Daniele Bernardi is a visionary leader in digital asset management with over 25 years of experience in the investment industry. As the CEO of DIAMAN Partners Ltd, an MFSA-authorized asset management company, he spearheads innovative solutions for both traditional and digital assets. Renowned for his expertise in quantitative investing, equities, hedge funds, fintech, and cryptocurrency, Daniele is also a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to driving positive change through technology and finance.
The Illustrious Path
Daniele started his career as a Project Manager at Aprilia Moto Spa, where he was responsible for the chassis and design of the RS250. After seven years, he decided to move into finance and in 1999 started managing customers’ money. It was during the new economy bubble that he learnt the importance of closing investments rather than staying fully invested all the time. He then set up Diaman Srl as a financial advisory company for institutional clients, offering quantitative trend-following methods for entering and exiting the stock market, avoiding the typical emotions of investing.
Expertly Managing Assets
Diaman Partners Ltd. is a forward-thinking asset management company specializing in both UCITS and alternative funds. Regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the company combines advanced algorithms with human expertise to deliver effective investment strategies. With over 20 years of experience, Diaman Partners has established itself as a pioneer in the field, leveraging quantitative models, artificial intelligence, and augmented intelligence to optimize investment processes.
The company offers portfolio management services for various alternative investment funds and has recently launched the first-ever UCITS fund that invests in digital assets. This innovative fund provides daily NAV updates and requires a minimum investment of just €1,000, making it accessible to a broader range of investors. Diaman Partners is committed to navigating the complexities of digital assets while ensuring profitability and risk management through professional oversight.
Navigating Challenges to Innovation
2016 was a defining year for Diaman. With most of the Italian banks the company advised facing severe credit issues, Daniele and the team found themselves losing 80% of their revenues in just 12 months. It was a tough and humbling period, but it pushed them to adapt and innovate.
Recognizing the potential of crypto assets, Daniele took a bold step and established an investment management firm in Malta, focusing on portfolio management for professional and retail clients.
Fast forward to 2020, Diaman launched the first Maltese AIF dedicated to crypto assets. Daniele and his team’s perseverance paid off when, in 2021, they caught the attention of the Azimut Group. They entrusted Diaman Partners to manage their Luxembourg Raif investing in crypto assets, thanks to its stellar performance.
By 2023, Diaman Partners broke new ground again with the launch of Europe’s first retail fund investing in crypto assets. Today, they’re proud to be one of the leading management companies actively driving crypto investment funds in Europe.
“What began as a rocky phase transformed into a journey of growth and innovation, all fueled by determination and a willingness to embrace the future,” shares Daniele.
Achieving Milestones
Reflecting on Diaman’s journey, Daniele is incredibly proud of the milestones they’ve achieved over the years. In 2002, they laid the foundation as the first quantitative advisory firm in Italy, pioneering a data-driven approach to investment strategies. By 2013, Diaman broke new ground again, becoming the first SCF (advisory firm) regulated by Consob in Italy, a testament to the team’s commitment to transparency and professionalism.
In 2020, they embraced the future by launching the first Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) in Malta dedicated to crypto assets, marking a bold step into the digital frontier. And in 2023, they reached another significant milestone with the introduction of the first UCITS fund in Europe investing in crypto-related products like ETCs. These achievements reflect Daniele and his team’s relentless drive to innovate and adapt, always staying ahead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Driving Innovation and Risk Management in Digital Assets
The digital assets industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities. At Diaman Partners, Daniele and his team thrive on curiosity and innovation, which are the cornerstones of their approach to staying ahead. Every week, they dedicate time for knowledge-sharing sessions where team members present their insights, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of industry developments.
One of the most significant challenges we face is ensuring the safe custody of digital assets. Over the years, we have built a wealth of expertise in this area, enabling us to navigate these risks effectively. We are eager to share this knowledge with those interested in collaborating with us to establish funds that prioritize security and innovation.
Our research team, with over two decades of experience, has mastered the art of balancing risk management, innovation, and drawdown reduction. While it may seem counterintuitive, these three elements can indeed grow together harmoniously. By leveraging advanced mathematical models and quantitative strategies, we simplify decision-making processes for investors, ensuring both growth and security.
At Diaman Partners, we believe that staying ahead in this fast-paced industry requires a blend of continuous learning, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation. This philosophy drives us to not only adapt to change but to lead it.”
Augmented Intelligence: Merging Human Expertise with AI Precision
At Diaman Partners, Augmented Intelligence represents the seamless integration of artificial intelligence with human expertise to enhance decision-making and efficiency. While AI plays a pivotal role in streamlining processes and advancing research, its true potential is unlocked when combined with the nuanced understanding and experience of professionals.
In the financial markets, where theoretical models often falter in real-world scenarios, this synergy ensures robust and reliable outcomes. By leveraging Augmented Intelligence, Diaman Partners continues to pioneer innovative solutions that balance technological precision with human insight, setting a benchmark in the industry.
Transparency: The Cornerstone of Ethical Excellence
At Diaman Partners, transparency is not just a principle; it is a foundational value that has guided the company since its inception. Embedded within the broader framework of ETHICS—Excellence, Transparency, Honesty, Innovation, Collaboration, and Sharing—transparency shapes every aspect of our operations and client relationships.
By fostering open communication and trust, Diaman’s team ensures that their clients and partners have a clear understanding of their processes, decisions, and goals. This unwavering commitment to transparency reflects their dedication to ethical excellence and strengthens the bonds of collaboration and trust with those we serve.
Blockchain: Redefining Finance and Beyond
Blockchain technology, believes Daniele, combined with cryptography and the internet, is set to revolutionize the way investments and money are managed and safeguarded. Diaman Partners recognizes that this transformation extends far beyond the financial sector.
Blockchain’s decentralized and transparent nature is poised to disrupt traditional business models across industries, paving the way for innovative solutions and efficiencies. As pioneers in digital asset management, Diaman is committed to leveraging this groundbreaking technology to shape the future of finance while embracing its potential to redefine global business landscapes.
Vision for the Future
Diaman Partners envisions becoming a leading force in crypto asset management across Europe within the next five years. This ambition is supported by their recent authorization as an AIF Manager and the establishment of an innovative umbrella alternative fund structure. Known as Open AIF, this Sicav NAIF fund is domiciled in Malta and is designed to assist individuals and organizations in launching crypto hedge funds, even if they lack the necessary expertise or technology. By combining cutting-edge solutions with a commitment to empowering others, Diaman Partners is poised to redefine the landscape of digital asset management and drive transformative growth in the industry.
Daniele concludes our interaction with the following advice for investors who are new to the digital assets space, “Invest using a DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) strategy, which involves allocating a small amount of money every month, allows you to better manage volatility and capitalize on its advantages.”
Quote: To achieve success, you must first help those around you succeed.
