The ARK 21Shares Active On-Chain Bitcoin Strategy ETF, managed by ARK Invest in collaboration with 21Shares, is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that invests in bitcoin futures contracts and cash equivalents. Its inception date was November 15, 2023. Unlike spot ETFs, which directly hold the underlying asset (in this case, Bitcoin), this active futures ETF invests in Bitcoin futures contracts and utilizes on-chain data for active management. The strategy aims to optimize returns by leveraging blockchain analytics to inform trading decisions. As a result, the performance of a futures ETF like this one may differ from the spot price of Bitcoin due to factors such as contract rollover, futures market conditions, and the effectiveness of the on-chain data-driven management strategy. The ETF charges an annual management fee of 0.93%.
Ark Invest and 21Shares are two distinct entities within the financial and digital asset sectors, each with specific roles and offerings.
Ark Invest is a prominent investment management firm known for its focus on disruptive innovation, particularly in technology-driven sectors. Founded in 2014 by Cathie Wood, the firm is headquartered in New York City. Ark Invest manages several actively managed ETFs that target areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, genomics, and blockchain technology. The firm's approach involves identifying companies and technologies that are expected to lead transformative shifts across industries, including the digital asset space. Ark Invest has gained recognition for its research-driven investment philosophy, which emphasizes transparency and open-source research dissemination.
21Shares, on the other hand, is a leading provider of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs). Established in 2018 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, 21Shares aims to make investing in digital assets as easy as buying shares through conventional brokerage accounts. The company offers a range of ETPs that track the performance of various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and multi-asset baskets. 21Shares is known for pioneering the world's first physically-backed cryptocurrency ETP and continues to expand its product offerings to meet growing investor demand for regulated and accessible digital asset investment vehicles.
Together, Ark Invest and 21Shares represent significant players in the digital asset ecosystem. Ark Invest contributes through its research and investment in blockchain and related technologies, while 21Shares provides infrastructure for traditional investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies through regulated products. Their combined efforts underscore the increasing convergence between traditional finance and the digital asset market, offering investors diverse opportunities to engage with emerging financial technologies.
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