Investing in
Cryptocurrency is difficult
Deciding to add cryptocurrency to your investment portfolio is the easy part. What gets difficult very quickly for inexperienced cryptocurrency investors is deciding what cryptocurrency investments to select, as well as where to buy and how to secure and protect your cryptocurrency investments.
Directly purchasing cryptocurrency investments burdens investors with management of digital wallets and associated password keys, ‘lose your keys, lose your crypto’ or exchange custody risk. We take care of this for you with our Digital Asset Fund, an Australian domiciled wholesale unit trust, in which you can purchase units, the same way you access traditional investment assets. This simplifies your administration, auditing and taxation.
Avoid opaque and complex tax reporting requirements
Why you should add Cryptocurrency to a traditional investment portfolio
Cryptocurrency has low correlation to other asset classes, making it an important growth component of a well balanced portfolio. The CFA Institute has published papers espousing the benefits of small allocations of crypto to balanced portfolios, the result being greatly enhanced returns and little difference in either volatillity or maximum drawdowns.
The below chart shows the stark results, a 5% allocation to a 60/40 portfolio (equity / bonds) more than double cumulative returns from 75% to 156%, while portfolio volatility rises a relatively immaterial amount from 10.19% to 11.18%. The question therefore should not be whether to invest in crypto but how much to allocate.
Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Bitcoin has performed well in the past, but emerging protocols show more promise and utility
The Digital Asset Fund aims to make the most of this by outperforming Bitcoin over the long-term by identifying and investing in these emerging cryptocurrency assets.
Why invest in Merkle Tree Capital’s Digital Asset Fund?
An easy way to invest in crypto assets
Our Digital Asset Fund provides an easy way for investors to securely invest in fast-growing cryptocurrencies and emerging blockchain technologies.
Professionally managed
Our investment team combines traditional investment management methodologies and the expertise of our passionate crypto specialists to extract alpha that will deliver superior investment returns in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Secure custody & insured
Fund assets are securely held in Coinbase’s market leading institutional grade custody services and Insured by Lloyds of London, the world’s leading insurance market providing specialist.
Superior to ETFs
ETFs serve their purpose, but they can miss emerging cryptocurrency opportunities and are exposed to single asset risk. Our unit trust structure provides complete transparency and allows our experienced blockchain technologists to generate ‘alpha’ that passive ETF’s miss.
Strong relationship with our investors
We want to share our passion for the cryptocurrency space with our investors and provide them with an education that leaves them best equipped to make the most out of investing in cryptocurrency.
Who is Merkle Tree Capital
Co-founders Ryan McMillin and Dean Serroni have been friends for over 25 years. From the end of high school and throughout their university days, Dean followed his passion for information technology while Ryan extensively studied finance.
Dean launched a social media app which ended up exposing him to the cryptocurrency world. Eventually, both he and Ryan found themselves engaging in robust debate on the viability of bitcoin. Ryan’s initially superficial analysis, which is still common among traditional finance proponents, centered on what crypto isn’t (centralised, regulated, tangible) rather than what it is (decentralised, immutable, programmable).
While Dean’s practical knowledge of cryptocurrency trading increased, Ryan’s stance moderated. As he focused on the fact that a portfolio’s risk adjusted returns are enhanced with exposure to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Discussions between Dean and Ryan quickly evolved from the practical application of crypto in the Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) spaces to investing together. The duo ultimately decided to leverage their complementary expertise, including Ryan’s investment structuring experience and Dean’s extensive knowledge of the crypto landscape, to create an investment vehicle for sophisticated investors that were seeking a secure, actively managed means to access the nascent and rapidly evolving asset class.
Merkle Tree Capital was born.
Our team
Ryan McMillin
B.Comm, CPA, Grad Dip Applied Finance & Investment
Ryan is an investment professional with 20 years of experience in asset management split equally between Australia and the U.K.. Ryan is a specialist in product development, strategy and governance having designed and successfully launched over 100 funds in 10 jurisdictions which have raised billions and won multiple awards. Ryan is also a qualified accountant with experience in fund operations, risk and compliance.
Ryan has worked at a number of asset management firms including at BlackRock, GAM, Coutts & Co., AMP Capital and Sarasin & Partners, winning awards for product design and development such as ‘best fund range in Europe’ two years running from Funds Europe.
Dean Serroni
B. Computing, PMP
Dean is a technology leader with over 20 years of experience in technology transformations, consulting leadership and entrepreneurship. Dean spent the first part of his career delivering technology implementations, primarily in the financial services sector, before taking on leadership roles at a range of consulting firms.
While building and successfully exiting a tech startup over the past decade, Dean became exposed to the cryptocurrency ecosystem and developed his skills as both an investor and industry contributor. Through his involvement in cryptocurrency Dean established a passion for this nascent space and felt compelled to become more deeply involved.
Gabriel Carey
Director
20 years experience in product and wealth management. Founder/CEO Cadre Capital
Peter Cameron
Board Advisor
Tech CEO, board chairman, venture partner, Investing in Crypto since 2015
Andrew Nicol
Investment Partner
20 years experience in funds management, research and valuations.
Chris Judd
Investment Partner
Founder of Chris Judd Invest, investor in listed equities, crypto and commodity markets.
Trustee and Administration, experienced in risk management, funds management and trading
Tim Baker
Trustee & Administrator
Justin Smith
Head of Compliance
Linda Carroll
Head of Operations
Sarah Poulos
Head of Fund Accounting
Insights
Crypto Market Insights – November 2024
📢 November Signals🗒️ Market update 'Never sell your Bitcoin,' Donald J....
Merkle Tree Capital Q3 Fund Update and Market Outlook
View the recording from our recent webinar where we cover: MTC Digital Asset Fund - Fund update:...
Newsletter #27 – Q3 highlights and Q4 outlook!
💡Webinar: Q3 Fund Update & Market OutlookView the recording from our recent webinar...
Newsletter #26 – Breakpoint Breakout
📢 September Signals🗒️ Market update Nearly 200 days on from the last all...
Understanding the MTC Heat Index: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving financial markets, having a clear...
Newsletter #25 – Printers about to go BRRRR?
📢 August Signals🗒️ Market update Day 177, still range bound... Is time...
The GSOL Phenomenon: Why Grayscale’s Solana Trust Trades at a 700% Premium
Introduction Grayscale Investments has long been a fiduciary authority in digital currency...
Newsletter #24 – Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset?
🥇 The Aussie funds that beat bitcoin and big techWe are delighted to announce that the AFR...
AFR: The Aussie funds that beat bitcoin and big tech
Little known cryptocurrency investor Merkle Tree Capital has emerged as the best performing fund...
From Data to Dominance: AI’s Growing Role in Crypto
Artificial Intelligence (AI) needs data to work, learn, and improve. Crypto is all about data....
Newsletter #23 – Miner Capitulation?
📢 June Signals 🗓️ Key dates to watch 27 June - US GDP Q1 final 28 June -...
Understanding PYUSD: A Game Changer for Solana’s Ecosystem
In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency, stablecoins have emerged as essential components, offering...
Newsletter #22 – Cypto becomes political, ETH ETF approved?
📢 May Signals🗓️ Key dates to watch 28 May - London Stock Exchange will...
Newsletter #21 – Hong Kong ETFs set to launch!
📢 April Signals🗓️ Key dates to watch Every day - GBTC outflows (50%...
Newsletter #20 – 23 days until the Bitcoin halving!
📢 March Signals🗓️ Key dates to watch Every day - GBTC outflows and net ETF...
Talk Ya Book | Ryan predicts a further surge in crypto
Ryan McMillin from Merkle Tree Capital joined Chris Judd on Talk Ya Book this week. Ryan predicts...
Unlocking opportunities: Diversify your SMSF with digital asset funds
The digital asset landscape offers exciting opportunities for investors, including those with...
Newsletter #19 – Record Bitcoin ETF Inflows!
📢 February Signals 🗓️ Key dates to watch Every day - GBTC outflows and net...
Newsletter #18 – Bitcoin ETF’s and 2024 are here!
📢 January Signals 🗓️ Key dates to watch Every day - GBTC outflows...
Year in Review & 2024 Predictions
How did our predictions from December 2022 go? 1. Regulatory clarity - 50/50 we did predict no...
Newsletter #17 – The Santa Rally & our 2024 Predictions
🎅 A Merry Christmas to our community from the Merkle Tree Capital team! We would...
Investor Guide to Cryptocurrency
The Crypto, or Digital Asset, ecosystem has been growing rapidly since its inception early in 2009...
Newsletter #16 – Bulls On Parade!
November Signals Key dates to watch 22 November - US Jobless claims (will the uptick continue or...
Newsletter #15 – Bitcoin Spot ETF Imminent?
October Signals Key dates to watch 26 October - US Quarterly GDP (coming in hot? est. 4.7%) 1...
Newsletter #14 – Happy 2nd Birthday to us! 🎉
September Signals Key dates to watch 21 September - FOMC meeting (99% probability of a pause) 28...
A Turbulent 2 Years – My Top 3 Learnings
I am extremely excited to share that the MTC Digital Assets Fund has recently turned 2! 🎉...
Newsletter #13 – PayPal Doubles Down
August Signals Key dates to watch 24-25 August - Jackson Hole Symposium ) 1 September -...
Bitcoin and ESG: A Report by KPMG
There has been a lot of misinformation and fear mongering on this topic, Bitcoiners know its ESG...
Newsletter #12 – Blackrock Sending Ripples
July Signals Key dates to watch 26 July - FOMC meeting (A 0.25 raise is all...
Newsletter #11 – Has BlackRock just fired the crypto starter pistol?
June Signals BlackRock applies for a spot Bitcoin ETF, do they know something we don't know? In 45...
Talk Ya Book | Dean Serroni & Chris Judd talk Ethereum
On the latest Talk Ya Book, Chris Judd welcomes Dean Serroni from Merkle Tree Capital. Dean...
Merkle Tree Capital has joined Blockchain Australia
We are thrilled to announce that Merkle Tree Capital has joined Blockchain...
The Bitcoin Halving is approaching
With the Bitcoin halving event around 12 months away it’s worth understanding the implications of...
The Evolution of Money
Money, as ubiquitous as it is, few really understand it, you might consider the U.S. Dollar to be...
Managed crypto exposure in a SMSF
As the first new asset class in a century and a half, digital assets have captured a huge amount...
Talk Ya Book | Ryan McMillan & Chris Judd talk cryptocurrency
On the latest episode of Talk Ya Book, Chris Judd welcomes Ryan McMillan from Merkle Tree. Ryan...
The FTX fall from grace
It’s been a tough week for the industry, FTX / Alameda and SBF’s fall from grace has been...
Busting Myths #8 – “An NFT Is Just A JPEG”
Dean Serroni from Merkle Tree Capital speaks with Gabriel Carey from Cadre Capital to challenge...
Blockchain in the Real Estate Industry. Part 1: Investment Vehicles
Blockchain is an emerging technology that has the potential to make substantive utility and...
Blockchain Technology and what it means to be Trustless
In virtually all of our dealings as humans, “trust” is one of the most important concepts – the...
Can bitcoin power the transition to renewable energy?
As the move to renewables gathers pace the power grid is struggling to manage the intermittent...
Busting Myths #7 – “You Can’t Buy or Do Anything With Crypto”
Ryan McMillin from Merkle Tree Capital speaks with Gabriel Carey from Cadre Capital to challenge...
Busting Myths #6 – “Central Bank Digital Currencies Will Kill Crypto”
Ryan McMillin from Merkle Tree Capital speaks with Gabriel Carey from Cadre Capital about whether...
Busting Myths #5 – “Crypto Is Used By Criminals”
Ryan McMillin from Merkle Tree Capital speaks with Gabriel Carey from Cadre Capital about crypto...
Applying traditional risk management practices to a crypto portfolio
After the fall out of the LUNA/TERRA ecosystem collapse, the risk management, or lack thereof, for...
Merkle Tree Capital awarded Australia’s first investment grade rating for a diversified digital asset fund
Domiciled in Australia, the MTC Digital Asset Fund is a wholesale unit trust aimed at high net...
Busting Myths #4 – “Regulation Will Kill Crypto”
In the fourth instalment of our Busting Myths series; Gabriel Carey of Cadre Capital Partners and...
Busting Myths #3 – “Bitcoin is a Bubble”
In the third instalment of our Busting Myths series; Gabriel Carey of Cadre Capital Partners and...
LUNA UST algorithmic stablecoin experiment unravelling is a timely reminder on the importance of risk management in a portfolio
The markets have been challenging of late. Amidst the inflationary macro backdrop impacting the...
Busting Myths #2 – “All Crypto is the Same”
In the second instalment of our Busting Myths series; Gabriel Carey of Cadre Capital Partners and...
Talk Ya Book – Chris Judd and Dean Serroni discuss cryptocurrency
On the latest episode of Talk Ya Book, Chris Judd sits down with Managing Director of the Crypto...
Busting Myths #1 – “Bitcoin has no intrinsic value”
In the first instalment of our Busting Myths series; Gabriel Carey of Cadre Capital Partners and...
FAQ
Who is Merkle Tree Capital?
Co-founders Ryan McMillin and Dean Serroni have been friends for over 25 years. From the end of high school and throughout their university days, Dean followed his passion for information technology while Ryan extensively studied finance.
What is the Digital Asset Fund?
Our Digital Asset Fund provides an easy way for investors to securely invest in fast-growing cryptocurrencies and emerging blockchain technologies.
How do I invest in the Digital Asset Fund?
Sophisticated investors can invest into the MTC Digital Asset Fund via the following link: www.registrydirect.com.au/offer/mtc-digital-asset-fund
What is a sophisticated investor?
A person with a certificate from a qualified accountant certifying they have a prescribed net asset or gross income level. This gives them an exemption under the Corporations Act 2001. That means they can buy financial products without a regulated disclosure document such as a prospectus or product disclosure statement.
What is the minimum investment I can make into the Digital Asset Fund?
AUD $50,000
What are the fees to invest in the Digital Asset Fund?
The Manager will charge a Management Fee of 2% p.a. (plus GST) of the Net Asset Value. The Performance Fee is equal to 20% of outperformance after Management Fees and other costs of running the Fund (plus GST) have been deducted, above the Bitcoing S&P Index Benchmark Return. A performance fee will only be charged where absolute performance for the period is positive, and only on the outperformance that is positive. The performance fee is also subject to a high-water mark. The high watermark is the highest return the Fund has achieved in comparison to the benchmark since the Fund was launched. A performance fee is only charged when the Fund’s return in comparison to the benchmark reaches a new high. When this occurs, the high watermark is reset at this level.
Can SMSF invest in the Digital Asset Fund?
Yes. Self Managed Superannuation Funds can invest in the fund. However, they must meet the sophisticated investor criteria.
Does the fund hold Ethereum?
Yes. The fund has an allocation to Ethereum and several other of the leading crypto assets by market capitalisation.
What is the difference between investing in the fund and just buying Bitcoin myself?
The MTC Digital Asset Fund seeks to outperform Bitcoin by investing in crypto assets including established Blockchains, Smart Contract Platforms, Decentralised Finance (DeFi) protocols as well as other emerging sub-sectors that present an opportunity for superior returns. Investors in The Fund will also have the benefit of
- Secure institutional-grade custody of crypto assets
- Portfolio management and ongoing asset selection
- Avoidance of complex global trading platforms
- Avoidance of complex wallet and key management
- Education via regular market updates.
Do I need to worry about losing my wallet key?
No. We manage the complications of managing global exchanges and wallets on behalf of our investors. We have partnered with Coinbase to provide industry leading asset custody.
Are my cryptocurrency assets in this fund safe?
Yes. We have partnered with Coinbase to provide industry leading asset custody. Coinbase has been storing funds on behalf of its customers since 2012 and has never lost customer funds. Coinbase provides $320M of Commercial Crime Insurance underwritten by a global syndicate of insurance providers led by Lloyds of London
Do you day trade cryptocurrency investments within the fund?
The Fund has adopted a ‘buy and hold’ strategy and will not engage in day trading, derivatives, leverage, or short selling.
How long should I invest my money in the fund?
Crytpocurrency is a volatile asset class, as such we suggest a minimum holding period of 5 years.
Get in contact with us
If you would like to learn more about the fund or to have a general chat about crypto please get in touch, we would love to connect.
Ready to invest?
Get started by applying below