Climbing The Learning Curve
“Advisors are also discovering that clients have an interest in the asset class,” said Edelman. “Something like 24% of all U.S. adults own bitcoin, and another 63% call themselves ‘crypto curious.’”
Those people are turning to advisors for help, said Edelman, but many advisors are discovering that they know little more than their crypto-curious clients and prospects.
That’s why Edelman’s DACFP has launched the Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets, an advisor designation signifying literacy in working with digital assets.
Since launching the certificate, 600 advisors have completed the course, said Edelman, and another 1,500 are enrolled.
“It is a course designed for financial advisors and executives in the investment management field,” said Edelman. “It includes compliance, investment management, financial planning, instruction and resources for sales and marketing teams.”
The course empowers advisors to incorporate digital asset classes into their practice and how to advise clients on whether to invest, how much to invest and which investment strategies and vehicles to deploy. It also offers advisors help on how to communicate with clients about digital assets, and how to integrate these assets into their investment management methodology.
Edelman said there are three main benefits to obtaining the certification: One, it demonstrates expertise in one of the biggest recent trends in the financial industry. Two, it offers certification holders access to sales and marketing content to assist them in conversations with clients and prospects. Three, advisors who achieve the certification will have free access to the DACFP’s advisor directory, a service for digital asset investors looking for professional financial advice.
“Having a certification shows that you can be relied on for advice about every aspect of personal finance,” said Edelman. “You’ll receive a digital badge that you can display on your social media such as LinkedIn or Facebook pages that demonstrates you have received your certificate. It also sets you apart from other advisors. The vast majority of advisors don’t know this topic. Having the ability to explain that you are fluent in digital assets is an effective way to attract additional AUM.”
Earning the certificate requires advisors to complete an 11-module course designed for self-paced study. Edelman said the course can be completed over a weekend, or taken slowly over a period of weeks or months.
Advisors completing the course are eligible receive 13 continuing education credits from the CFP Board, CFA Institute and the Investments and Wealth Institute.
“Each module is about an hour, give or take, and we have a world-class faculty,” said Edelman.