- VanEck’s NODE ETF offers exposure to firms driving blockchain growth without holding crypto directly.
- NODE will invest in 30–60 companies involved in mining, exchanges, data centers, and blockchain tech.
- A Cayman-based subsidiary enables NODE to include crypto-related derivatives while meeting U.S. tax rules.
VanEck is preparing to launch a new actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on the digital asset industry. Named NODE, the ETF is expected to go live next month and will offer exposure to a wide range of companies involved in blockchain, crypto infrastructure, and digital financial services.
The fund won’t directly hold cryptocurrencies. Rather, it will invest in publicly traded companies engaged in sectors such as crypto exchanges, Bitcoin mining, data centers, and payment infrastructure. NODE seeks to follow the transition of traditional industries toward blockchain-driven models.
Strategy and Structure of the NODE ETF
NODE will comprise between 30 and 60 stocks, carefully chosen from a pool of over 130 companies involved in or supporting the digital asset ecosystem. The fund will be actively managed by VanEck, with an emphasis on firms demonstrating significant engagement in blockchain-related initiatives.
A minimum of 80% of NODE’s assets will be invested in what VanEck classifies as “Digital Transformation Companies” or in digital asset instruments. This may encompass U.S. and international companies, including those from emerging markets. Additionally, the fund may invest in securities issued in foreign currencies, as well as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs).
The fund is set to impose a management fee of 0.69%. Moreover, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in digital asset-related exchange-traded products (ETPs) and derivatives through a subsidiary established in the Cayman Islands. This offshore structure allows NODE to gain exposure to instruments like futures and swaps while complying with U.S. tax laws for registered investment funds.
Companies and Sectors in Focus
NODE will target companies across several blockchain-related sectors, including publicly traded crypto exchanges, mining firms, infrastructure operators, hardware producers, asset managers with crypto holdings, and businesses that integrate blockchain into core operations. It will not include stablecoins or firms with only indirect or minimal exposure to blockchain technology.
Matthew Sigel, VanEck’s Head of Digital Assets Research, shared the reasoning behind NODE’s strategy and investment approach. He wrote on X that the global economy is shifting toward a digital foundation.
According to Sigel, NODE is meant to give investors access to the companies driving blockchain adoption—without requiring them to buy individual stocks or manage digital wallets.
Recent Developments: BNB ETF and BitBonds Proposal
As reported earlier, VanEck is further deepening its involvement in the digital asset sector with several recent filings. On March 31, the firm submitted an application to introduce the first U.S.-based Binance Coin (BNB) ETF, which would be organized as a trust under Delaware law. If approved, this would represent the nation’s first regulated investment vehicle linked to BNB.
In addition, VanEck also introduced a proposal named BitBonds during the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Summit. This initiative is designed to assist the U.S. government in refinancing its national debt while incorporating exposure to Bitcoin-backed instruments. BitBonds aim is to serve as a vehicle for institutional investors looking to access crypto-linked assets within a sovereign investment structure.
