ARK Invest Commits $15.9 Million to Its Own Bitcoin ETF, Sells BITO Shares

Wednesday, 17/01/2024 | 14:17 GMT by Jared Kirui

The firm sold $15.8 million worth of shares in the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF.

In December, ARK Invest shifted from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust to BITO shares.

Ark Investment Management LLC has invested $15.9 million in its recently-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). In a parallel move, the firm sold $15.8 million worth of shares in the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO).

According to Coindesk, ARK Invest demonstrated its commitment to its Bitcoin-related endeavors by acquiring 365,427 shares of ARKB. This significant purchase was made within the framework of ARK's Next Generation Internet ETF.

ARK Invest Shifts from GBTC to BITO

ARK Invest, led by renowned investor Cathie Wood, shifted from its previous holdings in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) in December, opting for BITO shares in anticipation of the conversion of GBTC into a Bitcoin ETF. Cathie Wood emphasized the security of an already approved fund over one awaiting approval.

With the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, industry experts anticipate ARK Invest to exchange some of its BITO shares for a spot Bitcoin ETF. This move underscores ARK's proactive approach to aligning its investment portfolio with the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and ETF markets.

Recently, BlackRock and Ark Investment Management reduced their fees for spot Bitcoin ETFs ahead of the funds' approval. This reduction in fees was initiated by BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust and Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust lowered its fees from 0.30% to 0.25%. ARKB followed suit, reducing its fees to 0.21%, down from the initially proposed 0.25%. This reduction in fees followed a misleading announcement on the SEC's social media ahead of the official approval of the spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Gearing Up for Spot Bitcoin ETFs

The fee cuts from BlackRock and Ark signaled a heightened sense of urgency to capture a substantial share of the capital inflow expected from the spot Bitcoin ETFs. This decision could significantly impact the crypto landscape, allowing institutional and retail investors to access Bitcoin without direct ownership.

Meanwhile, major trading platforms Coinbase and Robinhood experienced a decline in the prices of their stocks following the launch of the spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, raising concerns about the impact of these funds on the broader crypto market.

As the custodian for most spot Bitcoin ETFs approved by the SEC, Coinbase plays a pivotal role in the evolving crypto landscape. However, the approval of these ETFs introduces the risk of investors being drawn away from Coinbase's platform, intensifying competition in the crypto market.