VIX, Crypto, Blockchain, Futures and/or Options: Could These Be Considered by a Prudent Investor?

New 2018 studies address the topics of whether and how VIX-based products, crypto-currencies, Blockchain, futures and/or options are being considered by investors.
 
While some investors prefer to invest only in stocks and bonds, other investors are exploring alternatives because of concerns about high price/earnings ratios for stocks, low interest rates for fixed income, and higher correlations among “traditional” asset classes.
 
Issues to be addressed in the presentation include:

• Why was the VIX Index so “low” in 2017 while there was much geopolitical world-wide uncertainty? Has there been too much complacency in the financial markets? Is option-writing still appealing when the VIX is below its long-term average?
• What measures have been introduced by regulated exchanges and clearing firms to deal with the high volatility of certain new listed financial instruments?
• Could a small allocation to VIX or cryptocurrency futures be used to help diversify or hedge a portfolio?
• Why have some portfolio managers and pension funds made new allocations to the cash-secured put-write strategy in recent years?