Accessing digital assets has long been a challenge for traditional investors. Wallet management, private keys, and technical hurdles often deterred participation. Valour, a Swiss-based issuer of regulated digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs), is changing that. By offering straightforward exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins through brokerage platforms, Valour simplifies crypto access for a broad investor audience. We recently sat down with Johanna Belitz, Head of Nordics at Valour, discussed how the company is driving adoption, the evolution of crypto ETPs, and what the future of digital assets might hold.
🌐 Bridging TradFi & Web3: Enabling Secure Digital Asset Access!
— Generation Infinity (@GenfinityIO) April 15, 2025
Exclusive @ValourFunds interview on Web3 adoption and expanding #HBAR access via ETPs, staking, and markets like Euronext, Börse Frankfurt, and Spotlight—alongside @Hedera & @The_Hashgraph. https://t.co/w7iaBICYrY
Who is Johanna Belitz?
Johanna Belitz leads Valour’s operations across the Nordic region, bringing a traditional finance background into the digital asset space. Before joining Valour in 2021, she worked at BNP Paribas, where she focused on structured leveraged products for Nordic investors. Her experience managing complex financial instruments provided a strong foundation when she transitioned into crypto-focused ETPs. Reflecting on her move into digital assets, she said, “I came from knowing the product and how this works. Then I got pretty deep into the rabbit hole that crypto is.”
Today, Belitz plays a crucial role in expanding Valour’s presence in Scandinavia, overseeing listings, partnerships, and investor education efforts designed to bridge traditional finance with emerging blockchain opportunities.
🗞️ Why Bitcoin Isn’t Just a Speculative Bet
— Valour (@ValourFunds) March 24, 2025
Valour’s Johanna Belitz spoke with @tonline about Bitcoin’s growing role as a store of value — and why its fundamentals matter more than the hype.
At Valour, we enable investors to access this potential through simple, regulated…
Valour: Company Background and Mission
Valour was founded in 2019 in Zug, Switzerland, an area often referred to as “Crypto Valley” for its blockchain-friendly policies. Operating as a subsidiary of DeFi Technologies Inc., a publicly traded company listed in Canada (NEO: DEFI), Valour focuses on offering regulated digital asset exposure through exchange-traded products. The company’s leadership includes Olivier Roussy Newton, who was involved in the launch of one of the world’s first Bitcoin ETPs in 2015. This early expertise in structuring crypto investment products has been instrumental in shaping Valour’s strategy.
Valour enables retail and institutional investors to gain exposure to digital assets through familiar brokerage platforms, eliminating the need to manage wallets or private keys. As of late 2024, Valour had more than 60 crypto-based ETPs listed across European markets such as Börse Frankfurt, Spotlight Stock Market, and Euronext, with total assets under management peaking near $290 million during the 2021 bull market.
Positioning itself between the crypto world and investments, allowing easy access to digital assets through regulated products.
Johanna Belitz – Head of Nordics at Valour
Breaking Down Valour’s Crypto ETP Approach
What Are Digital Asset ETPs?
Digital asset ETPs are securities that track the value of cryptocurrencies and trade on traditional stock exchanges. Unlike direct crypto purchases, investors gain price exposure without handling wallets or security protocols themselves. Valour’s ETPs are fully backed by the underlying cryptocurrencies, with custodians like Copper ensuring that each share corresponds directly to an amount of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other assets. This structure blends the regulatory oversight of traditional markets with the growth potential of digital assets.
By offering crypto investment in a secure, easily accessible format, Valour digital asset ETPs lower barriers for a broad range of investors.
It gives access to an asset class that is complicated for people who aren’t deeply into crypto.
Johanna Belitz – Head of Nordics at Valour
Europe's third largest stock exchange, Frankfurt, is set to launch the @ValourFunds #HBAR ETP with @The_Hashgraph on June 18th 🇩🇪🔥https://t.co/OVURwopbqt https://t.co/D5l99Ky39A pic.twitter.com/0fOE28VA9w
— Zepzi (@Zepzi) June 10, 2024
European vs. U.S. Adoption
While the U.S. only approved its first Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024, Europe has had crypto ETPs available since 2015. Valour’s founding team played a major role in these early developments, helping establish frameworks for listing Bitcoin-backed securities on major exchanges. Belitz noted the significant lead European markets had in simplifying crypto exposure for traditional investors, while also suggesting that the U.S. entry into the market would likely accelerate global adoption trends. The experience gained from years of operating in Europe gives Valour a competitive advantage as global interest in regulated crypto products expands.
Competitive Advantage: How Valour Stands Out
Wide Altcoin Access
Valour differentiates itself by offering an unusually wide range of altcoin-based ETPs. While many issuers limit their focus to Bitcoin and Ethereum, Valour’s lineup extends to over 20 alternative digital assets. These include networks like Hedera (HBAR), Arweave (AR), Bittensor (TAO), Aptos (APT), and Sui (SUI), among others. Belitz highlighted the significance of this broader coverage:
By giving investors access to emerging projects, Valour taps into new demand while supporting broader blockchain ecosystem growth.
HBAR was one of the first ones outside of the top ten that we launched. Since then, we have launched twenty more on the altcoin side.
Johanna Belitz – Head of Nordics at Valour
Zero Management Fee Products
Valour also offers products like Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, both of which charge no management fees. This structure provides a clear advantage for long-term investors seeking low-cost exposure to major cryptocurrencies. Belitz emphasized the impact of cost efficiency:
By eliminating management fees, Valour ensures that investment growth is driven entirely by asset performance rather than annual charges.
“If you hold over a long time, it actually makes a big difference if you don’t pay fees.”
Johanna Belitz – Head of Nordics at Valour
Education-Focused Approach
Education plays a critical role in Valour’s strategy. Beyond listing products, the company invests in investor education to demystify digital assets and blockchain technologies. Through webinars, events, and collaborations with project foundations, Valour helps traditional investors understand what they are investing in. This educational focus sets Valour apart from competitors who view ETPs purely as financial instruments without broader ecosystem engagement.
We give a lot of attention to the project… so regular people also get a chance to learn and invest.
Valour’s Work with Hedera and The Hashgraph Association
In early 2024, Valour partnered with The Hashgraph Association (THA) to launch Europe’s first physically-backed Hedera (HBAR) ETP. Listed on Börse Frankfurt, Spotlight Stock Market in Sweden, and Euronext Amsterdam, the product brought enterprise-grade blockchain access to traditional investors.
The collaboration with The Hashgraph Association also included educational initiatives where Valour worked with Hedera’s team to host webinars and explain Hedera’s proof-of-stake distributed ledger model. This outreach helped increase understanding of Hedera’s unique approach to scalability, governance, and low-carbon operations. The partnership with The Hashgraph Association demonstrates how Valour not only issues investment products but also contributes to broader blockchain ecosystem education and growth.
Product Due Diligence: How Valour Chooses Assets
Valour applies strict criteria when deciding which digital assets to offer through its ETPs. The company requires that eligible assets:
- Rank within the top 500 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization
- Maintain a minimum market cap around $100 million
- Have sufficient liquidity to allow proper hedging
- Show clear signs of investor demand
This cautious approach balances Valour’s ambition to offer diverse asset exposure with its commitment to investor security and product integrity.
The Growing Role of Research and Education
In addition to its ETP offerings, Valour enhances investor resources through Reflexivity Research, a research firm co-founded by Will Clemente and Anthony Pompliano. Reflexivity, which is part of the broader DeFi Technologies group, publishes free deep-dive reports on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and emerging blockchain projects.
By combining regulated product offerings with research-driven insights, Valour provides investors the tools they need to make more informed decisions.
This emphasis on transparency and education builds long-term trust, a crucial factor as digital asset investing continues to mature.
There are several real use cases for blockchain that solve real problems in a decentralized way.
Johanna Belitz – Head of Nordics at Valour
The Future of Digital Asset Access with Valour
Valour’s recent milestones reflect its expanding influence in the digital asset sector. In 2023 alone, the company launched 20 new ETPs in a single day and introduced first-of-its-kind exposure to several emerging blockchain projects. As Belitz noted, steady inflows and investor interest have continued even amid broader market volatility.
Looking forward, Valour sees opportunities driven by the mainstreaming of Bitcoin ETFs in the United States, growing institutional interest, and a maturing global regulatory environment. Belitz emphasized that real-world blockchain use cases, from enterprise solutions to decentralized AI platforms, will play a critical role in the next wave of adoption.
As crypto markets move beyond speculation and toward utility-driven applications, Valour’s role in facilitating regulated, accessible investment pathways will become even more important.
With a growing product suite, strong partnerships, and a clear focus on investor education, Valour is poised to remain a key player in the next era of blockchain finance.
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