ProShares seeks SEC approval for Bitcoin-denominated ETFs tracking S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and gold

Key Takeaways

ProShares has filed for ETFs that observe the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and gold priced in Bitcoin.
These ETFs will use Bitcoin futures to realize Bitcoin-denominated returns somewhat than immediately investing in Bitcoin.

ProShares, a distinguished asset supervisor overseeing greater than $75 billion in property, is in search of SEC approval to supply three new ETFs that may observe the efficiency of the S&P 500, the Nasdaq-100, and gold relative to Bitcoin.

The proposed funds — ProShares S&P 500 Bitcoin ETF, ProShares Nasdaq-100 Bitcoin ETF, and ProShares Gold Bitcoin ETF — will measure returns in Bitcoin phrases somewhat than US {dollars}, in accordance with prospectus supplies shared by Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Retailer. Administration charges and ticker symbols haven’t been disclosed.

Whereas the funds received’t immediately put money into Bitcoin, they may make the most of Bitcoin futures contracts to realize Bitcoin-denominated returns. Every ETF will keep an extended place in its respective underlying asset alongside a brief US greenback/lengthy Bitcoin place via futures contracts.

“Reset month-to-month, the forex hedge is supposed to mitigate the affect of modifications within the worth of the US greenback relative to Bitcoin,” in accordance with the supplies.

“Principally an extended place in underlying shares or gold & then a brief USD/lengthy BTC place utilizing BTC futures,” Geraci defined. “I’m calling these BTC hedged ETFs.”

Every fund plans to take a position as much as 25% of their whole property in wholly-owned Cayman Islands subsidiaries at every quarter-end to keep up regulated funding firm standing beneath US tax legislation.

ProShares’ transfer comes amid a rising acceptance of crypto inside conventional finance, as extra asset managers discover methods to combine Bitcoin into their funding choices.

On Thursday, Try Asset Administration launched the Try Bitcoin Bond ETF, which affords Bitcoin publicity via convertible securities and derivatives backed primarily by MicroStrategy’s holdings.

The fund will make investments no less than 80% of its property in Bitcoin bonds, swaps, and choices, whereas sustaining positions in US Treasury securities and different crypto-focused funds.

ProShares has been identified for its progressive funding methods and various product choices. The agency focuses on varied kinds of ETFs, together with leveraged and inverse ETFs that purpose to amplify the efficiency of underlying indices.

Earlier in January, ProShares filed for 5 leveraged and inverse Bitcoin ETFs designed to trace the Bloomberg Galaxy Bitcoin Index utilizing futures contracts.