ARK Dumps Coinbase Shares Amidst Crypto Rally

ARK's Coinbase Sale: A Calculated Move Amidst a Rally?

In a recent move, ARK Invest has unloaded a substantial portion of its Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ: COIN) shares, raising questions about the firm's strategy. The sale comes amidst a remarkable rally in Coinbase's stock price, which has soared to $270.

ARK's Recent Coinbase Divestments

On March 21, ARK offloaded 199,526 Coinbase shares from its exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This followed an earlier sale of 270,365 shares on March 11. Notably, the firm's largest sale of Coinbase shares in 2024 occurred on February 16, when it sold 499,149 shares.

Motive Behind the Sales

While ARK has not publicly disclosed its rationale for the recent Coinbase sales, analysts speculate that it may be related to the stock's recent rally. Coinbase's shares have gained over 240% in the past year and 67% since the start of 2024.

ARK's Changing Portfolio

ARK Invest has been actively adjusting its portfolio throughout 2023 and 2024, including reducing its exposure to Coinbase. Despite being a significant buyer of Coinbase shares after its 2021 listing, ARK has gradually reduced its holdings.

Other Crypto Firm Sales

Beyond Coinbase, ARK has also been selling shares of Block, a fintech company founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. On March 21, ARK sold 188,519 Block shares, adding to a previous sale of 583,563 Robinhood shares.

Compliance with Rule 12d3-1

ARK's sale of Robinhood shares may have been influenced by Rule 12d3-1, which restricts ETFs from holding more than 5% of their assets in securities from certain entities. ARK has been aligning its sales with this rule for some time.

Analysts' Perspective

Analysts believe that ARK's Coinbase sales are a prudent move, given the stock's recent surge. However, they caution that the firm's overall investment strategy remains unclear. ARK's future divestment plans and the potential impact on its portfolio are closely watched by investors.

Conclusion

ARK Invest's recent Coinbase sale highlights the firm's active portfolio management approach. While the motive behind the sales remains uncertain, analysts speculate that it may be related to the stock's recent rally. ARK's ongoing portfolio adjustments and compliance with regulatory requirements continue to shape its investment strategy.