Swiss Bank Sygnum Launches BTC Alpha Fund in collaboration with Starboard Digital to Generate Yield on Bitcoin

  • New fund enables investors to maintain Bitcoin price exposure while targeting 8-10% annual target returns through arbitrage trading strategies converted into additional Bitcoin
  • Partnership with Starboard Digital Strategies brings institutional-grade trading expertise to Bitcoin yield generation
  • Fund shares eligible as collateral for Lombard Loans at Sygnum to provide liquidity without reducing Bitcoin exposure
  • Monthly liquidity and strict risk management framework designed for professional and institutional investors

Zurich, 8am, 1st October 2025 — Sygnum, a global digital asset banking group, announces the launch of the Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund in collaboration with Starboard Digital and Starmark as AIFM, with Sygnum providing regulated distribution and banking infrastructure. The fund addresses growing demand from investors seeking to generate yield on their Bitcoin holdings while maintaining full exposure to Bitcoin’s price appreciation.

As Bitcoin has emerged as a major portfolio building block and for many investors their highest value asset, the BTC Alpha Fund offers a solution to grow Bitcoin holdings through systematic arbitrage trading returns. The fund has already generated significant interest from professional investors seeking quality yield opportunities on their Bitcoin holdings. The fund targets 8-10% annual returns net of fees, paid in Bitcoin allowing investors to grow their number of Bitcoin over time.

“Bitcoin has become a key exposure in modern portfolios, and many of our clients want to stay invested while building their positions further,” said Markus Hämmerli, who is leading the BTC Alpha Fund offering at Sygnum. “The BTC Alpha Fund helps investors participate in Bitcoin’s price performance while aiming to earn additional Bitcoin through trading returns, all within an institutional-grade framework.”

The Cayman Islands-domiciled fund employs arbitrage trading strategies to generate returns that are converted into Bitcoin, effectively growing the number of Bitcoin held by investors. With monthly liquidity and a strict risk management framework, the fund is designed to meet the needs of professional and institutional investors seeking quality yield opportunities in digital assets.

“Generating yield on Bitcoin while maintaining exposure to its appreciation potential has been a key challenge for institutional investors,” said Nikolas Skarlatos of Starboard Digital. “Our partnership with Sygnum delivers one of the few high-quality institutional setups available to grow Bitcoin holdings.”

A key feature of the fund is its integration with Sygnum’s broader banking services. Fund shares will be eligible as collateral for USD Lombard Loans at Sygnum so that investors can access liquidity for other opportunities without selling their fund positions. This addresses a common challenge for long-term Bitcoin holders who may have liquidity needs.

The fund leverages institutional-grade service providers and will be available to qualified and professional investors in eligible markets.

This launch reinforces Sygnum’s commitment to advancing regulated Bitcoin products, building on the bank’s ₿itcoin@Sygnum. initiative announced in October 2024 and its established presence in Lugano’s Plan ₿ HUB.

About Sygnum
Sygnum is a global digital asset banking group, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. We empower professional and institutional investors, banks, corporates and DLT foundations to invest in digital assets with complete trust. Our team enables this through our institutional-grade security, expert personal service and portfolio of regulated digital asset banking, asset management, tokenization and B2B services.

In Switzerland, Sygnum holds a banking license and has CMS and Major Payment Institution licences in Singapore. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hubs of Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg and is registered in Liechtenstein.

We believe that the future has heritage. Our crypto-native team of banking, investment and digital asset technology professionals are building a trusted gateway between the traditional and digital asset economies that we call Future Finance. To learn more about how Sygnum’s mission and values are shaping this digital asset ecosystem, please visit sygnum.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

About Starboard Digital
Starboard Digital is an Athens-based team specializing in regulated asset solutions since 2020. The team designs and operates market-neutral strategies, bespoke investment products, and proprietary systems that provide investors with efficient and compliant access to digital asset class. Backed by decades of experience in investment banking, risk management, trading, software engineering, and blockchain, Starboard Digital is committed to delivering innovative solutions with attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Media Contact:
Dominic Castley, Chief Marketing Officer
[email protected]

Sygnum Bank AG,
Uetlibergstrasse 134a,
8045 Zurich, Switzerland

Disclaimer: The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal or investment advice. This publication does not constitute any advice or recommendation, an offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets. No elements of precontractual or contractual relationship are intended. While the information is believed to be from accurate and reliable sources, Sygnum makes no representation or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information. Sygnum expressly disclaims any and all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. Any statements contained in this publication attributed to a third party represent Sygnum‘s interpretation of the data, information and/or opinions provided by that third party either publicly or through a subscription service, and such use and interpretation have not been reviewed by the third party. Sygnum reserves the right to amend or replace the information, in part or entirely, at any time, and without any obligation to notify the recipient of such amendment / replacement or to provide the recipient with access to the information. Simultaneously, there is no obligation of Sygnum to inform recipients of information, if before provided information later becomes outdated, inaccurate or obsolete, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. The information provided is not intended for use by or distributed to any individual or legal entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to the law or regulatory provisions or in which Sygnum does not hold the necessary registration, approval authorisation or license. Except as otherwise provided by Sygnum, it is not allowed to modify, copy, distribute or reproduce, display, license, or otherwise use any content for commercial purposes.

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The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal or investment advice. This publication does not constitute any advice or recommendation, an offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets. No elements of precontractual or contractual relationship are intended. While the information is believed to be from accurate and reliable sources, Sygnum makes no representation or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information. Sygnum expressly disclaims any and all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. Any statements contained in this publication attributed to a third party represent Sygnum‘s interpretation of the data, information and/or opinions provided by that third party either publicly or through a subscription service, and such use and interpretation have not been reviewed by the third party. Sygnum reserves the right to amend or replace the information, in part or entirely, at any time, and without any obligation to notify the recipient of such amendment / replacement or to provide the recipient with access to the information. Simultaneously, there is no obligation of Sygnum to inform recipients of information, if before provided information later becomes outdated, inaccurate or obsolete, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. The information provided is not intended for use by or distributed to any individual or legal entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to the law or regulatory provisions or in which Sygnum does not hold the necessary registration, approval authorization or license. Except as otherwise provided by Sygnum, it is not allowed to modify, copy, distribute or reproduce, display, license, or otherwise use any content for commercial purposes.

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