ARK Invest Lightens Coinbase Position Amidst Market Rebound

Is ARK Invest Trimming Its Coinbase Holdings Amidst Market Rebound?

ARK Invest, a prominent issuer of spot Bitcoin ETFs, has been lightening its position in Coinbase as the stock's price ascends past $270. According to a trade notification obtained by Cointelegraph, ARK disposed of 199,526 Coinbase shares from its ETFs on March 21.

What's Driving ARK's Sale of Coinbase Shares?

ARK's latest Coinbase sale is part of a broader trend of divestment in the cryptocurrency exchange. The firm has been actively selling Coinbase shares since its market debut in 2021. On March 21, ARK sold 133,533 shares from the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), worth approximately $35 million based on Coinbase's closing price of $262.

How Does This Sale Compare to ARK's Previous Transactions?

This recent sale is one of ARK's largest Coinbase transactions so far in 2024. The previous significant sale occurred on March 11, when ARK sold 270,365 Coinbase shares. Notably, on February 16, ARK made its most substantial Coinbase sale of the year, offloading 499,149 COIN shares from its three ETFs.

Why is Coinbase Stock Rising?

The sale coincides with a period of sustained growth for Coinbase stock, which has surged above $270 for the first time since December 2021. According to TradingView, Coinbase briefly topped $276 on March 21. This rally follows a six-month period in which Coinbase shares have appreciated by nearly 250%.

Is ARK Scaling Back Its Coinbase Exposure?

ARK's consistent sale of Coinbase shares suggests a cautious approach towards the cryptocurrency exchange. The firm has been reducing its Coinbase holdings as the stock price has risen. This strategy may reflect ARK's belief that Coinbase is currently overvalued or that the cryptocurrency market is facing headwinds.

What Other Holdings is ARK Trimming?

In addition to Coinbase, ARK has been selling shares of Block, a Bitcoin-focused fintech company founded by Jack Dorsey. On March 21, ARK sold 188,519 Block shares from its ARKK fund, netting $15.8 million.

Is ARK Complying with Regulatory Constraints?

ARK's sale of Robinhood shares is driven by compliance with Rule 12d3-1. This rule prohibits ETFs from acquiring more than 5% of the value of their total assets in securities by a registered investment adviser, broker, dealer, or underwriter. ARK has been gradually reducing its Robinhood holdings to comply with this regulation.

What's the Takeaway for Investors?

ARK Invest's sale of Coinbase and Block shares signals a cautious approach to the cryptocurrency market. The firm's actions suggest that it believes Coinbase is currently overvalued and that the cryptocurrency sector may face challenges. Investors should consider ARK's divestment decisions when evaluating their own cryptocurrency investments.