Asset manager says secures Swiss license to manage crypto funds

By Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi ZURICH (Reuters) - Zug-based Crypto Fund AG said on Monday it had received a license from the Swiss authorities to operate as an asset manager for crypto funds, saying it was the first time any firm had been granted such permission. The subsidiary of Crypto Finance Group received its license from financial market supervisor FINMA to distribute collective investment schemes to qualified investors, Crypto Finance said. "Getting the FINMA license is a big step in the right direction, to establish us as the first point of contact for crypto assets," Chief Executive Jan Brzezek said in a statement. FINMA confirmed the approval without saying whether it was the first license to be granted. Cryptocurrencies have grown in popularity as prices rallied last year, prompting increased regulatory scrutiny. Crypto Fund AG said on its website it was also seeking approval for a passive investment vehicle tracking a benchmarked index of up to 10 of the largest and most liquid cryptocurrency assets and tokens, as calculated and maintained by Swiss bourse SIX. (Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; Editing by Edmund Blair)