ETF Firm REX Seeks SEC Approval for Bitcoin Derivatives Fund

An ETF firm based in Connecticut is launching a new fund that will invest in bitcoin-based derivatives and other exchange products, public records reveal.

REX ETFs, founded in 2014, filed to create the "REX Bitcoin Strategy Fund" yesterday, according to a new submission with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Instead of investing directly in the cryptocurrency itself, the fund intends to buy bitcoin futures contracts and exchange-traded notes in a bid to create exposure to market.

The firm's initial prospectus states:

Ahead of the filing, REX announced that it was creating a subsidiary dedicated to the development of investment products built around digital assets like bitcoin. In statements, representatives of the firm indicated that it would look to create multiple products in the years ahead.

"We believe cryptocurrencies are a phenomenal innovation that will impact finance and investing for decades to come," REX CEO Greg King said.

The filing represents latest effort to capitalize on the growing momentum behind bitcoin derivatives.

Earlier this month, options exchange CBOE announced its plans to launch bitcoin derivatives. Further, CoinDesk also reported this month that US-based money manager VanEck is looking to launch its own bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).

At the same time, the SEC has displayed a degree of reticence when it comes to approving at least some bitcoin-tied investment products, as shown perhaps most notably in its rejection of an ETF proposed by investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

The SEC has since moved to review that decision, though it's unclear at this time whether the agency will ultimately approve it.

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