VanEck Plans to Launch On-chain Economy ETF NODE
VanEck has again stolen the spotlight with plans to launch a new ETF called NODE (On-chain Economy ETF) which is scheduled to go public on May 14, 2025. Reportedly, this ETF will target companies that operate around the digital asset economy. Starting from crypto exchanges, Bitcoin miners, data centers, to hardware manufacturers are also on their investment radar. Everything is packaged in one actively managed product, targeting 30 to 60 stocks from a total of more than 130 companies that they have identified.
Now Effective: VanEck Onchain Economy ETF ($NODE) Actively managed, $NODE will aim to hold 30–60 names from a 130+ stock universe tied to the digital asset economy: >Exchanges, miners, data centers >Energy infra, semis/hardware, TradFi rails >Consumer/gaming & asset managers…https://t.co/zokQwHKpGYpic.twitter.com/3ijf5rEQB2 — matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) April 16, 2025
A Smarter Way to Tap Into Crypto Without Holding Coins
Just imagine if you could invest in the crypto sector, but through officially registered stocks. That’s the approach taken by NODE. They don’t directly hold crypto assets, but through a subsidiary in the Cayman Islands that manages exposures of up to 25% to crypto-related investment products such as futures contracts and swaps. So investors can still access the crypto world without having to touch the coins directly and still comply with United States tax regulations. The management fee itself is set at 0.69%, which is quite standard for an active ETF.
Furthermore, at least 80% of the ETF’s net assets will be allocated to “Digital Transformation Companies”. The definition? Companies that actually generate revenue from crypto, blockchain, or other ledger technologies. So it’s not just a name-calling. This is VanEck’s way of expanding its wings after previously having great success with the Bitcoin spot ETF called HODL, which now holds more than $1.2 billion in assets.
VanEck Pushes Boundaries With BitBonds and BTC Forecasts
Interestingly, the launch of NODE is not the only maneuver VanEck has made lately. Matthew Sigel, the company’s head of digital asset research, has previously proposed a hybrid debt instrument called “BitBonds.” The concept is quite bold: 90% US government bonds and 10% exposure to Bitcoin. The reason? The US government needs around $14 trillion for refinancing. So BitBonds could be a solution that, although it sounds odd, has appeal because it offers protection from inflation for investors.
On the other hand, Sigel also conveyed his prediction that the price of Bitcoin could reach $180,000 in the second half of 2025, up 423% from its current position. In fact, if the long-term trend continues, the target of $450,000 is not impossible. He based all of this on historical cycle patterns and the increasing interest from institutions in Bitcoin ETFs. Meanwhile, at press time, BTC was trading at about $84,755.14, up 1.38% over the last 24 hours.
However, the global backdrop also contributes to the relevance of ETFs like NODE. CNF previously highlighted that China and Russia have begun settling energy trades using Bitcoin. If this trend continues, crypto could truly become a new global medium of exchange, especially amidst increasingly uncertain geopolitical situations and economic sanctions.
To conclude, VanEck’s March 2025 monthly report also provides an interesting picture. Although crypto market volatility is still high—72% for Bitcoin and even 95% for Ethereum—regulatory developments are quite promising. There was the White House’s creation of the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, then the FDIC’s revocation of crypto activity, and the increasingly serious discussion of stablecoins in Congress.