Valkyrie has debuted a new Bitcoin futures ETF, BTFX, that aims to double the daily performance of the CME Bitcoin Futures index. The ETF is one of the first leveraged Bitcoin products to be approved by the SEC, and it faces competition from other similar products in the market.
Valkyrie has launched a new Bitcoin-leveraged exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Valkyrie Bitcoin Futures Leveraged Strategy ETF (BTFX). This financial instrument aims to offer investors twice the daily performance of its underlying index, which tracks the performance of the CME Bitcoin Futures market.
The ETF’s strategy involves a scheduled rolling of its futures contracts to maintain its investment objective. This means that the ETF will periodically sell its near-term contracts and buy longer-term contracts to avoid the effects of contango or backwardation in the futures market.
Contango occurs when the futures price is higher than the spot price, while backwardation occurs when the futures price is lower than the spot price.
The ETF will also use leverage, which is the use of borrowed funds to amplify the returns or losses of an investment. The ETF will use leverage of up to 2x, aiming to double the daily performance of the CME Bitcoin Futures index.
For example, if the index rises by 1% in a day, the ETF will aim to rise by 2%. Conversely, if the index falls by 1% in a day, the ETF will aim to fall by 2%.
BTFX’s Market and Competition
This move by Valkyrie comes when the digital asset market is increasingly attracting the attention of individual and institutional investors seeking diversified exposure to cryptocurrencies through regulated financial products.
The introduction of BTFX marks a notable expansion in Valkyrie’s product offerings, underscoring its commitment to providing investors with a range of options to gain exposure to the digital asset ecosystem. Leah Wald, CEO of Valkyrie, emphasized the fund’s role in meeting the growing investor demand for innovative Bitcoin-related investment vehicles.
The launch follows closely on the heels of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of several spot Bitcoin ETFs, including those from Valkyrie, BlackRock, and Grayscale, signaling a broader acceptance of cryptocurrency-based financial products within the regulatory framework. Spot Bitcoin ETFs are products that track the price of Bitcoin directly rather than through futures contracts or other derivatives.
The Valkyrie Bitcoin Futures Leveraged Strategy ETF enters a competitive landscape, notably going head-to-head with the Volatility Shares 2x Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITX). BITX is another leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF that was launched in January 2024 and has already amassed over $350 million in assets under management. BITX also aims to double the daily performance of the CME Bitcoin Futures index, using a strategy similar to BTFX.
Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, highlighted the competitive nature of the launch but also pointed to the ongoing registration of numerous leveraged spot Bitcoin ETFs.
These forthcoming products could alter the market dynamics for futures-based Bitcoin ETFs by offering investors alternative means to leverage their Bitcoin exposure. Leveraged spot Bitcoin ETFs are products that track the price of Bitcoin directly but also use leverage to amplify their returns or losses.
BTFX’s Risks and Rewards
The competitive environment for Bitcoin ETFs is evolving rapidly, reflecting the growing sophistication of the cryptocurrency investment space. As investors seek higher returns through leveraged products, the success of these ETFs will depend on their ability to manage the inherent risks of leverage in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
Valkyrie’s entry into this competitive arena with BTFX demonstrates a strategic move to capitalize on the increasing investor appetite for such products while contributing to the broader development of the cryptocurrency investment landscape.
However, investors should also be aware of the potential drawbacks and dangers of leveraged products, such as BTFX. Leveraged products can magnify both the gains and losses of an investment, exposing investors to higher risks and volatility.
Leveraged products can also incur higher fees and expenses, as well as tracking errors and rebalancing costs, which can erode the performance of the fund over time. These products are also subject to liquidation and margin calls, which can force the fund to sell its assets at unfavorable prices to meet its obligations.
Recent data has revealed a significant shift in the Bitcoin ETF market, with a net outflow of $88 million. This development is particularly noteworthy given the consistent inflows that these products had been experiencing over the previous three weeks.
The outflow suggests that some investors may be taking profits or reducing their exposure to Bitcoin ETFs amid the uncertainty and volatility in the cryptocurrency market.