StanChart says Bitcoin strengthening its dual role as TradFi hedge and tech stock

Bitcoin (BTC) may be evolving into more than just a hedge against financial instability — it could now be considered a bona fide tech stock, according to a new analysis by Standard Chartered head of digital assets research Geoffrey Kendrick.In a research report shared with CryptoSlate on March 24, Kendrick proposed reconfiguring the famed “Magnificent 7” tech stock index to include Bitcoin. He argued that this would enhance the index’s returns.Short-term Tech Proxy, Long-term HedgeTo test that thesis, Kendrick’s team created a revised index by removing Tesla — the smallest member of the original group — and replacing it with Bitcoin. When measured by return-to-volatility, the Mag 7B index consistently outperformed the original from 2020 through 2024.According to the report:“We find that our index, ‘Mag 7B’, has both higher returns and lower volatility than Mag 7This suggests that investors can view BTC as both a hedge against TradFi and as part of their tech allocation.”Kendrick argued that as Bitcoin continues to gain a role in global portfolios, the case for treating it as a mainstream risk asset will only strengthen. The report stated that institutional flows into Bitcoin are becoming more entrenched, particularly following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US.According to the report:“As BTC’s role in global investor portfolios becomes established, we think that having more than one use will bring fresh capital inflows to the asset. This is particularly true as Bitcoin investment becomes more institutionalised.”While Kendrick continues to view Bitcoin as a medium-term hedge against traditional finance (TradFi) risks — pointing to the March 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank as a relevant example — he emphasized that, over shorter time horizons, Bitcoin is highly correlated with the Nasdaq.He wrote:“Over the medium-term I see Bitcoin as a hedge against TradFi issues… But over shorter time horizons it trades very much like the Nasdaq.”Boost from broader marketsThe timing may be favorable. Kendrick expects markets to respond positively this week to a “less bad” US tariff announcement and noted that the Nasdaq’s first quarter of 2025 has been its worst since the second quarter of 2022.A potential rebound could benefit Bitcoin disproportionately, given its increasing alignment with high-growth tech assets. Anticipated relief from April tariff news and broader tech optimism could amplify demand.Kendrick said:“I would expect this week to be a good one for Bitcoin and all things crypto… Higher Nasdaq will equal higher Bitcoin. 90k in focus now.”However, the lender continues to believe that Bitcoin needs a bigger catalyst for a more sustained rally to new highs.Kendrick’s analysis signals a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s hybrid nature — both a hedge and a high-beta tech asset — positioning it as a potential long-term fixture in global investment strategies.Mentioned in this article



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