Amundi’s Bitcoin and Tokenized Asset Initiative
Introduction
Amundi, one of Europe’s largest asset managers, holds a central position in the continent’s financial ecosystem with over €2.3 trillion in assets under management. The France-based company was founded in 2010 through the merger of the asset management divisions of Crédit Agricole and Société Générale and has since been at the forefront of setting the standard for fund management in Europe.
Today, Amundi serves a broad customer base ranging from individual investors to sovereign wealth funds. It operates globally in fixed income securities, equity portfolios, sustainable investments, and thematic funds. Therefore, every strategic step it takes is of great importance not only for its own investors but also for the direction of European capital markets.
Source: https://about.amundi.com/who-we-are-0
In recent years, the global economy has begun to undergo a profound transformation. Persistent inflationary pressures, volatile interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties are challenging traditional investment approaches. This situation has encouraged long-term institutional investors to turn to alternative asset classes. Digital assets, initially viewed as a risky investment area, have now begun to find their place in institutional portfolios as a hedge against inflation and an alternative source of returns.
One of the most significant developments accelerating this transformation in Europe was the implementation of the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation. MiCA introduced a comprehensive legal framework to crypto markets for the first time. Institutions operating in Europe can now offer crypto products in 27 countries with a single license. Investor protection, reporting, and oversight processes are now subject to common standards. This represents the regulatory certainty that giants like Amundi have been awaiting for years.
Amundi’s management has been closely monitoring the crypto market for a long time but has taken a cautious approach until now. However, with the regulatory environment maturing and investor demand increasing, conditions are now ripe for entering the digital asset space. The company views this process not as a risky experiment but as a natural evolution of its portfolio diversification and long-term value preservation strategies.
In this report, we will examine Amundi’s strategy for entering the crypto world during this transformation process, its planned products, potential investment areas, and possible effects on the market.
Planned Products and Strategy
Amundi’s first step in the digital asset space appears to be through Bitcoin-based exchange-traded products (ETN/ETP). These products will offer investors access to price movements through a regulated and secure channel without directly purchasing Bitcoin. Since custody, insurance, and regulatory processes will be managed by a professional institution like Amundi, a straightforward investment model will be created for institutional investors, both operationally and legally. These products are targeted for launch in early 2026. This timing coincides with the full implementation of MiCA regulation in Europe and a period of rapidly growing interest in digital assets among institutional investors. As noted in Amundi Research Center’s report titled “Cryptocurrencies Break into the Mainstream,” institutional capital’s shift toward crypto assets is expected to strengthen as the regulatory framework becomes clearer. (https://research-center.amundi.com/article/cryptocurrencies-break-mainstream)
Bitcoin’s popularity is driven not only by its appeal but also by an understanding of economic transformation. As emphasized in Amundi Research Center’s report, Bitcoin is no longer viewed as a speculative experiment but as the monetary instrument of the digital age. Faced with global debt burdens and inflationary pressures, some investors are positioning Bitcoin as digital gold for the long term. It is even seen as having the potential to be used as collateral or a reserve asset in the future. This approach makes Amundi’s strategic choice more meaningful. Bitcoin’s high liquidity, institutional recognition, and market depth make it the most mature and reliable alternative among digital assets. Amundi therefore positions its Bitcoin-based product not only as an investment vehicle but also as a new strategic tool for financial stability and portfolio diversification. This step represents a significant milestone in the institutionalization process of the crypto market in Europe.
Source: https://research-center.amundi.com/article/cryptocurrencies-break-mainstream
Potential Investment Projects
Amundi’s first step into the crypto world does not appear to be limited to Bitcoin. Reports published by the Amundi Research Center show that the institution’s long-term strategy focuses on the structural impact of blockchain technology on the financial system rather than just a single digital asset. In particular, the report titled “Cryptocurrencies Break into the Mainstream” emphasizes that digital assets have become a permanent feature of financial markets and will play a critical role in the investment infrastructure of the future.
Amundi Research Center states that this transformation is not limited to Bitcoin. It notes that smart contract-based networks such as Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Ripple, and Tron have also become the cornerstone of financial innovation. These networks stand out for offering lower transaction costs, high scalability, and infrastructure suitable for corporate integration. The description of Ethereum as “digital oil” is a particularly noteworthy statement. Just as oil drove the industrial revolution, smart contract platforms are said to fuel the infrastructure of the digital economy. In this context, Amundi is expected to add Ethereum-based investment instruments and multi-asset portfolios to its post-Bitcoin product range in the future.
Source: https://research-center.amundi.com/article/cryptocurrencies-break-mainstream
On the other hand, the company is closely interested not only in existing crypto assets but also in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). Amundi’s vision, which follows regulatory developments in Europe, highlights that transparency, efficiency, and liquidity can be achieved by representing assets such as tokenized bonds, fund shares, and money market instruments on the blockchain. This vision confirms Amundi’s desire to invest not only in cryptocurrencies but also in digitalized financial infrastructure. Tokenization projects have the potential to increase transaction efficiency and reduce market costs in the European financial system. Therefore, Amundi is expected to focus on innovative investment instruments such as tokenized fixed-income products, digital bond funds, and blockchain-based money market funds in the coming period. In this way, the company will contribute to the institutionalization of the cryptocurrency market and play a bridging role between traditional finance and decentralized finance.
Expectations and Outcomes
Amundi’s entry into crypto has the potential to usher in a new phase of institutional crypto investments in the European financial market. The launch of Bitcoin-based ETN/ETP products is seen not only as offering an investment option but also as a development that reinforces the legitimacy of crypto assets at the institutional level in Europe. Considering the global impact of BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF initiative in the US, Amundi’s move could trigger a similar institutionalization process in Europe. This could pave the way for a rapid increase in new crypto-related products, funds, and custody services in Europe’s financial centers.
The entry of institutional funds into the market could increase liquidity while reducing volatility. In particular, the cautious involvement of pension funds, insurance companies, and family offices in crypto could stabilize price movements. Furthermore, the presence of large institutions such as Amundi will bring not only capital but also discipline, oversight, and trust to the market. Amundi’s vision in the tokenization space could be the key to sustainable growth in Europe.
Disclaimer
The information, opinions, and analyses presented in this report are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Investment decisions should be made based on individual financial circumstances, objectives, and risk tolerance. Darkex and its affiliates are not responsible for any direct or indirect losses that may arise from the use of this content. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets involve high risk and volatility; investors should conduct their own due diligence before making investment decisions.
