Open-ended funds are increasingly adopting crypto-permissive mandates, reflecting a meaningful shift in institutional portfolio construction. Digital assets have evolved from a niche allocation into a distinct asset class that many asset managers now consider alongside traditional asset classes.

The shift towards crypto-permissive mandates

Both open-ended and closed-ended funds are expanding their use of digital assets. Institutional managers of open-ended funds have traditionally been cautious adopters of emerging asset classes. In recent years, however, there has been a clear increase in mandates that permit exposure to digital assets.

According to the data in the Maples Group’s Q1 2026 Open-Ended Funds Report,…