Exploring Alternative Investments

Exploring alternative investments may provide investors looking for genuine diversification in their return streams with benefits they could not otherwise access, yet professional guidance should always be sought before embarking on something unique and interesting.

Non-traditional or exotic assets include real estate, private equity funds, hedge funds, art & collectibles, commodities & cryptocurrencies – assets with low correlation to traditional stocks that may help mitigate market volatility.

Collectibles

Collectors with an interest in art, rare items or sports memorabilia will find collectibles to be an especially rewarding addition to their investment portfolio. Not only is collecting fun for them – it is an integral part of building wealth. Plus, unlike real estate assets like stocks and bonds which may have high correlations – collectibles offer less correlation.

Addition of collectibles can be costly; investors must carefully consider starting price, storage space requirements and possible maintenance costs before purchasing an object of art or vehicle for investment purposes.

Though you can invest in collectibles for profit, investing in this sector requires patience and an in-depth knowledge of the market. Even those with limited funds can still take part by buying fractional shares that allow them to benefit from an asset’s appreciation without incurring upfront costs. Furthermore, digital collectibles offer similar benefits with reduced risks and an easier entry point.

Real Estate

Most people tend to associate investing with traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, and cash; however, an increasingly popular form of investment known as alternative investments.

Investments that cannot easily be converted to cash include gold coins or art collection and real estate investing, among others. They have lower market influence and may provide passive income generation as well as insurance against unforeseeable market circumstances.

Alternative real estate investments include private equity and structured notes where investors own part of a property they invest in through an LLC that owns it; or investing in crowdfunding strategies where multiple shareholders and investors come together to buy and finance real estate together. Such opportunities offer greater returns with lower risks than direct residential fix and flips.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have quickly become one of the more sought-after alternative investments. Cryptocurrencies serve as digital currency that can be used to purchase goods and services online.

These assets provide diversification benefits to an investment portfolio and tend to exhibit lower correlations with traditional investments (like stocks). Furthermore, they could help protect against inflation.

However, they also tend to have looser regulatory standards and can be harder to value than conventional securities. Finding liquidity may also prove challenging and some may impose high fees or minimum investment requirements.

After carefully considering their options before investing, investors must give careful thought to each investment option before selecting one. Not all options will suit all investors; so it is wise to consult a financial advisor to help assess if they make sense for you personally and invest within a diversified portfolio to mitigate risk. NerdWallet has ratings for online brokers and robo-advisors which take many factors into consideration, including account fees/minimums/investment choices/customer service support/commission rates etc.

Digital Assets

Digital assets offer a lucrative investment opportunity that leverages distributed ledger technology. They may include cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and stablecoins as an alternative investment choice.

Investors must be aware that Digital Assets are highly volatile and could become illiquid at any moment, making them suitable for those with an extreme risk tolerance.

United States financial technology and digital asset markets remain cutting-edge, yet some remain vulnerable to abuse by bad actors who seek to exploit consumer vulnerabilities or mislead investors. The State Department will continue its efforts to identify and mitigate emerging strategic risks related to digital assets by working alongside foreign partners, international enforcement bodies and sharing bilateral information.