Sarah Blackwood

Sarah Blackwood remembers the exact moment she decided to pivot from traditional finance to cryptocurrency markets. It was during a 2017 investment committee meeting at Bryant Brothers, where she was presenting a report on emerging financial technologies. As she explained Bitcoin’s potential impact on institutional portfolios, she realized she wasn’t just analyzing another asset class – she was witnessing the birth of an entirely new financial paradigm.

Today, as Senior Investment Analyst at Crypto News & Views, Sarah combines her deep understanding of traditional markets with cutting-edge cryptocurrency expertise to bridge the gap between conventional and digital finance. Her ability to translate complex investment concepts into actionable strategies has made her one of the most trusted voices in cryptocurrency investment analysis.

Education & Early Career

Sarah’s foundation in finance was built at the London School of Economics, where she studied mathematics with a focus on derivative pricing models. Her undergraduate years at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where she studied Economics and Computer Science, gave her the perfect toolkit for understanding both the technical and financial aspects of cryptocurrency markets.

Before entering the crypto space, Sarah spent eight years at Bryant Brothers, starting in their Quantitative Trading division before advancing to become a Vice President in their Digital Assets team. There, she played a key role in developing the firm’s early cryptocurrency trading strategies and risk management frameworks. Her experience in traditional finance proved invaluable as she helped institutional clients navigate their first forays into digital assets.

Professional Evolution

After leaving Bryant Brothers in 2019, Sarah founded Blackwood Digital Advisory, a consultancy specializing in cryptocurrency investment strategies for family offices and institutional investors. Her firm’s innovative approach to crypto portfolio management caught the attention of several major hedge funds, leading to advisory roles with some of the largest digital asset investment vehicles.

Sarah’s research on cryptocurrency market cycles and investment patterns has been published in the Journal of Digital Finance and cited by numerous industry reports. Her 2022 paper, “Institutional Integration of Digital Assets: A Framework for the Future,” has become a reference point for investment firms developing their cryptocurrency strategies.

Investment Philosophy

Sarah advocates for a balanced approach to cryptocurrency investment, combining technical analysis with fundamental research. Her investment framework, known as the “Digital Asset Allocation Model” (DAAM), has been adopted by several major crypto funds. The model integrates traditional portfolio theory with crypto-specific factors such as network effects, technological development, and regulatory considerations.

Her weekly “Crypto Market Perspectives” column at Crypto News & Views breaks down complex market movements into digestible insights for both retail and institutional investors. Sarah’s ability to spot emerging trends has led to several prescient market calls, including her widely-cited prediction of the 2023 DeFi renaissance.

Impact & Recognition

• Recipient of the 2023 Digital Asset Investment Innovation Award
• Named one of “40 Under 40” in cryptocurrency by Digital Finance Professionals
• Regular speaker at major investment conferences such as the World Economic Forum’s Cryptocurrency Summit
• Advisory board member for three leading cryptocurrency investment funds
• Featured expert on the leading news networks

Research & Publications

Sarah’s research focuses on:

• Institutional adoption of digital assets
• Cryptocurrency portfolio optimization
• Risk management in digital asset markets
• DeFi protocol analysis and valuation
• Cross-chain investment strategies
• Market microstructure in cryptocurrency trading

Personal Life & Interests

Outside of her professional work, Sarah is an accomplished triathlete, completing three Ironman competitions. She sees parallels between endurance sports and long-term investment strategy, often noting that both require patience, discipline, and strategic thinking. Her training routine starts at 5 AM daily, giving her the mental clarity she needs to analyze volatile cryptocurrency markets.

A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Sarah founded the Women in Crypto Investment Network (WCIN) in 2021. The organization provides mentorship and education to women interested in cryptocurrency investment and trading. Under her leadership, WCIN has grown to over 5,000 members across 30 countries.

Educational Initiatives

At Crypto News & Views, Sarah leads several educational programs:

• Cryptocurrency Investment Fundamentals Workshop Series
• Monthly Digital Asset Portfolio Masterclasses
• Institutional Investor Roundtables
• DeFi Investment Strategy Seminars
• Risk Management in Crypto Markets Course

Looking Forward

Sarah continues to push the boundaries of cryptocurrency investment analysis, focusing on:

• Integration of AI in crypto investment strategies
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in digital asset investing
• Development of new risk metrics for DeFi protocols
• Cross-chain portfolio optimization techniques
• Institutional adoption of emerging digital asset classes

“The future of finance is being written in code, but the fundamental principles of sound investment remain unchanged. Our job is to bridge these worlds.” – Sarah Blackwood