3iQ’s President and CEO, Pascal St-Jean, sat down with SkyBridge founder Anthony Scaramucci for a candid discussion on the future of digital assets and the growing wave of institutional adoption.
St-Jean discussed how 3iQ is designing innovative digital-asset products, from launching North America’s first digital asset ETPs to creating the Solana Staking ETF (SOLQ), which delivers a rare “triple win” of yield, security, and exposure. He also shared why digital assets are increasingly earning a 5–10% allocation in modern investment portfolios. From Bitcoin as digital gold to tokenization and scalable smart-contract platforms, the conversation offers a clear view of how digital assets are shaping the future of global finance.
Building Products with Institutions in Mind
St-Jean explains that 3iQ’s approach to digital-asset products always starts with solving for institutions. “If we solve for institutions, it means it’s also retail-ready, if possible, in the right vehicle,” he says. The launch of 3iQ’s first digital asset ETPs in North America in 2020 required overcoming regulatory and infrastructure challenges—and addressing many components that didn’t exist when the company began its journey in 2017.
By working with traditional financial players—insurance companies, banks, and custodians—and integrating them to digital asset counterparties like Coinbase, 3iQ established itself as a trusted expert in institutional digital asset investments. 3iQ’s experience in delivering secure, simple, and safe types of investments has been the foundation that enabled the company to pioneer and move beyond ETFs.
The Solana Staking ETF: A Triple Win
A highlight of 3iQ’s innovation is the 3iQ Solana Staking ETF (TSX: SOLQ, SOLQ.U), which gives investors exposure to Solana’s underlying technology while earning staking rewards. St-Jean emphasizes that this isn’t a simple wrapper, it’s a sophisticated product designed to maximize yield and manage risk.
By partnering with leading technology providers, 3iQ delivers a staking yield that can outperform buying Solana and staking it on your own. And by staking through the ETF, investors also help secure the Solana network—a true “triple win” for all participants.
Digital Assets as Technology and Asset Class
St-Jean distinguishes between “investing in” digital assets and “investing using” digital assets. The former refers to buying the technology itself—like purchasing Solana tokens—while the latter uses digital assets to generate returns through sophisticated strategies such as staking or basis trades. This dual perspective has helped 3iQ educate investment committees and sophisticated investors on how digital assets can fit into both technology-focused and profit-focused strategies.
Institutional Adoption and Portfolio Reimagination
As digital-asset adoption accelerates, St-Jean sees a shift in traditional portfolio construction. The conventional 60/40 equity-to-fixed-income model is evolving, with digital assets increasingly viewed as part of the alternatives allocation.
“We see a 5% to 10% allocation conversation across the board,” he notes, with Solana potentially comprising 1–2% of a balanced portfolio.
Looking Ahead: Bitcoin, Layer One Chains, and Tokenization
St-Jean describes Bitcoin as evolving into a “macro hedge” or digital gold, increasingly recognized at the institutional level for its role in a modern portfolio. While Bitcoin serves as a store of value, layer-one chains like Solana provide scalable smart contracts that enable tokenization and the reinvention of financial rails, cutting out middlemen and facilitating peer-to-peer financial contracts. Tokenization, he emphasizes, is key to democratizing access to traditionally hard-to-reach investment products, creating opportunities for retail investors to participate in sophisticated markets.
Looking at the future of global finance, St-Jean envisions a globalized investment ecosystem where people can access banking and financial services regardless of location, supported by digital-asset technology. He sees the next decade bringing widespread institutional adoption, mainstream use cases, and partnerships that make digital finance real, practical, and accessible, marking the start of a transformative era for global markets.
Watch the full interview to hear Pascal’s insights on why digital assets are now gaining mainstream acceptance.