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Syz partners with Willy Woo and CMCC to launch first bank-backed crypto hedge fund

Reported by Rankiapro
Apr 17, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Syz Group partnered with CMCC Global to launch SyzCrest Digital Uncorrelated, positioned as the industry's first bank-backed crypto hedge fund of funds, with a target raise of $300 million and early-investor capacity options.
  • • The strategy launches July 1st as a monthly liquidity product designed to generate positive returns in both bull and bear market cycles, combining expertise from traditional hedge fund selection with crypto-native portfolio management.
  • • Syz Capital serves as investment manager while CMCC Global acts as sub-adviser; the partnership leverages Syz Group's 1990s track record introducing Wall Street hedge funds to Swiss private banking alongside CMCC's crypto specialization and Willy Woo's quantitative research capabilities.
  • • The launch represents a significant institutional bridge between traditional and decentralized finance, following Syz Group's December announcement of cryptocurrency custody and trading services for Swiss and international clients.
Summary
Syz Group, one of Switzerland's established names in hedge fund selection, has partnered with Hong Kong-based crypto manager CMCC Global to launch SyzCrest Digital Uncorrelated, described as the industry's first alpha-focused cryptocurrency portfolio managed by a banking group. The fund of crypto hedge funds will become available to investors on July 1st, 2026, with a fundraising strategy designed to scale rapidly to $300 million. Early investors will receive capacity options as an incentive for committed capital.

The partnership structure combines Syz Capital as the investment manager with CMCC Global in a sub-advisory role. The collaboration brings together established expertise: Syz Group's decades-long track record in hedge fund curation for Swiss private banking clients—dating back to the 1990s when founder Eric Syz pioneered bringing Wall Street hedge funds to Switzerland—with CMCC Global's crypto and digital asset management capabilities. Willy Woo, a prominent figure in quantitative crypto analysis, plays a key role through Crest, CMCC Global's hedge fund selection division.

SyzCrest Digital Uncorrelated is structured as an "all weather" strategy targeting consistent returns regardless of market direction. Unlike typical crypto products with extended redemption periods, the fund will offer monthly liquidity, addressing a gap in the institutional crypto hedge fund market. This positioning aims to attract institutional investors seeking exposure to digital assets without the volatility management constraints of traditional crypto holdings or the extended lock-up periods common in hedge fund structures.

The launch builds on Syz Group's recent digital asset expansion. In December 2025, the bank announced cryptocurrency custody and trading services for Swiss and international clients, signaling a broader institutional pivot toward bridging traditional banking infrastructure with decentralized finance capabilities. The SyzCrest initiative represents the latest evolution of this strategy, leveraging the bank's regulatory standing and institutional client relationships to access crypto hedge fund opportunities previously available primarily through alternative channels.

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Sources

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Rankiapro Syz partners with Willy Woo and CMCC to launch first bank-backed crypto hedge fund