Jason Scharfman Livres

The book delves into the growing complexity of alternative investments like hedge funds and private equity, highlighting the significant operational advancements made by fund managers. It discusses how these managers are investing more in best practices for trade processing, fund accounting, and back-office operations to support sophisticated investment strategies. Notably, it points out that many fund managers have experienced operating budget increases of 30% or more, reflecting the heightened focus on operational efficiency in the investment community.

The book explores the rise of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, highlighting their increasing acceptance among investors while addressing the alarming surge in fraudulent activities. In 2021, over $14 billion was reported stolen from investors, encompassing various scams such as Bitcoin theft, phishing, and NFT fraud. The narrative delves into the diverse methods of deception within the crypto space, including DeFi rug pulls and exchange hacks, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by investors in this rapidly evolving market.

The book addresses the growing interest in cryptocurrencies and digital assets among institutional investors, alongside the existing support from retail investors. It explores the complex operational and regulatory compliance challenges that have arisen due to rapid technological advancements in decentralized finance, tokenization, and blockchain technology. Offering practical guidance, it serves as a foundational resource for understanding the operational and compliance aspects of crypto investing and asset management.

Hedge Fund Governance: Evaluating Oversight, Independence and Conflicts summarizes the fundamental elements of hedge fund governance and principal perspectives on governance arguments. An authoritative reference on governance, it describes the tools needed for developing a flexible, comprehensive hedge fund governance analysis framework. Case studies and interviews with professional fund directors shine a bright light of pragmatism on this framework. The author's global analysis of more than 5,000 hedge fund governance structures enables him to draw realistic conclusions about best practices. He also explores the value consequences of good vs. bad governance, estimating the actual dollar losses that can result from bad governance, as well as the operational and investment performance benefits of certain governance practices.