Wenger: The market environment is challenging. Despite that, Crypto as an asset class has performed really well so far in 2023 and with various positive developments happening, be it the upcoming Bitcoin halving in 2024 or the successful Ethereum upgrades, we expect a renewed interest by investors. At 21Shares we offer the broadest range of crypto ETPs in Europe. These solutions have the same advantages as ETFs in traditional asset classes when it comes to safety, transparency and liquidity. An efficient way to gain access to this still new and growing asset class.

Töllke: In an environment that is constantly turning more bureaucratic and regulated funds (and AMCs) can help to reduce complexities. If regulatory tasks are delegated to a FINMA licensed entity (like MRB) this can help to reduce costs, risks and complexities while additional time becomes available for revenue generating activities. Outsourcing of activities is the way to better profitability in this highly competitive industry.

Rista: KraneShares strives to be a thought leader around China’s capital markets by providing clients research and thoughtful commentary to help navigate a challenging market environment. KraneShares CIO Brendan Ahern writes a daily newsletter (chinalastnight.com) to keep investors informed on key developments in China’s markets.

Jahrstorfer: Source For Alpha offers Swiss investors a long-term successful, science-based US equity value strategy with a proven track record and consistent outperformance.

• Caduff: How does your company cover the Lugano financial centre?

Wenger: We have a comprehensive coverage of the Ticino region with our Southern European team and our two Italian native speakers Chiara El Rikabi and Massimo Siano. Both of them are regularly in Lugano and are making sure 21Shares is a well known Crypto brand in the region.

Jahrstorfer: We want to convince with our awarded US equity strategy. Highly present, with professional relationship management and client servicing.

Rista: Lugano is an important financial centre to KraneShares as we have developed strong client relationships over the past several years through our outreach efforts.

Töllke: MRB does not have its own presence in Lugano as a company. However a portfolio manager who started his own fund project with MRB’s support is living here and can interact on the fund from this decentralised position while other important activities are delegated to MRB’s team in Zurich (Risk Management, Compliance, IT). Decentralised work is another source of improved efficiencies.

Hetzel: We are always happy to come to Lugano to discuss our strategies with allocators from the region. After the great Fundplat lunch today, we will make the trip even more often.

• Caduff: What is your greatest professional wish for the next few months?:

Rista: My greatest professional wish in the coming months would be for a strong market rebound in China leading to an increase in client interest and asset flow into our suite of ETFs.

Hetzel: My greatest wish is one for peace and stability in world. This will also lead to more open-mindedness when discussing new investment opportunities.

Franz-Xaver Jahrstorfer is responsible for deve­loping the funds business in Switzerland and Austria at Source For Alpha. Before joining the company, he trained as a banker and worked for more than 25 years in the finance and funds industry in leading positions. He worked for Credit Suisse, UBS, Deutsche Bank and DZ Bank, among others, in the areas of business deve­lopment, invest­ment funds sales and relation­ship mana­gement.

Brian Rista joined KraneShares in 2017 as Director, Client Service to help the firm achieve its mission of being a leading provider of China-focused Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Chinese investment education for clients. He is respon­sible for leading the team’s sales efforts in the South­east region of the U.S. and Switzerland with a focus on deepening rela­tion­ships with financial advisors, inde­pendent broker-dealers, RIAs, insti­tutions, and banks. Prior to joining KraneShares, he was a financial advisor at an RIA providing clients with perso­na­lized wealth mana­gement solutions. He was also a Sales Associate at an asset manager specia­lizing in separa­tely managed accounts, mutual funds and ETFs. Brian Rista attended the College of Charleston where he received his BA in Commu­nica­tions with concentrations in finance and media studies.

Markus Töllke is a partner and CEO of MRB. After training as a banker (Commerzbank AG), studying business administration (Albertus Magnus University in Cologne) and five years as a portfolio manager at Delbrück & Co. Privatbankiers (Cologne), he was head of private client asset management at Merck Finck & Co. Privatbankiers in Munich from 2002 to 2008. He was then Managing Director and CIO at the investment boutique FIDUKA GmbH in Munich, founded by investor legend André Kostolany, where he was responsible for a number of funds in the equity and bond sectors. From 2011 to 2014, Markus Töllke was head of fund management at a Finma-regulated asset manager in Bern (Investas AG) and personally managed two large Swiss pension funds.

As Head of Northern Europe, Bernhard Wenger focuses on building sales and business deve­lopment for the region. Previously, he was Managing Director of the Swiss office at State Street Global Advisors. Prior to that, he worked at ETF Securities in London in various roles, including Head of European Distri­bution. He has also held senior positions at Morgan Stanley, HSBC and BNP Paribas.