A mere decade ago, many people were unsure of the relevance of digital assets. Even Aline admits that her very first probe into crypto, when the asset class was still in its infancy, ended with scepticism. “Ten years ago, when I wrote my high school thesis about whether Bitcoin had the potential to disrupt the traditional financial market, the answer was of course ‘no’,” she explains. “However, if you asked me that same question now, my answer would be completely different.”

Fast-forward to today, and Aline still has the same keen interest in technology and finance that began in her younger years. Now, alongside her role as Business Innovation Specialist, she is close to completing her PhD in Criminology at University of Lausanne. Her studies focus on blockchain technology, its benefits, and its potential risks associated with crimes like money-laundering. Armed with information on how to prevent the misuse of blockchain, Aline is able to integrate the learnings from her research into her professional expertise.

“For investors, keeping up with the fast pace of the crypto world is hard and thus, from my experience, there are three main points that you must plan for – whether you’re starting to consider investing in digital assets, or if they are already a part of your portfolio.”

As a member of the Wealth Planning department, Aline collaborates with a multitude of experts from both her own office and other teams – such as Research and Investment Advisory. Working together, these Julius Baer specialists use their combined efforts to help clients fully understand digital assets.

Aline adds: “In my day-to-day work, I deal mainly with the question of how we can best connect the old traditional finance world with the new innovative world. It’s exciting to see the difference between the traditional world, where everything is strictly regulated, versus the new space where regulations are constantly emerging, and everything is fast-changing.”

For Aline, this new connected future looks bright. The advent of a Web 3.0, in particular, is of great importance, as is the ever-growing role that technology can play in enhancing the client experience of wealth management. Aline adds: “At Julius Baer, we have an exciting focus on Next Generation investment themes, and we also try to embrace technology in our daily business.

“For example, we see the importance of an emerging Web 3.0. and its potential impact on the world – and we see the metaverse as a key part of the future, not only in business but also in the art space. And for me personally, technology is something I’ve always had an interest in. Through my role, I have gained fascinating insights into how new technologies and finance work together to create a long-lasting impact.

“Every investor is as unique as each digital asset token,” Aline explains, “and every situation requires careful consideration and the right support and knowledge. And as the role of digital assets changes and they become a larger part of our lives, my hope is that education in the challenges and opportunities of this fascinating new world will become commonplace. I truly believe that how we invest today is how we live tomorrow.”

Please note: the information provided is for educational purposes only.