European digital asset manager CoinShares aims to bolster its active cryptocurrency investment capabilities through the acquisition of FCA-regulated Bastion Asset Management, marking a strategic move into a rapidly expanding market segment.

European digital asset management firm CoinShares has announced that it’s acquiring London-based Bastion Asset Management, a move poised to enhance its active cryptocurrency investment capabilities. The deal, which remains subject to approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), aligns with CoinShares' broader strategy to expand in the rapidly growing active crypto ETF market that increasingly attracts institutional investors globally.

Bastion Asset Management is recognized for its systematic digital asset investing and quantitative alpha generation strategies, operated through its FCA-regulated London-based platform. This acquisition complements CoinShares' existing product suite, which primarily focuses on passive offerings, by adding a layer of active, systematically managed strategies. Industry analysts see this as part of a larger industry trend toward diversification and innovation in digital asset management, driven by rising investor demand for active strategies capable of outperforming traditional passive investments amidst market volatility.

Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO and Co-Founder of CoinShares, described the transaction as a "watershed moment in digital asset management," highlighting its significance for the company's global growth ambitions. The deal, pending regulatory approval, will see Bastion’s operations seamlessly integrated into CoinShares’ platform, strengthening its active management capabilities and expanding its reach in Europe and beyond.

The FCA regulation that Bastion holds provides CoinShares with immediate access to London’s financial services market and enhances its European operations. This institutional regulation underpins the company's credibility and allows it to better serve sophisticated clients across regions. The combination is expected to position CoinShares more competitively as active crypto ETFs continue to gain market share, offering a broader spectrum of investment strategies to meet diverse investor demand.

Market observers note that this move reflects a broader industry consolidation trend, as digital asset managers seek to diversify their offerings beyond passive products. Marcus Chen, head of digital assets research at Meridian Investment Analytics, commented that “the demand for active strategies that can generate alpha in volatile markets has exploded,” and that firms like CoinShares need to build these capabilities to stay competitive. Their prior collaboration with Bastion over the past year provided valuable insights into Bastion’s institutional-grade investment approach, streamlining the integration process.

Once the acquisition finalizes, Bastion’s team and strategies will become part of CoinShares’ platform, allowing the firm to serve a full range of investor preferences—from passive exposure to actively managed digital assets. Sarah Rodriguez, managing director at Blockchain Capital Advisors, emphasized that “the convergence of passive and active strategies under one roof is becoming essential for asset managers in this space,” as investors increasingly seek trusted firms with proven track records.

This strategic acquisition underscores the ongoing maturation of the cryptocurrency investment landscape, where institutional demand continues to drive innovation and consolidation. As regulatory frameworks develop across major markets, asset managers are positioning themselves to capture significant allocations from pension funds, endowments, and family offices, reinforcing their industry leadership.

In summary, the deal exemplifies how firms like CoinShares are strengthening their competitive positions by integrating sophisticated active capabilities within their platforms. The FCA-regulated Bastion system will bring systematic investment techniques into CoinShares’ overall offering—facilitating the company’s growth in the active digital asset management space while reinforcing its leadership in passive products. The transaction's completion will mark a significant step toward building larger, more diversified asset management platforms capable of serving increasingly sophisticated investors across multiple jurisdictions and strategies.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Verification / Sources

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is based on a press release issued by CoinShares on 1st October 2025, announcing the acquisition of Bastion Asset Management. This press release has been republished across various reputable outlets, including CoinShares' official website (coinshares.com) and PR Newswire (prnewswire.com). The earliest known publication date of this content is 1st October 2025, indicating high freshness. The report includes updated data and quotes, suggesting it is not recycled content. The press release format typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content has not appeared more than 7 days earlier. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material does not significantly affect the freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quotes from Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO and Co-Founder of CoinShares, and Philip Scott, CEO and Co-Founder of Bastion, are unique to this press release. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating originality. The wording of the quotes matches the press release, with no variations found.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, CoinShares, a leading European asset manager specialising in digital assets. The press release is available on CoinShares' official website (coinshares.com) and has been republished by reputable outlets such as PR Newswire (prnewswire.com) and CoinDesk (coindesk.com). The individuals mentioned, Jean-Marie Mognetti and Philip Scott, are verifiable public figures with established professional backgrounds.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The acquisition of Bastion Asset Management by CoinShares is a plausible and strategic move to enhance actively managed digital asset capabilities. The narrative is consistent with industry trends towards diversification and innovation in digital asset management. The language and tone are consistent with corporate press releases, and the content includes specific factual anchors such as names, institutions, and dates. The report lacks excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate announcement.

Overall assessment

Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is a recent press release from CoinShares announcing the acquisition of Bastion Asset Management. It is original, sourced from a reputable organisation, and presents plausible and consistent information. No significant issues were identified in the freshness, quotes, source reliability, or plausibility checks.