Detecting patterns is an ability we develop early in infancy and refine by experience throughout human life. Categorization is an important part of how humans learn and make optimized decisions when faced with multiple data points. In the crypto world, with over 10,000 coins, there is an increasing need for a rigorous classification system to structure investment decisions.
MV Index Solutions (MVIS), a VanEck subsidiary, develops, monitors and markets the MVIS Indices, a focused selection of pure-play and investable indices. In 2017, MVIS in partnership with CryptoCompare—an established London-based digital assets data provider—became the first regulated index provider to launch a series of digital assets indices designed to most accurately track the performance of the otherwise fragmented global digital assets markets. These indices were the first to meet investment industry benchmarking standards by providing a public rulebook, industry-wide data distribution, proper identifiers and further standard index governance requirements. Today, MVIS is regulated under the EU Benchmark regulation directive and is the first index provider with such regulatory status to offer transparent and industry standard digital asset indices.
MVIS introduces a categorization of digital asset coins into distinct, non-overlapping categories that form the building blocks for a new crypto classification scheme. Categories capture the value and use case related to a coin. Using a qualitative process, each coin is categorized into one category. Coins may change categories over time and new categories may emerge. The MVIS "Leaders" investable category indices capture the largest and most liquid coins within a category which are also supported by major US crypto exchanges and custodians.
Categories allow investors to group similar digital assets into groups to analyze and proxy targeted exposures. They enable deeper analysis into peers and aggregated performance review. As the basis for investable indices, they provide the underlying components to build an investment solution aimed at capturing the performance of the coins within the category. They allow users to measure, benchmark and capture the performance and characteristics of targeted categories. MVIS categories will help make digital assets digestible to traditional finance investors while giving crypto native funds additional benchmarking capabilities.
MVIS Digital Asset Categories
Category
Definition
Examples
DeFi
Financial services built on top of distributed networks with no central intermediaries
Uniswap, Aave
Exchange
Tokens owned and operated by a centralized cryptocurrency exchange
Binance, FTX
Infrastructure Applications
A decentralized computer program designed to perform specific tasks
Polygon, Chainlink
Media & Entertainment
Used to reward users for content, games, gambling or social media
Axie Infinity, Basic Attention Token
Payments
Digital, non-stable money for use in distributed network
Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, wallet apps
Smart Contract Platforms
Blockchain protocol designed to host variety of self-developed and 3rd party applications
Ethereum, Cardano, Solana
Stablecoins
Designed to minimize volatility by pegging to a more stable asset
Tether, USDC
Store of Value
Designed to hold or increase purchasing power over time
Bitcoin
Source: MV Index Solutions. Data as at 10/12/2021.
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Cryptocurrency is a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, or a store of value, but it does not have legal tender status. Cryptocurrencies are sometimes exchanged for U.S. dollars or other currencies around the world, but they are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank. Their value is completely derived by market forces of supply and demand, and they are more volatile than traditional currencies. The value of cryptocurrency may be derived from the continued willingness of market participants to exchange fiat currency for cryptocurrency, which may result in the potential for permanent and total loss of value of a particular cryptocurrency should the market for that cryptocurrency disappear. Cryptocurrencies are not covered by either FDIC or SIPC insurance. Legislative and regulatory changes or actions at the state, federal, or international level may adversely affect the use, transfer, exchange, and value of cryptocurrency.
Investing in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, comes with a number of risks, including volatile market price swings or flash crashes, market manipulation, and cybersecurity risks. In addition, cryptocurrency markets and exchanges are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing. There is no assurance that a person who accepts a cryptocurrency as payment today will continue to do so in the future.
Investors should conduct extensive research into the legitimacy of each individual cryptocurrency, including its platform, before investing. The features, functions, characteristics, operation, use and other properties of the specific cryptocurrency may be complex, technical, or difficult to understand or evaluate. The cryptocurrency may be vulnerable to attacks on the security, integrity or operation, including attacks using computing power sufficient to overwhelm the normal operation of the cryptocurrency’s blockchain or other underlying technology. Some cryptocurrency transactions will be deemed to be made when recorded on a public ledger, which is not necessarily the date or time that a transaction may have been initiated.
Investors must have the financial ability, sophistication and willingness to bear the risks of an investment and a potential total loss of their entire investment in cryptocurrency.
An investment in cryptocurrency is not suitable or desirable for all investors.
Cryptocurrency has limited operating history or performance.
Fees and expenses associated with a cryptocurrency investment may be substantial.
There may be risks posed by the lack of regulation for cryptocurrencies and any future regulatory developments could affect the viability and expansion of the use of cryptocurrencies. Investors should conduct extensive research before investing in cryptocurrencies.
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