, first and foremost Belgium.

Despite declining valuations in private equity, Schroders Capital’s European private equity chief Richard Damming remains confident, dismissing concerns as mere industry “noise”.

In the face of fluctuating private equity valuations, Damming reassures that they remain undeterred. “You sell a company at the price you want to sell it for, and otherwise you don’t sell it,” says the head of Schroders’ European PE branch. 

The ambition of the financial sector to further democratise private markets is not yet convincingly reflected in practice.