The high volatility in cryptocurrency prices has created an opportunity for high frequency traders looking for alternatives; the stock market has been steadily rising but their has rarely been a daily jump or drop of more than one percent; while there has no been wide adoption of the strategy more firms have begun trading in the space as the market cap continues to rise. Source.
DRW is a firm focusing on trading cryptocurrencies; the Chicago based firm has about a dozen employees working on crypto trading through a subsidiary called Cumberland Mining; there are several other firms operating in this area as well including Jump Trading, DV Trading and Hehmeyer Trading + Investments; volatility in other asset classes is low, making crypto an attractive asset class for these firms. Source