Introducing FirmIQ™ by Crypto Insights Group

Why Standardizing Crypto Operations Matters

In last month’s post for August 2025, Crypto Insights Group presented, “An Empirical Yardstick for Assessing Crypto Operations,” which addressed the matter of reducing the level of subjectiveness for crypto fund manager operational assessments, while increasing the ability to ascertain key operational data to be objectively scored and benchmarked.

As has been an ongoing matter for many investment professionals in the asset management space, and particularly for those who focus on operational matters, an institutional allocator researching operational risk often requires the weaving of both objective and subjective elements in order to craft and document an evaluation into a final form. However, in presenting an operational evaluation, much of the subjective elements are often based on individual experience and judgement, as opposed to being backed with data and thorough analytics, via a data-science approach.

The post concluded that as opposed to traditional asset management operations, which have been in existence for decades and have been tested through audits, regulation and investor scrutiny, digital asset operations remain as emerging; whereby crypto managers and allocators do not yet have the benefit of what can be considered as operationally “standard,” and therefore must find a means to measure crypto operations in a consistent manner.

A Crypto-Driven Solution: FirmIQ™ by Crypto Insights Group

Through months of research, feedback and working closely with institutional investors, this week Crypto Insights Group (CIG) has introduced FirmIQ™, our solution to standardizing crypto operations through a proprietary-developed due diligence questionnaire.

Designed to standardize and enhance the operational risk management process for institutional investors allocating capital to crypto investment products, FirmIQ™ is a comprehensive, scored, and benchmarked CIG Platform feature that provides allocators with a clear and objective assessment of an investment manager's operational risks.

By providing a structured framework and quantifiable metrics, CIG sits at the cross-section of opportunity in what is still a nascent industry and asset class to improve upon past methods for investment allocation. And it is FirmIQ™ which addresses a critical need in the rapidly evolving digital asset space, offering a robust new tool for investment structure decision-making and risk management.

FirmIQ™’s Methodology and Key Pillars

FirmIQ™ is built around six key operational pillars, each designed to uncover risks and vulnerabilities. The questionnaire evaluates a manager’s:

Organization & Employees
Regulation, Compliance & Legal
Investment Allocation, Trading & Operations
Accounting, Administration & Valuation
Counterparties & Service Providers
Technology & Business Continuity

This holistic approach ensures allocators see the full operational picture.

Benchmarking with Crypto Insights Group’s FirmIQ™

The true value of FirmIQ™ lies in its ability to score and benchmark managers, and their peers, against both traditional finance and crypto industry standards. Institutional investors no longer have to rely solely on qualitative, often subjective, assessments. Instead, they receive a clear and direct, apples-to-apples comparison of operational risk across crypto managers of various strategies and operational sizes.

This not only streamlines the risk management process but also empowers both managers and allocators to identify best-in-class operational practices, engage in more targeted and productive conversations, and ultimately fosters greater transparency and trust in the crypto investment ecosystem.

Tools Needed to Make Informed Investment Decisions

As part of any comprehensive research process, CIG believes investing in digital asset strategies should continue to include:

Document collection and analysis
Reference calls and service provider verifications
Direct manager Q&A

FirmIQ™ is not meant to replace a manager-issued DDQ but to complement it. Where DDQs cover investment philosophy, fund terms, and broader disclosures, FirmIQ™ focuses solely on operational risk in crypto funds and SMAs.

The CIG Operational Knowledge Center

Crypto Insights Group, in close collaboration with institutional allocators, has developed the CIG Operational Knowledge Center. This resource was built directly with allocator feedback to ensure it addresses the real pain points they face in evaluating crypto fund operations.

Within the Knowledge Center, subscribers can request:

CIG Operational Readiness scans
FirmIQ™ reports
Full Operational Due Diligence (ODD) reports

By incorporating allocator guidance, the Knowledge Center allows investors to choose the operational research option that best fits their diligence process, while giving managers a clear framework for meeting institutional standards.

At Crypto Insights Group (CIG), we continuously collect and maintain high-quality crypto investment data to benefit both fund managers and allocators, adhering to our mission of providing analysis through proprietary technology, research, and due diligence.

Frequently Asked Questions on FirmIQ™

What is FirmIQ™?
FirmIQ™ is CIG’s proprietary questionnaire designed to score and benchmark operational risk in crypto funds.

Who uses FirmIQ™?
Institutional allocators use FirmIQ™ to compare managers consistently, while fund managers use it to highlight strengths and remediate gaps.

Does FirmIQ™ replace full ODD reviews?
‍No. FirmIQ™ complements (not replaces) ODD. It standardizes early-stage diligence and highlights areas requiring deeper review.‍

Does Crypto Insights Group provide benchmarking data on operational information?
‍Yes. One of the key features of FirmIQ™ is its ability to score and benchmark managers with crypto industry peers. This allows allocators to see where a fund stands relative to the broader universe, and helps managers identify areas to improve their operational readiness.