Grayscale Investments has updated proposals for its Bitcoin and Ethereum Covered Call ETFs, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Nov. 18.
The funds are intended to generate income through options contracts tied to the company’s Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs), including the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), its mini Bitcoin trust, the Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETH ) and its mini Ethereum Trust. to trust.
The Bitcoin application stated:
“Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including investment loans) in Bitcoin ETPs, options contracts that use a Bitcoin ETP as a reference asset, and other instruments that have economic characteristics and provide similar investment exposure. for such investments.”
The same language was used in the Ethereum application.
Unlike traditional crypto funds, these ETFs will not directly hold Bitcoin or Ethereum. Instead, they will rely on exchange-traded instruments and derivatives designed to track the prices of digital assets. This structure can lead to performance differences compared to the actual prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The documents did not disclose the funds’ ticker symbols or fee structures.
Covered call ETFs use a popular income-oriented strategy. They generate income by selling call options on underlying assets, which provides stable income through premiums. This approach also provides some downside protection during market downturns. However, it limits profits because the underlying assets are sold at a preset price when options are exercised.
These ETFs are especially attractive to income-oriented investors looking for higher returns than traditional ETFs, although they may underperform in very bullish markets.
Grayscale crypto products
Grayscale’s timing reflects the history of pushing boundaries in crypto ETFs. The company played a crucial role in the eventual launch of crypto-related spot crypto ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Since their launch, spot Bitcoin ETFs have achieved rapid growth, attracting significant inflows and becoming one of the fastest growing segments in the US ETF market.
Meanwhile, Grayscale is also working on transitioning its Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC), which owns assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP, into an ETF.
In addition, it has introduced several trusts for other digital assets, including XRP, Sui, MakerDAO, Avalanche and Aave, demonstrating its continued efforts to expand crypto investment opportunities.