ARK Invest Offloads BITO, Bets on In-House Bitcoin ETF Ambitions

ARK Invest has sold its remaining ProShares Bitcoin Futures ETF (BITO) shares, marking the end of its short-term play on the anticipation of spot bitcoin ETF approval in the United States. The firm had purchased over 4 million BITO shares late last year and planned to swap them once spot bitcoin ETFs were approved. However, consistent sales in January and the recent sale of the remaining shares indicate a shift in strategy for ARK Invest.

ARK Invest Divests ProShares Bitcoin Futures ETF Shares, Focuses on In-House Bitcoin ETF

In a recent transaction, ARK Invest, led by renowned investment strategist Cathie Wood, has liquidated its remaining holdings in the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO). The sale, which occurred on April 26, 2024, consisted of 237,983 BITO shares, valued at approximately $6.7 million at the closing price of $28.22.

This transaction marks the culmination of a strategic shift by ARK Invest, which had initially acquired over 4 million BITO shares in late 2023. The firm's intention was to hold these shares as a short-term investment in anticipation of regulatory approval for spot bitcoin ETFs in the United States. Once such approval materialized, ARK Invest planned to swap its BITO holdings for the corresponding spot bitcoin ETF.

However, in the absence of imminent regulatory approval for spot bitcoin ETFs, ARK Invest has reassessed its strategy. The firm has subsequently sold its remaining BITO shares and reallocated those funds to its proprietary ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB).

As of Thursday's closing price of $64.76, ARKB has become ARK Invest's largest holding, representing 10.4% of the fund's total value. This shift in strategy reflects ARK Invest's continued belief in the long-term potential of bitcoin and its commitment to providing investors with exposure to this emerging asset class.

The sale of BITO shares is consistent with ARK Invest's broader investment philosophy, which emphasizes a long-term approach and conviction in disruptive technologies. The firm's flagship fund, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), has outperformed the broader market over the past several years, driven by its investments in companies at the forefront of technological innovation.

While regulatory hurdles continue to delay the introduction of spot bitcoin ETFs in the United States, ARK Invest remains optimistic about the future of bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. The firm's decision to divest its BITO holdings and focus on its in-house bitcoin ETF demonstrates its commitment to providing investors with innovative and forward-looking investment products.

Investors interested in gaining exposure to bitcoin through a publicly traded fund can consider investing in ARKB, which offers pure-play exposure to the largest and most established cryptocurrency.