VanEck files application for Onchain Economy ETF with SEC

Asset management firm VanEck has submitted an application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the “Onchain Economy” exchange-traded fund (ETF) on January 15.

The filing, revealed through a now-deleted comment by VanEck’s head of digital assets research, Matthew Sigel, outlines that the fund will allocate 80% or more of its assets to companies involved in digital transformation and digital asset instruments.

The ETF aims to invest in a range of crypto-related firms, including software developers, mining companies, cryptocurrency exchanges, infrastructure providers, payment processors, and other businesses within the crypto sector.

VanEck has categorised these investments as “Digital Transformation Companies,” which will be selected based on fundamental analysis, market trends, strategic positioning in the digital asset ecosystem, and overall valuation.

Notably, while the fund will invest in digital asset instruments such as commodity futures contracts, it will not directly hold cryptocurrencies.

This application is part of a broader trend of financial firms submitting crypto ETF applications in anticipation of a more favorable regulatory environment under new leadership at the SEC.

Following the reelection of President-elect Donald Trump, several asset managers have updated or filed new applications for crypto ETFs, signaling optimism about potential regulatory changes.

For instance, digital asset manager Bitwise submitted an application for its 10 Crypto Index Fund ETF in November 2024, which includes major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and Ether (CRYPTO:ETH).

Other recent filings include WisdomTree’s application for an XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) ETF and Grayscale’s proposal to convert its Solana Trust into an ETF.

Additionally, REX Financial launched the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF in December 2024, employing a covered-call strategy on crypto stocks to generate income.

Bitwise has also proposed the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF, which would focus on companies with significant Bitcoin holdings.

VanEck's Onchain Economy ETF application adds to the growing list of initiatives aimed at integrating cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial products.