The Blog

Talking to Clients When Crypto Crumbles

two people talking

As a financial advisor, it’s easy to discuss investments with clients when markets are going up. It’s the discussions when the markets are selling off that can be intimidating — but they don’t have to be. In fact, when done well they can strengthen the relationship.

In the last 30 days, Bitcoin (BTC) is down 30.3% and Ether (ETH) is down 45.1% in the same time frame. Financial advisors with clients who have invested in crypto-assets lately may be fielding nervous phone calls and find themselves unsure of how to answer these questions and address their clients’ concerns.

Start at the beginning

The truth is, when addressing sell-offs in crypto-assets, advisors should have the same conversations they would if it were the S&P 500 or Nasdaq.

Before we discuss what to say to clients during a bear market or sell-off, it is important to revisit the importance of the conversations financial advisors should have with clients before making an initial investment, especially in crypto-assets.

An important primer for investing in crypto-assets, like Bitcoin and Ether, is a discussion about the volatility of the asset class. In its 13 years of existence, Bitcoin has crashed between 70% and 80% four different times and yet, has also grown from zero to a market cap of over $1.2 trillion at its peak. In each of the previous 3 years, Bitcoin has had a drawdown of at least 50% but has also posted yearly returns of 95% in 2019, 309% in 2020, and 59% in 2021. Clients should understand the asset’s history and be comfortable with the possibility of similar crashes in the future.

In addition to discussing the risk, advisors should also make sure their clients understand what they are investing in, just as they would with any other investment, by educating clients on crypto-assets. Finally, advisors should discuss and update their clients’ investment policy statements and financial plans to show how an investment in crypto-assets fits into their overall plan.

By taking these actions before investing, recommending, or advising clients on crypto-assets, financial advisors will make the conversations during a sell-off easier and more productive.

Talking points when addressing sell-offs in crypto-assets:

The benefits of dollar-cost averaging

When it comes to dollar-cost averaging, investing in crypto-assets is no different than any other asset class. If ongoing contributions are being made, or there is an opportunity to make a lump-sum contribution, advisors should remind clients of the benefits of dollar-cost averaging. Clients understand this with traditional investments and they should view crypto-assets in the same light.

The IPS and financial plan

The updated investment policy statement and financial plan will remind clients how crypto-assets fit into their portfolios and coordinate with their financial plan. It will allow the advisor to remind their clients of past discussions around the portfolio, expectations, and risks. Reviewing the IPS allows the advisor to review the amount of the portfolio allocated to crypto-assets and the other asset classes in the portfolio, and continue the ongoing client education around portfolio construction.

Why the investment was made

Many investors have allocated to crypto-assets without consulting a financial advisor. For these investors, the “why” behind their investment may be as simple as the fear of missing out, or FOMO, or following a hot tip from a loved one or friend. These scenarios provide a tougher challenge for advisors because the investment was made without their consultation.

By having a conversation with their client about why they invested in crypto-assets, the financial advisor has an opportunity to educate their client, gain insight into the client’s behavior, and strengthen their relationship by helping the client work through concerns and updating their financial plan. This would also be a good time to discuss the crypto-assets held by the client. Not all crypto-assets are the same and many are questionable and speculative in nature.

If the advisor was a part of the investment decision, they can explain why the crypto-assets were included in the portfolio and the case for keeping the investment for the future and revisit the conversations that preceded the investment.

Reassess risk

If clients are distraught and the steps above fail to calm their concerns, it might be time to have a conversation about risk tolerance and develop a plan to lessen the allocation to crypto-assets in a responsible manner, possibly taking advantage of the current absence of the wash-sale rule.

Summary

Although crypto-assets are relatively new to financial advisors, they should treat them like traditional investments but be mindful of a distinct difference — the crypto-asset market never sleeps. It is open 24/7, which means there is always information to look at, always news being made, and plenty for clients to get distracted by (sometimes even on Saturday night).

The best way to combat this is for advisors to empower their clients through exposure and education to help them view crypto-assets as they would any other asset class in their portfolio, setting the tone for future conversations to follow the ones they’ve been having for years about traditional asset classes.