Carson Group green-lights just 4 bitcoin ETFs

Carson Group green-lights just 4 bitcoin ETFs
The RIA prioritized 'significant asset growth' and trading volume in selecting two of the ETFs, while the other two are among the least expensive offerings, executive says.
FEB 23, 2024
By  Bloomberg

Gatekeepers to the assets overseen by financial advisers — the holy grail in eyes of fund issuers — are being especially choosy when it comes to the pack of freshly launched US-listed spot bitcoin ETFs. 

Carson Group, an Omaha, Nebraska-based registered investment advisory that has $30 billion on its platform, said it has approved just four of the 10 new bitcoin ETFs. That list includes BlackRock’s $6.6 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and the $4.8 billion Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) — the two products receiving the most investor inflows so far — as well as smaller offerings from Bitwise and Franklin Templeton.

Carson prioritized “significant asset growth” and trading volume in selecting IBIT and FBTC, according to Grant Engelbart, the firm’s vice president and investment strategist. Meanwhile, the $1.2 billion Bitwise Bitcoin ETF and the $100 million Franklin Bitcoin ETF — which will charge eventual fees of 0.2% and 0.19%, respectively — are among the least expensive offerings in the space.

“We feel it is important to offer these products as a result from two of the largest asset managers in the industry,” Engelbart said of BlackRock and Fidelity’s ETFs. “Bitwise and Franklin Templeton have committed to being the lowest-cost providers in the space, and have also seen large inflows and trading volumes. Both firms also have established in-house digital asset research teams and expertise that we feel are beneficial to the continuing growth and management of the products, as well as advisor research and education.”

Access to platforms that cater to financial advisors and their retail clients is of huge consequence to the firms behind the bitcoin ETFs, which are eager to tap into a new audience. Some platforms, such as Fidelity and Charles Schwab, already have the funds available for RIAs to trade for their clients, while LPL Financial is taking a wait-and-see approach. On the other end of the spectrum, Vanguard has no plans to allow the funds to be traded through its brokerage. 

Platform approvals can be a “huge catalyst” for fund growth, given that financial advisers oversee trillions of dollars, according to Bitwise’s Hunter Horsley. 

“Over half of US wealth is part of a platform and can only use a product once it’s approved,”  said Horsley, chief executive of Bitwise. “We frequently hear ‘I want access to bitcoin but our platform hasn’t approved anything yet.’ The platforms are busy but now that there are ETFs, and a few over a billion AUM, they’re doing the work.”

Don't dismiss differences between bitcoin ETFs, Invesco strategist says

Latest News

Roughly three-fifths of Americans agree on higher taxes for large corporations, higher-income households
Roughly three-fifths of Americans agree on higher taxes for large corporations, higher-income households

Pew survey reveals slight majority consensus on tax rates, but views splinter based on political alignment and income levels.

The Fed's going to cut rates
The Fed's going to cut rates

While the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady in March was widely expected, it's the reactions from financial professionals that provide a more nuanced picture of the central bank's approach.

Ontario Pension Fund revamps PE business in light of global risk
Ontario Pension Fund revamps PE business in light of global risk

The pioneering member of Canada's Maple Eight is stepping back from its go-it-alone private equity approach as a drought in deals and Trump's trade war prompt a rethink.

Raymond James, RBC reel in UBS advisors managing over $690M in assets
Raymond James, RBC reel in UBS advisors managing over $690M in assets

The firms' latest additions in Florida and Nevada come as a strategic change at UBS raises risk of advisor defections.

Assetmark debuts new advisor succession planning program
Assetmark debuts new advisor succession planning program

The new program offers opportunities and events structured for rookies, next-gen advisor leaders, and soon-to-exit veterans.

SPONSORED Beyond the all-in-one: Why specialization is key in wealth tech

In an industry of broad solutions, firms like intelliflo prove 'you just need tools that play well together'

SPONSORED Record growth: Interval funds emerge as key players in alternative investments

Blue Vault Alts Summit highlights the role of liquidity-focused funds in reshaping advisor strategies