ProShares Goes Short On Ethereum With New ETF Launch

ProShares, one of the biggest issuers of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has added another Ethereum-related ETF to its growing offerings following the launch of the “world’s first Short Ether-Linked ETF” on November 2. 

In its announcement, the asset manager mentioned that the ProShares Short Ether Strategy ETF trading under the ticker ‘SETH’ will provide an avenue for investors to profit from declines in the price of the second largest cryptocurrency, Ether. 

With the launch of this Ethereum investment vehicle, the company believes that its clients have an opportunity to “profit both on days when Ether increases and when it drops.” It is worth mentioning that the asset manager was one of those who recently launched their Ethereum futures ETF, offering investors the chance to bet on the prices of the crypto token.

The Asset manager mentioned that the Short Ether Strategy ETF will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will deliver the opposite of the daily performance of the S&P CME Ether Futures Index. As to exposure, SETH, like other ProShares crypto-related ETFs, will gain exposure through Ether futures contracts. 

ProShares is no newcomer when it comes to offering crypto-related ETFs and can even be said to be a trailblazer in that regard. The firm was the first to launch a Bitcoin futures ETF and the first US Bitcoin-linked ETF (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF) back in 2021. 

It also launched the first US short Bitcoin-Linked ETF (ProShares Short Bitcoin Strategy ETF) in June 2022. Similar to the SETH, the Short Bitcoin Strategy provides investors an avenue to make profits off declines in the price of the flagship cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. 

ProShares has also enjoyed immense success in its ventures thanks in a big way to the first-mover advantage by being the first to launch funds. The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) and the ProShares Short Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITI) are reported to be the two largest Bitcoin ETFs with $1.1 billion and $80 million assets under management (AuM) respectively. 

Other crypto-linked ETFs offered by the firm include ProShares Ether Strategy ETF (EETH), which is said to be “the first US ETF that targets the performance of Ether,” and the Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight Strategy ETF and Bitcoin & Ether Equal Weight Strategy ETF which tracks both the performance of Bitcoin and Ether. 

Considering how bullish the firm seems to be on crypto-related ETFs, it is surprising that it isn’t part of the asset managers that have filed to offer a Spot Bitcoin ETF.