In the dynamic realm of cryptocurrency, a resounding voice echoed throughout 2021—resonating the concerns of a global community. This collective outcry encompassed issues ranging from environmental sustainability and governmental transparency to supply chain integrity and data sovereignty. As the crypto sphere is inherently rooted in community, it took heed of these concerns.
The clarion call for change found its echo in the rising tide of socially conscious investors. Individuals who sought not just financial gains but also the betterment of society. Their quest: to identify companies that championed environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and transparent governance—commonly encapsulated as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. In this evolving landscape, ESG standards emerged as the North Star of crypto investments.
Blockchain technology, hitherto the domain of tech aficionados, became a mainstream catalyst for change. Its very essence, a decentralized ledger, provided a unique opportunity to reimagine governance and supply chain dynamics. Simultaneously, the investment industry witnessed an upsurge in funds with a strong sustainability focus.
This growth was spurred not only by venerable investment firms highlighting their ESG-centric portfolios but also by the advent of cryptocurrency ESG-focused funds. The Sarson Funds Cryptocurrency ESG Strategy Fund stands as a prime example. This fund aims to harmonize community interests with investment objectives. It underscores how ESG values can seamlessly integrate into a cryptocurrency portfolio. The fund only backs projects committed to safeguarding civil rights, combating corruption, promoting financial inclusion, minimizing censorship, advancing liberty, enhancing healthcare services, fostering scientific exploration, protecting the environment, aiding underserved communities, and more.
Cryptocurrency's agility in response to environmental concerns is remarkable. When Elon Musk's tweet criticized Bitcoin mining's energy consumption, the crypto community swiftly responded with a carbon-neutral Bitcoin cryptocurrency. In stark contrast, traditional banking systems consume over four times the energy of Bitcoin. Since Bitcoin relies predominantly on renewable energy sources, its carbon footprint is estimated to be between half and a quarter of that generated by brick-and-mortar banks.
The crypto domain also champions impactful social projects. From decentralized autonomous organizations to the tokenization of real estate, personal data sovereignty, and NFTs, blockchain technology opens a plethora of avenues for investors to integrate social impact initiatives into their portfolios. Sarson Funds' dedicated research efforts unearth projects like GoodDollar, a nonprofit community-driven protocol engineered to generate, fund, and distribute basic income through its G$ token. Imagine, a platform that conceptualizes universal income for anyone with an internet connection.
Cryptocurrency's potential to democratize capital markets through decentralized, permissionless access to financial services is awe-inspiring. However, realizing this potential hinges on good governance. From the transparency ingrained in blockchain's peer-to-peer architecture to championing social good, as exemplified by GoodDollar, and rapidly and creatively responding to environmental threats, cryptocurrency aligns naturally with ESG portfolios, offering limitless possibilities for conscious investors. In this nascent ecosystem, the options are boundless, and the impact immeasurable.
