Vaneck Files for Crypto ETF That Gives Investors Exposure to Equity in Digital Asset Companies

The exchange-traded fund provider, Vaneck has filed for a Digital Asset ETF, which aims to hold equity in companies that generate revenue from cryptocurrency services. The latest ETF filing is different from the fund Vaneck applied for in mid-December, as it aims to bring investors exposure to the cryptocurrency industry.

Last December, the asset manager, and ETF provider Vaneck filed for a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This was after the firm launched a bitcoin exchange-traded note called the “Vaneck Vector Bitcoin ETN” on Deutsche Böerse Xetra. Following these two actions, recent filings show that Vaneck wants to produce another fund called the “Digital Asset ETF.” The Digital Asset ETF registration was sent to the SEC on Thursday, January 21, 2021.

Essentially the Digital Asset ETF will allow investors to gain exposure to companies offering goods and services within the crypto industry. The fund will hold equity in companies that generate at least 50% of revenues from the cryptocurrency and blockchain economy. The New York-based fund issuer’s ETF registration form says the fund “seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index.” The firm’s ETF filing also details exactly what type of companies the Digital Asset ETF may include.

“Digital asset companies may include small- and medium-capitalization companies and foreign and emerging market issuers, and the fund may invest in depositary receipts and securities denominated in foreign currencies,” Vaneck’s filing notes. This particular ETF registration is aiming at retail investors in contrast to targeting a limited number of accredited investors.

The latest Vaneck news about the Digital Asset ETF follows the company’s recent issues with former partner Solidx. The law newsdesk law360 reported that the blockchain startup Solidx has accused Vaneck of breach of contract. According to the report, after Vaneck severed its relationship with Solidx, it allegedly leveraged the company’s technology.

The latest Digital Asset ETF registration also mentions that Vaneck’s fund can invest in firms that hold a balance of digital currencies like the firm Microstrategy. Additionally, the fund describes companies with exposure to crypto-assets can represent firms like exchanges, mining operators, crypto custodians, and more.