Global wealth management is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by inflationary pressures, technological disruption, and shifting investor expectations. In a recent interview with Professional Wealth Management, Matteo Dante Perruccio, Global Head of Strategies at 3iQ, shared his perspective on how private markets and digital assets are gaining appeal and helping to redefine modern investment strategies.
Inflation remains a key concern for investors, particularly as geopolitical tensions flare in energy markets. As a result, investors are once again turning to safe-haven assets such as gold. But Perruccio sees digital assets playing an increasingly prominent role in this space.
“Digital assets are increasingly looking like a place people want to put their money,” he explained, highlighting the evolution of crypto from a speculative bet to a credible store of value within diversified portfolios.
Drawing on insights from recent conversations with European wealth managers, Perruccio pointed to shifting strategies within traditional financial institutions—such as the wealth transfer to a digitally native younger generation and the impact of technology on the wealth management business model.
Perruccio emphasized that younger investors, having grown up with blockchain, AI and real-time access to information, have different expectations. Gone are the days when investors relied solely on advisor guidance. Today, they can research private market funds or compare providers in seconds using AI tools. Rather than viewing this as a threat, Perruccio sees opportunity for advisors willing to adapt.
“If wealth managers are smart and open to it, they have access to tools that make them more viable than ever,” he said. “But those who cling to outdated models will struggle.”
Change is most evident in the growing role of private markets and alternatives in investor portfolios. Perruccio noted that roughly 80 percent of family offices now allocate capital to alternatives, including private markets, hedge funds, infrastructure, and digital assets.
This shift reflects both diminished return expectations from traditional public markets and a desire for exposure to high-conviction, secular growth themes like healthcare, AI, education and energy security.
The classic 60-40 portfolio, long considered the foundation of diversified investing, is also being re-evaluated. “In today’s environment, you are probably looking at more of a 50-30-20 model,” he said, with 20 percent allocated to alternatives such as private markets and digital assets.
The increased correlation between equities and bonds has exposed vulnerabilities in the traditional 60-40 approach, making diversification into non-traditional assets essential.
From the impact of geopolitics and inflation to the rise of AI and digital assets, wealth management is undergoing fundamental change. As Perruccio’s conversation with PWM highlights, investors, wealth managers and institutions alike must be prepared to adapt.
The future belongs to those who embrace innovation, understand the changing needs of the next generation, and rethink how portfolios are built in an increasingly complex world.
However, that trust will only be earned by advisors who embrace innovation and rethink outdated practices. Those who resist change risk losing relevance as investors seek more dynamic, tech-savvy partners to navigate today’s complex landscape.
To watch the full interview with Matteo Dante Perruccio: Watch on YouTube