From businessman to lawyer to fund manager, Erling Loken-Andersen He took a path that few in finance can claim. Today, as a founder and fund manager Neverwinter I SLP FundIt is a Luxembourg-based quantitative Bitcoin fund that stands at the intersection of monetary history, digital assets, and institutional strategy. In this interview with Influential wealthErling explains why he believes Bitcoin represents a once-in-a-century financial shift and how Neverwinter is designed to capture it.
I. Assets: Businessman, lawyer, fund manager
IW: Erling, let’s start with your journey. I’ve been an entrepreneur, a lawyer, and now a fund manager. How did this development happen?
Erling: I started out as an entrepreneur, founded and managed several companies, and learned business management by doing. At some point, it got into a tax dispute with the Norwegian tax authorities. I decided to complete law school in half the normal time, so that I could defend myself effectively. I won the case in the end.
After working for a few years as a lawyer, I moved into the funds field. Today, I run Neverwinter Management Sàrl as General Partner, where the financing vehicle is Neverwinter Fund I SLP, based in Luxembourg.
IW: What made you focus specifically on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies?
Erling: I’ve seen a lot in the fintech and payments space. But the more I studied monetary history, the more convinced I became that Bitcoin represents a fundamental shift in global finance. The way Uber changed transportation and Netflix changed movies, Bitcoin changes money.
secondly. Why Bitcoin is a platform shift
IW: I frame Bitcoin as a platform shift. How do you explain this to people who aren’t familiar with the deeper mechanics?
Erling: Money has historically been a social contract based on trust and controlled by institutions and states. Bitcoin offers a decentralized cash network with a fixed supply of 21 million coins and encrypted proof of ownership and transactions.
Since supply is constant and demand is rising, I believe that the relative purchasing power of Bitcoin will increase against fiat currencies over time.
IW: Critics still describe Bitcoin as speculative or risky. How do you respond?
Erling: I see volatility as a feature of transformation, not a defect. The deeper issue is structural. When the money supply (M2) continues to rise, inflation becomes inevitable.
Warren Buffett pointed out how compound interest creates huge effects over decades. The opposite is also true: inflation strongly erodes capital. Einstein is often quoted as saying: “Compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe.” I believe that inflation is the most powerful force for erosion of capital.
Bitcoin offers an escape option because the supply is limited.
Third. Real-world illustration: Bitcoin versus purchasing power
IW: Can you give a practical example of what you mean?
Erling: In 2017, you could buy a modest home in the United States for about $340,000 USD, the equivalent of roughly 24 bitcoins. Today, the same house might cost less than 4 bitcoins. The purchasing power of Bitcoin has increased compared to fiat currencies, while fiat currencies continue to lose value. This dynamic affects real wealth.
IW: So, in your view, is the Bitcoin standard a fiat currency at all?
Erling: correct. Comparing Bitcoin to fiat currency is like comparing two elevators moving in opposite directions. One goes up and the other goes down. There is no stable reference point. We prefer to measure value in real purchasing power.
Fourth. Nation-states and the next race for Bitcoin
IW: You mentioned the potential nation-state race on Bitcoin. What does that look like?
Erling: Some countries have begun to include Bitcoin on their balance sheets, setting themselves up for a long-term upside. I believe there is an imminent competition between countries for a place in the Bitcoin network, a race that will be important over the next 50 to 100 years.
The train has already left the station, but it is still moving slowly enough for investors, especially family offices and institutions, to get on board.
IW: What evidence supports your view of accelerating adoption?
Erling: Several metrics: Active Bitcoin addresses continue to rise. Wallets with large holdings, those with more than 1,000 BTC, show what I call institutional conviction.
On average, Bitcoin has about $16 billion in transaction volume on an average day, up from about $1 billion in early 2020. These are tangible indicators of adoption.
V. Inside Neverwinter: Structure, Strategy, and Control
IW: Let’s talk about your fund. How is Neverwinter structured?
Erling: NeverwinterFund I SLPis an alternative investment structure domiciled in Luxembourg under the sub-threshold regime of Article 3(2) of the AIFMD. It has a maximum cap of €100 million, with a minimum subscription of €50,000, and is intended for sophisticated investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
Our strategy is an algorithmic long/short approach focused on Bitcoin and related derivatives, supported by our Lightspeed model. We use institutional quality custody services, diverse implementation across platforms, annual audits, and quarterly reporting.
VI. Why are family offices next?
IW: Why are family offices important adopters?
Erling: Family offices protect generational wealth They think 30 to 50 years ahead. Inflation and monetary expansion slowly erode capital. Bitcoin hedges that.
Many were watching from the sidelines due to the lack of reliable vehicles. This is changing. Since our launch in late October 2025, we have seen interest from multiple jurisdictions, especially families who realize that waiting another five years could result in them being left behind permanently.
IW: What risks should readers be aware of?
Erling: Many of them are: volatility, regulatory uncertainty, exchange counterparty risk, and more. We address these issues through diversification, strong custody, governance and transparency. We view this as a long-term structural bet, not short-term timing.
Seventh. Advice for new investors
IW: For someone who says, “Why don’t you buy Bitcoin in person?” How do you respond?
Erling: Self-custody is valid for many individuals. But for family offices and foundations, there are considerations: governance, custody, auditability, suitability, regulatory compliance, and tax structuring. The box structure provides the shells and processes they expect.
Algorithmic strategies can also capture upside and manage risk dynamically.
IW: For someone who is cautious but interested, what advice do you have?
Erling: Start with clarity on the goal: is it hedging, long-term allocation or speculative trading?
If you want long-term structural exposure to scarcity and monetary transformation, treat Bitcoin as part of a diversified portfolio. Understand custody, risk and regulation.
Don’t buy into the idea that Bitcoin is “easy money.” It’s not like that. Treat it as an asymmetric bet, a relatively small allocation but potentially significant upside if the thesis succeeds.
