Covered call strategy aims to dampen volatility of crypto investing

Covered call strategy aims to dampen volatility of crypto investing
Toronto-based Purpose Investments pushes the digital investing envelope by selling options on the cryptocurrency holdings of two new ETFs.
NOV 30, 2021

Leave it to Canada, where asset managers are permitted to offer investors direct exposure to cryptocurrencies, to find a way to take the volatility sting out of crypto investing.

Toronto-based Purpose Investments, which manages $14 billion worth of Canadian dollars across a family of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, has rolled out two covered-call crypto ETFs to help smooth the volatility of investing in digital assets.

The new Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF and Purpose Ether Yield ETF will offer performance caps and downside protection in an effort to draw more investors to the crypto investing universe.

“The space is growing, and with growth we’re seeing more opportunities to step in to provide different ways to gain access and exposure to cryptocurrencies,” said Vlad Tasevski, chief operating officer and head of products at Purpose.

“High volatility is one of the characteristics of crypto investing and these strategies are a way to benefit from that volatility,” Tasevski said.

The funds will employ a basic covered call strategy that involves owning shares of existing Purpose Bitcoin and Purpose Ether ETFs and then selling call options on the underlying ETF positions.

The performance ceilings and floors will fluctuate based on the price of the options being sold, but Tasevski said the funds will generally produce between 70% and 80% of the performance of the underlying digital currency, while limiting downside to between 50% and 70% of the underlying.

“Ultimately, the reason we’re offering this is there are investors who are not comfortable with the volatility of cryptocurrencies,” he said.

Bitcoin, for example, while up about 200% over the past 12 months, is down more than 5% over the past 30 days and has shown a propensity for wild swings over short time periods.

Purpose also announced the launch of an actively traded cryptocurrency ETF, Purpose Crypto Opportunities ETF.

“We’re very excited to once again be a global leader in delivering high-quality new crypto solutions to investors by launching three new actively managed and option strategy yield cryptocurrency ETFs,” Som Seif, founder and chief executive at Purpose Investments, said in a statement.

“With these ETFs, we aim to expand the ways investors can access crypto markets and generate the unique returns available in this emerging asset class,” Seif added. “These products will complement our existing Bitcoin and Ether ETFs and provide a different form of return-and-risk profiles for investors.”

Latest News

Raymond James, Osaic laud new bank partnerships
Raymond James, Osaic laud new bank partnerships

A Texas-based bank selects Raymond James for a $605 million program, while an OSJ with Osaic lures a storied institution in Ohio from LPL.

Bessent backpedals after blowback on 'privatizing Social Security' comments
Bessent backpedals after blowback on 'privatizing Social Security' comments

The Treasury Secretary's suggestion that Trump Savings Accounts could be used as a "backdoor" drew sharp criticisms from AARP and Democratic lawmakers.

Alternative investment winners and losers in wake of OBBBA
Alternative investment winners and losers in wake of OBBBA

Changes in legislation or additional laws historically have created opportunities for the alternative investment marketplace to expand.

Financial advisors often see clients seeking to retire early; Here's what they tell them
Financial advisors often see clients seeking to retire early; Here's what they tell them

Wealth managers highlight strategies for clients trying to retire before 65 without running out of money.

Robinhood beats Q2 profit estimates as business goes beyond YOLO trading
Robinhood beats Q2 profit estimates as business goes beyond YOLO trading

Shares of the online brokerage jumped as it reported a surge in trading, counting crypto transactions, though analysts remained largely unmoved.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.