ProShares Files for CoinDesk Crypto 20 ETF to Track $1T Market Index

ProShares - One of the biggest players in the US asset management game - has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission...

Quick overview

  • ProShares has filed with the SEC to launch a new ETF that tracks the CoinDesk 20 Index, representing the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
  • The ProShares CoinDesk Crypto 20 ETF will allow traditional investors to gain exposure to major cryptocurrencies without directly holding the assets.
  • The ETF aims to provide a diversified view of the crypto market while adhering to US regulatory frameworks for transparency and reduced risk.
  • If approved, this ETF will be one of the first multi-asset crypto products to navigate the US regulatory landscape.

ProShares – One of the biggest players in the US asset management game – has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to bring a brand-new exchange-traded fund (ETF) to market. This one tracks the CoinDesk 20 Index – that’s a benchmark of the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

The ProShares CoinDesk Crypto 20 ETF will give traditional investors a way to get in on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana & XRP without ever having to touch the actual assets. What they’ll do instead is use swaps, futures, and other financial tools that are tied to these digital currencies.

According to the filing, the idea here is to let the fund follow the CoinDesk 20 Index with all fees and expenses taken out first – that way, you’ve got a way for traditional investors to get a diversified look at the crypto market without having to jump through hoops.

Key Points:

  • Tracks the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
  • Excludes all those silly meme coins, stablecoins, & wrapped tokens.
  • Exposure is capped at 25% – handled through a Cayman subsidiary.

Following the Market’s Top Performers

The CoinDesk 20 Index is a kind of barometer for the crypto industry – featuring big names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, ADA, XRP, and even Avalanche. It gets rebalanced every quarter to make sure the most liquid and actively traded coins are included – right now that adds up to nearly $1 trillion in combined market cap.

ProShares is banking on growing interest from institutional investors in crypto – rather than some one-off fund that’s all about a single asset. They say their ETF will run under normal US regulatory frameworks – that way investors can get transparency, liquidity and reduced risk.

There’s a whole lot of action in this space right now – since the SEC has been giving the green light to more regulated crypto products. VanEck has already slashed fees on its Solana ETF to 0.3% while 21Shares has gone ahead and filed for a spot Dogecoin ETF. Looks like the SEC is okay with a little more competition in the crypto space.

Opening the Door for Institutional Investors

ProShares has already made a name for themselves in crypto ETFs – the launched the first Bitcoin futures ETF back in 2021 and managed to attract more than a billion dollars in assets in the first few days.

They say their new fund will be a lot like that one – but this time they’ll be letting investors get in on a basket of digital assets under a regulated structure.

If they get approval, it’ll be one of the first multi-asset crypto ETFs to make it through the US regulatory gauntlet – kind of a bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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