SkyBridge

SkyBridge Capital is a global alternative investment firm founded in 2005 by Anthony Scaramucci. Headquartered in New York City, the company offers a range of investment services, including hedge funds, private equity, public equity, and digital assets. It serves institutional investors, large corporations, and individual clients, providing customised investment solutions.
 

The firm is well-known for organising the SkyBridge Alternatives (SALT) Conference, a major event in the finance industry that brings together top investors, hedge funds, and finance professionals. SkyBridge also manages a variety of funds, including the First Trust SkyBridge Crypto Industry and Digital Economy ETF (CRPT), which focuses on investing in the digital assets and cryptocurrency sectors.

SkyBridge’s leadership team includes founder Anthony Scaramucci, alongside Brett S. Messing and Raymond Nolte, who serve as the firm’s co-Chief Investment Officers. Other notable leaders include Daniel Barile, John Svolos, and Peter Martini, who oversee the investment and research functions. The operations and legal team is led by Robert Phillips, Marie Noble, and Christopher Hutt.
 

The firm experienced significant growth after acquiring Citigroup's Hedge Fund Management Group in 2010, boosting its assets under management from $450 million to $5.9 billion. However, SkyBridge faced challenges in recent years, with assets shrinking from $9 billion in 2015 to approximately $2 billion by 2023. This decline was due to significant losses, including a 39% drop in 2022. Despite these setbacks, the firm continues to manage a number of investments and explore new opportunities in the cryptocurrency and digital asset sectors.

SkyBridge Capital was founded in 2005 by Anthony Scaramucci. The firm began as a small alternative investment management company based in New York City. Its primary focus was on hedge fund strategies, private equity, and asset management for a wide range of clients, including institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
 

In 2010, SkyBridge achieved a significant milestone when it acquired the Citigroup Alternative Investments Hedge Fund Management Group. This acquisition marked a substantial expansion for the firm, increasing its assets under management from $450 million to $5.9 billion. Ray Nolte, who oversaw the Citigroup operation, joined SkyBridge as a co-managing partner and Chief Investment Officer, contributing to the firm’s growth and organisational restructuring. This period also saw the firm enhance its investment offerings and broaden its market reach, adding new asset classes, including digital assets and technology-related investments.
 

In 2015, SkyBridge opened its third office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, continuing to expand its presence. The firm also became involved in the local community, sponsoring initiatives such as the SkyBike bike-share program in West Palm Beach, although the programme was discontinued in 2019.
 

SkyBridge made headlines in 2017 when it entered into a purchase agreement with RON Transatlantic and HNA Capital U.S. However, this deal was called off in 2018 after regulatory hurdles, and Anthony Scaramucci returned to his role as co-managing partner of the firm. In 2022, the firm faced another challenge when the venture arm of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX bought a 30% stake in SkyBridge for $45 million. However, following FTX's collapse later that year, SkyBridge faced financial setbacks, including significant losses on its exposure to FTX's FTT token.
 

Despite these challenges, SkyBridge continues to operate, focusing on its core investments in hedge funds, private equity, and digital assets. The firm remains active in organising the SkyBridge Alternatives (SALT) Conference, a major event in the finance industry. As of 2023, SkyBridge’s assets under management had significantly reduced, from a peak of $9 billion in 2015 to around $2 billion, reflecting a turbulent period in the market. The firm also had to impose limits on investor withdrawals and reduce staffing due to financial difficulties.
 

SkyBridge remains committed to its role in alternative investments, with a continued focus on innovation in the digital asset space. The firm is adapting to new challenges in the investment world while maintaining its position in the industry.

SkyBridge Capital’s investment criteria are designed to identify opportunities that align with the firm’s broad range of investment strategies. The company primarily focuses on alternative assets such as hedge funds, private equity, digital assets, and technology investments. The firm seeks investments that offer strong long-term growth potential, with an emphasis on innovation, high-quality management teams, and solid market fundamentals.
 

SkyBridge looks for opportunities across multiple sectors, including digital economy companies, capital markets, software, and consumer finance. They prioritise investments in companies with strong management, a proven business model, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. The firm places a strong emphasis on diversification, ensuring that investments are spread across different asset classes, industries, and geographies.

SkyBridge also values transparency and regulatory compliance in its investment choices, ensuring that all assets meet the firm’s legal and operational standards. The firm is committed to investing in high-growth areas such as the cryptocurrency market, with a focus on crypto industry companies, Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs), and blockchain technologies. The firm invests in both equity and debt instruments, depending on the opportunity and its alignment with the firm’s risk and return objectives.

SkyBridge Capital’s value proposition lies in its expertise in alternative investments and its ability to provide innovative solutions for institutional and individual investors alike. The firm brings a combination of deep industry knowledge, robust financial strategies, and a global network to help clients navigate complex markets.
 

The firm’s value is reflected in its long-standing track record in managing hedge funds and private equity portfolios, as well as its growing involvement in the digital assets and cryptocurrency sectors. By leveraging its experience in capital markets, SkyBridge offers tailored investment strategies that provide exposure to both traditional and emerging asset classes.
 

SkyBridge places a strong emphasis on risk management and transparency, ensuring that all investments are carefully evaluated and monitored to meet client expectations. The firm’s leadership team, which includes experienced professionals like Anthony Scaramucci and Ray Nolte, plays a key role in driving the firm's commitment to creating value for investors. SkyBridge’s continued growth and focus on innovation, such as its involvement in the SALT Conference, further solidify its position as a trusted partner in alternative investments.

SkyBridge Capital's mission is to provide innovative and high-quality investment solutions across multiple asset classes, including hedge funds, private equity, and digital assets. The firm aims to deliver long-term growth for its clients by identifying and investing in high-potential opportunities with strong management and proven business models. SkyBridge is committed to transparency, risk management, and compliance, ensuring that all investments meet rigorous legal and operational standards. By leveraging its expertise and global network, the firm strives to help investors navigate complex markets and achieve their financial goals while maintaining a focus on diversification and sustainability.

SkyBridge Capital’s portfolio includes a diverse range of companies across various sectors, focusing on both traditional and emerging asset classes. Below is a list of some of the key companies in their portfolio:
 

• MicroStrategy Incorporated- MicroStrategy is a leading business intelligence company that provides analytics and cloud-based solutions to help businesses make data-driven decisions. It is also known for its significant investments in Bitcoin.
• Coinbase Global, Inc.- Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, offering a platform for buying, selling, and storing digital assets. It plays a crucial role in the growth of the crypto ecosystem.
• Galaxy Digital Inc.- Galaxy Digital is a global leader in cryptocurrency investment and digital assets. The firm provides a range of services, including trading, asset management, and advisory, focusing on the digital economy.
• Metaplanet Inc.- Metaplanet is a venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven startups. The company aims to fund projects that innovate across industries and drive the future of technology.
• Robinhood Markets, Inc.- Robinhood is a popular commission-free trading platform that allows users to invest in stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. It has revolutionised the accessibility of financial markets for retail investors.
• iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF- iShares Bitcoin Trust is an exchange-traded fund that tracks the price of Bitcoin. It offers investors an easy way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly owning the digital asset.
• Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund- Fidelity’s Bitcoin Fund is designed to provide investors with exposure to Bitcoin. The fund aims to help investors navigate the volatility of the digital asset market while ensuring secure management of assets.
• VanEck Bitcoin ETF- The VanEck Bitcoin ETF is another exchange-traded fund that tracks Bitcoin’s price. It provides investors with an accessible and regulated method to invest in Bitcoin while minimising exposure to direct crypto trading.
• Bitwise Bitcoin ETF- Bitwise offers an ETF that aims to track the price of Bitcoin, providing a way for investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without the complexities of holding the cryptocurrency directly.
• Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF- Invesco’s Bitcoin ETF offers investors a chance to invest in Bitcoin through a traditional stock exchange. The fund seeks to replicate Bitcoin’s price performance, giving investors a straightforward way to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency.