JPMorgan reports 'modest outflows' for gold funds as more than $1 billion poured into Grayscale in Q3

Quick Take

  • Grayscale has reported record inflows into its family of crypto funds with more than $1 billion finding its way to the asset manager in Q3
  • That’s striking, according to JPMorgan, considering the outflows from gold funds recently. 

"Drop gold."

Crypto enthusiasts will remember that slogan from an ad campaign Grayscale ran last year to woo investors to its suite of crypto funds. Now, more than a year later, it appears that investors are heeding the recommendation of the crypto asset management firm. 

Michael Sonnenshein, a managing director at firm, said that 2020 has been a year marked by "unprecedented capital inflows for the Grayscale business."

"On the heels of 2019, which was a record year for us, the momentum has carried into 2020," he told The Block. "In Q3, the firm raised over $1 billion and we are pleased to share with you that we are seeing that momentum only increase — two-thirds of the way into Q4."

The inflows into Grayscale's funds are striking juxtaposed with action in the gold market, according to a group of analysts at JPMorgan in a report published Friday.

"What makes the past five weeks flow trajectory for the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust even more impressive is its contrast with the equivalent flow trajectory for gold ETFs, which saw modest outflows since mid-October," the analysts wrote, adding:

"The contrasts lends support to the idea that some investors that previously invested in gold ETFs, such as family offices, may be looking at bitcoin as an alternative to gold."

The contrast isn't surprising to Sonnenshein, who said that Grayscale made a bet that money would rotate into bitcoin as a result of shifting preferences. 

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"Going back to the Drop Gold campaign, we took a look at generational investment preferences and we are now seeing the beginning of this wealth transfer," he said. 

Recent gold ETF outflows have been underpinned by a decline in the metal's price since midsummer. After a roaring rally that brought the price of bullion above $2,000 earlier this year, the price of gold has fallen by about 10% since the market's August peak. 

Optimism tied to an upcoming vaccine is said to be playing a role. Also, inflation — which is believed to be a tailwind for gold — appears to be less of a concern among Wall Streeters. Indeed, Goldman Sachs wrote in a note to clients that it viewed a dramatic rise in inflation in the next couple of years to be "unlikely."

Analysts at Macquarie expect things to get even worse for gold.

According to reporting by the Financial Times, analysts at the bank say the bull market for gold has come to an end and expect the price of the commodity to fall to $1,550 per troy ounce by next year, a 17% decline from current prices. 


© 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

About Author

Frank Chaparro is Host of The Scoop podcast and Director of Special Projects. He also writes a biweekly newsletter. Chaparro started his career at Business Insider, where he specialized in the intersection of digital assets and Wall Street, market structure, and financial technology. Soon after joining Business Insider out of Fordham University, Chaparro was interviewing top finance and tech executives, including billionaire Mark Cuban, “Flash Boys” star Brad Katsuyama, Cboe Global Markets CEO Ed Tilly, and New York Stock Exchange President Tom Farley. In 2018, he become a sought after reporter in the crypto world, interviewing luminaries such as Tyler Winklevoss, the cofounder of Gemini, Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of Circle, and Fundstrat head Tom Lee. For inquiries or tips, email [email protected].