Crypto news

VanEck’s NODE ETF: The Future of Crypto Without Actually Touching Crypto

BBG News

Ah, VanEck. Just when we thought they were done throwing things at the digital wall to see what sticks, they’ve launched yet another product. Introducing the VanEck Onchain Economy ETF, or NODE (yes, that’s right, they’re calling it NODE—because why not?). This little beauty is set to start trading on May 14, 2025, assuming the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) doesn’t change its mind and decide it needs to vet it a bit more. They gave it the green light, so it’s happening!

But wait—before you get too excited, don’t expect it to be like that Bitcoin ETF you’ve been hearing about. NODE won’t be investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum directly. No, no, no. That would be too mainstream. Instead, it’ll put its precious investor dollars into 30 to 60 companies involved in the *surprisingly* broad world of digital assets. Crypto exchanges, mining companies, data centers, energy providers, chip makers, and even gaming companies—because, apparently, people in virtual worlds need a lot of infrastructure.

VanEck’s Matthew Sigel, the guy responsible for wrangling this crypto circus, was kind enough to hop onto X (formerly known as Twitter, because no one is ever satisfied with a brand name) to say, “The global economy is shifting to a digital foundation. NODE offers active equity exposure to the real businesses building that future.” Translation: “We’re all going digital, whether you like it or not, and here’s a stock for you to buy that may or may not make you money.”

And because it’s actively managed (not a robot in sight, folks), there’s a real person picking which companies to include. That person? Sigel himself, who, based on his vast experience with digital assets, is going to sift through more than 130 potential companies and, with any luck, not accidentally lose it all. NODE plans to throw at least 80% of its money into “Digital Transformation Companies”—the buzzword-packed phrase for businesses that are doing something with blockchain, or at least talking about it in board meetings.

In true crypto fashion, there’s also some *creative* tax management involved. In order to stay within U.S. tax rules, VanEck’s using a subsidiary in the Cayman Islands, which, of course, is legal but also incredibly convenient when you’re trying to dodge certain investment restrictions. Nothing says ‘reliable investment vehicle’ like using a tax haven!

Let’s talk about fees—because that’s what every investor dreams of. NODE comes with a management fee of 0.69%. Why not make it 0.69%? It’s an easy number to remember and not too scary. And since it’s a non-diversified fund, the money could go to just a few companies, instead of spreading it around like your grandma’s spaghetti sauce.

VanEck first filed for NODE back in January 2025, and now, after a long wait and a little bureaucratic wrangling, it’s ready to make its debut. And why is this so exciting? Because more and more investors are salivating at the idea of getting into crypto-related companies without actually touching the oh-so-volatile crypto itself. And hey, if the crypto market crashes tomorrow, at least you won’t have to explain it to your friends at dinner.

Oh, and by the way, VanEck’s not stopping here. They already have other crypto-focused funds, including a spot Bitcoin ETF, and have thrown their hats in the ring for more, including Solana and Binance Coin ETFs. So, buckle up, crypto enthusiasts. The rollercoaster is just getting started.

Read More

2025-04-17 19:50

Previous post Ryan Gosling’s iconic romance drama gets new UK streaming home
Next post Crypto Colossus Rises! 🇺🇸