The KPMG Senior School Investment Challenge has returned for its 21st year, with senior students from eight schools trading since the competition got under way in early November.

For the first time, the 2025 edition of the challenge includes cryptocurrency trading, adding digital assets to the mix alongside more traditional investments.

KPMG said the move reflected the evolving global investment landscape and was intended to give students experience that mirrored real-world market conditions.

Each participating school may enter up to three teams, with every team allocated a virtual $100,000 to manage over a six-month period using the StockTrak trading platform. Students trade in real-time simulated markets, applying investment strategies, while responding to market movements and global events.

The programme is designed to provide hands-on exposure to capital markets, finance and accounting, while encouraging financial literacy, strategic thinking and an interest in investing.

Although teams compete to achieve the highest portfolio returns, KPMG said the broader aim was to help students develop discipline and a deeper understanding of how markets work.

At the end of the challenge, the school of the first-place team will receive $10,000, with additional awards recognising achievements such as portfolio diversity, profit per trade and comeback performance.

This year’s competition has attracted 21 teams. Participating schools are The Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Warwick Academy, Bermuda Institute, Somersfield Academy, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Bermuda High School and Saltus Grammar School. As of November 30, Bermuda Institute takes the top two spots.

Felicia Wilsen, partner and chair of KPMG’s Lift Off Programme, said the challenge allowed students to see how external conditions influenced financial markets and their own portfolios, helping them develop a broader understanding of global events and international business.

KPMG provides an introductory session on investing at the start of the programme and publishes monthly rankings throughout the competition.