Investment management firm VanEck has officially filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its proposed VanEck Avalanche ETF, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to track the price performance of AVAX, the native token of the Avalanche blockchain.
The filing marks a significant step toward expanding regulated investment opportunities in digital assets.
VanEck’s Avalanche ETF Structure and Investment Objective
The VanEck Avalanche ETF aims to reflect the performance of AVAX, minus operating expenses. Notably, the ETF will hold AVAX tokens and determine their value based on the MarketVector Avalanche Benchmark Rate, an index aggregating pricing data from top AVAX trading platforms.
The fund is expected to trade on an as-yet-unspecified exchange under a pending ticker symbol.
To facilitate ETF transactions, VanEck has designated Delaware Trust Company as the trustee and will work with an undisclosed Avalanche Custodian to store AVAX assets securely. Authorized Participants (APs), financial firms allowed to create and redeem ETF shares, will engage in cash or in-kind transactions, ensuring market liquidity.
Subscription and Redemption Process
VanEck’s ETF will issue shares in predefined “Baskets,” each representing a specific amount of AVAX. APs can subscribe in cash, where the fund will use proceeds to purchase AVAX from liquidity providers, or in-kind, by directly delivering AVAX to the fund’s custodian.
Similarly, redemptions can be processed in cash, where the ETF will sell AVAX and return the cash equivalent to APs, or in-kind, where AVAX will be transferred directly back to APs in exchange for shares.
Regulatory and Risk Considerations
The VanEck Avalanche ETF will not be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and does not fall under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Instead, it is being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, with ongoing compliance requirements set by the SEC.
The filing also highlights risks associated with investing in the ETF, including price volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and the potential for a complete loss of investment. VanEck emphasizes that shares are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government entity.
Market Implications
If approved, the VanEck Avalanche ETF would be one of the first ETFs offering direct exposure to AVAX in a regulated framework. This move follows the broader trend of institutional interest in cryptocurrency investment products and could further legitimize Avalanche as a key blockchain network in the digital asset space.
The SEC’s decision on the application is still pending, and the ETF will only commence trading once regulatory approvals are secured.
