ETF Firm REX Seeks SEC Approval for Bitcoin Derivatives Fund

A new fund focused on bitcoin derivatives has been created, SEC filings reveal.

AccessTimeIconAug 24, 2017 at 1:40 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 6:51 a.m. UTC
Alex Thorn
Head of Firmwide Research
Galaxy
Hear Alex Thorn share his take on "Bitcoin and Inflation: It’s Complicated” at Consensus 2023.
Alex Thorn
Head of Firmwide Research
Galaxy
Consensus 2023 Logo
Hear Alex Thorn share his take on "Bitcoin and Inflation: It’s Complicated” at Consensus 2023.
Alex Thorn
Head of Firmwide Research
Galaxy
Hear Alex Thorn share his take on "Bitcoin and Inflation: It’s Complicated” at Consensus 2023.
Alex Thorn
Head of Firmwide Research
Galaxy
Consensus 2023 Logo
Hear Alex Thorn share his take on "Bitcoin and Inflation: It’s Complicated” at Consensus 2023.

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:

"The fund does not expect to invest directly in bitcoin. Instead, the Fund will invest directly or indirectly in financial instruments that provide exposure to the price movements of bitcoin, including futures contracts linked to the price of bitcoin or an index thereof and that are traded and/or listed in the United States ("Bitcoin Futures")."

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.

Image via Shutterstock

DISCLOSURE

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.


Learn more about Consensus 2023, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.