# Alternative Investments An alternative investment is a type of financial asset that doesn't fit into the typical investment categories like stocks, bonds, or cash. These traditional investments are what most people think of when they consider where to put their money. One of the key differences between alternative investments and conventional ones is how they're regulated. In the United States, traditional investments are closely monitored and regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, alternative investments often have fewer regulations, which can mean less protection for investors but also more opportunities for higher returns. Another important aspect of alternative investments is that they tend to be less liquid like real estate or private equity, it might take much longer to sell, and you might not always get the price you want right away. {% embed url="" %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://research.chainedassets.com/rwa-focus-areas/alternative-investments.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.