With years of experience as a sell-side analyst and later as a fund manager, Joakim Hannisdahl has developed deep expertise in shipping sectors and related equities. He applies that knowledge in running a long/short equity strategy through his asset management firm, Gersemi Asset Management. Alongside co-portfolio manager Fredrik Flem, Hannisdahl has also spent the past two years developing a new crypto-focused strategy based on an algorithm designed to generate returns in both rising and falling markets.

“While the primary objective behind establishing Gersemi Asset Management was to launch the Gersemi Shipping Fund, it was always our intention to expand the product portfolio beyond shipping,” says Joakim Hannisdahl, who transitioned to the buy side as a fund manager in 2021 after a career as a sell-side analyst covering the shipping sector. Hannisdahl launched his own asset management firm in 2023 to introduce the Gersemi Shipping Fund. Shortly after, he brought in portfolio manager Fredrik Flem to strengthen the investment team.

“While the primary objective behind establishing Gersemi Asset Management was to launch the Gersemi Shipping Fund, it was always our intention to expand the product portfolio beyond shipping.”

The portfolio management duo is now preparing to introduce a crypto-focused strategy they have been developing since 2024. The concept is built around a proprietary algorithm designed to trade cryptocurrencies and related derivatives with the goal of generating returns regardless of market direction. “The concept of the strategy aims to capitalise on price movements irrespective of direction and is indifferent to the underlying properties of cryptocurrencies and the drivers of price movements,” explains Hannisdahl. According to the team’s backtesting, the strategy exhibits low correlation not only with traditional asset classes such as equities and gold but also with cryptocurrencies themselves.

“The concept of the strategy aims to capitalise on price movements irrespective of direction and is indifferent to the underlying properties of cryptocurrencies and the drivers of price movements.”

The team at Gersemi has already deployed the strategy on a concept basis using proprietary capital. Following extensive testing and live implementation, the managers now believe it is the right time to engage with partners and investors about bringing the strategy to market.