This policy brief examines the evolution of the hedge fund industry, the industry’s structure and the prospect of regulatory steps looming on the horizon. In the wake of the recent bust of Amaranth and of the increased ‘retailisation’ of the industry, hedge funds have increasingly come under the close scrutiny of regulators. In this ECMI Policy Brief, Charles Gottlieb explores the economic rationale that should be kept in mind for any appropriate policy making in this area. He concludes by outlining the regulatory uncertainties remaining with binding the hedge fund industry together with MiFID and UCITS regulations.