In this episode of Talking Tokens, host Jacquelyn Melinek sits down with Hong Kim, co-founder and CTO of Bitwise Asset Management, recorded live at Token2049 in Singapore. Hong shares his journey from an early interest in Ethereum and product development to building one of the first institutional crypto asset management firms. The conversation covers the evolution of crypto asset management from niche and speculative to a maturing industry gaining recognition among major institutions. Hong explains Bitwise’s product strategy focusing on ETFs, staking, and innovative yield strategies aimed at mainstream adoption. He sheds light on reaching global markets, evolving regulatory dynamics, and the vision for tokenized securities and on-chain asset management. Hong closes with timeless advice on maintaining perspective amidst crypto’s cycles and the profound growth still ahead.
Sponsored by Fireblocks, the leading infrastructure for secure tokenized asset custody and settlements. Learn more at fireblocks.com.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro: Hong Kim at Token2049 Singapore
(00:40) - Founding Bitwise in 2017 & spotting the early asset management gap
(02:01) - How crypto evolved from “meme stock” to institutional asset class
(03:13) - Why Bitcoin ETFs mirror gold’s adoption curve
(05:11) - Building credibility & product-market fit in crypto asset management
(06:32) - Inside Bitwise’s top-performing products: BTC, ETH & crypto equities
(07:33) - Circle’s IPO & why stablecoins changed investor sentiment
(09:06) - Global expansion & how Bitwise educates financial advisors
(10:46) - Consistency through bear markets: why trust is built over time
(11:52) - Hong’s perspective on Korea’s unique retail trading culture
(13:50) - Stablecoins, regulation & Asia’s growing institutional appetite
(15:25) - The future of tokenization & asset management onchain
(17:21) - Bitwise’s staking, DeFi & yield strategies for institutions
(20:01) - The SEC, tokenized equities & removing regulatory roadblocks
(22:32) - What tokenized Wall Street could look like in 3 years
(24:45) - Final advice from Hong Kim
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