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An exclusive European multifamily office started exploring blockchain investing in 2017. Its head of funds shares how it made early high-conviction bets on big names in crypto VC — and identifies 2 under-the-radar firms to know.

Reported by Businessinsider
Apr 4, 2022· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • A European multifamily office based in Germany began exploring blockchain investments in 2017 and has since positioned itself as a hub for ultra-high-net-worth family exposure to crypto venture capital and digital assets.
  • • The firm's head of funds executed early, high-conviction bets on established cryptocurrency VC players, demonstrating institutional-grade conviction in the sector before mainstream adoption by family offices.
  • • Family office cryptocurrency adoption has accelerated materially: Goldman Sachs research indicates 26% of family offices held cryptocurrency exposure by 2023, up from 16% in 2021—a 62% increase in two-year adoption rates.
  • • The multifamily office has identified two under-the-radar cryptocurrency and blockchain investment opportunities, though specific firm names and investment theses remain detailed within the primary source material.
  • • Institutional capital allocation toward blockchain infrastructure and deep technology reflects a structural shift in how ultra-high-net-worth investors are accessing digital asset exposure through established VC channels rather than direct spot purchases.
Summary
Lennertz & Co., an exclusive German multifamily office, positioned itself early in the cryptocurrency investment cycle by commencing blockchain exploration in 2017—a period when institutional capital allocation to digital assets remained nascent. The firm's decision to establish itself as a European hub for ultra-high-net-worth family exposure to blockchain and cryptocurrency venture capital reflects a deliberate, long-term thesis on the sector's institutional maturation.

The multifamily office's head of funds executed a series of high-conviction bets targeting established cryptocurrency venture capital firms, a strategy that reflects confidence in both specific manager selection and the broader digital asset ecosystem. This approach differs materially from retail or opportunistic cryptocurrency allocations; the firm's positioning indicates a sophisticated, institutional-grade strategy rooted in venture capital selection rather than speculative asset trading.

Market adoption data corroborates the strategic shift toward institutional cryptocurrency exposure. Goldman Sachs research on family office behavior shows cryptocurrency exposure increased from 16% in 2021 to 26% by 2023, indicating accelerating allocation patterns among ultra-high-net-worth investors. This trend suggests that multifamily offices and family offices increasingly view digital asset exposure through traditional venture capital and institutional channels as core components of diversified alternative investment portfolios.

The multifamily office has additionally identified two under-the-radar blockchain and cryptocurrency investment opportunities, signaling that selective, non-consensus positioning remains viable within the sector. This reflects a broader institutional trend where family offices seek concentrated exposure to emerging digital infrastructure firms and blockchain-focused venture vehicles rather than passive index-based or widely distributed cryptocurrency allocations.

The case of Lennertz & Co. demonstrates that early institutional conviction on blockchain and cryptocurrency VC—paired with disciplined manager selection—has positioned selective European multifamily offices as meaningful participants in the capital flows supporting the sector's infrastructure development and venture-stage company formation.

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Sources

1 outlet

AlphaMaven summarised this story from the reporting below. Each link opens the original article.

Businessinsider An exclusive European multifamily office started exploring blockchain investing in 2017. Its head of funds shares how it made early high-conviction bets on big names in crypto VC — and identifies 2 under-the-radar firms to know.