Definition ∞ Collective investment describes a financial arrangement where multiple individuals pool their capital to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets. This strategy allows participants to gain exposure to various investments that might be inaccessible individually. It typically involves a professional manager making investment decisions on behalf of the group. The aim is to achieve economies of scale and professional asset allocation.
Context ∞ Within digital assets, the concept of collective investment is gaining traction through decentralized autonomous organizations and tokenized funds. These structures enable groups to collectively manage digital treasuries or invest in crypto projects. A key discussion point involves the regulatory classification of such arrangements, particularly concerning securities laws and investor protection. Future trends suggest increasing adoption of on-chain collective investment vehicles, requiring new legal and operational frameworks.