BlackRock Files for New Bitcoin ETF with Covered-Call Strategy
BlackRock has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF. This new fund will use a covered call strategy to generate income for investors, building on the success of its existing spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT.
Key Insights
Strategy: The ETF is actively managed and will primarily hold exposure to Bitcoin through IBIT shares. It plans to generate income by writing (selling) covered call options on those holdings and related indices, and distributing the premiums to investors.
Objective: The fund is designed for investors seeking regular income from their Bitcoin exposure, potentially offering a yield in the range of 8-12% annually, which can be an attractive feature in flat or down markets.
Trade-off: This strategy provides income and some potential downside protection but limits participation in significant Bitcoin price rallies, effectively trading some upside potential for regular payouts.
Key Partners: Coinbase will serve as the custodian for the fund's Bitcoin holdings, while the Bank of New York Mellon will handle cash custody.
Competition: BlackRock's new offering will compete with other existing Bitcoin income funds such as the NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI), Roundhill Bitcoin Covered Call Strategy ETF (YBTC), and YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF (YBIT).
The ticker symbol and specific management fees have not yet been disclosed in the initial filing. More details will likely become available on the SEC EDGAR site once the filing is processed.
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