25 June 2025
When Goldman Sachs announced its cryptocurrency trading team in May 2021, followed by JPMorgan opening crypto fund access to wealth clients, the institutional narrative was simple: get exposure to digital assets, fast.
But as more firms have moved beyond pilot programs into full-scale operations, a more complex reality has emerged. How can institutions build sustainable, compliant, and competitive digital asset operations that align with institutional-grade standards?
The infrastructure complexities outlined previously have contributed to a fundamental shift in how institutions approach digital asset partnerships. Rather than attempting to force-fit existing systems or build everything in-house, firms are increasingly turning to specialized provider ecosystems.
The institutional approach has evolved considerably from early adoption patterns. Where speed of market entry once mattered above all else, institutions today apply rigorous selection criteria that mirror traditional asset management standards.
“When selecting a digital asset provider, institutions are ultimately looking for the same fundamentals they expect in traditional markets: trust, performance, and efficiency,” explains Sameer Shalaby, Co-Founder and CEO of VersiFi. The shift reflects a market that has moved beyond the experimental phase into operational reality.
This article originally appeared in e-Forex. Read the full article here.