Arbitrage funds lose favour as costs rise

Arbitrage funds, once popular for parking idle cash, are seeing reduced investor interest. Inflows have dropped significantly amid rising costs and new regulations.

Arbitrage funds, part of the hybrid fund category, have traditionally been a go-to option for investors managing surplus cash. However, their appeal is waning as inflows decline sharply. Key factors include escalating costs, such as higher transaction charges including STT charges, which are eroding profitability. Additionally, regulatory tightening now mandates investments in short-term government bonds, further pressuring returns. This combination is diminishing investor appetite for these mutual funds. The shift reflects broader challenges in the category, making arbitrage funds less competitive for those seeking efficient cash deployment.

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Illustration of Middle East tensions causing stock market drops, oil price spikes, and investor flight to US dollar.
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Middle East conflict fuels global market volatility and oil price surge

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Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, involving the US, Israel, and Iran, have triggered a slide in Asian shares and a surge in oil prices. Investors are turning to the US dollar for safety amid fears of prolonged energy cost increases and inflation. While emerging markets face short-term losses, experts see long-term resilience.

A recent report reveals that many South African investors have suffered financial losses due to emotional reactions to market fluctuations, termed a 'behaviour tax'. The Momentum Investments’ Sci-Fi Report 2025 highlights how such decisions led to missed opportunities in a recovering market. Experts advise a simple pause before making changes to protect long-term returns.

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Spot ETFs for bitcoin and ethereum have experienced four consecutive months of outflows totaling over $9 billion since November, while XRP and solana ETFs continue to see inflows. This divergence suggests investors are rotating toward altcoins amid market pressures. Experts describe it as standard portfolio adjustments rather than a full retreat from cryptocurrencies.

Bank of America's latest Fund Manager Survey reveals investor cash allocations at a historic low of 3.3%, signaling extreme bullishness. Exposure to equities and commodities has surged to levels not seen since early 2022. This sentiment extreme could foreshadow market reversals with implications for bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

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In a recent opinion piece, Brian Huang, cofounder and CEO of Glider, argues that crypto ETFs fail to capture the full potential of digital assets by limiting ownership rights and utility. He advocates for onchain direct indexing as a superior alternative that preserves control and enables personalization. Huang warns that wrapping next-generation assets in outdated structures hinders innovation in finance.

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest has boosted its holdings in crypto-related companies as prices decline across the sector. On Friday, the firm purchased shares in Coinbase, Circle, and Bullish, signaling continued institutional interest. This move comes alongside announcements from major players like UBS and PwC affirming crypto's growing legitimacy.

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A sharp decline in cryptocurrency prices has reversed the fortunes of digital asset treasury companies pursuing SPAC mergers. Once trading at premiums to their net asset values, these entities now face discounts amid market turmoil. Ten such deals were announced amid 2025's crypto highs, with two already completed.

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