[2015-08-29] CD: Canadian Pension Fund's Venture Arm Exploring Bitcoin Investmen

[LiteCoinGuy]

Canadian Pension Fund's Venture Arm Exploring Bitcoin Investments

The venture arm of a major Canadian pension fund is reportedly looking at making investments in bitcoin and blockchain startups.

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, or OMERS, is one of Canada's largest municipal pension funds. The fund's venture arm, OMERS Ventures, recently disclosed in a recent interview with Canadian business publication TechVibes that it was exploring the use of proceeds from a recently closed $260m CAD fund to make investments in the bitcoin space.

http://www.coindesk.com/canadian-pension-funds-venture-arm-exploring-bitcoin-investments/

[aso118]

Canadian Pension Fund's Venture Arm Exploring Bitcoin Investments

The venture arm of a major Canadian pension fund is reportedly looking at making investments in bitcoin and blockchain startups.

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, or OMERS, is one of Canada's largest municipal pension funds. The fund's venture arm, OMERS Ventures, recently disclosed in a recent interview with Canadian business publication TechVibes that it was exploring the use of proceeds from a recently closed $260m CAD fund to make investments in the bitcoin space.

http://www.coindesk.com/canadian-pension-funds-venture-arm-exploring-bitcoin-investments/

If they are investing in bitcoin and blockchain companies, it shows that they think the technology is sustainable and will develop in the long run.
I would have loved to see them invest directly in Bitcoin, but I guess their mandate wouldn't allow them to invest in such risky products.

[bryant.coleman]

I am not sure whether this will go ahead as planned. The employee associations and labor unions will be up in arms against this proposal, as they will regard Bitcoin as a risky form of investment. Also, this measure might need acceptance from the Canadian government, which I believe they will never manage to obtain.

[aso118]

I am not sure whether this will go ahead as planned. The employee associations and labor unions will be up in arms against this proposal, as they will regard Bitcoin as a risky form of investment. Also, this measure might need acceptance from the Canadian government, which I believe they will never manage to obtain.

While Bitcoin is viewed as a risky investment, bitcoin companies are not. So the opposition to investing in these companies will not be that extensive. It is no different from investing in any other startup.
If an altcoin succeeds tomorrow wiping out bitcoin, those who have invested in bitcoin will lose money. But companies in the bitcoin space will still make money by switching to the successful alt. So investing in these companies is far less risky.

[bryant.coleman]

While Bitcoin is viewed as a risky investment, bitcoin companies are not. So the opposition to investing in these companies will not be that extensive. It is no different from investing in any other startup.

It will not be that simple. Taking in to account the recent flood of negative propaganda being directed against the usage of Bitcoin through various mainstream media sources, the Pension Fund managers will face considerable opposition not only from the employee unions, but also from the big bankers and the politicians.