VanEck takes new approach with SEC, files for Bitcoin Strategy ETF

Asset manager VanEck is filing for a Bitcoin Strategy exchange-traded fund after it unsuccessfully attempted to launch a similar fund four years ago. 

According to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC records, VanEck filed a prospectus for a Bitcoin Strategy exchange-traded fund, or ETF, on Aug. 9. Unlike its Bitcoin (BTC) or Ether (ETH) ETFs currently under review by the federal agency, the proposed fund would not invest in BTC directly, but provide exposure through Bitcoin future contracts, pooled investment vehicles, and other exchange-traded products.

VanEck said the Bitcoin Strategy ETF would allow exposure through crypto ETFs listed and traded in Canada — purportedly including those from Purpose Investments and Evolve Funds Group. A Cayman Islands-based subsidiary of the asset manager will make the investments.

Though VanEck filed a similar prospectus for a Bitcoin Strategy ETF in 2017, SEC chair Gary Gensler recently hinted he would be more open to accepting ETFs based on crypto futures rather than through direct exposure. Some companies filed similar “strategy” ETFs with the government body following Gensler’s announcement — investment firm Invesco announced its own plans to launch a Bitcoin ETF without direct exposure on Aug. 5.

Related: New Brazilian Bitcoin ETF pledges carbon neutrality

The SEC has yet to approve any Bitcoin ETF in the United States. However, VanEck, Valkyrie Digital Assets, Fidelity Investments, and others have filed their own proposals for crypto ETFs. The commission has historically extended the deliberation window or opened the matter to public comments to seemingly avoid reaching any decision on a fund.

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