Following the conversion of its investment strategy to the Bitcoin ETF, Tidal Investments and Hashdex Asset Management have renamed their Hashdex Bitcoin Futures ETF to the Hashdex Bitcoin ETF (DEFI) and introduced it as the eleventh Spot Bitcoin ETF per Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas. Announced on March 26, the ETF focuses on maximizing physical Bitcoin holdings with 95% of its assets invested in spot Bitcoin and the remaining in cash, cash equivalents, and CME-traded bitcoin futures contracts.
Hashdex Asset Management Rolls Out Spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund
Zurich, Switzerland - March 26, 2023 - Following the successful conversion of its investment strategy, Tidal Investments and Hashdex Asset Management have rebranded the Hashdex Bitcoin Futures ETF as the Hashdex Bitcoin ETF (DEFI). This move marks a significant milestone in the ETF industry, with DEFI becoming the eleventh Spot Bitcoin ETF to enter the market.
Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg, hailed DEFI's entry into the market as a promising development, despite its slightly delayed arrival. In a recent statement, he remarked, "The launch of DEFI is a testament to the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset. Its presence in the ETF space offers investors a convenient and regulated way to participate in the cryptocurrency ecosystem."
The launch of DEFI was officially announced in a joint statement released by Tidal Investments and Hashdex Asset Management on March 26. Marcelo Sampaio, Co-Founder and CEO of Hashdex, expressed the company's enthusiasm about introducing DEFI to the market.
"Since our inception in 2018, Hashdex has maintained an unwavering belief in the transformative potential of Bitcoin," said Sampaio. "DEFI embodies our commitment to providing investors with innovative products that facilitate their participation in this emerging asset class while adhering to regulatory standards."
According to the official announcement, DEFI's investment strategy prioritizes physical Bitcoin exposure. A minimum of 95% of the fund's assets will be invested in spot Bitcoin, with the remaining allocated to CME-traded Bitcoin futures contracts, cash, and cash equivalents.
DEFI has been meticulously designed to accurately track the price of Bitcoin. Its partnership with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) ensures transparent acquisition, disposal, and valuation of its Bitcoin holdings.
Mike Venuto, CIO and Co-Founder of Tidal Investments, acknowledged Hashdex's unwavering dedication to the industry. He expressed confidence that Hashdex's expertise would be instrumental in creating an investor-centric product.
"Tidal's partnership with Hashdex is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the Bitcoin ecosystem," stated Venuto. "Their extensive experience and track record in the industry will be invaluable in ensuring that DEFI meets the needs of our investors."
The launch of DEFI further underscores the growing institutional acceptance of Bitcoin as a viable investment option. As more ETF providers enter the market with products offering exposure to Bitcoin, it strengthens the case for mainstream adoption of this transformative asset.