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Growth off the chart
Ric Edelman said crypto’s biggest growth story is happening off the price chart even as crypto prices remain under pressure, arguing that institutional adoption and tokenization are accelerating behind the scenes.
“Ric Edelman says crypto’s biggest growth story is happening off the price chart Crypto prices remain under pressure, but Ric Edelman says institutional adoption and tokenization are accelerating behind the scenes”
In a discussion tied to CoinDesk, Edelman pointed to investor sentiment and industry fundamentals moving in opposite directions, including that Bitcoin ETF investors have pulled billions from funds in recent days while market fears have risen over concerns about Mt. Gox wallet movements and regulatory uncertainty.
Edelman also tied the near-term outlook to the fate of the CLARITY Act, saying passage would likely be viewed as a major catalyst because it would provide clearer regulatory rules for institutional investors.
He warned that failure or delays could trigger a short-term negative market reaction as investors reassess expectations for regulatory progress, while also saying political developments ahead of the midterm elections will influence crypto policy momentum.
Institutions keep moving
Edelman framed the contrast as Wall Street firms increasing their involvement despite weak market sentiment, saying BlackRock, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, Fidelity, State Street and Invesco are all advancing tokenization efforts.
CoinDesk’s account also said tokenization is expanding beyond crypto assets into equities, cash and ETFs, while institutional investors show growing interest in crypto exposure with many firms planning first-time allocations or increasing existing positions.
BFM, citing CNBC, described Edelman as a former top Wall Street fund manager who founded the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals and released a book titled 'The Truth About Crypto,' in which he praises Bitcoin.
In that same CNBC account, Edelman told CNBC that "Bitcoin will very likely be massively more valuable than it is today, as will many other elements of the digital asset community," and said it represents a wealth-creation opportunity "we haven't seen in 35 years."
Policy and market stakes
Bloomingbit, citing CoinDesk reported on June 23, said Edelman identified debate in the U.S. Congress over the digital-asset market structure bill known as the CLARITY Act as adding to uncertainty.
“Forecast Trend Report by Period Institutional participation and the expansion of asset tokenization are the main growth drivers for digital assets, CoinDesk reported on June 23”
Bloomingbit also said Edelman described sentiment deteriorating as billions of dollars have flowed out of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and concerns have mounted over Mt. Gox wallet movements and regulatory uncertainty.
In the same CoinDesk-linked framing, Edelman said passage of the bill could deliver the regulatory clarity institutional investors have been seeking and serve as a positive catalyst, while delay or failure could weaken short-term investor sentiment.
CoinDesk further anchored the stakes in market data for May, saying combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T, the lowest since September 2024, while RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high.
