The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), known as ARKB, is a spot Bitcoin ETF from the investment manager Ark Invest and fintech firm 21Shares. ARKB was one of the 11 spot bitcoin ETFs approved on Jan. 11, 2024. Ark Invest was founded by Cathie Wood in 2014 and gained attention for its bullish outlook on blockchain projects and technologies. The fund charges a fee of 0.21%. Coinbase Custody Trust Company LLC custodies the bitcoin in ARKB. The same firm provides custody services for the spot bitcoin ETFs from Grayscale Investments and BlackRock.
Ark Invest / 21Shares is a collaborative venture between Ark Investment Management LLC (Ark Invest) and 21Shares AG, focusing on providing innovative investment solutions within the digital asset industry. This partnership combines Ark Invest's expertise in thematic investing, particularly in disruptive innovation, with 21Shares' specialization in creating exchange-traded products (ETPs) for cryptocurrencies.
Ark Invest, founded by Cathie Wood in 2014, is a prominent investment management firm based in the United States, known for its active management strategies that concentrate on public companies poised to benefit from technological advancements and innovative trends. The firm has a strong focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, genomic sequencing, and blockchain technology, with a commitment to research-driven investment strategies.
21Shares AG, headquartered in Switzerland, is a pioneer in the cryptocurrency ETP space, having launched the world's first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018. The company offers a range of ETPs that provide investors with exposure to various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets. 21Shares is recognized for its efforts in enhancing accessibility to the digital asset market through regulated and transparent investment products.
Together, Ark Invest and 21Shares aim to bridge traditional finance and the evolving digital asset ecosystem by developing innovative investment vehicles that cater to the growing interest in blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Their collaboration seeks to leverage Ark Invest's research capabilities and 21Shares' product development expertise to deliver efficient and accessible investment options to a global audience.
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