A new survey by the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) reveals that 55% of conventional hedge funds now have exposure to cryptocurrencies or related instruments — a sharp increase from 47% just one year earlier.
Crypto Integration Becomes the New Normal
AIMA’s 2025 survey, which gathered data from 122 hedge fund managers overseeing nearly $1 trillion in assets, paints a clear picture of an industry in transition. While most participants still maintain modest exposure levels — often under 2% of total assets — the strategic intent is clear. Roughly 71% of respondents plan to expand their crypto allocations over the coming year, suggesting that digital assets are moving beyond the experimental stage and becoming a routine component of institutional portfolios.
On average, hedge funds now dedicate about 7% of their total holdings to crypto-related instruments, a figure that continues to rise as more firms explore on-chain yield opportunities, tokenized securities, and decentralized finance (DeFi) exposure. This steady expansion comes despite recent market pullbacks that rattled short-term investors but appear not to have deterred institutional interest.
Derivatives Take the Lead
Rather than holding Bitcoin or Ethereum outright, most hedge funds are opting for indirect exposure through derivatives. According to AIMA, 67% of participants use futures, options, and structured products to gain market access while limiting custody risks. The preference reflects both caution and sophistication — a desire to manage volatility without fully immersing in on-chain activity.
However, the report also cautions that reliance on leveraged derivatives remains a double-edged sword. AIMA warns that the latest “flash crash” exposed critical weaknesses in the infrastructure supporting digital asset derivatives, particularly in clearing, risk management, and data transparency. The association urged the industry to invest in more institutional-grade systems to ensure stability as volumes scale.
Washington’s Rulebook Spurs Renewed Confidence
AIMA’s findings suggest that recent regulatory developments in the United States are helping shape this growing comfort among institutional players. Nearly half of the surveyed hedge funds cited the evolving U.S. policy landscape as a major driver behind their increased exposure to digital assets.
The Trump administration’s overhaul of federal digital asset oversight — including efforts to streamline the approval process for tokenized products — has been interpreted as a signal of growing political acceptance. Meanwhile, bipartisan efforts in the Senate to finalize a comprehensive crypto market structure bill are gaining traction, signaling a rare moment of alignment in Washington over digital finance.
GENIUS Act Marks a Turning Point
A cornerstone of the ongoing legislative push is the GENIUS Act, a framework establishing clearer rules for stablecoin issuance and payments. The bill has entered its second public consultation phase after gaining preliminary approval from multiple committees. Lawmakers aim to finalize the legislation before election-year politics consume the congressional agenda.
Senator Thom Tillis recently warned that Congress has only a limited window to pass meaningful crypto legislation before campaigns dominate policy discussions. His remarks have added urgency to the legislative process, which has already influenced institutional sentiment.
Institutional Appetite Defies Market Volatility
Despite ongoing price swings, hedge fund managers appear to view digital assets less as speculative bets and more as emerging components of a diversified financial system. From tokenized treasuries to blockchain-based settlement rails, crypto is increasingly seen as infrastructure rather than just an asset class.
As hedge funds expand their exposure, the crypto industry may finally be seeing the early stages of its long-anticipated institutional era — one driven by regulation, diversification, and strategic integration into global finance.