Bitcoin and other coins are more than a new reality, a new market trend. They are new currencies and methods of payment. As a result, many traditional investors have concluded they need to be in crypto. Nasdaq lends more credence to that notion.
"I believe that digital currencies will continue to persist...it's just a matter of how long it will take for that space to mature," Friedman said on CBNC today.
Nasdaq is already supporting existing crypto exchanges. On Wednesday, the company announced a collaboration with cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, founded by early bitcoin investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. Over the few months, they partnered with San Diego based ETF firm, Reality Shares, to launch two blockchain-related funds. The latest is scheduled to come to market in June.