Brevan Howard, an established investment management firm, has turned its focus to cryptocurrency with its division BH Digital. Although the firm has experienced disappointing performance so far in 2025, it reported significant growth in the previous year. They are leveraging partnerships, including with Aptos, and embracing tokenization to enhance their competitive edge in the evolving digital asset landscape. The pursuit of a 20% yield goal reflects their aim to solidify their leadership in the institutional digital assets market.
Brevan Howard, a well-known global alternative investment management platform that began as a macro hedge fund in 2002, has shifted its focus towards cryptocurrency and digital assets. The firm employs various investment strategies, including directional, relative value, and derivatives trading. However, its performance in 2025 has been disappointing, as highlighted by a significant 5.8% decline since the year’s beginning and a 33% cut in performance fees to retain capital for an extended duration.
Despite the challenging start to the year, Brevan Howard’s crypto division, known as BH Digital or the Crypto & Digital Asset Division, is a beacon of hope. Operating a diversified multi-strategy approach, it aims to capture opportunities within the expanding digital asset landscape. Employing 15 blockchain engineers, the firm is positioned uniquely in the hedge fund world. In 2023, BH Digital’s performance soared with a reported 52% increase, marking its ambition to lead in digital assets for institutional investors amid the current revenue decline.
BH Digital strategically invests in liquid cryptocurrencies, derivatives, and private stakes in emerging startups. Recently, the firm solidified its position by establishing crucial partnerships within the digital asset ecosystem, notably with Aptos, a significant player in the DeFi space. Moreover, the tokenisation of the Brevan Howard Master Fund last year signifies its commitment to digital advancements in investing.
In April, Standard Chartered announced a collateral mirroring programme, allowing institutional investors to use cryptocurrencies and tokenised money market funds as off-exchange collateral for trading. Brevan Howard was among the first institutions to adopt this programme, underscoring its role in the evolving crypto market. Ryan Taylor, Group Head of Compliance at Brevan Howard, stated this initiative exemplifies ongoing industry innovation, aiming to enhance the global crypto ecosystem.
Brevan Howard’s base in Abu Dhabi, along with Standard Chartered’s support, positions it to compete effectively against financial giants like JP Morgan. The Master Fund’s tokenised size is $4 billion, combined with BH Digital’s $2.4 billion under management, illustrating a clear trajectory towards growth. Collaborations with Aptos and investments in crypto-native firms like Plume, Kinto, and Libre enhance investor confidence, signifying Brevan Howard as a pioneer in the crypto sphere. If BH Digital manages to increase by 20% again this year, it would showcase the firm’s ability to outpace Wall Street.
