RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information contained in this
prospectus before making an investment decision. The risks set forth below are not the only ones facing the Trust. Additional risks and uncertainties may exist that could also adversely affect the Trust.
Risk Factors Related to the Regulation of the Trust and the Shares
Shareholders do not have the protections associated with ownership of
shares in an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act or the protections afforded by the CEA.
The Sponsor believes that the Trust is not required to register under the Investment Company
Act and the Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. As a result, Shareholders do not have the regulatory protections provided to investors in investment companies.
The Sponsor does not believe that the Trust is a commodity pool for purposes of the CEA. The
Trust will not hold or trade in commodity futures contracts regulated by the CEA, as administered by the CFTC. Further, the Sponsor does not believe that the Sponsor or the Trustee is subject to regulation by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator or
a commodity trading advisor in connection with the operation of the Trust. The Trust will not provide Shareholders with the regulatory protections provided to investors in CEA-regulated instruments or commodity pools.
The regulatory regime governing Blockchain technologies and
cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, is uncertain, and new regulations or policies may alter the nature of an investment in the Shares.
Regulation of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Blockchain technologies, and cryptocurrency
exchanges currently is undeveloped and is likely to rapidly evolve. Further, regulation varies significantly among international, federal, state and local jurisdictions and is subject to significant uncertainty. Various legislative and executive
bodies in the United States and in other countries may in the future adopt laws, regulations, guidance, or other actions, which may severely impact the development and growth of the Bitcoin Network and the utility of Bitcoin. Failure by the Bitcoin
Network, the Trust or the Sponsor to comply with any laws, rules and regulations, some of which may not exist yet or are subject to interpretation and may be subject to change, could result in a variety of adverse consequences to the Trust, including
potential civil penalties and fines.
As Blockchain networks and Blockchain assets have grown in popularity and in market size,
federal and state agencies have begun to take interest in, and in some cases regulate, their use and operation. Treatment of virtual currencies continues to evolve under federal and state law. Many U.S. regulators, including FinCEN, the CFTC, the
IRS, the SEC and state regulators including the NYDFS, have made official pronouncements or issued guidance or rules regarding the treatment of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. The IRS released guidance treating virtual currency as property that
is not currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes, although there is no indication yet whether other courts or federal or state regulators will follow this classification. Both federal and state agencies have instituted enforcement actions against
those violating their interpretation of existing laws. Other U.S. and state agencies have offered little official guidance and issued no definitive rules regarding the treatment of Bitcoin.
The regulation of non-currency use of Blockchain assets is also uncertain. The CFTC has
publicly taken the position that certain Blockchain assets are commodities, and on July 25, 2017, the SEC issued a report titled "Report of Investigation Pursuant to Section 21(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: The DAO" (the "DAO Report").
In the DAO Report, the SEC applied the U.S. Supreme Court's four-factor test from SEC v. W.J. Howey Co. in determining that the tokens issued by
The DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization ("DAO"), were securities. Specifically, the SEC noted that The DAO's investors relied on the significant managerial efforts and expertise of the founders in seeking a return on their investment. The
SEC stressed that those who offer and sell securities in the U.S. are required to comply with federal securities laws, regardless of whether those securities are purchased with virtual currencies or distributed with Blockchain technologies. To the
extent that a domestic government or quasi-governmental agency exerts regulatory authority over a Blockchain network or asset, the value of an investment in the Trust may be materially and adversely affected.
To the extent that Bitcoin is deemed to fall within the definition of a "commodity interest"
under the CEA, the Trust and the Sponsor may be subject to additional regulation under the CEA and CFTC regulations. The Sponsor may be required to register as commodity pool operators or commodity trading advisor with the CFTC and become a member of
the National Futures Association and may be subject to additional regulatory requirements with respect to the Trust, including disclosure and reporting requirements. To the extent that Bitcoin is deemed to fall within the definition of a security
under U.S. federal securities laws, the Trust and the Sponsor may be subject to additional requirements under the Investment Company Act and Investment Advisers Act. The Sponsor may be required to register as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act.
Blockchain networks also face an uncertain or contradictory regulatory landscape in many
foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Trust. Such laws, regulations or directives may conflict with those of
the United States or may directly and negatively impact the Trust. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to the Trust.
New or changing laws and regulations or interpretations of existing laws and regulations, in
the United States and other jurisdictions, may materially and adversely impact the value of Bitcoin, the liquidity and market price of Bitcoin, the ability to access marketplaces or exchanges on which to trade Bitcoin, and the structure, rights and
transferability of Bitcoin. On-going and future regulatory actions may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of an investment in the Shares or the ability of the Trust to continue to operate.
States may require licenses that apply to Blockchain technologies,
cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, tokens and token offerings. The Trust or Sponsor may be unable to comply with state licensing requirements or policies, which may materially adversely affect the value of the Shares.
In the case of virtual currencies, state regulators such as the New York State Department of
Financial Services ("NYSDFS") have created new regulatory frameworks. In July 2014, the NYSDFS proposed the first U.S. regulatory framework for licensing participants in "virtual currency business activity." The regulations, known as the
"BitLicense," are intended to focus on consumer protection. The NYSDFS issued its final "BitLicense" regulatory framework in June 2015. The "BitLicense" regulates the conduct of businesses that are involved in "virtual currencies" in New York or with
New York customers and prohibits any person or entity involved in such activity from conducting such activities without a license.
Other states, such as Texas, have published guidance on how their existing regulatory regimes
apply to virtual currencies. Some states, such as New Hampshire, North Carolina and Washington, have amended their state's statutes to include virtual currencies into existing licensing regimes. While other states, such as California, have attempted
or are currently attempting to pass new licensing frameworks similar to that of New York, it is likely that, as Blockchain technologies and the use of virtual currencies continues to grow, additional states will take steps to monitor the developing
industry.
The issuance of Shares may require such state licenses. The effect of any future regulatory
action on the Trust, Bitcoin, or the Shares is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and could adversely affect an investment in the Trust.
It may be illegal now, or in the future, to acquire, own, hold, sell or use
Bitcoin in one or more countries, and ownership of, holding or trading in Shares may also be considered illegal and subject to sanctions.
Although currently cryptocurrencies are not regulated or are lightly regulated in most
countries, some countries have taken, and may take in the future, regulatory actions that severely restrict the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use cryptocurrencies or to exchange cryptocurrencies for fiat currency. Such regulatory actions or
restrictions could adversely affect an investment in the Trust or result in the termination and liquidation of the Trust at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders, or may adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
The Trust or Sponsor may be subject to a number of regulatory and licensing requirements. If the
Trust or Sponsor is not able to satisfy some or all of these requirements, the Sponsor may need to liquidate the Trust.
It is expected that the Trust or Sponsor may be subject to a number of regulatory and licensing requirements that
may adversely affect the investment vehicle. Failure to satisfy those requirements may mean that the Sponsor will be unable to manage the Trust as planned, operate in certain jurisdictions or potentially operate at all, which would have severe,
adverse consequences on the value of the Shares.
The Trust or Sponsor may be required to register as a money services
business with FinCEN and as a money transmitter in states with applicable money transmitter regulations. If the Trust fails to operate with appropriate state or federal licenses the Trust and/or Sponsor could suffer reputational harm and also
extraordinary, recurring and/or nonrecurring expenses, which would adversely impact an investment in the Shares.
The Trust's or Sponsor's activities may require the registration of the Trust or Sponsor as a
money services business under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. If regulatory changes or interpretations of the Trust's or Sponsor's activities require the licensing or other registration as a
money transmitter or business engaged in digital currency activity (e.g., under the New York BitLicense framework) (or equivalent designation) under state law in any state in which the Trust or Sponsor operate, the Trust or Sponsor may be required to seek a license or otherwise register with a state regulator and comply with state regulations that may include, among other things, the implementation
of anti-money laundering programs, cyber security, consumer protection, financial and reporting requirements and maintenance of certain
records and other operational requirements. In the event of any such requirement, to the extent that the Sponsor
decide to continue the Trust, the required registrations, licensure and regulatory compliance steps may result in extraordinary, nonrecurring expenses to the Trust. Rather than incur these expenses or comply with licensing requirements, the Sponsor
may decide to terminate the Trust. Any termination of the Trust in response to the changed regulatory circumstances may be at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders.
Furthermore, the process of obtaining the necessary licenses could take an extensive period of
time. There is also a risk that necessary state or federal licenses will not be granted and therefore the Sponsor may have to act to dissolve and liquidate the Trust. Any such termination could result in the liquidation of the Trust's Bitcoin at a
time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders.
In addition, to the extent the Trust or Sponsor are found to have operated without appropriate
state or federal licenses, the Trust or Sponsor may be subject to investigation, administrative or court proceedings, and civil or criminal monetary fines and penalties, all of which could harm the reputation of the Trust or Sponsor and affect the
value of the Shares.
The Trust is an emerging growth company and the Trust cannot be certain if
the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make the Shares less attractive to investors.
The Trust is an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and may take advantage of
certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. The Trust cannot predict if investors will find the Shares less attractive because of the Trust's reliance on
these exemptions. If some investors find the Trust's Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the Shares and the price of Shares may be more volatile.
In addition, under the JOBS Act, the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm will
not be required to attest to the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as it is an emerging growth company.
For as long as the Trust takes advantage of the reduced reporting obligations, the information
that the Trust provides its shareholders may be different from information provided by other public companies.
Risk Factors Related to the Trust and the Shares
Certain Members of the Sponsor have no history of operating an investment
vehicle like the Trust, their experience may be inadequate or unsuitable to manage the Trust.
The Sponsor was formed to be the Sponsor of the Trust and certain members of the Sponsor have
no history of past performance in managing investment vehicles like the Trust. This makes it difficult for investors to evaluate the Trust and its future prospects. The past performances of the Sponsor's members in other investment vehicles,
including their experiences in the financial industry, are no indication of their ability to manage an investment vehicle such as this particular Trust. The Trust's success will depend, in part, on the Sponsor's ability to manage the Trust. If the
experience of the Sponsor and its members is inadequate or unsuitable to manage an investment vehicle such as the Trust, the operations of the Trust may be adversely affected. The Trust can make no assurances that it will be successful in addressing
these issues.
Unanticipated operational or trading problems that arise may result in a
decrease in the value of the Shares.
The mechanisms and procedures governing the offering and redemption of the Shares and storage
of the Bitcoin have been developed specifically for this product. It is possible that unanticipated issues may arise with respect to the Trust's operations and the trading of the Shares. Such unforeseen problems could have an adverse effect on an
investment in the Shares. Further, while the Trust is not actively "managed" by traditional methods, the Sponsor's past experience and qualifications may not be suitable for solving unforeseen issues that may arise pertaining to operations or
trading.
The Trust could experience unforeseen difficulties in operating and
maintaining key elements of its technical infrastructure.
The Bitcoin Account has been designed specifically to provide security for the Trust's assets.
From time to time, the Bitcoin Account may require updates, expansions or alterations. Efforts to modify the security system are likely to be complex and may result in unforeseen delays, costs, operational inefficiencies or an increased vulnerability
to security breaches. The Trust may experience unforeseen difficulties designing or implementing the Bitcoin Account. Further, the Trust and the Bitcoin Custodian may face issues relating to the Security Procedures, such as passwords, encryption,
Internet connectivity, two-factor authentication process, multi-signature wallets or telephone call-backs that could result in an adverse impact on the Trust.
The Bitcoin Custodian's Security Procedures are technical and complex. The Trust depends on the
Security Procedures to protect the storage, acceptance and distribution of data relating to Bitcoin and the Bitcoin Account into which the Trust deposits its Bitcoin. The Security Procedures may be ineffective against all errors, software flaws
(i.e., bugs) or vulnerabilities. Failure in the Security Procedures could be undetectable until after a fraud or breach occurs.
The Trust's and the Bitcoin Custodian's ability to adopt technology in
response to changing security needs or trends poses a challenge to the safekeeping of the Trust's Bitcoin.
In order to secure and safeguard client accounts, Bitcoin exchanges and large holders of
Bitcoin must adapt to rapidly developing changes in technology. As technological change occurs, the security threats to the Trust's Bitcoin will adapt and emerge as well. While the Sponsor believes the Security Procedures in place have been
reasonably designed to safeguard the Trust's Bitcoin from theft, loss, destruction or other issues relating to hackers and technological attack, such assessment is based upon known technology and threats. The Sponsor can make no assurance that the
Security Procedures will be effective against unknown threats. As the size of the Trust grows, the Trust may become more attractive to hackers or other bad actors. Security threats are likely to increase as the size of the Trust's assets increases.
To the extent that the Trust or the Bitcoin Custodian is unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats, the Trust's Bitcoin may be subject to theft, loss, destruction or other attack, which could have a negative impact on the
performance of the Shares or result in loss of the Trust's assets.
The Trust may be the target of malicious cyber-attacks. Security threats to
the Trust or Bitcoin Account could result in the halting of Trust operations, the suspension of redemptions, and a loss of Trust assets or damage to the reputation of the Trust, each of which could result in a decline in the price of the Shares.
Since the launch of the Bitcoin Network, security concerns have remained prevalent in Bitcoin
markets. The Trust's business operations or the Trust's assets may be harmed in the event that a security breach occurs. Such a breach may be caused by, among other things, hacking, which involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or
systems, or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, and the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses. Any breach of the Trust's infrastructure could result in damage to the
Trust's reputation and reduce demand for the Shares, resulting in a reduction in the price of the Shares. Furthermore, the Sponsor believes that, as the Trust's assets grow, it may become a more appealing target for security threats such as hackers
and malware. There can be no assurances that the Trust will be fully secure.
The Sponsor believes that the Security Procedures that the Sponsor and Custodian utilize, such
as hardware redundancy, segregation and offline data storage (i.e., the maintenance of data on computers and/or storage media that is not directly connected to or accessible from the internet and/or networked with other computers, also known as "cold
storage") protocols are reasonably designed to safeguard the Trust's Bitcoin from theft, loss, destruction or other issues relating to hackers and technological attack. Despite the number of Security Procedures the Sponsor and Bitcoin Custodian
employ, it is impossible to guarantee the prevention of any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God that may be borne by the Trust, absent gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Sponsor, the Bitcoin
Custodian or their agents.
Furthermore, it is possible that actions of outside parties, error or malfeasance of an
employee of the Sponsor or Bitcoin Custodian, or otherwise, may cause a breach in the operational infrastructure or the Security Procedures, resulting in an unauthorized access to the Bitcoin Account, private keys, data or Bitcoin. Additionally,
outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees of the Bitcoin Custodian or the Sponsor to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to the Trust's infrastructure. The techniques used to employ such malicious attacks change
frequently. The Sponsor may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of the Bitcoin Account occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of the Trust could be
harmed, which could result in a reduction in the price of the Shares.
In the event of a security breach of the Bitcoin Account, the Trust may cease operations,
suspend redemptions or suffer a reduction in assets, the occurrence of which could result in a reduction in the price of the Shares.
The Trust and the value of an investment in the Shares may be adversely
affected by a loss of confidence or breach in the Trust's security and technology policies.
It is possible that the Security Procedures in place may not prevent the improper access to, or
damage or theft of the Trust's Bitcoin. While the Trust, Sponsor, Bitcoin Custodian and each of their agents will take measures to protect the Trust and its Bitcoin, the Trust cannot provide assurance that its Security Procedures will be effective
against cyber-attacks. A security breach could harm the Trust's reputation or result in the loss of some or all of the Trust's Bitcoin. A resulting perception that the Security Procedures do not adequately protect the Trust's Bitcoin could result in
a loss of current or potential Shareholders, reducing demand for, and price of, the Shares. A loss of confidence or breach in the Bitcoin Network's
security and technology policies may adversely affect Bitcoin and the value of an investment in the Trust.
The Trust's Bitcoin may be subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on
access.
Hackers or malware distributors may target the Trust in an effort to destroy, damage or steal
the Trust's Bitcoin. There is a risk that some or all of the Trust's Bitcoin could be lost, stolen or destroyed. Although the Bitcoin Custodian will utilize numerous Security Procedures to protect the Trust's assets, neither the Bitcoin Custodian nor
the Sponsor can guarantee the prevention of such loss, damage or theft, whether caused intentionally, accidentally or by an act of God. Access to the Trust's Bitcoin could also be restricted by natural events (such as an earthquake or flood) or human
actions (such as a terrorist attack). Any of these events may adversely affect the operations of the Trust and, consequently, an investment in the Shares.
The Bitcoin Custodian may or may not accept or provide assets in the event of a hard fork or airdrop.
Occasionally, the Trust may be entitled to assets as a result of a hard fork or an airdrop. The Bitcoin Custodian
has the discretion of whether to support new cryptocurrencies created as a result of a hard fork or an airdrop, and may decide to allocate such cryptocurrencies to the Trust on a delayed basis, if at all. If a hard fork or an airdrop occurs and the
Bitcoin Custodian has elected to support the new cryptocurrency, then the Trust would hold equal amounts of both the original Bitcoin and the new cryptocurrency. As a result, the Trust would need to decide whether to continue to hold, sell or
otherwise dispose of the new cryptocurrency. The Trust's decision to continue to hold the new cryptocurrency would be based on factors such as the market value and liquidity of the original bitcoin versus the new cryptocurrency, the computer
processing power devoted by miners to the original network versus the alternative new network, technical stability of the alternative new network and the establishment of a technical and commercial ecosystem for the alternative new network. In the
event that the Bitcoin Custodian decides not to support a cryptocurrency issued as a result of a fork or an airdrop, the Trust may have to find alternative arrangements to receive and sell such cryptocurrency. As a result, the Trust may not receive
such digital assets, may receive them on a delayed basis, or may be forced to sell at a disadvantageous price, resulting in a material adverse effect on the value of your investment in the Trust.
The Trust may terminate and liquidate at a time that is
disadvantageous to Shareholders.
The Trust may be terminated and liquidated at a time which is
disadvantageous to Shareholders, such as when the Bitcoin Price and T-Bills Price are lower than at the time when Shareholders purchased their Shares. In such a case, when the Trust's Bitcoin and T-Bills are sold as part of the Trust's
liquidation, the resulting proceeds distributed to Shareholders will be less than if their prices were higher at the time of sale. In certain circumstances, the Sponsor has the ability to terminate the Trust without the consent of Shareholders and
may decide to terminate the Trust at a time that is not advantageous for the Shareholder.
A notice of redemption is irrevocable.
Once a notice of redemption has been received by the Trust, it can no longer be
revoked by the Shareholder under any circumstances, though it may be rejected by the Transfer Agent if it does not comply with the redemption requirements.
In the event the Trust's assets are lost, damaged, stolen
or destroyed, recovery may be limited to the market value of the assets at the time the loss is discovered.
If there is a loss due to theft, loss, damage, destruction or fraud or
otherwise with respect to the Trust's assets held by one of the Trust's custodians and such loss is found to be the fault of such custodian, the Trust may not be able to recover more than the market value of the assets at the time the loss is
discovered. If the market value of assets increases between the time the loss is discovered and the time the Trust receives payment for its loss and purchases assets to replace the losses, less assets will be acquired by the Trust and the value of
the net assets of the Trust will be negatively affected.
The Bitcoin Custodian, the Cash and Treasury Custodian and
other service providers engaged by the Trust may not carry adequate insurance to cover claims against them by the Trust.
Shareholders cannot be assured that the Bitcoin Custodian, the Cash and
Treasury Custodian or other service providers engaged by the Trust will maintain any insurance with respect to the services that such parties provide to the Trust and, if they maintain insurance, that such insurance is sufficient to satisfy any
losses incurred by them in respect of their relationship with the Trust. In addition, none of the Trust's service providers are required to include the Trust as a named beneficiary of any such insurance policies that are purchased. Accordingly, the
Trust will have to rely on the efforts of the service provider to recover from their insurer compensation for any losses incurred by the Trust in connection with such arrangements.
Although the Trust intends to obtain insurance for its
assets, such insurance may not be adequate to cover losses.
The Trust intends to obtain insurance for the Bitcoin held by the Trust, either through the Bitcoin Custodian or, if
the Bitcoin Custodian cannot provide such insurance, through a third-party provider. In addition, the Trust intends to require the Cash and Treasury Custodian to maintain the Trust's cash in an account insured by the FDIC subject to applicable FDIC
insurance limits. Consequently, if there is a loss of assets of the Trust through theft, destruction, fraud or otherwise, the Trust and Shareholders will
be reliant on the adequacy of such insurance to cover losses. A loss with respect to the Trust's assets that is not covered by insurance and for which compensatory damages cannot be recovered would have a negative impact on the NAV and would
adversely affect an investment in the Shares. In addition, any event of loss may adversely affect the operations of the Trust and, consequently, an investment in the Shares.
Bitcoin held by the Trust are not currently subject to FDIC or SIPC
protections.
Digital assets such as Bitcoin are not currently eligible for insurance by the FDIC or the
Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC"). Therefore, the Trust intends to obtain insurance for the Bitcoin held by the Trust, either through the Bitcoin Custodian or, if the Bitcoin Custodian cannot provide insurance, through a third-party
provider. Failure to obtain insurance on the Trust's Bitcoin, or failure to obtain adequate insurance on the Trust's Bitcoin would, to the extent losses are not otherwise recoverable, have a negative impact on the NAV and would adversely affect an
investment in the Shares.
If the Trust's Bitcoin is lost, stolen or destroyed, the Trust may not have
adequate sources of recovery.
In the event that the Trust's Bitcoin is lost, stolen or destroyed, the Trust may be unable to
recover its loss. Under circumstances rendering a party liable to the Trust, the responsible party may not have the financial resources sufficient to satisfy the Trust's claim. The Trust might be limited to the Bitcoin Custodian as the only source of
recovery or, to the extent identifiable, other responsible third parties (for example, a thief or terrorist), any of which may not have the financial resources (including liability insurance coverage) to satisfy a valid claim of the Trust.
The Trust may conduct further offerings or sales of Shares
from time to time, at which time it will offer Shares at a price that will be at NAV at the time of the offering but that may be below the trading price of Shares at that time.
The Trust may conduct further offerings or sales of Shares from time to
time. The Trust may issue additional Shares to prospective investors. Shares, including fractional shares, will be issued at the NAV per Share as of the applicable date. If the Shares of the Trust trade at a price above NAV on such date, the
issuance of such additional Shares at NAV may have the effect of lowering the trading price of Shares immediately after the pricing of such issuance. In addition, if and as long as the trading price of the Shares is below NAV, it is unlikely that
the Trust will issue further Shares, because such Shares would have to be offered at a price above the trading price of Shares.
The Trust may be required to terminate and liquidate at a time that is
disadvantageous to Shareholders.
Investors may experience a loss in their investments if the Trust is required to terminate and
liquidate, and such termination and liquidation occurs at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders. For example, the Bitcoin Price may be lower than it was at the time when Shareholders purchased their Shares. In such a case, when the Trust's
Bitcoin is sold as part of the Trust's liquidation, the resulting proceeds distributed to Shareholders will be less than if the Bitcoin Price were higher at the time of sale.
The Trust Agreement includes a provision that restricts the right of a
beneficial owner of a statutory trust from bringing a derivative action.
Under Delaware law, the terms of the instrument governing the statutory trust may restrict the
right of a beneficial owner of a statutory trust (such as a Shareholder of the Trust) to bring a derivative action (i.e., to initiate a lawsuit in the name of a the statutory trust in order to assert a claim belonging to the statutory trust against a
fiduciary of the statutory trust or against a third-party when the statutory trust's management has refused to do so). The Trust Agreement provides that in addition to any other requirements of applicable law, no Shareholder shall have the right,
power or authority to bring or maintain a derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of the Trust unless two or more Shareholders who (i) are not affiliates of one another and (ii) collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Shares
join in the bringing or maintaining of such action, suit or other proceeding. Therefore, the Trust Agreement limits the likelihood that a Shareholder could successfully assert a derivative action.
The Administrator is solely responsible for determining the value of the
Bitcoin. The value of the Shares may experience an adverse effect in the event of any errors, discontinuance or changes in such valuation calculations.
The Administrator will determine the Trust's Bitcoin holdings and the Trust's T-Bill
holdings on a daily basis as soon as practicable after 4:00 p.m., New York time on each Business Day. The Administrator's determination is made utilizing data from the Bitcoin Custodian and Cash and Treasury Custodian's operations, the Bitcoin
Price and the T-Bills Price, calculated at 4:00 p.m., New York time on such day. To the extent that the Trust's Bitcoin holdings or the Trust's T-Bill holdings are incorrectly calculated, the Administrator may not be liable for any error and such
misreporting of valuation data could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Delays in accessing assets in cold storage may affect the Trust's ability
to execute trades at favorable prices.
If there are any delays in accessing assets held in cold storage, rebalancing the assets of the
Trust as indicated by the Index may be delayed, and prices at which the Trust can execute necessary trades may be higher or lower than if the Trust was able to execute these trades immediately. Such delays may affect the performance of the Trust and
your investment in the Trust.
Slippage may negatively affect the performance of the Trust.
When buying and selling Bitcoin, slippage (i.e., the difference between the intended target
price and the ultimate execution price) may occur. This slippage may negatively affect the performance of the Trust, and may result in a deviation of the amount of Bitcoin held by the Trust from the amount otherwise indicated by the Index. Although
the Trust will hold Bitcoin in an amount that seeks to closely replicate the Index, and will trade Bitcoin in accordance with this goal, factors such as slippage may negatively impact the ability of the Trust to completely replicate the amount of
Bitcoin otherwise indicated by the Index.
Reliance on Service Providers.
The Trust is dependent upon various Service Providers that are not controlled by the Sponsor or
the Trustee, collectively, (the "Service Providers"). Because the Trust is so reliant on the Service Providers to conduct its business and operations, the error or misconduct by, or failure of (such as bankruptcy, receivership or liquidation of a
Service Provider could have a material adverse effect on the Trust and the Shareholders' investments therein. In addition, the Trust may be subject to operational and settlement risks, legal risks, credit risk, non-payment, non-deliverability,
government intervention, complex regulatory risk, non-performance risk, bankruptcy risk, insolvency risk, receivership, and fraud risk with respect to the Service Providers.
The Trust's expenses, including extraordinary expenses (if any) and the
Sponsor's Fee may adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
In consideration for the Sponsor's Fee, the Sponsor had contractually assumed the Sponsor-paid
Fees, which are certain operational and periodic expenses of the Trust. See "Description of the Trust—Trust Expenses." Extraordinary expenses of the Trust (for example, expenses relating to litigation) are not assumed by the Sponsor and are instead
borne by the Trust and paid from the cash on deposit in the Trust's Cash Account. In addition, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, increase the Sponsor's Fee or decrease the Sponsor-paid Expenses. Such an increase in the Sponsor's Fee or
decrease in the Sponsor-paid Expenses could occur if the expenses of the Trust materially increase. Alternatively, the Sponsor could choose to decrease the Sponsor's Fee in response to competitive pressures from other digital currency financial
vehicles similar to the Trust. The Sponsor will balance such competitive pressures and the costs that it incurs in acting as Sponsor for the Trust when determining the Sponsor's Fee.
The value of the Shares will be adversely affected if the Trust is required
to pay any amounts pursuant to its obligation to indemnify the Sponsor, the Trustee, the Transfer Agent, the Administrator or the Custodians under the Trust Documents.
Under the documents related to and governing the Trust (the "Trust Documents"), each of the
Sponsor, the Trustee, the Transfer Agent, the Administrator, the Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian has a right to be indemnified by the Trust for certain liabilities or expenses that it incurs without gross negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct on its part. Therefore, the Sponsor, Trustee, Transfer Agent, the Administrator, the Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian may require that the assets of the Trust be sold in order to cover losses or liabilities
suffered by it. Any sale of that kind would reduce the Trust's NAV and NAV per Share.
Intellectual property rights claims may adversely affect the Trust and an
investment in the Shares.
Third parties may assert intellectual property rights claims that have an adverse effect on the
Trust. The Sponsor is not currently aware of any such claims that may prevent the Trust from operating and holding Bitcoin. These claims may pertain to the operation of the Trust and the mechanics instituted for the investment in, holding of and
transfer of Bitcoin. An intellectual property or other legal action, regardless of its merit, may result in expenses for legal fees to defend or payments to settle such claims. These expenses would be Additional Trust Expenses and be borne by the
Trust through the sale of the Trust's Bitcoin. Further, a meritorious intellectual property rights claim may prevent Trust operations and force the Sponsor to terminate the Trust and liquidate the Trust's Bitcoin. As a result, an intellectual
property rights claim against the Trust could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Shareholders may be forced to return certain funds in the event the Trust
is adjudged insolvent or bankrupt.
Shareholders could be required, as a matter of bankruptcy law, to return to the estate of the
Trust any distribution they received at a time when the Trust was in fact insolvent or in violation of its Trust Agreement.
Substantial reliance on technology, third-party software and data by the
Trust and its Service Providers could impact the value of the Shares if such technology, software or data is disrupted or destroyed.
The Trust, Sponsor and Service Providers will rely on the use of technology, including
third-party software and data, both in tracking and rebalancing the Index and more broadly to run many aspects of its respective businesses. The Trust employs controls reasonably designed to assure that its technology systems are sound and the
systems suppliers it relies on are reputable and competent. As a result, each of the Trust, the Sponsor and the Service Providers may encounter systems flaws, and some data used by such parties may be inaccurate. Furthermore, technology is subject
to damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including, without limitation:
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power loss, computer system failures and internet, telecommunications or data network failures;
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operator negligence or improper operation by, or supervision of, employees;
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physical and electronic loss of data or security breaches, misappropriation and similar events;
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intentional acts of vandalism, terrorism, cyber-terrorism, cyber-crime, computer hacking and similar events; and
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an event constituting force majeure.
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These issues may go undetected for long periods of time, or avoid detection altogether. As a
result, these issues could materially adversely affect the value of the Shares.
Risk Factors Related to the Bitcoin Network and Bitcoin
An investment in the Shares may experience an adverse effect as a result of
the Trust's loss of access to its private keys or its experience of a data loss relating to the Trust's Bitcoin. The loss or destruction of a private key required to access a Bitcoin may be irreversible.
Bitcoin can only be transferred with the private key associated with the public electronic
address of the wallet in which the Bitcoin is held. To the extent the private key of a holder of Bitcoin is lost, destroyed, exfiltrated or otherwise compromised and no backup of the private key is accessible, such holder will be unable to transfer
its Bitcoin held in the electronic wallet associated with that private key. Consequently, such funds will effectively be lost, which could adversely affect an investment in Bitcoin or the value of the Shares.
Bitcoin transactions are irrevocable and stolen or incorrectly transferred
Bitcoin may be irretrievable. As a result, any incorrectly executed Bitcoin transactions could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Cryptocurrency transactions are not, from an administrative perspective, reversible without the
consent and active participation of the recipient of the transaction or, in theory, control or consent of a majority of the aggregate bandwidth of the Bitcoin Network. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the
Bitcoin Blockchain, an incorrect transfer of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, or a theft of Bitcoin generally will not be reversible and the Trust may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such transfer or theft. To the extent that the
Trust is unable to seek a corrective transaction or is incapable of identifying the third party which has received Bitcoin through error or theft, the Trust will be
unable to revert or otherwise recover incorrectly transferred Bitcoin. To the extent that the Trust is unable to
seek redress for such error or theft, such loss could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
The further development and acceptance of the Bitcoin Network and other
protocols that govern the issuance of transactions in Bitcoin and other digital currencies are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of the Bitcoin Network may
adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
The use of digital currencies such as Bitcoin to, among other things, buy and sell goods and
services, is part of an evolving industry. This rapidly developing digital marketplace employs digital assets based upon a designated computer-generated mathematical and/or cryptographic protocol. The growth of this industry is subject to a high
degree of uncertainty. Factors affecting the further development of this industry include, but are not limited to:
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continued worldwide growth in the adoption and use of digital currencies, including Bitcoin;
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government and quasi-government regulation of the use of and access to cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, and the platforms they operate or otherwise interact on;
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changes in consumer demographics and market preferences;
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the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, including new means of using fiat currencies;
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the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the Bitcoin Network;
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general economic conditions; and
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negative consumer perception or lack of public interest in digital assets.
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The Trust is not actively managed and will not have any strategy relating to the development of
the Bitcoin Network. Furthermore, the Sponsor cannot be certain as to the impact of the expansion of its Bitcoin holdings on the digital asset industry and the Bitcoin Network. A decline in the popularity or acceptance of the Bitcoin Network would
harm the price of the Shares.
A Disruption of the Internet may affect Bitcoin operations, which may adversely affect the Bitcoin industry and an
investment in the Shares.
The Bitcoin Network relies on the Internet. A significant disruption of Internet connectivity (i.e., one that affects large numbers of users or geographic regions) could disrupt the Bitcoin Network's functionality and operations until the disruption in the
Internet is resolved. A disruption in the Internet could adversely affect an investment in the Shares or the ability of the Trust to operate.
Currently, there is relatively small use of Bitcoin in the retail and
commercial marketplace in comparison to relatively large use by speculators, thus contributing to price volatility that could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Certain major retail and commercial outlets have only recently begun accepting Bitcoin and the
Bitcoin Network as a means of payment for goods and services. Consumer use of Bitcoin to pay such retail and commercial outlets, however, remains limited. Yet, it is the market speculators and investors seeking to profit from the short- or long-term
holding of Bitcoin that generate a significant portion of the Bitcoin demand. A lack of expansion by Bitcoin or a contraction of such use into retail and commercial markets may result in increased volatility or a reduction in the Bitcoin Price.
Either occurrence could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Public perception of Bitcoin and the utility of Bitcoin may be affected if
merchants and service providers do not further adopt Bitcoin transactions or if intermediaries, such as banks, refuse to provide services to businesses that provide Bitcoin-related services or that accept Bitcoin as payment. The event of such
occurrences may result in an adverse effect on the Trust.
The price of Bitcoin is, among other things, related to its utility and public perception. If
merchants and service providers do not further adopt Bitcoin for use in transactions, public perception of Bitcoin's utility may decrease. A similar decrease may occur if intermediaries refuse to provide services to businesses that provide
Bitcoin-related services or accept Bitcoin as payment. For instance, it is currently difficult to find banks that are willing to provide companies with bank accounts and banking services for Bitcoin are difficult to find, and a number of banks have
closed existing bank accounts of companies that provide Bitcoin-related services. If the price of Bitcoin decreases because of a decrease in utility or a decrease in public perception, it could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Potential amendments to the Bitcoin Network's protocols and software could,
if accepted and authorized by the Bitcoin Network community, adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
The Bitcoin Network uses a cryptographic protocol to govern the interactions within the Bitcoin
Network. A development team known as the "Core Developers" which evolves over time, manages the code that sets forth the protocol. The members of the Core Developers evolve over time, largely based on self-determined participation in the resource
section dedicated to Bitcoin on Github.com. The Core Developers can propose amendments to the Bitcoin Network's source code that could alter the protocols and software of the Bitcoin Network and the properties of Bitcoin. These alterations would
occur through software upgrades, and could potentially include changes to the irreversibility of transactions and limitations on the mining of new Bitcoin. The Bitcoin Network could be subject to new protocols and software that may adversely affect
an investment in the Shares, to the extent that a significant majority of the users and validators on the Bitcoin Network install such software upgrades.
The acceptance of Bitcoin Network software patches or upgrades by a
significant, but not overwhelming, percentage of the users and validators in the Bitcoin Network could result in a "fork" in the Blockchain, resulting in the operation of two separate networks.
There is no official developer or group of developers that formally controls the Bitcoin
Network. Any individual can download the Bitcoin Network software and make any desired modifications, which are proposed to users and validators on the Bitcoin Network through software downloads and upgrades, typically posted to the Bitcoin
development forum on GitHub.com. A substantial majority of validators and Bitcoin users must consent to such software modifications by downloading the altered software or upgrade; otherwise, the modifications do not become a part of the Bitcoin
Network. Since the Bitcoin Network's inception, modifications to the Bitcoin Network have been accepted by the vast majority of users and validators, ensuring that the Bitcoin Network remains a coherent economic system.
If a proposed modification is not accepted by a vast majority of validators and users, but is
nonetheless accepted by a substantial population of participants in the Bitcoin Network, a "fork" in the Bitcoin Blockchain could develop. This would result in two separate Bitcoin Networks. Such a fork in the Bitcoin Blockchain typically would be
addressed by community-led efforts to merge the forked Bitcoin Blockchains, and several prior forks have been so merged.
The open-source structure of the Bitcoin Network protocol means that the
Core Developers and other contributors are generally not directly compensated for their contributions in maintaining and developing the Bitcoin Network protocol. A failure to properly monitor and upgrade the Bitcoin Network protocol could damage the
Bitcoin Network and an investment in the Shares.
The Bitcoin Network operates based on an open-source protocol maintained by the Core Developers
and other contributors, largely on the GitHub resource section dedicated to Bitcoin development. As the Bitcoin Network protocol is not sold and its use does not generate revenues for its development team, the Core Developers are generally not
compensated for maintaining and updating the Bitcoin Network protocol. Consequently, there is a lack of financial incentive for developers to maintain or develop the Bitcoin Network and the Core Developers may lack the resources to adequately address
emerging issues with the Bitcoin Network protocol. Although the Bitcoin Network is currently supported by the Core Developers, there can be no guarantee that such support will continue or be sufficient in the future. To the extent that material
issues arise with the Bitcoin Network protocol and the Core Developers and open-source contributors are unable to address the issues adequately or in a timely manner, the Bitcoin Network and an investment in the Shares may be adversely affected.
Cryptocurrencies are based on developing technologies that are subject to
rapid innovation and change. Changes or innovations in cryptocurrencies may occur that affect the Bitcoin Network and value of Bitcoin and that could render Bitcoin technology obsolete. Such an occurrence could negatively impact the Trust's business
model and the value of an investment in the Shares.
Cryptocurrencies are based on developing technologies that are characterized by rapid change
and innovation. The Bitcoin Network and Bitcoin may become obsolete as significant technological changes or innovations continue to occur in this market. If the Bitcoin Network is not able to adapt to such changes or innovations, it may not be able
to generate interest in the Bitcoin Network or Bitcoin, which may have a material adverse effect on an investment in Shares.
A bad actor could manipulate the Bitcoin Blockchain to adversely affect an
investment in the Shares or the ability of the Trust to operate if such a bad actor were to obtain control of more than 50% of the processing power on the Bitcoin Network.
If the majority of the processing power dedicated to mining on the Bitcoin Network is
controlled by a bad actor, it may be able to alter the Bitcoin Blockchain on which the Bitcoin Network and most Bitcoin transactions rely. This could occur if the bad actor were to construct fraudulent blocks or prevent certain transactions from
completing in a timely manner, or at all. It
could be possible for the malicious actor to control, exclude or modify the ordering of transactions, though it
could not generate new Bitcoin or transactions. Further, a bad actor could "double-spend" its own Bitcoin (i.e., spend the same Bitcoin in more than one transaction) and prevent the confirmation of other users' transactions for so long as it
maintained control. If the Bitcoin community did not reject the fraudulent blocks as malicious or to the extent that such bad actor did not yield its control of processing power, reversing any changes made to the Bitcoin Blockchain may be impossible.
The possible crossing of this threshold indicates a greater risk that a single mining pool could exert authority over the validation of Bitcoin transactions. If the feasibility of a bad actor gaining control of the processing power on the Bitcoin
Network increases, there may be an effect on an investment in the Shares.
Blockchain technologies are based on the theoretical conjectures as to the impossibility of solving certain
cryptographical puzzles quickly. These premises may be incorrect or may become incorrect due to technological advances.
Blockchain technologies are premised on theoretical conjectures as to the impossibility, in practice, of solving
certain mathematical problems quickly. Those conjectures remain unproven, however, and mathematical or technological advances could conceivably prove them to be incorrect. Blockchain technology companies may also be negatively affected by
cryptography or other technological advances, such as the development of quantum computers with significantly more power than computers presently available, that undermine or vitiate the cryptographic consensus mechanism underpinning Blockchain and
distributed ledger protocols. If either of these events were to happen, the Trust and marketplaces that rely on Blockchain technologies could quickly collapse.
Operational cost may exceed the award for solving blocks or transaction
fees.
The Bitcoin Network is designed to reduce the fixed award for solving new blocks periodically.
If the awards of new Bitcoin for solving blocks declines and transaction fees for recording transactions are not sufficiently high to exceed the costs of mining, validators may operate at a loss or cease operations. If the award does not exceed the
costs of mining in the long-term, validators may have to cease operations entirely. If validators cease their operations, this could have a negative impact on the Bitcoin Network and could adversely affect the value of your investment in the Trust.
If validators expend less processing power on the Bitcoin Network, this
could increase the likelihood of a malicious actor obtaining control.
Validators ceasing operations would reduce the collective processing power on the Bitcoin
Network, which would adversely affect the confirmation process for transactions (i.e., temporarily decreasing the speed at which blocks are added to the Bitcoin Blockchain until the next scheduled adjustment in difficulty for block solutions). If a
reduction in processing power occurs, the Bitcoin Network may be more vulnerable to a malicious actor obtaining control in excess of 50% of the processing power on the Bitcoin Network. As a result, it may be possible for a bad actor to manipulate the
Bitcoin Blockchain and hinder transactions. Any reduction in confidence in the confirmation process or processing power of the Bitcoin Network may adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
The demand for Bitcoin may be reduced and prevent the expansion of the
Bitcoin Network to retail merchants and commercial businesses if fees increase for recording transactions in the Bitcoin Blockchain. This could result in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin that could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
As the number of Bitcoin awarded for solving a block in the Bitcoin Blockchain decreases, the
incentive for validators to contribute processing power to the Bitcoin Network will transition to transaction fees. To incentivize validators to continue their operations, the Bitcoin Network may transition from a set reward to transaction fees
earned upon solving for a block. If validators demand higher transaction fees for recording their transactions or a software upgrade automatically charges fees for all transactions, the cost of using Bitcoin may increase. If the cost of Bitcoin
transactions increases, the marketplace may be reluctant to accept Bitcoin as a means of payment. Increased costs may motivate market participants to switch from Bitcoin to another digital asset or back to fiat currency. Decreased use and demand for
Bitcoin may adversely affect their value and result in a reduction in the Bitcoin Price and the price of the Shares.
As technology advances, validators may be unable to acquire the cryptocurrency mining hardware
necessary to develop and launch their operations. A decline in the Bitcoin mining population could adversely affect the Bitcoin Network and an investment in the Shares.
Due to the increasing demand for cryptocurrency mining hardware, validators may be unable to
acquire the proper mining equipment or suitable amount of equipment necessary to continue their operations or develop and launch their operations. In addition, because successful mining of a cryptocurrency that uses "proof of work" validation
requires maintaining or exceeding a certain level of computing power relative to other validators, validators will need to upgrade their mining hardware periodically to keep up with their competition. The development of supercomputers with
disproportionate computing power may
threaten the integrity of the cryptocurrency market by concentrating mining power, which would make it
unprofitable for other validators to mine. The expense of purchasing or upgrading new equipment may be substantial and diminish returns to validators dramatically. A decline in validators may result in a decrease in the value of Bitcoin and the
value of the Trust.
If profit margins of Bitcoin mining operations are not high, Bitcoin
Network validators may elect to immediately sell Bitcoin earned by mining, resulting in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin that could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Bitcoin Network mining operations have rapidly evolved over the past several years from
individual users mining with computer processors, graphics processing units and first generation ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) machines. New processing power is predominantly added to the Bitcoin Network currently by
"professionalized" mining operations. Such operations may use proprietary hardware or sophisticated ASIC machines acquired from ASIC manufacturers. Significant capital is necessary for mining operations to acquire this hardware, lease operating
space (often in data centers or warehousing facilities), afford electricity costs and employ technicians to operate the mining farms. As a result, professionalized mining operations are of a greater scale than prior Bitcoin Network validators and
have more defined, regular expenses and liabilities. In addition, mining operations are inclined to immediately sell Bitcoin earned from their operations on the "Bitcoin Exchange Market." In past years, individual validators are believed to have
been more likely to hold newly mined Bitcoin for more extended periods. The immediate selling of newly mined Bitcoin would increase the supply of Bitcoin on the Bitcoin market, creating downward pressure on the price of Bitcoin.
A professional mining operation operating at a low profit margin may be more likely to sell a
higher percentage of its newly mined Bitcoin rapidly, and it may partially or completely cease operations if its profit margin is negative. In a low profit margin environment, a higher percentage of the new Bitcoin mined each day will be sold into
the Bitcoin market more rapidly, thereby reducing Bitcoin prices. The network effect of reduced profit margins resulting in greater sales of newly mined Bitcoin could result in a reduction in the price of Bitcoin that could adversely affect an
investment in the Shares.
Any widespread delays in the recording of transactions on the Bitcoin
Blockchain could result in a loss of confidence in the Bitcoin Network, which could adversely impact an investment in the Shares.
To the extent that any validators cease to record transactions in solved blocks, such
transactions will not be recorded on the Bitcoin Blockchain until a block is solved by a validator who does not require the payment of transaction fees. Validators currently do not have incentives to elect to exclude the recording of such
transactions. In the event that incentives to exclude the recording of transactions on the Bitcoin Blockchain arise (for example, a collective movement among validators or one or more mining pools forcing Bitcoin users to pay transaction fees as a
substitute for, or in addition to, the award of new Bitcoin upon the solving of a block), it could result in greater exposure to double-spending transactions and a loss of confidence in the Bitcoin Network, which could adversely affect an investment
in the Shares.
Congestion or delay in the BTC Network may delay purchases or sales of Bitcoin by the Trust.
Each block on the Bitcoin Network is currently limited to 1MB, and the Bitcoin Network can currently accommodate up
to approximately seven transactions per second, which is significantly below the level that centralized services can provide. Increased transaction volume could result in delays in the recording of transactions due to congestion in the Bitcoin
Network. Moreover, unforeseen system failures, disruptions in operations, or poor connectivity may also result in delays in the recording of transactions on the Bitcoin Network. Any delay in the Bitcoin Network could affect the Trust's ability to
buy or sell Bitcoin at an advantageous price, or may create the opportunity for a bad actor to double spend Bitcoin, resulting in decreased confidence in the Bitcoin Network. As a result, the Bitcoin Network and your investment in the Trust would be
adversely affected.
Risk Factors Related to the Bitcoin Market
Fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin could materially and adversely affect
an investment in the Shares because the value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the Bitcoin held by the Trust.
When valuing the Bitcoin held by the Trust, the Trust intends to utilize the Bitcoin Price, which is based on the Bitcoin Reference Rate.
The Shares are intended to provide investors and/or financial institutions with exposure to Bitcoin in a manner that is more efficient and convenient than the purchase of stand-alone Bitcoin, while also mitigating some of the risk by reducing the
volatility typically associated with the purchase of a stand-alone Bitcoin and without the uncertain and often complex requirements relating to acquiring and/or holding Bitcoin. The value of the Shares in part relates directly to the value of
the Bitcoin held by the Trust, and the price of Bitcoin has been subject to dramatic fluctuations and is highly volatile. Several factors may influence the Bitcoin Price, including, but not limited to:
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Total number of Bitcoin in existence (estimated at approximately 17.4 million as of January 1, 2019 according to www.blockchain.com);
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The regulation and legality of ownership under the laws of different countries around the world;
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Global Bitcoin demand, which may be influenced by the growth of retail merchants' and commercial businesses' acceptance of Bitcoin as payment for goods and services;
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The security of online Bitcoin exchanges and accounts that hold Bitcoin, the perception that the use and holding of Bitcoin is safe and secure, the lack of regulatory
restrictions on their use and the reputation of Bitcoin for illicit use;
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Global Bitcoin supply, which is influenced by similar factors as global Bitcoin demand, in addition to fiat currency needs by validators (for example, to invest in
equipment or pay electricity bills) and taxpayers who may liquidate Bitcoin holdings around tax deadlines to meet tax obligations;
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Changes in the rights, obligations, incentives, or rewards for the participants on the Bitcoin Network;
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Investors' expectations with respect to the rate of inflation and deflation of fiat currencies and Bitcoin;
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Interest rates in fiat currencies;
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Currency exchange rates, including the rates at which Bitcoin may be exchanged for fiat currencies;
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Fiat currency withdrawal and deposit policies of Bitcoin exchanges and liquidity of such Bitcoin exchanges;
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Interruptions in service from or failures of major Bitcoin exchanges;
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Cyber theft of bitcoin from online Bitcoin wallet providers, or news of such theft from such providers, or from individuals' Bitcoin wallets;
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Investment and trading activities of large investors, including private and registered Trusts, that may directly or indirectly invest in Bitcoin;
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Regulatory measures, if any, that restrict the use of Bitcoin as a form of payment or the purchase of Bitcoin on the Bitcoin Market, including monetary policies of
governments, trade restrictions, currency devaluations and revaluations;
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The availability and popularity of businesses that provide Bitcoin-related services;
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The maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the Bitcoin Network;
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Increased competition from other forms of cryptocurrency or payments services;
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Global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations;
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Expectations among Bitcoin economy participants that the value of Bitcoin will soon change; and
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Fees associated with processing a Bitcoin transaction.
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If the Bitcoin Price continues to be subject to significant fluctuations, you may experience
losses if you need to sell your Shares at a time when the Bitcoin Price is lower than it was when you made your prior investment. Your Shares may never generate a profit, even if you are able to hold the Shares for the long-term, since Bitcoin
markets have historically been extremely volatile.
A decrease in the price of a single Bitcoin Blockchain asset may cause volatility in the entire
Bitcoin Blockchain asset industry and may affect other Bitcoin Blockchain assets including Bitcoin and the Bitcoin Network. For example, a security breach that affects investor or user confidence in a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, may affect the
industry as a whole and may cause the price of Bitcoin or the Shares to fluctuate.
Investors should also be aware that there is no assurance that Bitcoin will maintain its
long-term value in terms of future purchasing power or that the acceptance of Bitcoin payments by mainstream retail merchants and commercial businesses will continue to grow. In the event that the Bitcoin Price declines, the Sponsor expects the value
of an investment in the Shares to decline proportionately.
The marketplace may lose confidence in Bitcoin exchanges due to their lack
of regulation and transparency.
Bitcoin exchanges are rapidly developing in the growing digital currency market. In many cases,
regulation surrounding the operations of such exchanges is unclear, has not been finalized or does not yet exist. Further, while many prominent Bitcoin exchanges provide the public with significant information regarding their ownership structure,
management teams, corporate practices and regulatory compliance, many Bitcoin exchanges (including several U.S. dollar denominated Bitcoin exchanges and many Chinese Yuan denominated Bitcoin exchanges) do not. Lack of clarity in the operations of
Bitcoin exchanges may result in a loss of confidence in the marketplace.
Fraud, business failures and security breaches have caused a number of Bitcoin exchanges to
close over the past seven years. Customers of Bitcoin exchanges that closed or experienced security breaches, in many instances, were not compensated for the losses they experienced. Hackers are a threat to both small and large Bitcoin exchanges.
Varying degrees of infrastructure development and capitalization among Bitcoin exchanges provide hackers with incentives and opportunities to target such exchanges. When market participants become victims of security breaches or hear of such
breaches, the value of Bitcoin may be affected. If the market loses confidence in the stability of Bitcoin exchanges because of bad actors or regulatory concerns, confidence in the Bitcoin Network may occur and result in greater volatility in the
Bitcoin Price. Additionally, in the event that a Bitcoin exchange used in calculating the Bitcoin closes or temporarily shuts down, investors may lose confidence in the Trust's ability to determine its Bitcoin holdings on a daily basis. These
potential consequences of a Bitcoin exchange's failure could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
As the Trust grows, it may have an impact on the supply and demand of
Bitcoin. The Trust has no limit on the number of Bitcoin it may acquire, which could affect the price of the Shares.
The Trust Agreement places no limit on the number of Bitcoin the Trust may hold or on the
number of Shares that it may issue. Supply and demand constraints exist in the Bitcoin market that generally are not present in the markets for commodities or other assets such as gold and silver. The Bitcoin Network's mathematical protocols under
which Bitcoin is created or "mined" permit the creation of a limited, predetermined number of Bitcoin not to exceed 21 million. The rate of creation or issuance of Bitcoin cannot be increased ahead of the protocol's schedule. Further creations and
redemptions of Shares could have an impact on the supply of and demand for Bitcoin in a manner unrelated to other factors affecting the global market for Bitcoin if the number of Bitcoin acquired by the Trust is large enough relative to global
Bitcoin supply and demand. Such an impact could affect the Bitcoin Price, which would directly affect the Trust's NAV and the NAV per Share.
The Bitcoin Price may be affected by the sale of other digital currency
financial vehicles that invest in and track the price of Bitcoin.
The Bitcoin Price, the Trust's Bitcoin holdings and the price of the Shares could be negatively
affected to the extent digital currency financial vehicles other than the Trust tracking the price of Bitcoin are formed and represent a significant proportion of the demand for Bitcoin, large redemptions of the securities of these digital currency
financial vehicles, or private trusts holding Bitcoin.
The supply and demand for Bitcoin may be affected by geopolitical or
economic events. Such events could motivate large-scale sales of Bitcoin, which could result in a reduction in the Bitcoin Price and adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Digital assets such as Bitcoin are subject to supply and demand forces based upon the
desirability of an alternative, decentralized means of buying and selling goods and services. These assets are not backed by central governments and provide an alternative to typical fiat currencies. The level of impact that geopolitical events may
have on the supply and demand of digital assets is unclear. Nevertheless, political or economic crises may motivate large-scale acquisitions or sales of Bitcoin either globally or locally. Large-scale sales of Bitcoin would result in a reduction in
the Bitcoin Price and could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Demand for Bitcoin is driven, in part, by its status as the most prominent
and secure digital asset. In the event that an alternative digital currency gains this status of prominence, a reduction in demand for Bitcoin may occur, which could have a negative impact on the price of Bitcoin and adversely affect an investment in
the Shares.
The Bitcoin Network and Bitcoin, as an asset, hold a "first-to-market" advantage over other
digital assets. This first-to-market advantage is driven in large part by having the largest user base and, more importantly, the largest combined mining power in use to secure the Bitcoin Blockchain and transaction verification system. A large
mining network provides users with confidence in the security and long-term stability of a digital asset's network and Bitcoin Blockchain. More users and validators provide the advantage of making a digital asset more secure. A secure network and
the perception of a secure network attract new users and validators. As a result, the first-to-market advantage grows.
It is possible that an altcoin could become materially popular, despite the marked first-mover
advantage of the Bitcoin Network over other digital assets. This may be due to either a perceived or exposed shortcoming of the Bitcoin Network protocol that is not immediately addressed by the Core Developers or a perceived advantage of an altcoin
that includes features not incorporated into Bitcoin. In the event that an altcoin obtains significant market share (either in market capitalization, mining power or use as a payment technology), Bitcoin's market share may experience a reduction.
The demand for and price of Bitcoin may experience adverse effects in the event of this occurrence.
If the Bitcoin Reference Rate cannot be calculated for any given
Business Day, the NAV of the Trust may be calculated utilizing the Bitcoin Reference Rate of the previous Business Day.
If the Bitcoin Reference Rate cannot be calculated for a given day for any reason or
circumstance that prevents the orderly calculation of the Bitcoin Reference Rate for that day, a calculation failure occurs. In the event of a calculation failure, the Bitcoin Reference Rate published on the previous day is disseminated as the
Bitcoin Reference Rate for the calculation failure day.
Effect of a Bitcoin Fork.
If a permanent fork were to occur with respect to Bitcoin, the Trust could hold equal amounts
of the original and the new Bitcoin as a result. See also "The Bitcoin Custodian may or may not accept or provide assets in the event of a hard fork or
airdrop" In that event, and subject to the requirement that the Trust continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Sponsor expects that it would, (i) in consultation with the Index Calculation Agent,
select a Bitcoin Network (and therefore a single version of Bitcoin) and (ii) simultaneously isolate the Bitcoin on the Bitcoin Network that it did not select in order to segregate it from the Bitcoin the Trust would continue to hold. In that case,
the Sponsor's intention would be to distribute to its Shareholders the Bitcoin on the Bitcoin Network that it did not select, with the result that the Trust would only hold one version of Bitcoin. It is uncertain whether the value of any such
distribution of the Bitcoin on the Bitcoin Network that the Sponsor did not select would equal the change in the value of the Shares resulting from such distribution. Consequently, a permanent fork could materially and adversely affect the value of
the Shares.
Risk Factors Related to the Index
The following discussion of risks relating to the Index should be read
together with the description of the Index under "Description of the Index" below, which defines and further describes a number of the terms and concepts referred to below.
The Trust will use the Index to adjust the Trust's allocation between
Bitcoin and T-Bills on a monthly basis. The Index is not designed to reflect the actual performance of Bitcoin.
The Index is not designed to reflect the actual performance of Bitcoin. There can be no
assurance that the Index will achieve positive returns. At any given time, the Index's exposure to Bitcoin will generally be less than 100%. You should not invest in the Shares of the Trust if you seek an investment that is designed to provide a
return that meets or approximates the return an investor may achieve by investing directly in Bitcoin.
Bitcoin's historical performance may not be indicative of future results.
The Index is solely based on the Bitcoin Price. There are no assurances that the Index's
methodology will be successful. The fact that a given allocation of Bitcoin performed well over any prior period does not mean that such allocation will continue to perform well in the future. Future market conditions may differ from past market
conditions, and the conditions that may have caused the favorable historical performance may no longer exist.
Calculated on a daily basis, the Bitcoin Price is used to determine the Index’s monthly
allocation between the Bitcoin Component and the Treasury Component. The Trust dynamically rebalances its assets on a monthly basis to closely replicate the Index without the use of complex derivatives or leverage methods. Bitcoin’s historical
performance does not provide assurance of a profitable measure of future performance. Further, the Index’s exposure to Bitcoin might be overweight when the price of Bitcoin is falling and underweight when the price of Bitcoin is rising. The
Index’s rebalancing mechanism may cause the NAV per Share to underperform the price of Bitcoin.
The Index's performance may be impacted by Choppy Markets.
"Choppy" markets are characterized by short-term volatility and the absence of consistent
long-term performance trends. Such market environments make it particularly likely that past performance will be a poor indicator of future performance. Strategies in choppy markets that use historical data as an indicator of future performance are
subject to "whipsaws" which occur when the market reverses and does the opposite of what is indicated by past performance. The Index, which uses such historical data as indicators of future performance, may experience significant declines in such
markets.
The
Index is not diversified, unlike other indices.
The Index only references the Bitcoin Price. The Index is not diversified and is not a
complete investment plan. This differs from other indices, which provide a wide range of other exposures. Prospective investors should consult their advisers and make sure their assets are diversified to their risk tolerances they are comfortable
with before making an investment in the Trust.
The Index may substantially deviate from the goals the Trust seeks to
achieve.
The Index may be slow to adjust to significant changes in the Bitcoin market. Calculated
on a daily basis, the Bitcoin Price is used to determine the Index’s monthly allocation between the Bitcoin Component and the Treasury Component. The Trust dynamically rebalances its assets on a monthly basis to closely replicate the Index
without the use of complex derivatives or leverage methods; however, there is no guarantee that it will successfully achieve its goals. Because the Index uses historical data, there is a time lag associated with the Index’s adjustments and
developments in the Bitcoin market. Changes in the Bitcoin market will take time before they are sufficiently reflected in the calculation of the Index and the Trust’s allocation of its assets. If the changes in the Bitcoin market result in a
significant decline in the value of Bitcoin during the intervening period, the Trust may in turn experience a significant decline without the reduction in exposure to Bitcoin that the Index adjustments are intended to prevent.
The Index may be adversely affected by the Index Calculation Agent, which
does not have an obligation to consider the interests of investors.
While the Sponsor developed the methodology of the Index, [____] is the Index Calculation
Agent and is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Index methodology and calculation of the Index. In certain circumstances, the Index Calculation Agent is entitled to exercise discretion in relation to the Index. Such circumstances
include instances where unforeseeable circumstances, such as an event constituting force majeure, necessitate an extraordinary index adjustment and the Index Calculation Agent is not able to contact the Sponsor. The Index Calculation Agent could
have an impact, positive or negative, on the level of the Index and the value of your Shares as a result of exercising its discretion.
The value of your Shares will not be taken into consideration as the Index Calculation Agent
takes actions in respect of the Index.
Notional assets comprise the Index.
The exposures to the Index are purely notional and will exist solely in the records maintained
by or on behalf of the Index Calculation Agent. Investors will have no claim against any of the assets that comprise the Index because no actual portfolio of assets to which any person is entitled or in which any person has any ownership interest
exists.
The Index has a limited operating history and may perform in unanticipated
ways.
Because the Index was launched in [____], the Index has limited historical data. The historical
data that it does have may not be representative of the Index's potential performance under other market conditions. Past performance should not be considered indicative of future performance.
The Index may be subject to calculation errors or
construction flaws, and such calculation errors may have a compounding effect.
Calculation errors may arise during the calculation process due to interpretations of the Index
rules, errors or misstatements in the Index rules, flawed input data, or flaws in how the input data is calculated. Errors can happen once, or they can happen on an ongoing basis, and some mathematical, logical, or operational issues may only become
apparent at a later date. Because the Index rebalances monthly, the impact of such errors may compound. In addition, there may be an extended period of time between when an error occurs and when it is detected, and, depending on the nature of an
error, resolving an error may take an extended period of time or, under certain circumstances, an error may not be correctible. Any errors in Index calculation or Index construction may negatively impact the allocation of the Trust's assets, the
performance of the Trust, and your investment in the Trust.
The Index may be subject to modification from time to
time.
The Index may be subject to modification from time to time to address calculation errors, the
underlying cause of calculation errors, or changes in the historical data used to calculate the Index. The Trust and its service providers may coordinate the implementation of any modification by scheduling it for a particular day. Such modification
to the Index may introduce new flaws into the Index or fail to address the flaw that a modification was intended to correct. Modifications that introduce new flaws or fail to address the flaw that a modification was intended to correct may adversely
impact trust performance, or cause a deviation from the Trust's objective.
If the Index is modified to correct for errors, the
Index Provider will have no obligation to historically restate the Index if the error is corrected on a forward-looking basis.
From time to time the Index may be modified to address calculation errors, the underlying
cause of calculation errors, changes in the historical data used to calculate the Index, or for other reasons in the sole discretion of the Index Provider. In addition, the Sponsor may determine to use a different Index or Bitcoin Reference
Rate if it determines in its sole discretion that such a change is in the best interest of the Trust. The Index Provider will have no obligation to historically restate the Index if such modifications are implemented on a forward-looking basis.
Changes to the Index, changing to another index, and the lack of an obligation to historically restate the Index may adversely affect the ability for purchasers and their advisors to make investment decisions, Trust performance, allocation of the
Trust's assets, and certain performance metrics such as tracking error.
Operational or other data issues may cause a delay in
the publication of the Index
Operational or other data issues, may cause the Index to be published late, to be published
inaccurately, or to not be published at all. If Index information is not communicated to the parties responsible for the rebalancing, is not communicated accurately, or is communicated in an untimely fashion, the Trust's ability to rebalance may be
affected. In addition, such deviations from the standard procedures associated with Index publication also increase the risk of an operational issue on rebalancing. Issues on rebalancing may include a failure to correctly adjust the Trust assets to
match the new exposure, the execution of an order in an incorrect quantity or direction in relation to the change in Index exposure, or hurried trading that increases market impact. As a result, historical and live Index data, including Index level,
composition, other meta data, derived data, and commentary, that is published on various media platforms, news outlets, websites and social media may be inaccurate, out or date, or be subsequently invalidated or restated. Such operational and other
data issues may negatively impact the allocation of the Trust's assets, the performance of the Trust, and your investment in the Trust.
Risks Factors Related to T-Bills
The value of the Trust's U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of changes
to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government.
Interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics of U.S. Treasury
obligations may differ from other securities. Similar to other issuers, the value of the Trust's U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government. On August 5, 2011,
S&P Global Ratings downgraded U.S. Treasury securities from AAA rating to AA+ rating. The ratings of U.S. government debt obligations are often used as a benchmark for other borrowing arrangements. A further downgrade could result in higher
interest rates for individual and corporate borrowers, cause disruptions in the international bond markets and have a substantial negative effect on the U.S. economy. A downgrade of U.S. Treasury securities from another ratings agency or a further
downgrade below AA+ rating by S&P Global Ratings may cause the value of the Trust's U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian will determine the quantity and maturity of the
T-Bills.
With respect to the assets of the Trust other than Bitcoin and U.S. dollars, investors will
be reliant on the Cash and Treasury Custodian's selection of the T-Bills to be held by the Trust. The Cash and Treasury Custodian will consider the objectives of the Trust and risk analyses in making decisions for the Trust, but there is no
guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Such failure to produce the intended results may have a material adverse effect on an investment in Shares.
Tax-Related Risks
The Trust intends to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income
tax purposes.
The Sponsor intends to take the position that the Trust will be treated as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, assuming that the Trust is a partnership. Rather, each Shareholder will be required to take into account on his or its own U.S. federal income tax return his
or its distributive share of the Trust's items of income, gain, losses and deductions for each taxable year.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of Bitcoin is uncertain.
Many significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of Bitcoin are uncertain,
and the Sponsor does not intend to request a ruling from the IRS on these issues. The IRS released Notice 2014-21 (the "Notice"), which discusses certain aspects of the treatment of virtual currencies that are readily convertible into fiat currency,
such as Bitcoin, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the Notice, the IRS stated that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, inter alia, (i) Bitcoin is treated as
"property" and not currency and (ii) Bitcoin may be held as capital assets. It is possible that the IRS may alter
its position in the future with respect to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of virtual currency, such as Bitcoin, or that a court could reject the treatment set forth in the Notice. It is unclear how cryptocurrencies should be treated for
various provisions of the Code.
The Notice does not address other significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment
of Bitcoin, including: (i) whether Bitcoin (or progeny cryptocurrencies of Bitcoin pursuant to a hard fork) are properly treated as "commodities" for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (ii) whether Bitcoin is properly treated as "collectibles" for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, (iii) the proper method of determining a holder's holding period and tax basis for Bitcoin acquired at different times or at varying prices; and (iv) whether and how a holder of Bitcoin acquired at different times or
at varying prices may designate, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which of the Bitcoin is transferred in a subsequent sale, exchange or other disposition. The Sponsor intend, in consultation with appropriate professional advisors, to cause the
Trust to take positions for U.S. federal income tax purposes that are reasonable under then-current interpretation of U.S. federal income tax law. It should be noted that the IRS may assert an alternative treatment of transactions in
cryptocurrencies, and a court may ultimately agree with the IRS as opposed to the Trust.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the substantial
uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of an investment in Bitcoin.
Hard forks could have an adverse impact on the positions the Trust intends
to take for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In the event of a hard fork, the receipt, ownership or disposition of the progeny
cryptocurrency (i.e., the new cryptocurrency distributed to the Trust in respect of its holding Bitcoin at the time of the hard fork, provided that the Bitcoin Custodian agrees to receive such cryptocurrency (see also "The Bitcoin Custodian may or may not accept or provide assets in the event of a hard fork or airdrop") may cause adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for the Trust or
the Shareholders. It is not clear whether income from holding or selling the progeny cryptocurrency received pursuant to the hard fork would cause the Trust to recognize income that is not qualifying income for purposes of the publicly-traded
partnership rules. If income from holding or disposing of the progeny cryptocurrency is not qualifying income for purposes of the publicly-traded partnership rules, the Trust may be taxable as a corporation if such income exceeds 10% of the Trust's
total income. It is also not clear whether income from holding or selling the progeny cryptocurrency received pursuant to the hard fork would cause Shareholders that are not United States persons to recognize income that is effectively connected
with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. If acquiring, holding or disposing of progeny cryptocurrency does not qualify for the trading safe harbors described in Code section 864, non-United States persons may be required to recognize income that
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business and be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on such effectively connected income. The publicly-traded partnership rules and the Code section 864 safe harbors are discussed in greater detail
below, under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations".
Risk Factors Related to Potential Conflicts of Interest
Potential conflicts of interest may arise among the Sponsor or its
affiliates and the Trust.
The Trust operations will be managed by the Sponsor. It is possible that conflicts may arise
between the Sponsor, affiliates, the Trust and its Shareholders.
In resolving conflicts of interest, the Sponsor is allowed to take into account the interests
of other parties:
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Sponsor and its respective affiliates will be indemnified pursuant to the Trust Agreement;
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Allocating resources among different clients and potential future business ventures, to each of which they owe fiduciary duties, is the responsibility of the Sponsor;
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The Sponsor's respective staff also service affiliates of the Sponsor and its respective clients. Time or resources to the management of the business and affairs of
the Trust must be shared with other clients;
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The Trust Agreement does not prohibit the Sponsor, its respective affiliates and their respective officers and employees from engaging in other businesses or
activities that might be in direct competition with the Trust;
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There has been no independent due diligence conducted with respect to this offering, where applicable, and there is an absence of arm's-length negotiation with respect
to certain terms of the Trust;
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The Sponsor decides whether to obtain third party services for the Trust.
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By investing in the Shares, investors agree and consent to the provisions set forth in the
Trust Agreement. See "Description of the Trust Documents—Description of the Trust Agreement."
For a further discussion of the conflicts of interest among the Sponsor, Index Calculation
Agent, Custodians, Trust and others, see "Conflicts of Interest."
Affiliates of the Sponsor may invest in or trade Bitcoin.
Affiliates of the Sponsor may have direct investments in Bitcoin. To the extent that any
substantial investment in Bitcoin is initiated or materially changed, such investment may affect the Bitcoin Price. Such change in a substantial investment in Bitcoin may result in changes in the Bitcoin Price.
The Sponsor may discontinue its services, which may be detrimental to the
Trust.
Sponsor may be unwilling or unable to continue to serve as sponsor to the Trust for any length
of time. If the Sponsor discontinues its activities and is unable to be replaced, the Trust may have to terminate and liquidate the Bitcoin held by the Trust. A substitute sponsor's appointment will not guarantee the Trust's continued operation even
if a substitute sponsor is found, the appointment of a substitute sponsor may not necessarily be beneficial to the Trust or an investment in the Shares and the Trust may terminate.
The Custodians do not owe fiduciary duties to the Trust or the
Shareholders, are not required to act in the best interest of the Trust or the Shareholders and could resign or be removed by the Sponsor. Any of these occurrences could trigger early termination of the Trust.
The Custodians do not owe the Trust or the Shareholders fiduciary duties and are not trustees
to the Trust of the Shareholders. Custodians have no duty to the Trust to continue to act as custodians and can terminate their roles as custodians, as provided under the Custodian Agreements. The Custodians may also be terminated. Trust will
dissolve in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement if the Custodians resign and are unable to be replaced.
The lack of independent advisers representing investors in the Trust may
cause Shareholders to be adversely affected.
Counsel, accountants and other advisers have been consulted by the Sponsor regarding the
formation and operation of the Trust. Investor should consult their own legal, tax and financial advisers regarding the desirability of an investment in the Shares. No counsel has been appointed to represent an investor in connection with the
offering of the Shares Failure to consult with their own legal, tax and financial advisers may lead to Shareholders making an undesirable investment decision with respect to investment in the Shares.
A lack of regular shareholder meetings and limited voting rights may
adversely affect Shareholders.
Shareholders have limited voting rights under the Trust Agreement and will take no part in
the management or control of the Trust. The Trust will not have regular Shareholder meetings. The right to authorize actions, appoint service providers or take other actions will not be held by Shareholders, as may be taken by shareholders of other
trusts. Shareholders do have the ability to remove and replace the Sponsor by the affirmative vote of 75% of the outstanding Shares. Shareholders have limited voting rights as set forth in the Trust Agreement. Operation of the Trust by the Sponsor
could have an adverse effect on an investment in the Shares.
No Separate Counsel; No Responsibility or Independent Verification
Seward & Kissel LLP represents the Sponsor. The Trust does not have counsel separate and
independent from counsel to the Sponsor. Seward & Kissel LLP does not represent Shareholders, and no independent counsel has been retained to represent Shareholders. Seward & Kissel LLP is not responsible for any acts or omissions of the
Sponsor, the Trustee or the Trust (including their compliance with any guidelines, policies, restrictions or applicable law, or the selection, suitability or advisability of their investment activities) or any administrator, accountant,
custodian/prime brokers or other service provider to the Sponsor, Trustee or the Trust. This prospectus was prepared based on information provided by the Sponsor, the Administrator, the Bitcoin Custodian, the Cash and Treasury Custodian, the Transfer
Agent, the Index Calculation Agent and the Trustee, provided by each of them in good faith and based on reasonable best efforts to ensure the information is accurate as of the date of this filing, and Seward & Kissel LLP has not independently
verified such information.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Proceeds received by the Trust from the issuance and sale of Shares will be used to purchase (i) Bitcoin
and (ii) T-Bills in proportions that seek to closely replicate the Index.
TREATMENT OF EXCESS CASH
The Trust intends to use its Excess Cash (as defined below) to reduce some of the costs that would otherwise be
borne by its Shareholders.
The Trust’s assets, other than Bitcoin, shall consist of T-Bills that will be purchased by the
Cash and Treasury Custodian. Upon the maturity of any T-Bill, the Trust will receive U.S. dollars representing principal and interest. The portion of the cash that represents interest on the T-Bills (the “Excess Cash”) will be allocated to the
Cash Account in order to satisfy redemptions, the Sponsor’s Fee, fees associated with rebalancing of the Trust’s assets each month and Additional Trust Expenses.
OVERVIEW OF BITCOIN
Bitcoin Generally
Bitcoin is a digital asset that is decentralized and issued by, and transmitted using cryptographic security
through, an open source digital protocol platform known as the "Bitcoin Network." The Bitcoin Network is an online peer-to-peer user network that hosts the "Bitcoin Blockchain," which is a public transaction ledger. No single entity owns or operates
the Bitcoin Network, and its infrastructure is collectively maintained by a decentralized user base. Bitcoin may be converted into U.S. dollars, other fiat currencies, or other crypto assets, at rates determined in individual end-user-to-end-user
transactions under a barter system, or on Bitcoin exchanges. They can also be used to pay for certain goods and services.
The Bitcoin Network does not rely on either governmental authorities or financial institutions to create, transmit
or determine the value of Bitcoin. Rather, Bitcoin is created and allocated by the Bitcoin Network protocol through a "mining" process subject to a strict issuance schedule. The value of Bitcoin is determined by the supply of and demand for Bitcoin
on Bitcoin exchanges (and in private end-user-to-end-user transactions), as well as the number of merchants that accept them. Third-party service providers such as Bitcoin exchanges and third-party payment processing services may charge significant
fees for processing transactions and for converting, or facilitating the conversion of, Bitcoin to or from fiat currency.
The Bitcoin Blockchain is the digital transaction ledger on which Bitcoin is "stored" and reflected. The Bitcoin
Blockchain is a decentralized digital file stored on the computers of each user of the Bitcoin Network. It records the transaction history of all Bitcoin in existence and allows the Bitcoin Network to verify the association of each Bitcoin with the
"digital wallet" that owns them through transparent transaction reporting. The Bitcoin Network and Bitcoin software programs can interpret the Bitcoin Blockchain to determine the exact Bitcoin balance of any digital wallet listed in the Bitcoin
Blockchain as having taken part in a transaction on the Bitcoin Network.
The Bitcoin Blockchain is made up of a digital file that is downloaded and stored, in whole or in part, on the
software programs of all Bitcoin users. The file includes all blocks that have been solved by validators and it is updated to include new blocks as they are solved. As each newly solved block refers back to and "connects" with the solved block
immediately prior to it, the addition of a new block adds to the Bitcoin Blockchain in a manner akin to a new link being added to a chain. The Bitcoin Blockchain represents a complete, transparent and unbroken history of all transactions on the
Bitcoin Network.
Generally, every Bitcoin transaction is broadcast to the Bitcoin Network and recorded in the Bitcoin Blockchain.
However, there are certain "Off-Blockchain transactions." These transactions involve the transfer of control or ownership of a specific digital wallet holding Bitcoin, or of the reallocation of ownership of certain Bitcoin in a pooled-ownership
digital wallet. Generally, information and data regarding Off-Blockchain transactions is not publicly available. This is unlike true Bitcoin transactions, which are publicly recorded and available on the Bitcoin Blockchain. Thus, Off-Blockchain
transactions are not truly Bitcoin transactions, as they do not involve the transfer of transaction data on the Bitcoin Network and do not reflect a movement of Bitcoin between addresses recorded in the Bitcoin Blockchain. Off-Blockchain
transactions are inherently more risky than Bitcoin Blockchain transactions, as such transfers of Bitcoin ownership would not be protected by the protocol behind the Bitcoin Network or recorded in and validated through the Bitcoin Blockchain.
Off-Blockchain transactions may include transactions on centralized exchanges.
Bitcoin, the Bitcoin Network and the operating software that governs the Bitcoin Network were initially discussed in
a white paper that was attributed to an individual named Satoshi Nakamoto. However, no individual has been reliably identified as Bitcoin's creator, and it is generally believed that the name is a pseudonym for the actual inventor(s). The first
Bitcoin were created in 2009 upon the release of the Bitcoin Network source code (i.e., the software and protocol that created and launched the Bitcoin Network). Since 2009, the Bitcoin Network has been actively developed by a group of engineers
known as Core Developers. Bitcoin is an open source project, and it is not represented by an official organization or authority. However, groups such as MIT's Media Lab work to organize the Bitcoin community and to develop and protect the Bitcoin
Network's code.
The Bitcoin Network's Operations
Generally, an individual must be connected to the internet in order to access the Bitcoin
Network. Bitcoin transactions between parties occur very quickly and may be made directly between end-users without necessitating a third-party intermediary. Nevertheless, third-party intermediary service providers do exist. Each Bitcoin
transaction is recorded, time stamped and displayed in a "block" in the publicly available Bitcoin Blockchain in order to prevent the double-spending of a single Bitcoin. Every transaction is memorialized in the Bitcoin Blockchain, which is publicly
accessible and downloaded in part or in whole by all users' Bitcoin Network software programs. This memorialization and verification against double-spending is accomplished through the Bitcoin mining process, which adds blocks of data, including
recent transaction information, to the Bitcoin Blockchain.
Bitcoin Transfers
Prior to engaging in Bitcoin transactions, a digital Bitcoin "wallet" (analogous to a Bitcoin account) must first be
obtained by a user. Such "wallet" may be obtained through an open-source software program that generates Bitcoin addresses and enables users to engage in the transfer of Bitcoin with other users. Users may install Bitcoin software programs on their
computer or mobile device that will generate a Bitcoin wallet or, alternatively, may retain a third party to create a digital wallet. A user can create an unlimited number of digital wallets. Each such wallet will include at least one unique address
and a verification system for each address, which consists of a "public key" and a "private key." The public key and private key are mathematically related.
Typically, the recipient of Bitcoin will create a new Bitcoin address and direct the payor of the Bitcoin to send
the payment by providing the address (or public key) for the digital wallet to the payor, who initiates the transfer. This parallels traditional wire transactions, where a recipient provides wire instructions (with an address) to the payor so that
the payor can wire cash to the recipient's account. In a Bitcoin transaction, the payor approves the transfer by "signing" the transaction request from the recipient with the private key of the address from which the payor is transferring the
Bitcoin. The recipient does not publicize its associated private key, because the private key authorizes access to, and the transfer of, the funds from the recipient's digital wallet to other users. The process of signing the transaction is
typically automated by the software that runs the digital wallet of the payor and recipient. Finally, the transfer from the payor to the recipient's wallet is completed and the transaction is validated by the Bitcoin Network.
Steps Involved in a Typical Bitcoin Transaction
In a Bitcoin transaction, there are certain conditions that must be met:
(1) the party wishing to send Bitcoin must have a digital wallet;
(2) the Bitcoin Network must recognize the sending party's digital wallet as having sufficient Bitcoin for the
spending transaction;
(3) the receiving party must have a digital wallet; and
(4) the spending party must have internet access with which to send its spending transaction.
If these conditions are all met, the receiving party must then give the spending party the digital address of its
wallet. The digital address is an identifying series of 27 to 34 alphanumeric characters that represent the wallet's routing number on the Bitcoin Network. This allows the Bitcoin Blockchain to record the Bitcoin being sent to that wallet. The
receiving party can provide this address to the spending party in the traditional alphanumeric form, or in an encoded format such as a QR Code, which is then scanned by a smartphone or other device to quickly transmit the information contained in the
code.
After the receiving party gives the digital address of its wallet, the spending party must then enter the address
and number of Bitcoin it wishes to send into its Bitcoin software program. The number of Bitcoin to be sent is typically agreed upon by the two parties based on either a set quantity of Bitcoin or an agreed-upon value of fiat currency that is
converted to Bitcoin. Most Bitcoin software programs allow, and will typically suggest, the payment of a transaction fee, which is also referred to as a "validator's fee." Transaction fees are not required by many Bitcoin software programs, but,
when they are used, they are paid by the spending party in addition to the specified amount of Bitcoin being sent in the transaction. Transaction fees, if any, are typically a fractional number of Bitcoin (i.e., 0.005 or 0.0005 Bitcoin) and are
automatically transmitted by the Bitcoin Network to the Bitcoin Network validator that solves and adds the block that records the spending transaction on the Bitcoin Blockchain.
After entering the digital address of the wallet, the number of Bitcoin to be sent and the transaction fees, if any,
to be paid, the spending party then transmits the spending transaction. The spending party's Bitcoin software program then creates a data packet, which includes data showing information such as (1) the number of Bitcoin being sent, (2) the address
of the destination digital wallet, (3) any applicable transaction fees, and (4) the digital signature of the spending party, which verifies the authenticity of the transaction. References called "inputs" and "outputs" are also included in the data
packet. These references are used by the Bitcoin Blockchain to record the flow of Bitcoin from one transaction to the next and identify the source of the Bitcoin being spent. The digital signature process exposes the digital wallet address and
public key of the spending party to the Bitcoin Network, whereas only the digital wallet address of the receiving party is revealed. The spending party's Bitcoin software then transmits the data packet onto the decentralized Bitcoin Network, which
results in the spread of such
information among Bitcoin users' software programs for eventual inclusion in the Bitcoin Blockchain. Typically, the data spreads to a
vast majority of Bitcoin Network validators in less than one minute.
Transactions are recorded by Bitcoin Network validators when they solve for and add blocks of information to the
Bitcoin Blockchain. When a validator solves for a block, it then creates that block, which includes certain key pieces of data, including data relating to (1) the solution to that block, (2) a reference to the prior block in the Bitcoin Blockchain
(to which the new block is being added) and (3) all other transactions that have occurred but have not been added to the Bitcoin Blockchain yet. A validator can become aware of unrecorded and outstanding transactions through the data packet
transmission and propagation discussed above. Typically, Bitcoin transactions are recorded in the next chronological block so long as the spending party is connected to the internet and once at least one minute has passed between the transmission of
the transaction's data packet and the solution of the next block.
Micropayment Bitcoin transactions (i.e., less than 0.01 Bitcoin) along with transactions that do not include fees to
validators, are currently deprioritized for purposes of recording transactions on the Bitcoin Blockchain. This means that, depending on certain Bitcoin Network validator policies, these micropayment and no-fee transactions may take a longer time to
record than typical transactions. In addition, the propagation of transaction data (and thus the recording of the transaction on the Bitcoin Blockchain) related to transactions initiated by spending wallets with poor connections to the Bitcoin
Network can be delayed due to such poor connection. If a validator wishes to limit the transactions it includes in a solved block to any extent, a transaction that does not meet that validator's set criteria will be excluded from the Bitcoin
Blockchain.
For transactions that are not yet recorded, there is a higher likelihood that the spending wallet related to such
transactions can double-spend the Bitcoin used in the first transaction. If the next block is solved by an honest validator who is not involved in a deliberate attempt to double-spend Bitcoin, and if the transaction data for both the original and
double-spend transactions have already been propagated onto the Bitcoin Network, the transaction received with the earlier time stamp will be recorded by the solving validator, regardless of which transaction includes a larger transaction fee. It
works such that if the double-spend transaction propagates to the solving validator and the original transaction has not, then the double-spending transaction has a greater chance of success. However, because it is very difficult to successfully
initiate a double-spend without the assistance of multiple users in a coordinated attack, the likelihood of success of a double-spend transaction attempt is low.
The Bitcoin transaction is completed upon the addition of a block to the Bitcoin Blockchain, at which point the
Bitcoin software of both the spending and receiving parties shows confirmation of the transaction on the Bitcoin Blockchain. The transaction is reflected by an adjustment to the Bitcoin balance in each party's digital wallet.
Mathematically Controlled Supply
The supply of new Bitcoin is mathematically controlled, such that the number of Bitcoin grows at a limited rate
pursuant to a pre-set schedule. The number of Bitcoin awarded for solving a new block is automatically cut in half after every 210,000 blocks are added to the Bitcoin Blockchain. This is referred to as a "blockhalf." At the time of this prospectus,
the fixed reward for solving a new block is 12.5 Bitcoin per block. This is expected to decrease by half, to become 6.25 Bitcoin after the next 210,000 blocks are entered into the Bitcoin Network. At the time of this prospectus, this decrease is
expected to take place in May 2020. This deliberately controlled rate of Bitcoin creation means that the number of Bitcoin in existence will increase at a controlled rate until the number of Bitcoin in existence reaches the pre-determined amount of
21 million Bitcoin. As of May 19, 2018, just over seventeen million Bitcoin has been mined, and estimates of when the 21 million Bitcoin limitation will be reached range up to the year 2140. There are websites that keep track of the Bitcoin supply
and continuously update key information related to Bitcoin mining and monitoring, such as the total number of Bitcoin in circulation and total Bitcoin left to mine before the next blockhalf.
The Bitcoin Network's Cryptographic Security Features
Public and Private Keys
Public-key cryptography is essential for the security of transactions on the Bitcoin Network. All Bitcoin Network
transactions are secured using public-key cryptography, which is a technique used in many different online transactions. In public-key cryptography, two mathematically-related keys – one public key and one private key – are generated. An individual's
digital wallet is essentially made up of these keys. The private key stays in an individual's wallet, whereas the other key – the public key –is made public. The public key serves as the address to which a Bitcoin can be transferred and from which
money can be transferred by the Bitcoin wallet owner. For Bitcoin transactions, the public key is an address, or more specifically, a string of alphanumeric characters that is used to encode payments. Such payments may only be retrieved with the
associated private key, which essentially authorizes the transaction. In effect, a payor's private key is used to approve all transfers to a recipient's account. Bitcoin Network users can confirm that the counterparty to their transaction "signed"
the transaction with the correct private key, but cannot reverse engineer the private key from the signature.
Double-Spending and the Bitcoin Network Confirmation System
Currently, Bitcoin transactions are considered to be irreversible. Thus, once the Bitcoin Blockchain reflects a
certain transaction, it cannot be reversed. An individual seeking to undo a past transaction in a block recorded on the Bitcoin Blockchain would have to exert tremendous processing power in a series of complicated transactions that, at this point in
the development of the Bitcoin Network, cannot be achieved.
In order for recipients to ensure the reliability of transactions on the Bitcoin Network, (i.e., to prevent a
payor's double-spending), every Bitcoin transaction is propagated to the Bitcoin Network and recorded in the Bitcoin Blockchain through the "mining" process. In the mining process, all transactions are time-stamped; this process memorializes the
transfer of ownership of the Bitcoin(s). Before a block can be added to the Bitcoin Blockchain, Bitcoin Network validators must make rigorous computations to verify the validity of a transaction. This required computational effort, or "proof of
work," is meant to prevent malicious actors from either adding fraudulent blocks to the Bitcoin Blockchain – which would generate "counterfeit" Bitcoin – or overwriting currently-existing valid blocks to reverse prior transactions.
A Bitcoin transaction between two parties will only be recorded in a block in the Bitcoin Blockchain if a majority
of the nodes on the Bitcoin Network accept that block as being valid. A block is validated by confirming the cryptographic hash value included in the block's solution and by adding the block to the longest confirmed Bitcoin Blockchain on the Bitcoin
Network. Inclusion in a block on the Bitcoin Blockchain constitutes a "confirmation" of a Bitcoin transaction. Because each block in the Bitcoin Blockchain references the immediately preceding block, as additional blocks are appended to and
incorporated into the Bitcoin Blockchain, they serve as additional verifications of the transactions represented in prior blocks. This confirmation process that continuously builds upon itself makes it exponentially more difficult to change
historical blocks (and thus reverse prior transactions) as one goes further back in the Bitcoin Blockchain. Both users and Bitcoin exchanges can determine their own threshold with respect to how many confirmations are required until funds from the
transferor counterparty are considered valid. Generally, however, a transaction is, in all practicality, final after six confirmations because it would be extremely difficult to challenge the validity of the transaction after that point.
Bitcoin Mining and Creation of New Bitcoin
Incentives for Mining
Validators that are successful in adding a block to the Bitcoin Blockchain are automatically awarded Bitcoin for
their effort. Currently validators must make a substantial investment in expensive mining devices with adequate processing power in order to "hash" at a competitive rate. The first devices used by validators had central processing units ("CPUs"),
which are used in standard computers meant for day-to-day at-home use. It was then quickly discovered that graphic processing units ("GPUs") offered validators more processing power. At that point, the second wave of validators entered the Bitcoin
Network using their GPUs. As of the date of this prospectus, the Bitcoin Network is well into a third wave of mining devices. This third wave is led by computers designed solely for mining purposes. Such devices include ASIC (application-specific
integrated circuit) machines built by specialized companies specifically for the purposes of Bitcoin mining. These new computers are significantly more expensive than standard at-home computers. Validators also incur substantial electricity costs
in order to continuously power and cool their devices while solving for a new block.
Because of the way the Bitcoin Network is designed, the reward for adding new blocks to the Bitcoin Blockchain
decreases over time. Because a definite amount of Bitcoin exists, the production (and reward) of Bitcoin will eventually cease. Once the Bitcoin Blockchain incentive mechanism ceases to be profitable, the only incentive for validators to continue
their work will be transaction fees. As such, it is believed that validators will need to be better compensated with higher transaction fees in order to ensure that they are adequately incentivized to continue mining.
Mining Process
"Mining" is the process by which Bitcoin transactions are verified and Bitcoin is created. In order to begin mining,
a validator must download and run a "mining client." Like regular Bitcoin Network software programs, mining clients turn a user's computer into a "node" on the Bitcoin Network, which validates blocks. Through the Bitcoin software program, validators
can engage in a set of prescribed complex mathematical calculations, which allows them to add a block to the Bitcoin Blockchain, thereby confirming Bitcoin transactions included in that block's data.
Bitcoin transactions are generally recorded in blocks that are added to the Bitcoin Blockchain. Each block contains
a record of the award of Bitcoin to the validator who added the new block, along with the details of the most recent transactions not memorialized in prior blocks. To add blocks to the Bitcoin Blockchain, a validator must map an input data set to a
desired output data set of a predetermined length (known as the "hash value") using the SHA-256 cryptographic hash algorithm.
All validators on the Bitcoin Network compete to continuously increase their computing power, as only one validator
can solve and add each unique block to the Bitcoin Blockchain. As the processing power of the Bitcoin Network increases with the addition of new validators, it adjusts the complexity of the block-solving equation in order to maintain a predetermined
pace of adding a new block to the Bitcoin Blockchain approximately every ten minutes.
A block proposed by a validator is added to the Bitcoin Blockchain upon confirmation of the validator's work by a
majority of the nodes on the Bitcoin Network. Validators that successfully add a block to the Bitcoin Blockchain automatically receive Bitcoin for their effort, in addition to any transaction fees paid by transferors whose transactions are recorded.
This incentive system is the way in which new Bitcoin enter into public circulation.
Mining Pools
As the Bitcoin Network currently exists, it is highly unlikely that an individual acting alone will be able to be
awarded a Bitcoin for their efforts. Because of this, mining "pools" have developed. These are pools in which multiple validators combine their processing power and act cohesively to solve blocks. When a new block is solved by a pool, the pool
operator receives the Bitcoin and, after taking out its nominal fee, splits the resulting reward among the participants in the pool. The reward is divided based on the processing power each participant contributed to solve for the block. Mining pools
offer participants the ability to access smaller, but more consistent and frequent Bitcoin payouts.
Bitcoin Uses
Global Bitcoin Market
The global trade in Bitcoin consists of individual end-user-to-end-user transactions, along with facilitated
exchange-based Bitcoin trading. While a market for Bitcoin-based derivatives exists, it is in its early stages, and still maturing. Because of its decentralized nature, as of the date of this prospectus no reliable data exists with respect to the
total number or demographic composition of users or validators on the Bitcoin Network.
Goods and Services
As time goes on, individuals are increasingly more able to use Bitcoin to buy goods and services, both in person and
online. There are many indications of the increased acceptance of Bitcoin, although data that the Sponsor would deem reliable is not presently available on the retail and commercial market penetration of the Bitcoin Network.
Although not widely adopted, Bitcoin is accepted as a form of payment across various industries, from travel
websites to newspapers, to restaurants and clothing retailers. Internet-based companies such as Microsoft, Overstock.com, Reddit, WordPress, Dell and Expedia, along with several non-profit institutions such as the Khan Academy and charitable
organizations such as the Red Cross have received attention for accepting donations in Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Exchange Market
Online Bitcoin exchanges represent a substantial percentage of Bitcoin transactional activity and thus offer the
most data with respect to prevailing Bitcoin valuations. There are currently several Bitcoin exchanges operating globally. These include established exchanges such as Coinbase Pro, Bitstamp and Bitfinex. These Bitcoin exchanges provide various
options for buying and selling Bitcoin.
In parallel to the open Bitcoin exchanges, "over-the-counter" or "OTC markets" for Bitcoin trading also exist. Dark
pools in the Bitcoin context are Bitcoin trading platforms that do not publicly report their Bitcoin trade data. Participants can execute large block trades on a dark pool without revealing such trades, or the price data related thereto, to the
public Bitcoin market.
It is currently believed that various informal OTC markets exist, particularly among Bitcoin mining groups that
obtain large supplies of Bitcoin through mining and wholesale buyers of Bitcoin. These informal OTC markets can function as a result of the peer-to-peer nature of the Bitcoin Network. This open network allows direct transactions between any seller
and buyer. Because little information is known about OTC markets, their impact on the Bitcoin market is difficult to determine.
End-User-to-End-User
The Bitcoin ecosystem operates continuously, on a 24-hour basis. This is accomplished through decentralized
peer-to-peer transactions between parties on a principal-to-principal basis. All risks and issues of credit are between the parties directly involved in the transaction.
Generally, the rules of the Bitcoin Network that require transaction fees are not strongly enforced, so transaction
costs, if any, are negotiable between the parties and may vary widely. These transactions can occur remotely through the internet, or in-person through forums such as localbitcoin.com, which gives users the ability to buy and sell Bitcoin both online
and in-person. At the time of this prospectus, no official designated "market makers" for Bitcoin have been established. Thus, there is no standard transaction size, bid-offer spread or cost per transaction.
Pseudo Anonymity
Although the Bitcoin Network was not initially designed to ensure the anonymity of users, because the Bitcoin
Blockchain records ownership of Bitcoin by references to the unique addresses of each Bitcoin "wallet," a certain pseudo-anonymity of ownership is created. However, law enforcement agencies may be able to identify Bitcoin users by reviewing the
public log of Bitcoin transactions. Although Off-Blockchain transactions are not recorded and do not show the transfer of Bitcoin from one digital wallet address to another, information regarding participants in such transactions may be recorded by
the parties responsible for facilitating them.
Nevertheless, certain precautions may be taken by users who are determined to maintain anonymity in order to
increase the likelihood that such users and the transactions they conduct remain anonymous. For example, a user may repeatedly send its Bitcoin to various addresses, which makes tracking the Bitcoin through the Bitcoin Blockchain more difficult.
Users may also use a "mixing" service to swap its Bitcoin with those of other users. There are some Bitcoin exchanges, however, that may refuse to accept Bitcoin from users who have utilized mixing services.
Modifications to the Bitcoin Protocol
There is no official developer or group of developers controlling the Bitcoin Network. Bitcoin is an open source
project, meaning that its source code is freely available to the public and it utilizes crowdsourcing to assist in the identification of possible problems, defects or issues with the product. Although no official group of controlling developers
exists, the Bitcoin Network's development is overseen by a core group of developers, which includes individuals employed by MIT Media Lab's Digital Currency Initiative.
The Core Developers can access and alter the source code behind the Bitcoin Network. As a result, they periodically
issue quasi-official releases of updates and other changes to the source code behind the Bitcoin Network upon making such updates or other changes. However, the issuance of such releases does not guarantee that users and validators will adopt the
update. In order for changes to the Bitcoin Network's source code to be adopted, users and validators must accept such changes by downloading the proposed modification of the source code. Such modification will only be effective for the Bitcoin users
and validators that download it.
If only a fraction of users and validators on the Bitcoin Network accept a modification, a division in the Bitcoin
Network occurs, and one network will run the pre-modification source code while the other network runs the modified source code. This division is referred to as a "fork" in the Bitcoin Network. Thus, as a consequence of the Bitcoin Network's forking
feature, Bitcoin Network source code modifications will only become part of the Bitcoin Network if they are accepted by participants who collectively claim a majority of the Bitcoin Network's processing power.
Development of the source code behind the Bitcoin Network has increasingly focused on modifications of the Bitcoin
protocol to allow next generation and non-financial uses. These are sometimes referred to as Blockchain 2.0 projects. Such uses include smart contracts and distributed registers built atop, into, or pegged alongside the Bitcoin Blockchain.
Although the activities of the Trust will not directly relate to Blockchain 2.0 projects, such projects may utilize
Bitcoin for the facilitation of their non-financial uses, thereby possibly increasing demand for Bitcoin and the utility of the Bitcoin Network in general. Alternatively, Blockchain 2.0 projects that are built and operate within the Bitcoin
Blockchain may increase the flow of data on the Bitcoin Network. This may "bloat" the size of the Bitcoin Blockchain or slow confirmation times. At the time of this prospectus, Blockchain 2.0 projects are still in early stages and have not been
substantially integrated into the Bitcoin Network or the Bitcoin Blockchain.
The Value of Bitcoin
Bitcoin is not a traditional fiat currency – that is, a currency backed by a central bank or a national,
supra-national or quasi-national organization. Bitcoin is not backed by hard assets or other credit. Because of this, Bitcoin is currently valued by assigning the price that various market participants place on Bitcoin during their transactions.
Exchange Valuation
Because of the Bitcoin Network's open peer-to-peer framework and its underlying protocols, Bitcoin recipients and
transferors can determine the value of the Bitcoin transferred by mutual agreement or barter with respect to their transactions on the Bitcoin Network. As a result, the value of Bitcoin is most commonly determined by surveying one or more of the
exchanges on which Bitcoin is bought, sold or traded. Bitcoin is traded on each Bitcoin exchange with publicly available valuations for each individual transaction. Such valuation is measured by the value of at least one fiat currency, such as the
U.S. dollar.
Participants in the Bitcoin Market
Retail
The retail segment of the Bitcoin Market includes users who conduct direct peer-to-peer Bitcoin transactions by
directly sending Bitcoin over the Bitcoin Network. It also includes transactions between consumers who pay for goods and services through direct transactions or third-party providers. These providers may offer a merchant platform for instantaneous
transactions, in which the consumer sends the Bitcoin to the provider, who then sends either the Bitcoin or the cash value of such Bitcoin to the business utilizing the platform. The processing of payments through Bitcoin typically reduces the cost
of participating in the market for merchants, when compared to the costs of credit card transaction processing.
Investors and Speculators
Similar to traditional markets, the Bitcoin Market includes the trading and investment activities of both private
and professional investors and speculators. These range from hedge funds to day-traders who invest in Bitcoin by trading on Bitcoin exchanges.
Services
This segment of the Bitcoin Market includes companies that provide a range of services including the storage,
selling, buying, and processing of Bitcoin. One of the more popular companies is Coinbase. Coinbase is a multi-service financial institution that provides digital wallets in which users can store Bitcoin. Coinbase also serves as a retail gateway
through which users can purchase Bitcoin in exchange for fiat currency. It is anticipated that as the Bitcoin Network continues to grow and gain traction in traditional markets, service providers will expand their range of services and additional
providers will enter the service segment of the Bitcoin Network.
Validators
Validators range from Bitcoin enthusiasts to professional mining operations that design and build dedicated machines
and data centers, but the vast majority of mining is now undertaken by mining pools.
Government Oversight
As Bitcoin has developed in popularity and reach, the United States Congress and a number of federal and state
agencies (including the SEC, FinCEN, the CFTC, FINRA, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the IRS and state financial institution regulators) have been observing
and examining the operations of Bitcoin, Bitcoin users and the Bitcoin exchange. These entities are particularly focused on the degree to which Bitcoin can be used to launder the proceeds of illegal activities or fund criminal or terrorist
enterprises. They are also particularly concerned with the safety and soundness of service providers that hold Bitcoin for users. The various state and federal agencies named above have issued consumer advisory reports regarding the risks of Bitcoin
for investors. U.S. Federal and state agencies, along with regulatory entities in other countries have also issued rules or guidance about the treatment of Bitcoin transactions and requirements for businesses that engage in activities related to
Bitcoin. It is possible that future regulatory actions may materially alter the nature of an investment in the Shares or prevent the continued operation of the Trust. For a thorough discussion of these and other potential regulatory concerns, see
the section entitled "Risk Factors Related to the Regulation of the Trust and the Shares."
In addition, foreign jurisdictions may, at any time, adopt laws, regulations or directives that affect the Bitcoin
market, Bitcoin Network, and their users, particularly Bitcoin exchanges and service providers that fall within such jurisdictions' regulatory scope. Such laws, regulations or directives may differ from, or conflict with, those of the United States.
This may negatively impact the acceptance of Bitcoin by users, merchants and service providers located outside of the United States and may therefore inhibit the growth or sustainability of the global Bitcoin economy, or otherwise negatively affect
the value of Bitcoin.
The effect of any future regulatory change on the Trust or on the value of Bitcoin cannot be predicted, but such
change could be significant and adverse to the Trust and the value of its Shares.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Trust is newly formed and has not commenced operations and therefore does not have any financial information on
which to assess the Trust's financial condition or results of operations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
General
The Trust is a statutory trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 29, 2018, and the Trust
Agreement constitutes the "governing instrument" of the Trust under the laws of the State of Delaware relating to statutory trusts. The Trust has no fixed termination date. Prior to the effective date of the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part, the registry of Shareholders will be recorded in the books and records of the Trust by the Administrator, who will either act as a transfer agent for the Shares or appoint an agent for such purpose. As of the effective date of
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, DTC will act as securities depository for the Shares. Shares issued will be held in electronic format through a book entry system.
The Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Investment Company Act") and the Sponsor believes that the Trust is not required to register under the Investment Company Act. The Trust will not hold or trade in commodity futures contracts or other derivative contracts regulated by the
Commodities Exchange Act (the "CEA"), as administered by the CFTC. The Sponsor believes that the Trust is not a commodity pool for purposes of the CEA, and that neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee are subject to regulation as a commodity pool
operator or a commodity trading adviser in connection with the operation of the Trust.
Purpose of the Trust
The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to closely reflect the Index, less the Trust’s
liabilities and expenses. Bitcoin has been a historically volatile asset, which, for many investors and/or financial institutions, may make it a difficult investment. The purpose of the Trust is to provide investors and/or financial
institutions with exposure to Bitcoin in a manner that is more efficient and convenient than the purchase of stand-alone Bitcoin, while also mitigating some of the risk by reducing the volatility typically associated with the purchase of
stand-alone Bitcoin and without the uncertain and often complex requirements relating to acquiring and/or holding Bitcoin. Calculated on a daily basis, the Bitcoin Price is used to determine the Index’s monthly allocation between the Bitcoin
Component and the Treasury Component. The Trust dynamically rebalances its assets on a monthly basis to closely replicate the Index without the use of complex derivatives or leverage methods. As an investor’s time horizon increases, the
aggregate cost of hedging may increase, while at the same time, the need for a hedge may decrease. Because the Trust does not rely on complex derivatives or leverage methods, its structure is simple and cost-effective.
Assets of the Trust
The Trust will have no assets other than (a) Bitcoin and (b) T-Bills. The Trust will also hold U.S. dollars
for short periods of time in connection with (i) the maturity of any T-Bills, (ii) the purchase and sale of Bitcoin and/or T-Bills, and (iii) the payment of redemptions, if any, and fees and expenses of the Trust. The Trust will seek to closely
replicate the Index, which is calculated and published by the Index Calculation Agent.
The amount of Bitcoin held by the Trust will be determined by the Index. However, because the Trust rebalances
monthly, in the periods between such monthly rebalancing, as a result of changes in the value of Bitcoin, among other factors, the value of Bitcoin relative to the value of the other assets of the Trust may diverge from the Index.
The Trust’s remaining assets, other than Bitcoin, shall consist of T-Bills to be purchased by the Cash and
Treasury Custodian. See “Treatment of Excess Cash” for a description of the treatment of any gains derived by the Trust as a result of its holdings of T-Bills.
The Trust will also hold U.S. dollars for short periods of time in connection with (i) the maturity of any T-Bill, (ii) the purchase and sale
of Bitcoin and/or T-Bills, and (iii) the payment of redemptions, if any, and fees and expenses of the Trust. The Trust will hold and record the ownership of the Trust's assets in such a manner that it will be owned for the benefit of the
Shareholders for the purposes of, and subject to and limited by the terms and conditions set forth in, the Trust Agreement. Other than issuance of the Shares, the Trust will not create, incur or assume any indebtedness or borrow money from or
loan money to any person.
It is expected that the Bitcoin Custodian will utilize the Security Procedures (defined below) in the administration
and operation of the Trust and the safekeeping of its Bitcoin and private keys.
The Trust intends to obtain insurance for the Bitcoin held by the Trust, either through the Bitcoin Custodian or, if
the Bitcoin Custodian cannot provide such insurance, through a third-party provider. In addition, the Trust intends to require the Cash and Treasury Custodian to maintain the Trust's cash in an account insured by the FDIC subject to applicable FDIC
insurance limits.
Description of T-Bills
U.S. Treasury securities are debt obligations issued by, and backed by, the full faith and credit of, the U.S.
government. U.S. Treasury securities are highly liquid, have low volatility, and generally come in three varieties based on maturity: (i) Treasury bills; (ii) Treasury notes; and (iii) Treasury bonds. The Trust plans to invest in Treasury bills
("T-Bills"), which are short-term U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity of less than one year.
An investor holding T-Bills does not receive regular interest payments as with a coupon bond, but rather purchases a
T-Bill at a discount to face value and receives the full face value at the time the T-Bill matures. The interest rate earned on T-Bills is equal to the difference between the purchase price and maturity value, divided by the maturity value. Similar
to other debt securities, T-Bill prices fluctuate in value due to many factors, which may include macroeconomic conditions, monetary policy, and supply and demand. Generally, T-Bills with longer maturity periods will pay a higher yield.
For a description of Bitcoin, see "Overview of Bitcoin."
The Trust Shares
The Shares are intended to closely replicate the Index. The Shares represent beneficial interests in, and
ownership of, the Trust. The Shares are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade under the ticker symbol [____].
Trust Authorization
The Trust will be authorized to (1) issue Shares for U.S. dollars, (2) pay the Sponsor’s Fee in U.S. dollars and sell T-Bills and/or Bitcoin as necessary to pay Additional Trust Expenses (3) rebalance (which may
including buying and/or selling Bitcoin and T-Bills) the Trust’s holdings in Bitcoin and T-Bills in order to replicate the Bitcoin allocation indicated by the Index, (4) (subject to the Trust obtaining exemptive relief from the SEC ), redeem
Shares for U.S. dollars (and therefore sell Bitcoin and T-Bills) upon receiving a redemption request from a Shareholder, (5) cause the Sponsor to sell Bitcoin and T-Bills on the termination of the Trust and (6) engage in activities that are
necessary to accomplish the foregoing activities or are incidental thereto or connected therewith. The Trust is passive and is not actively managed like a corporation or an active investment vehicle.
Trust Expenses
Except for transaction costs associated with the rebalancing of the Trust's portfolio, the Trust's only ordinary
recurring expense is expected to be the remuneration due to the Sponsor (the "Sponsor's Fee"). The Sponsor's Fee is paid by the Trust to the Sponsor as compensation for services performed under the Trust Agreement. The Sponsor's Fee will be
determined by applying a [_]% annual rate to the Trust's NAV. The Sponsor's Fee will be payable in U.S. dollars and will be deducted on a monthly basis in advance as of the first day of each month from the amounts on deposit with the Cash and
Treasury Custodian.
To pay the Sponsor's Fee, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will withdraw from the cash on deposit in the Cash Account
an amount of U.S. dollars equal to the Sponsor's Fee, determined as described above, and pay such amount to the Sponsor. The Sponsor, from time to time, may waive all or a portion of the Sponsor's Fee in its sole discretion.
As consideration for its receipt of the Sponsor's Fee, the following ordinary and necessary fees and expenses of the
Trust will be paid by the Administrator out of the Sponsor's Fee: the Administrator Fee, the Bitcoin Custodian Fee, the Cash and Treasury Custodian Fee, the Transfer Agent Fee, the Trustee Fee, applicable license fees, including the licensing fees
related to the Index License Agreement, the Trust's and Sponsor's legal fees and expenses, the Trust's audit fees and expenses (including any fees and expenses associated with tax preparation), the Trust's regulatory fees and expenses (including any
filings, applications or licenses), printing and mailing costs, costs of maintaining the Trust's website and insurance costs (if any) (the "Sponsor-paid Expenses").
The Trust will be responsible for any fees associated with the Trust’s monthly rebalancing between Bitcoin and
T-Bills. These fees include, but may not be limited to any commissions and/or exchange fees associated with the buying and selling of Bitcoin and fees and expenses associated with buying and selling T-Bills for the Trust.
The Trust may incur certain extraordinary, non-recurring expenses that are not contractually assumed by the Sponsor,
including but not limited to taxes and governmental charges, fees and expenses of redemptions, expenses and costs of any extraordinary services performed by the Sponsor (or any other service provider) on behalf of the Trust, indemnification expenses
of the Sponsor, the Trustee, the Custodians, Administrator or other agents, service providers or counterparties of the Trust and extraordinary legal fees and expenses. See "Expenses—Additional Trust Expenses" below.
Additionally, the fees and expenses (including, without limitation, fees of counsel to the Sponsor) associated
with registration of the Trust’s shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including but not limited to the preparation of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) and listing of the Trust’s shares on the
Exchange will also be deemed to be an Additional Trust Expense. The Sponsor will cause the Cash and Treasury Custodian to pay such Additional Trust Expenses, and to the extent necessary, the Administrator may cause the Bitcoin Custodian and the
Cash and Treasury Custodian to convert Bitcoin and T-Bills, respectively, into U.S. Dollars, in either case, in such quantities as may be necessary to pay any outstanding, unpaid Additional Trust Expenses. In such circumstances, the Administrator
will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust’s realized volatility as a result of the sales.
The Trust shall pay the Organizational Expenses (as defined below) out of proceeds received from the sale of the
Shares. Organizational Expenses representing amounts that would otherwise be characterized as Sponsor-paid Expenses shall be reimbursed to the Trust on a monthly basis through a waiver by the Sponsor of certain subsequent Sponsor's Fees (as defined
below), such portions in the Sponsor's sole discretion, until all such Organizational Expenses have been reimbursed to the Trust. The Trust's organizational expenses may be amortized for purposes of calculating the Trust's NAV over a period of up to
sixty (60) months.
"Organizational Expenses" shall include the fees and expenses related to the creation of the Trust, including but
not limited to the Administrator Fee, the Bitcoin Custodian Fee, the Cash and Treasury Custodian Fee, the Transfer Agent Fee, the Trustee Fee, applicable license fees, including the licensing fees related to the Index License Agreement, and legal
fees and expenses relating to the Trust.
Assuming that the Trust is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each delivery or sale of
Bitcoin to pay the Sponsor's Fee or any Additional Trust Expenses or redemptions will be a taxable event for Shareholders. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders."
DESCRIPTION OF THE INDEX
General
The Bitcoin Treasury Index (the “BTI” or “Index”) is calculated and published by [Name of Index Calculation
Agent] (the “Index Calculation Agent”). The level of the Index is published on each Business Day at approximately 5:00 p.m. New York time and is available on [_____] at [______]. “Business Day” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange
is scheduled to be open for business.
The Index only has two components: (1) a component representing Bitcoin (the “Bitcoin Component”)
and (2) a component representing U.S. treasuries, cash, or cash-like instruments (the “Treasury Component”).
Calculated on a daily basis, the Bitcoin Price is used to determine the Index’s monthly allocation
between the Bitcoin Component and the Treasury Component. The Trust dynamically rebalances its assets on a monthly basis to closely replicate the Index without the use of complex derivatives or leverage methods.
Index Component
Bitcoin Component
Bitcoin is a digital asset that is based on an open source protocol. Bitcoin is not issued by any government, bank
or central organization, and instead exist on an online, peer-to-peer computer network known as the Bitcoin Network, that hosts a public transaction ledger where Bitcoin transfers are recorded (the "Bitcoin Blockchain"). The Bitcoin Network is
accessed through software, and software governs Bitcoin's creation, movement and ownership.
Bitcoin has no physical existence beyond the record of transactions on the Bitcoin Blockchain. The Bitcoin
Blockchain is a public record of the creation, custody and flow of funds of Bitcoin, showing every transaction effected on the Blockchain among users' "digital wallets," where their Bitcoin is effectively stored. Bitcoin may be sent or received
through users' digital wallets by using public and private keys that are part of the Bitcoin Network's cryptographic security mechanism.
For more information about Bitcoin, see "Overview of Bitcoin" in this prospectus.
Treasury Component
The Treasury Component represents cash or a cash-like instrument, such as U.S. treasuries,
provided that for purposes of the Index.
Diversification Benefit and Positive Correlation
The Sponsor believes there is muted benefit of diversification solely within the cryptocurrency space. This is supported by
the significant (> 0.5) correlations amongst the various cryptocurrencies over various timeframes and time periods. The Cryptocurrency Correlation Matrix below shows the recent 1-year correlations amongst various cryptocurrencies
(Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple XRP (XRP), Monero (XRM), Litecoin (LTC), and Stellar (XLM) and certain ETF’s of benchmark assets (the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM), the SPDR Gold Shares ETF
(GLD), the iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (SHY), and the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT)). However, the Sponsor believes that there are substantial diversifying benefits to Bitcoin, the most liquid and widely traded digital
asset, which exhibits generally low to negative correlation with equities, rates, and commodity investments. Moreover, holding a portion, even a small portion of the Shares may provide investors reasonable diversification among more
traditional asset classes.
Cryptocurrency Correlation Matrix – 1 Year
|
BTC
|
ETH
|
XRP
|
XMR
|
LTC
|
XLM
|
SPY
|
EEM
|
GLD
|
SHY
|
TLT
|
BTC
|
100.0%
|
74.9%
|
68.0%
|
81.0%
|
80.8%
|
57.3%
|
7.4%
|
14.0%
|
-4.5%
|
-11.7%
|
-11.8%
|
ETH
|
74.9%
|
100.0%
|
70.4%
|
76.5%
|
80.4%
|
64.7%
|
9.7%
|
20.8%
|
3.8%
|
-9.5%
|
-11.4%
|
XRP
|
68.0%
|
70.4%
|
100.0%
|
64.4%
|
68.8%
|
67.8%
|
10.8%
|
22.5%
|
-1.7%
|
-6.4%
|
-7.7%
|
XMR
|
81.0%
|
76.5%
|
64.4%
|
100.0%
|
79.1%
|
58.1%
|
2.1%
|
12.0%
|
-4.8%
|
-14.4%
|
-16.8%
|
LTC
|
80.8%
|
80.4%
|
68.8%
|
79.1%
|
100.0%
|
56.1%
|
7.6%
|
19.5%
|
2.2%
|
-8.6%
|
-10.0%
|
XLM
|
57.3%
|
64.7%
|
67.8%
|
58.1%
|
56.1%
|
100.0%
|
10.2%
|
20.4%
|
6.1%
|
-10.3%
|
-9.0%
|
SPY
|
7.4%
|
9.7%
|
10.8%
|
2.1%
|
7.6%
|
10.2%
|
100.0%
|
76.2%
|
-2.2%
|
-39.7%
|
-27.8%
|
EEM
|
14.0%
|
20.8%
|
22.5%
|
12.0%
|
19.5%
|
20.4%
|
76.2%
|
100.0%
|
24.4%
|
-32.0%
|
-21.1%
|
GLD
|
-4.5%
|
3.8%
|
-1.7%
|
-4.8%
|
2.2%
|
6.1%
|
-2.2%
|
24.4%
|
100.0%
|
11.0%
|
16.4%
|
SHY
|
-11.7%
|
-9.5%
|
-6.4%
|
-14.4%
|
-8.6%
|
-10.3%
|
-39.7%
|
-32.0%
|
11.0%
|
100.0%
|
60.7%
|
TLT
|
-11.8%
|
-11.4%
|
-7.7%
|
-16.8%
|
-10.0%
|
-9.0%
|
-27.8%
|
-21.1%
|
16.4%
|
60.7%
|
100.0%
|
Data: From 12/29/2017 to 12/31/2018; Source: Coinmarketcap and Bloomberg.
Historical Volatility of Bitcoin
Since Bitcoin’s creation in 2009, its price has exhibited very high levels of volatility,
especially compared to traditional asset classes. The initial years were exceptionally volatile due to Bitcoin’s low adoption rate, difficulty of access, and low liquidity. However, even in recent years with much better global access and
adoption, and rise in liquidity in both electronic exchanges and over-the-counter markets, Bitcoin price still quite often exhibits periods of high volatility. The below graph charts historical volatility of Bitcoin from 2010 to 2018, and
graphed against historical volatility of S&P 500 Index for comparison.
Data: From 2010 to 2018; Source: CryptoCompare and Bloomberg.
CALCULATION OF THE TRUST'S NAV
General
The Trust will have no assets other than (a) Bitcoin and (b) T-Bills in
proportions that seek to closely replicate the Index. The Trust will also hold U.S. dollars for short periods of time in connection with (i) the maturity of any T-Bill, (ii) the purchase and sale of Bitcoin and/or T-Bills, and (iii) the payment
of redemptions, if any, and fees and expenses of the Trust.
Bitcoin will be held by the Bitcoin Custodian on behalf of the Trust, and
T-Bills and U.S. dollars will be held by the Cash and Treasury Custodian on behalf of the Trust.
The Trust’s Bitcoin and T-Bills are carried, for financial statement
purposes, at fair value, as required by the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policy and procedures, the
Administrator will determine the price of the Trust’s Bitcoin by reference to the Bitcoin Reference Rate, which is published between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., London time, on every day of the year, including weekends.
Similarly, the Administrator will determine the fair value of T-Bills based
on the price of each T-Bill held by the Trust (including any accrued interest) plus any cash, which will be held in U.S. dollars, as of 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any Business Day.
The Trust’s NAV is determined by the Administrator on a GAAP basis.
The NAV of the Trust shall equal the value of the total assets of the Trust, including Bitcoin, T-Bills and U.S. dollars, less the liabilities and expenses of the Trust. The NAV per Share is equal to the Trust’s NAV divided by the number of outstanding Shares.
The Trust’s investment objective is for the Shares to closely reflect the
Index, less the Trust’s liabilities and expenses. Accordingly, the Trust’s NAV and NAV per Share are tracked, in part, by reference to the Bitcoin Reference Rate.
The Bitcoin Price (i.e., the Bitcoin Reference Rate)
When
valuing the Bitcoin held by the Trust, the Administrator will utilize the CME CF BRR, but in no event will the Trust be trading in futures. See “Valuation of the Trust’s Bitcoin.” The Sponsor may determine to use a different Index or
Bitcoin Reference Rate if it determines in its sole discretion that such a change is in the best interest of the Trust.
The CME CF BRR serves as a once-a-day reference rate of the U.S. dollar price of Bitcoin. It is the rate
on which Bitcoin Futures Contracts are cash-settled in U.S. dollars. The CME CF BRR, which has been calculated and published since November 2016, aggregates the trade flow of several Bitcoin spot exchanges during a calculation window into the
U.S. dollar price of one Bitcoin as of 4:00 p.m. London time. Bitstamp, Coinbase Pro, itBit and Kraken are the constituent trading platforms that currently contribute the pricing data for calculating the CME CF BRR.
CME GROUP MARKET DATA IS USED UNDER LICENSE AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION
FOR THE TRUST'S PRODUCTS. CME GROUP HAS NO OTHER CONNECTION TO THE TRUST'S PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND DOES NOT SPONSOR, ENDORSE, RECOMMEND OR PROMOTE ANY OF THE TRUST'S PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. CME GROUP HAS NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY IN
CONNECTION WITH THE TRUST'S PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. CME GROUP DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MARKET DATA LICENSED TO THE TRUST AND SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS
THEREIN. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN CME GROUP AND THE TRUST.
THE SPONSOR
The Trust's sponsor is Wilshire Phoenix Funds, LLC ("Wilshire Phoenix" or the "Sponsor"), a Delaware limited
liability company formed on May 14, 2018.
Responsibilities of the Sponsor
The Sponsor coordinated and paid for the creation of the Trust. The Sponsor together with the Administrator, the
Bitcoin Custodian, the Cash and Treasury Custodian and their respective agents are generally responsible for the administration of the Trust under the provisions of the Trust Agreement. Some of the responsibilities of the Sponsor include (i)
selecting and monitoring the Trust's service providers and, from time to time, engaging additional, successor or replacement service providers, and (ii) if particular Shares have been outstanding for at least one year and to the extent permissible
under the applicable securities laws, using commercially reasonable efforts to (a) facilitate the removal of the restrictive legends, if any, associated with that series of Shares and (b) register such Shares in book-entry form and held in the name
of Cede & Co. at the facilities of the Depository Trust Company.
The Sponsor's Fee
The Sponsor's Fee is paid by the Trust to the Sponsor as compensation for services performed under the Trust
Agreement. A portion of the Sponsor's Fee will be used by the Administrator to pay the Sponsor-paid Expenses. See "Expenses."
Index License Agreement
The Sponsor will enter into an index license agreement (the "Index License Agreement") with the Index Calculation
Agent governing the Sponsor's use of the Index. The Index Calculation Agent may adjust the calculation methodology for the Index without notice to, or the consent of, the Trust or its Shareholders. It is anticipated that under the Index License
Agreement, the Sponsor will be required to pay a monthly fee and a fee based on the Trust's NAV to the Index Calculation Agent in consideration of its license to the Sponsor of Index-related intellectual property.
Policies and Procedures of the Sponsor
The Sponsor has implemented a disaster recovery plan, along with a subsequent business continuity plan, each aimed
at protecting the assets of the Trust and the information provided to the Sponsor and ensuring continuity in the transition time occurring after a disruptive or catastrophic event. Each of the disaster recovery plan and business continuity plan use
the methodology and/or framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO).
The Sponsor is subject to an Anti-Money Laundering Program (the "AML Program"), effective as of August 31, 2018.
This AML Program requires the Sponsor to complete a comprehensive money laundering risk assessment to identify and analyze specific risk categories. The AML Program also requires the Sponsor to perform certain customer identification, due diligence
and transaction reporting procedures. The AML Program also requires the Sponsor to abide by certain recordkeeping requirements and share certain information with government agencies and other financial institutions.
Executive Management of the Sponsor
William Herrmann, as Managing Partner of Wilshire Phoenix may take certain actions and execute certain agreements
and certifications for the Trust, in his capacity as an officer of the Sponsor.
William Joseph
Herrmann, 36, is the Founder of Wilshire Phoenix Funds. Prior to establishing Wilshire Phoenix Funds, Mr. Herrmann, in 2017, founded
Wilshire Phoenix, LLC and currently serves as its Managing Partner. Prior to establishing Wilshire Phoenix, Mr. Herrmann was employed by BNY Mellon, most recently as Vice President of Dealing and Trading. During his tenure, Mr. Herrmann served on
several global teams where he led in the successful closing of 100+ transactions with a collective issuance amount exceeding $50 billion. Mr. Herrmann was honored with multiple accolades for his contributions and received numerous awards for the
successful management of risk and compliance matters as well as for delivering superior client management. Mr. Herrmann completed undergraduate studies at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and graduate studies at New York University. In
addition, Mr. Herrmann is the elected and current Director of the Hedge Fund Association’s (HFA) New York Region.
Garrette David Victory Furo, CAIA, 26, is a Partner of Wilshire Phoenix. Mr. Furo is an early adopter of cryptocurrencies who now specializes in financial products and financial technology related to
blockchain technology. Mr. Furo has supported the public and private sector on related matters including nascent and mature ventures, bulge-bracket banks and family offices. Previous to his tenure in the digital asset space via his consultancy,
Liechtquanta, Mr. Furo was a neurobiology researcher at Columbia University Medical School. Mr. Furo holds a molecular biology and alternative investments dual degree from Hampshire College and is a recognized member of the Chartered Alternative
Investment Analyst (CAIA) association.
Mason
Stark, 48, is a Partner of Wilshire Phoenix and has more than 25 years of experience in the hedge fund industry and capital management. Mr. Stark began his career at Granite Capital as an Equities Analyst and Trader, before leaving
as the Head of Granite’s Trading in 2000 to join Ramius Capital Group (RCG). At RCG, Mr. Stark built the Hedged Equity group managing more than a billion of gross invested capital at its peak, and where he held a position of Managing
Director. In 2010, Mr. Stark went on to found Ballast Capital, LP, with two other original members from RCG, and was successfully seeded by Investcorp. From Ballast, Mr. Stark went on to numerous consulting appointments, including Ambi
Advisors and wealth management with The Healy Group. Mr. Stark is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College with a B.A in Economics and International Relations. Mr. Stark has also obtained the Series 7, 56, 63 and 65 Licenses.
William Cai, 39, is a Partner of Wilshire Phoenix. Before joining Wilshire Phoenix, Mr. Cai was a trader at
JPMorgan for over 10 years, managing multi-billion dollar risk books across asset classes in credit, equities, and most recently in commodity futures. In addition to his trading responsibilities, he managed teams, oversaw various projects, and
had extensive experience with regulatory and legal issues in the financial space. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Harvard University, and a Master of Science in Mathematics in Finance from New York University.
Alexander Chang, 30, is a Partner of Wilshire Phoenix. Before joining Wilshire Phoenix, Mr. Chang was employed at J.P. Morgan for 8 years. He most recently served as a Vice President at J.P. Morgan, during which time he structured
both linear and non-linear equity as well as cross asset derivative transactions for a global institutional investor base. The underlying exposure merged a broad spectrum of proprietary quantitative strategies. Previously at J.P. Morgan Mr. Chang
traded multiple sector pods on the high frequency electronic options market making desk. Mr. Chang was a registered stock broker and trader, holding Series 7, 55 and 63 registrations. Mr. Chang graduated from the Columbia University School of
Engineering and Applied Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics.
The Sponsor's resources may be allocated in the future to potential additional business ventures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Sponsor intends to devote, and to cause its officers, members and employees to devote, sufficient time and resources to properly manage the Trust in accordance with their respective duties to the Trust under the Trust Agreement.
It is possible that the officers of the Sponsor may trade Bitcoin and/or T-Bills for their own personal trading
accounts during the existence of the Trust. No Shareholders shall be entitled to review or have access to the trading records of the officers of the Sponsor.
THE TRUSTEE
General
[_____] serves as Delaware trustee of the Trust under the Trust Agreement. The Trustee has its principal office at
[____]. The Trustee is unaffiliated with the Sponsor.
Duties of the Trustee
The Trustee is appointed to serve as the trustee of the Trust in the State of Delaware for the sole purpose of
satisfying the requirement of Section 3807(a) of the DSTA that the Trust have at least one trustee with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware. The duties of the Trustee will be limited to (i) accepting legal process served on the
Trust in the State of Delaware, (ii) the execution of any certificates required to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State which the Delaware Trustee is required to execute under the DSTA, and (iii) any other duties specifically allocated to
the Delaware Trustee in the Trust Agreement. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the Delaware Trustee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust, such duties and liabilities are replaced by the duties
and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee expressly set forth in the Trust Agreement.
Liability of the Trustee
The Trustee shall not be
liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence. Neither the Trustee, either in its capacity as trustee or in its individual capacity, nor any director, officer or controlling person of
the Trustee is, or has any liability as, the issuer, director, officer or controlling person of the issuer of Shares. The Trustee's liability in connection with the issuance and sale of Shares is limited solely to the express obligations of the
Trustee as set forth in the Trust Agreement. The Trustee will have no obligation to supervise, nor will it be liable for, the acts or omissions of the Sponsor, Transfer Agent, Administrator, Bitcoin Custodian, Cash and Treasury Custodian or any
other person.
Resignation of the Trustee
The Trustee is permitted to resign upon at least 30 days' notice to the Trust and the Sponsor, however such
resignation is not effective unless and until a successor trustee has been appointed by the Sponsor and has accepted its appointment as successor in writing. The Sponsor has the authority to remove the Trustee upon at least 10 days' notice.
Trustee's Fee
The Trustee will be compensated by the Sponsor, out of the Sponsor's Fee, for the Trustee's fees. The Trustee will
be indemnified by the Trust for any expenses it incurs relating to or arising out of the formation, operation or termination of the Trust, or the performance of its duties pursuant to the Trust Agreement, except to the extent that such expenses
result from gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Trustee.
THE TRANSFER AGENT
The Sponsor is currently in discussions and has entered into non-disclosure agreements with potential transfer agents for the Trust. The
Sponsor will disclose the identity of such transfer agent at a later date once it is contractually able to do so. Accordingly, this description of the Transfer Agent is a representative sample of what the Sponsor believes will be the material terms
relating to the Transfer Agent, however such terms are subject to change based on additional input of, and negotiations with, the transfer agent.
General
[ ], will serve as the Transfer Agent of the Trust under the Trust Agreement and pursuant to the terms and
provisions of the Transfer Agency Agreement. The Transfer Agent has its principal office at [ ].
Duties of the Transfer Agent
The Transfer Agent records the ownership of the Shares on the books and records of the Trust. The Administrator
directs the Transfer Agent to credit or debit the number of Shares subscribed for or redeemed by Shareholders. The Transfer Agent will also assist with the preparation of Shareholders' account and tax statements.
Liability of the Transfer Agent
The Transfer Agent shall
not be liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence. The Transfer Agent will incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make transfers which it, in its judgment, deems
improper or unauthorized.
Resignation of the Transfer Agent
The Transfer Agent is permitted to resign upon at least 30 days' notice to the Trust and the Sponsor, however such
resignation is not effective unless and until a successor transfer agent has been appointed by the Sponsor and has accepted its appointment as successor in writing. The Sponsor has the authority to remove the Transfer Agent upon at least 10 days'
notice.
Transfer Agent's Fee
The Transfer Agent will be compensated by the Sponsor, out of the Sponsor's Fee, for the Transfer Agent's fees. The
Transfer Agent will be indemnified by the Trust for any expenses it incurs relating to or arising out of the performance of its duties pursuant to the Trust Agreement and Transfer Agency Agreement, except to the extent that such expenses result from
gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Transfer Agent.
THE ADMINISTRATOR
The Sponsor is currently in discussions and has entered into non-disclosure agreements with potential
administrators for the Trust. The Sponsor will disclose the identity of such administrator at a later date once it is contractually able to do so. Accordingly, this description of the Administrator is a representative sample of what the Sponsor
believes will be the material terms relating to the Administrator, however such terms are subject to change based on additional input of, and negotiations with, the Administrator once it is engaged.
General
[ ], will serve as the Administrator of the Trust under the Trust Agreement and pursuant to the terms and
provisions of the Administration Agreement. The Administrator has its principal office at [ ].
Duties of the Administrator
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will generally be responsible for the day-to-day
administration of the Trust. The responsibilities of the Administrator will include (i) preparing and providing periodic reports on behalf of the Trust to investors, (ii) (Subject to the Trust obtaining exemptive relief from the SEC ), processing
redemptions and coordinating the processing of such orders with the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and DTC, (iii) rebalancing the Trust's assets between Bitcoin and T-Bills in accordance with the Index's methodology and directing the Bitcoin
Custodian and/or Cash and Treasury Custodian to invest accordingly, (iv) publishing the Trust's NAV, the NAV per Share, the Trust's Bitcoin holdings, the Trust's Bitcoin holdings per Share, the Trust's Cash Holdings, the Trust's Cash Holdings per
Share, the percentage of the Trust that is held in Bitcoin and the percentage of the Trust that is held in T-Bills and U.S. dollars each Business Day at 4:00 p.m., New York time, or as soon thereafter as practicable, (v) instructing the Cash and
Treasury Custodian and/or the Bitcoin Custodian, as applicable, to transfer U.S. Dollars as needed to pay the Sponsor's Fee and any Additional Trust Expenses or to transfer and sell, if necessary, the Trust's Bitcoin or T-Bills as needed to pay the
Sponsor's Fee and any Additional Trust Expenses, and (vi) upon dissolution of the Trust, liquidating the Trust's remaining Bitcoin and T-Bills and distributing the cash proceeds thereof together with any U.S. dollars then held by the Cash and
Treasury Custodian to the owners of record of the Shares. With respect to the Administrator's responsibility set out in (v) above, the Administrator will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust's realized volatility as a result of the sales.
Prior to the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, the registry of
Shareholders will be recorded in the books and records of the Trust by the Administrator, who will also either act as a transfer agent or will appoint an agent for such purpose. As of the effective date of the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part, DTC will act as securities depository for the Shares. Shares issued will be held in electronic format through a book entry system.
Liability of the Administrator
The Administrator will
not be liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence. The Administrator will incur no liability for its reliance upon (i) any law, act, regulation or interpretation of the same even
though the same may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed, (ii) the Trust's offering materials or documents (excluding information provided by the Administrator), or (iii) any opinion of legal counsel for the Trust or the
Administrator.
Resignation of the Administrator
The Administrator is
permitted to resign upon at least 30 days' notice to the Trust and the Sponsor, however such resignation is not effective unless and until a successor administrator
has been appointed by the Sponsor and has accepted its appointment as successor in writing. The Sponsor has the authority to remove the Administrator
upon at least 10 days' notice.
Administrator's Fee
The Administrator will be compensated by the Sponsor, out of the Sponsor's Fee, for the Transfer Agent's fees. The
Administrator will be indemnified by the Trust for any expenses it incurs relating to or arising out of the performance of its duties pursuant to the Trust Agreement and Administration Agreement, except to the extent that such expenses result from
gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Administrator.
THE BITCOIN CUSTODIAN
The Sponsor is currently in discussions and has entered into non-disclosure agreements with potential Bitcoin
custodians for the Trust. The Sponsor will disclose the identity of such custodians at a later date once it is contractually able to do so. Accordingly, this description of the Bitcoin Custodian is a representative sample of what the Sponsor believes
will be the material terms relating to the Bitcoin Custodian, however such terms are subject to change based on additional input of, and negotiations with, the Bitcoin Custodian.
General
[_____] will serve as the Trust's Bitcoin Custodian under the Trust Agreement and pursuant to the terms and
provisions of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement. The Bitcoin Custodian has its principal office at [ ].
Duties of the Bitcoin Custodian
Under the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement, the Bitcoin Custodian will be responsible for keeping the private keys in
offline storage. The Bitcoin Custodian will custody the Bitcoin in accordance with the terms of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement. From time to time, in connection with trades of Bitcoin on behalf of the Trust, the Bitcoin Custodian may hold cash of
the Trust. The Bitcoin Custodian will maintain a secured and segregated custody account controlled by a third party associated with the Bitcoin Custodian who is a party to the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement (the "Bitcoin Account"). The Bitcoin will be
stored in the Bitcoin Account on behalf of the Trust.
To the extent there are insufficient funds in the Cash and Treasury Custodian's Cash Account, the Administrator
will send instructions to the Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian to sell an amount of Bitcoin and T-Bills, respectively, necessary to yield, in U.S. dollars, the amount of the deficiency, at which time the Bitcoin Custodian will
then wire such U.S. dollars received by selling the Bitcoin to the Cash Account maintained by the Cash and Treasury Custodian. In connection with the foregoing, the Administrator will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust's realized volatility as
a result of such sales.
It is expected that the Bitcoin Custodian will utilize the Security Procedures (defined below) in the administration
and operation of the Trust and the safekeeping of its Bitcoin and private keys.
The Trust intends to obtain insurance for the Bitcoin held by the Trust, either through the Bitcoin Custodian or, if
the Bitcoin Custodian cannot provide such insurance, through a third-party provider.
Bitcoin Custodian's Fee
The Bitcoin Custodian will be compensated by the Sponsor, out of the Sponsor's Fee, for the Bitcoin Custodian's
fees.
Bitcoin Custodian's Liability
The Bitcoin Custodian shall not be liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct, bad faith
or gross negligence. Under the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement, the Bitcoin Custodian will be liable to the Trust and the Sponsor only for an amount up to the value of the Bitcoin in the Custodial Account.
Indemnification of the Bitcoin Custodian by the Trust
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement provides that the Trust will indemnify and hold the Bitcoin Custodian harmless from
any claim or demand (including attorneys' fees and any fines, fees or penalties imposed by any regulatory authority) arising out of or related to the Trust's breach of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement or the Trust's violation of any law, rule or
regulation, or the rights of any third party.
In addition, the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement provides that the Trust will release the Bitcoin Custodian from any and
all claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature arising out of or in any way connected with a dispute with a third party that is connected with the Bitcoin Custodian or the Bitcoin Custodian's services.
Resignation and Removal of Bitcoin Custodian
If the Bitcoin Custodian resigns in its capacity as Bitcoin custodian, the Sponsor may appoint an additional or
replacement Bitcoin custodian and enter into a custody agreement on behalf of the Trust with such custodian. Furthermore, the
Sponsor and the Trust may use Bitcoin custody services or similar services provided by entities other than [_____] at any time without
prior notice to [_____]. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement shall provide that no resignation of the Bitcoin Custodian shall become effective unless and until a successor Bitcoin custodian has been appointed by the Sponsor and has accepted its
appointment as such in writing.
The Bitcoin Custodian and its affiliates may from time to time purchase or sell Bitcoin for their own accounts, and
as agent for their customers, or Shares for their own accounts, provided however that any such Bitcoin purchased shall be segregated from the Bitcoin held in the Bitcoin Account.
THE CASH AND TREASURY CUSTODIAN
The Sponsor is currently in discussions and has entered into non-disclosure agreements with potential cash and
treasury custodians for the Trust. The Sponsor will disclose the identity of such custodians at a later date once it is contractually able to do so. Accordingly, this description of the Cash and Treasury Custodian is a representative sample of what
the Sponsor believes will be the material terms relating to the Cash and Treasury Custodian, however such terms are subject to change based on additional input of, and negotiations with, the Cash and Treasury Custodian.
General
[ ], will serve as the Trust's Cash and Treasury Custodian under the Trust Agreement and pursuant to the
terms and provisions of the custody agreement between the Trust and the Cash and Treasury Custodian (the "Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement"). The Cash and Treasury Custodian has its principal office at [ ].
Duties of the Cash and Treasury Custodian
Under the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will be responsible for
maintaining an account that holds T-Bills and U.S. dollars. Pursuant to a request from the Trust, the Cash and Treasury Custodian shall establish and maintain one or more Cash Accounts in the name of the Trust that will hold U.S. dollars and
T-Bills securities. The Cash and Treasury Custodian deposits and withdraws U.S. dollars to and from the Trust's Cash Account at the instruction of the Administrator. Only the Administrator will have the right to direct the Cash and Treasury
Custodian with respect to debiting the Cash Account and liquidating any T-Bills (prior to maturity) held in the Cash Account. The Cash and Treasury Custodian is responsible for administering the Cash Accounts.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian will withdraw from the cash on deposit in the Cash Account U.S. dollars to pay
the Trust expenses provided for in the Trust Agreement. In the event that the Sponsor's Fee and the Additional Trust Expenses, if any, exceed the balance of the Trust's Cash Account, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will notify the Administrator,
and the Administrator will send instructions to the Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian to sell an amount of Bitcoin and T-Bills, respectively, necessary to yield, in U.S. dollars, the amount of the deficiency, at which time the
Bitcoin Custodian will then wire such U.S. dollars raised by selling the Bitcoin to the Cash Account maintained by the Cash and Treasury Custodian. In connection with the foregoing, the Administrator will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust's
realized volatility as a result of the sales.
When the Administrator directs the Cash and Treasury Custodian to buy or sell T-Bills in accordance with a
rebalancing of the Trust's assets pursuant to the Index methodology, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will select such T-Bills.
The Trust intends to require the Cash and Treasury Custodian to maintain the Trust's cash in an account insured by
the FDIC subject to applicable FDIC insurance limits.
Cash and Treasury Custodian's Fee
The Cash and Treasury Custodian will be compensated by the Sponsor, out of the Sponsor's Fee, for the Cash and
Treasury Custodian's fees.
Cash and Treasury Custodian's Liability
The Cash and Treasury Custodian shall not be liable under any circumstances, except for its own
willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence.
Indemnification of the Cash and Treasury Custodian by the Trust
The Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement provides that the Trust will indemnify the Cash and Treasury Custodian for
any claim, demand or loss arising out of the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement, other than those caused by the Cash and Treasury Custodian's gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.
Resignation and Removal of Cash and Treasury Custodian
If the Cash and Treasury Custodian resigns in its capacity as custodian, the Sponsor will appoint an additional or
replacement custodian and enter into a custody agreement on behalf of the Trust with such custodian. Furthermore, the Sponsor and the Trust may use traditional custody services or similar services provided by entities other than the Cash and Treasury
Custodian at any time without prior notice to Cash and Treasury Custodian. The Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement will provide that no resignation of the Cash and Treasury Custodian shall
become effective unless and until a successor custodian has been appointed by the Sponsor and has accepted its appointment as such in
writing.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian and its affiliates may from time to time purchase or sell Bitcoin and/or T-Bills
for their own accounts, and as agent for their customers, or Shares for their own accounts; provided, however that any such T-Bills purchased shall be segregated from the T-Bills and U.S. dollars held in the Cash Account.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
General
There are present and potential conflicts of interest in the Trust's structure and operation that you should consider
before purchasing Shares, and the Sponsor has not established formal procedures to resolve all potential conflicts of interest. Consequently, investors may be reliant on the good faith of the respective parties resolve a conflict of interest
equitably. Although the Sponsor expects to monitor these conflicts, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the Sponsor to adequately resolve these conflicts, and the Trust, the NAV of the Shares and the market price of the Shares may be
adversely affected.
Prospective investors should be aware that the Sponsor presently intends to assert that Shareholders have, by subscribing for Shares of
the Trust, consented to the following conflicts of interest in the event of any proceeding alleging that such conflicts violated any duty owed by the Sponsor to investors.
The Sponsor
The Sponsor allocates its resources among different clients and potential future business ventures to which the
Sponsor may owe fiduciary duties. Additionally, the professional staff of the Sponsor also services other affiliates of the Sponsor and its respective clients. Although the Sponsor and its professional staff cannot and will not devote all of its or
their respective time or resources to the management of the business and affairs of the Trust, the Sponsor intends to devote, and to cause its professional staff to devote, sufficient time and resources to manage properly the business and affairs of
the Trust consistent with its or their respective fiduciary duties to the Trust and others.
Proprietary Trading/Other Clients
The officers of the Sponsor may trade Bitcoin for their own personal trading accounts (subject to certain internal
trading policies and procedures) at the same time that they are managing the account of the Trust.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES
General
The Trust is authorized under the Trust Agreement to create and issue up to $[_____] of the Shares, par value $[_],
which will represent a beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust.
At the direction and sole discretion of the Sponsor, the Trust may create and issue additional Shares in the
future. Each issuance of Shares will be issued at the then current NAV per Share.
Subject to the Trust obtaining exemptive relief from the SEC, Shareholders may redeem Shares under certain
conditions in accordance with the terms set forth under "Redemption of the Shares" below.
Prior to the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, the registry of
Shareholders will be recorded in the books and records of the Trust by the Administrator, who will also either act as a transfer agent or will appoint an agent for such purpose. Shares issued will be held in electronic format through a book entry
system.
As of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, [____] will act as
transfer agent of the Trust and DTC will act as securities depository for the Shares. Shares will be registered in a book entry system and held in the name of "Cede & Co." at the facilities of DTC, and one or more global certificates issued by
the Trust to DTC will evidence the Shares. Shareholders may hold their Shares through DTC if they are direct DTC Participants or indirectly through entities (such as broker-dealers) that are DTC Participants.
Private Offerings
The Trust has not issued any shares, but intends to issue shares through sales in private placement transactions
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 506(c) thereunder. Shares registered hereby are of the same class and will have the same rights as the shares the Trust intends to issue.
Distributions
Shareholders shall only be entitled to distributions in respect of their Shares upon either a redemption by such
Shareholder or upon termination of the Trust. If the Trust is terminated, the Administrator will cause any Bitcoin and T-Bills then held by the Trust to be liquidated in an orderly fashion. The proceeds of such liquidation, plus any other U.S.
dollars held by the Cash and Treasury Custodian in the Cash Account, less (i) any amounts required to satisfy all outstanding liabilities of the Trust, and (ii) any amounts reserved for the payment of applicable taxes, other governmental charges
and contingent or future liabilities as the Sponsor and/or Trustee shall determine shall, on a pro rata basis, be distributed to the Shareholders. See "Description of the Trust Documents—Description of the Trust Agreement—The Trustee—Termination of
the Trust".
Entitlements
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust and not a corporation, and the Shares are different than shares of a
corporation. This means that Shareholders will not be entitled to certain statutory entitlements typically associated with being a shareholder of a corporation, such as an entitlement to dividends. Shareholders, however, shall be entitled to vote on
specified matters relating to the Trust and Trust Agreement as more fully set forth in the Trust Agreement. See "Description of the Shares—Voting and Consent Rights" below.
In addition to any other requirements of applicable law, no Shareholder shall have the right, power or authority to
bring or maintain a derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of the Trust unless two or more Shareholders who (i) are not affiliates of one another and (ii) collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Shares join in the bringing or
maintaining of such action, suit or other proceeding.
Shareholders may have the right, subject to certain legal requirements, to bring class actions in federal court to
enforce their rights under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC. Shareholders who have suffered losses in connection with the purchase or sale of their Shares may be able to recover such losses
from the Sponsor where the losses result from a violation by the Sponsor of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.
Voting and Consent Rights
Under the Trust Agreement, Shareholders have limited voting rights with respect to the Trust. However, certain
actions, such as amendments or modifications that appoint a new sponsor, dissolve the Trust or make any material change to the Trust's basic investment policies requires the consent (which may be obtained by way of negative consent) of Shareholders
owning at least 50% of the outstanding Shares.
Shareholder Indemnity
The Trust Agreement will provide that Shareholders indemnify the Trust for any harm suffered by it as a result of
Shareholders' actions unrelated to the activities of the Trust.
Redemption of the Shares
Subject to the Trust obtaining exemptive relief from the SEC, upon at least five (5) Business Days' prior written
notice, a Shareholder may redeem all or a portion of its Shares as of the last Business Day of each calendar month. All redemptions will be based on the NAV of Shares submitted for redemption, determined as of the last Business Day of the applicable
calendar month.
In general, redemptions will be deemed to occur on a "first-in first-out" basis among Shares held by a particular
Shareholder. A redemption notice is irrevocable unless otherwise agreed by the Sponsor in writing.
In general, and subject to the occurrence or continuation of a Suspension Event, the final redemption of Shares will
be paid within five (5) Business Days after the applicable redemption date. Shareholders will be entitled to receive their applicable redemption amount, which is the NAV of the Shares, determined as of the applicable redemption date.
Right to Refuse Transfers or Amend Transfer Procedures
The Administrator will reject a redemption order if the order is not in proper form or if the fulfillment of the
order, in the opinion of its counsel, might be unlawful. The Sponsor or the Administrator may suspend redemption orders, provided in each case that they obtain an opinion of counsel prior to such suspension that the suspension is done in accordance
with the terms of the Trust Agreement.
Suspension Events
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Trust may suspend or restrict the determination of NAV, the payment of any
redemption proceeds and/or the right of any Shareholder to redeem its Shares (whether in whole or in part) in its sole discretion for any of the following reasons:
(a) when
any such redemption would result in a violation by the Trust or the Sponsor or any of its other respective affiliates of the securities laws of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction or the rules of any national securities exchange,
self-regulatory organization or regulatory agency applicable to the Trust, the Sponsor or its respective affiliates;
(b) any
exchange, dealer market, quotation system or other market on which a significant portion of the Trust's assets are regularly traded or quoted is closed (otherwise than for weekends or holidays) or trading thereon is generally suspended or limited;
(c) the
Bitcoin Network experiences delays or is suspended in a manner that affects the ability of the Trust to buy, sell or deliver Bitcoin to a third party;
(d) the
disposition of any asset of the Trust, or other transaction involving the sale, transfer or delivery of the Trust's assets is not reasonably practicable without being detrimental to the Trust or the interest of the redeeming or remaining
Shareholder;
(e) any
breakdown in the means of communication or publication normally employed in determining the Trust's NAV or the NAV per Share has occurred and is continuing, or the prices or values of the Trust's assets cannot reasonably be promptly and accurately
ascertained for any reason;
(f) any
event has occurred and is continuing which may cause the dissolution of the Trust;
(g) the
Sponsor has otherwise determined, in its sole discretion, with respect to the Trust or the Shares of the redeeming or remaining Shareholders, respectively, that the redemption by any Shareholder of its Shares (whether in whole or in part) would
have a material adverse effect on the Trust or the Shares of the redeeming or remaining Shareholders, respectively, including, without limitation, the risk of potential classification of the Trust as a "publicly-traded partnership" for U.S. federal
income tax purposes; or
(h) an
event constituting force majeure which, in the sole discretion of the Sponsor, makes redemption impossible or impracticable; provided that any redemption so suspended shall be processed as soon the force majeure event has resolved.
CUSTODY OF THE TRUST'S ASSETS
The Sponsor is currently in discussions and has entered into non-disclosure agreements with
potential custodians for the Trust. The Sponsor will disclose the identity of such custodians at a later date once it is contractually able to do so. Accordingly, this description of the Custody of Trust Assets is a representative sample of what the
Sponsor believes will be the material terms relating to the custody of the Trust assets, however such terms are subject to change based on additional input of, and negotiations with, the custodians.
Custody of the Trust's Bitcoin
All Bitcoin exist and are stored on the Bitcoin Blockchain, the decentralized transaction ledger of the Bitcoin
Network. The Bitcoin Blockchain records most transactions (including mining of new bitcoin) for all Bitcoin in existence, and in doing so verifies the location of each Bitcoin (or fraction thereof) in a particular digital wallet. The Trust's Bitcoin
maintained in the Bitcoin Account will be custodied by the Bitcoin Custodian. Each digital wallet of the Trust may be accessed using its corresponding private key. The Sponsor expects that the Bitcoin Custodian's custodial operations will maintain
custody of the private keys that have been deposited in cold storage at its various vaulting premises.
The term "cold storage" refers to a safeguarding method by which the private keys corresponding to Bitcoin stored on
a digital wallet are removed from any computers actively connected to the internet. Cold storage of private keys may involve keeping such wallet on a non-networked computer or electronic device or storing the public key and private keys relating to
the digital wallet on a storage device (for example, a USB thumb drive) or printed medium (for example, papyrus or paper) and deleting the digital wallet from all computers. A digital wallet may receive deposits of Bitcoin but may not send Bitcoin
without use of the Bitcoin' corresponding private keys. In order to send Bitcoin from a digital wallet in which the private keys are kept in cold storage, either the private keys must be retrieved from cold storage and entered into a Bitcoin software
program to sign the transaction, or the unsigned transaction must be sent to the "cold" server in which the private keys are held for signature by the private keys. At that point, the user of the digital wallet can transfer its Bitcoin.
The Bitcoin Custodian will be the custodian of the Trust's private keys in accordance with the terms and provisions
of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement and it is expected that the Bitcoin Custodian will utilize certain security procedures such as passwords, encryption, Internet connectivity, two-factor authentication process, multi-signature wallets or telephone
call-backs (together, the "Security Procedures") in the administration and operation of the Trust and the safekeeping of its Bitcoin and private keys. The Bitcoin Custodian will segregate the private keys stored with it from any other assets it holds
or holds for others.
If Bitcoin need to be withdrawn from the Trust in connection with a redemption, the Bitcoin Custodian will ensure
that the private keys to those Bitcoin sign the withdrawal transaction.
In order to enhance overall security of the Trust's Bitcoin, (1) any instructions with respect to the Trust's
Bitcoin (whether adding to, reducing, or movement of, the Bitcoin held by the Trust), will utilize a two-factor authentication process, and (2) after each transaction all of the Trust's Bitcoin will be moved to a new public address maintained by the
Bitcoin Custodian.
The Trust intends to obtain insurance for the Bitcoin held by the Trust, either through the Bitcoin Custodian or, if
the Bitcoin Custodian cannot provide such insurance, through a third-party provider.
Custody of the Trust's T-Bills and U.S. dollars
Under the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will be responsible for
maintaining an account that holds T-Bills and U.S. dollars. Pursuant to a request from the Trust, the Cash and Treasury Custodian shall establish and maintain one or more Cash Accounts in the name of the Trust that will hold U.S. dollars and
T-Bills. The Cash and Treasury Custodian deposits and withdraws U.S. dollars to and from the Trust's Cash Account at the instruction of the Administrator. The Cash and Treasury Custodian is responsible for administering the Cash Accounts.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian will withdraw from the cash on deposit in the Cash Account U.S. dollars to pay
the Trust expenses provided for in the Trust Agreement. In the event that the Sponsor's Fee and the Additional Trust Expenses, if any, exceed the balance of the Trust's Cash Account, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will notify the Administrator,
and the Administrator will send instructions to the Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian to sell an amount of Bitcoin and T-Bills, respectively, necessary to yield, in U.S. dollars, the amount of the deficiency, at which time the
Bitcoin Custodian will then wire such U.S. dollars raised by selling the Bitcoin to the Cash Account maintained by the Cash and Treasury Custodian. In connection with the foregoing, the Administrator will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust's
realized volatility as a result of the sales.
The Trust intends to require the Cash and Treasury Custodian to maintain the Trust's cash in an account insured by
the FDIC subject to applicable FDIC insurance limits.
VALUATION OF THE TRUST'S BITCOIN
The Administrator will evaluate the Bitcoin held by the Trust and determine the Trust's Bitcoin holdings in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Trust Documents. The following is a description of the material terms of the Trust Documents as they relate to valuation of the Trust's Bitcoin and the Trust's Bitcoin holdings calculations.
On each Business Day at 4:00 p.m., New York time, or as soon thereafter as practicable (the "Evaluation Time"), the Administrator will
evaluate the Bitcoin held by the Trust and calculate and publish the Trust's Bitcoin holdings. To calculate the Trust's Bitcoin holdings, the Administrator will:
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1. |
Determine the Bitcoin Price—see "Calculation of the Trust's NAV—The Bitcoin Price (i.e., the Bitcoin Reference Rate)"; and
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2. |
Multiply the Bitcoin Price by the aggregate number of Bitcoin owned by the Trust as of 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the immediately preceding day.
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The determinations that the Administrator makes will be made in good faith upon the basis of, and neither the Sponsor nor the
Administrator will be liable for any errors contained in, information reasonably available to it. Neither the Sponsor nor the Administrator will be liable to the Shareholders or any other person for errors in judgment. However, the preceding
liability exclusion will not protect the Sponsor or the Administrator against any liability resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the performance of their respective duties.
VALUATION OF THE TRUST'S T-BILL AND CASH HOLDINGS
The Administrator will evaluate the amount of T-Bills and U.S. dollars held by the Trust (the "Cash Holdings") in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the Trust Documents. The following is a description of the material terms of the Trust Documents as they relate to valuation of the Trust's T-Bills.
On each Business Day at the Evaluation Time, the Administrator will evaluate the T-Bills and U.S. dollars held by
the Trust and calculate and publish the Trust's Cash Holdings. To calculate the Trust's Cash Holdings, the Administrator will:
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1. |
Determine the price of each T-Bill held by the Trust; and
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2. |
Add any U.S. dollars held by the Trust.
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The determinations that the Administrator makes will be made in good faith upon the basis of, and neither the
Sponsor nor the Administrator will be liable for any errors contained in, information reasonably available to it. Neither the Sponsor nor the Administrator will be liable to the Shareholders or any other person for errors in judgment. However, the
preceding liability exclusion will not protect the Sponsor or the Administrator against any liability resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the performance of their respective duties.
EXPENSES
Sponsor's Fee
The Trust's only ordinary recurring expense is expected to be the Sponsor's Fee. The Sponsor's Fee will be
determined by applying a [_]% annual rate to the Trust's NAV. The Sponsor's Fee will be payable in U.S. dollars and will be deducted on a monthly basis in advance as of last day of each calendar quarter from the amounts on deposit with the Cash and
Treasury Custodian. Either Sponsor, from time to time, may waive all or a portion of the Sponsor's Fee in its sole discretion.
Sponsor Paid Expenses
As consideration for its receipt of the Sponsor's Fee, the ordinary and necessary fees and expenses of the Trust
will be paid by the Administrator out of the Sponsor's Fee: the Administrator Fee, the Bitcoin Custodian Fee, the Cash and Treasury Custodian Fee, the Transfer Agent Fee, the Trustee Fee, applicable license fees, including the licensing fees related
to the Index License Agreement, the Trust's and Sponsor's legal fees and expenses, the Trust's audit fees and expenses (including any fees and expenses associated with tax preparation), the Trust's regulatory fees and expenses (including any filings,
applications or licenses), printing and mailing costs, costs of maintaining the Trust's website and insurance costs (if any).
Additional Trust Expenses
In certain circumstances, the Trust may be required to pay expenses in addition to the Sponsor's Fee, including,
but not limited to, taxes and governmental charges, fees and expenses of redemptions, expenses and costs of any extraordinary services performed by the Sponsor (or any other service provider) on behalf of the Trust, indemnification expenses of the
Sponsor, the Trustee, the Custodians, Administrator or other agents, service providers or counterparties of the Trust and extraordinary legal fees and expenses (collectively, "Additional Trust Expenses"). Additionally, the fees and expenses
(including, without limitation, fees of counsel to the Sponsor) associated with registration of the Trust's shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including but not limited to the preparation of the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part) and listing of the Trust's shares on the Exchange will also be deemed to be an Additional Trust Expense. The Sponsor will cause the Cash and Treasury Custodian to pay such Additional Trust Expenses from the cash on
deposit in the Cash Account, and to the extent necessary, the Sponsor may instruct the Administrator to cause the Bitcoin Custodian to convert Bitcoin into U.S. dollars or the Cash and Treasury Custodian to liquidate T-Bills into U.S. dollars, in
each case, in such quantity as may be necessary to pay any outstanding, unpaid Additional Trust Expenses. In doing this, the Administrator will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust's realized volatility as a result of the sales. In the event
that there is an insufficient amount of U.S. dollars in the Cash Account to pay Additional Trust Expenses, Bitcoin will be converted into U.S. dollars within a certain time, at a rate of exchange, subject to certain fees, each of which the Sponsor
determines to be reasonable under the circumstances (the "Actual Exchange Rate") at the time of conversion. Although it is difficult to predict with any certainty the frequency or amount of any Additional Trust Expenses, the Sponsor does not
believe that, other than with respect to the fees and expenses associated with registration of the Trust's shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and listing of the Trust's shares on the Exchange, they will occur frequently, if at
all, and given the Trust's holdings in T-Bills and U.S. dollars, the Sponsor believes that it is unlikely that it will need to sell Bitcoin to pay any Additional Trust Expenses.
Disposition of Trust Assets
To pay the Sponsor's Fee, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will withdraw from the cash on deposit in the Cash
Account an amount of U.S. dollars equal to Sponsor's Fee, determined as described above, and pay such amount to the Sponsor. In addition, if the Trust incurs any Additional Trust Expenses, in the event that there is an insufficient amount of U.S.
dollars in the Cash Account to pay such Additional Trust Expenses, the Administrator will cause the Bitcoin Custodian to convert Bitcoin into U.S. Dollars at the Actual Exchange Rate, or the Cash and Treasury Custodian to liquidate the T-Bills into
U.S. dollars, in each case, in an amount required to pay such Additional Trust Expenses. In connection with the foregoing, the Administrator will endeavor to minimally affect the Trust's realized volatility as a result of the sales. Assuming that
the Trust is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the transfer or sale of T-Bills, U.S. dollars and/or Bitcoin to pay the Trust's expenses will be a taxable event for Shareholders. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders."
Because the Trust's assets will decrease as a consequence of the payment of the Sponsor's Fee or the sale of the
Trust's assets to pay Additional Trust Expenses (and the Trust may incur additional fees associated with converting Bitcoin into U.S. dollars or liquidating T-Bills into U.S. dollars), the Trust's Assets will decline, the number of Bitcoin and
amount of T-Bills represented by a Share will decline at such time and the NAV per Share will also decrease. Accordingly, the Shareholders will bear the cost of the Sponsor's Fee and any Additional Trust Expenses.
The Sponsor will also cause the sale of the Trust's assets if the Sponsor determines that sale is required by
applicable law or regulation or in connection with the termination and liquidation of the Trust. The Sponsor will not be liable or responsible in any way for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale of Bitcoin or T-Bills.
Hypothetical Expense Example
The following table illustrates the anticipated impact of the payment of the Trust's expenses on the assets of the Trust (which
consist of Bitcoin and T-Bills as determined in part by the Index and U.S. dollars, if any) represented by each outstanding Share for three years. It assumes that the only transfers of assets of the Trust will be those needed to pay the Sponsor's
Fee and that the price of assets of the Trust and the number of Shares remain constant during the three-year period covered. The table does not show the impact of any Additional Trust Expenses. Any Additional Trust Expenses, if and when incurred,
will accelerate the decrease in the fractional number of Bitcoin represented by each Share. In addition, the table does not show the effect of any waivers of the Sponsor's Fee that may be in effect from time to time. The following chart assumes a
Sponsor's Fee of [_]%.
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Year
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1
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2
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3
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Hypothetical Value of Trust Assets, Beginning of Year
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$
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$
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$
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Sponsor’s Fee
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%
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%
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%
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Shares of Trust, Beginning of Year
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Hypothetical Value of Trust Assets per Share, Beginning of Year
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$
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$
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$
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Value of Trust Assets to be Sold to Pay for Sponsor’s Fee
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$
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$
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$
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Hypothetical Value of Trust Assets, ending
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$
|
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$
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$
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Shares of Trust, Ending of Year
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Hypothetical Value of Trust Assets per Share, Ending of Year
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$
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$
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$
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BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY SHARES
The Securities Depository; Book-Entry-Only System; Global Security
In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Trust Documents, the Trust's Shares will only be issued in
book-entry-only form, so that individual certificates will not be issued for the Shares but rather one or more global certificates will evidence all of the Shares outstanding at any time.
As of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, DTC will act as securities depository for the
Shares. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of DTC Participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in such securities among the DTC Participants through
electronic book- entry changes. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some
of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly
or indirectly. DTC is expected to agree with and represent to the DTC Participants that it will administer its book-entry system in accordance with its rules and by-laws and the requirements of law.
Individual certificates will not be issued for the Shares. Instead, one or more global certificates will be signed by the Transfer Agent
on behalf of the Trust, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, and deposited with the Transfer Agent on behalf of DTC. The global certificates will evidence all of the Shares outstanding at any time. The representations,
undertakings and agreements made on the part of the Trust in the global certificates are made and intended for the purpose of binding only the Trust and not the Transfer Agent or the Sponsor individually.
Upon the settlement date of any creation, transfer or redemption of Shares, DTC will credit or debit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the amount of the Shares so created, transferred or redeemed to the accounts of the appropriate DTC Participants. The Transfer Agent will designate the accounts to be credited and charged in the case of creation or redemption of
Shares.
Beneficial ownership of the Shares will be limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC
Participants and Indirect Participants. Owners of beneficial interests in the Shares will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants), the records of DTC
Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants), and the records of Indirect Participants (with respect to Shareholders that are not DTC Participants or Indirect Participants).
Shareholders are expected to receive from or through the DTC Participant maintaining the account through which the Shareholder has
purchased their Shares a written confirmation relating to such purchase.
Shareholders that are not DTC Participants may transfer the Shares through DTC by instructing the DTC Participant or Indirect Participant
through which the Shareholders hold their Shares to transfer the Shares. Shareholders that are DTC Participants may transfer the Shares by instructing DTC in accordance with the rules of DTC. Transfers of Shares will be made in accordance with
standard securities industry practice.
DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to the Shares by giving notice to the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor.
Under such circumstances, the Sponsor will find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if a replacement is unavailable, the Sponsor will act to terminate the Trust.
The rights of the Shareholders generally must be exercised by DTC Participants acting on their behalf in accordance
with the rules and procedures of DTC. Because the Shares can only be held in book-entry form through DTC and DTC Participants, investors must rely on DTC, DTC Participants and any other financial intermediary through which they hold the Shares to
receive the benefits and exercise the rights described in this section. Investors should consult with their broker or financial institution to find out about procedures and requirements for securities held in book-entry form through DTC.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Shares by each person
or entity known by the Trust to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Trust's Shares, and all of the Trust's directors and executive officers as a group as of [__], 2019. All of the Trust's shareholders, including the shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to one vote for each Share held.
Name and address of beneficial owner(1)
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Amount and nature of beneficial ownership
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Percent of
Voting of
Shares
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[_]
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[_]
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[_]
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% |
All directors and officers as a group
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[*]
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[*]
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%
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___________________
* |
Indicates less than 1.0%.
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(1) |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Rule 13d-3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and generally includes voting or investment
power with respect to securities. Except as subject to community property laws, where applicable, the person named above has sole voting and investment power with respect to all common shares shown as beneficially owned by him/her.
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STATEMENTS, FILINGS AND REPORTS
Statements, Filings and Reports
After the end of each fiscal year, the Sponsor will cause to be prepared an annual report containing audited financial
statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the Trust. The annual report will be in such form and contain such information as will be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations and may contain such additional information which the
Sponsor determines shall be included. The annual report shall be filed with the SEC and the Exchange and shall be distributed to such persons and in such manner, as shall be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
The Sponsor is responsible for the registration and qualification of the Shares under the federal securities laws and any other
securities and blue sky laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction as the Sponsor may select. The Sponsor will also prepare, or cause to be prepared, and file any periodic reports or updates required under the Exchange Act.
The accounts of the Trust will be audited, as required by law and as may be directed by the Sponsor, by independent registered public
accountants designated by the Sponsor. The accountants' report will be furnished by the Sponsor to Shareholders upon request.
The Sponsor will make elections, file tax returns and prepare, disseminate and file tax reports, as advised by its counsel or accountants
and/or as required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation.
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Trust is the period ending December 31 of each year. The Sponsor may select an alternate fiscal
year.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST DOCUMENTS
The Sponsor is currently in discussions with various potential service providers to the Trust and has not yet
engaged any institutions with respect to the roles of Administrator, Transfer Agent, Bitcoin Custodian or Cash and Treasury Custodian. Accordingly, this Description of the Trust Documents is a representative sample of what the Sponsor believes will
be the material terms of the Trust Documents, however such terms are subject to change based on the input of, and negotiations with, the various service providers once they are engaged.
Description of the Trust Agreement
The following is a description of what the Sponsor believes the material terms of the Trust Agreement will be,
subject to input from the various service providers to the Trust. The Trust Agreement will establish the roles, rights and duties of the Sponsor and the Trustee.
The Sponsor
Duties of the Sponsor
The Sponsor's duties are defined and limited in scope by the express provisions of the Trust Agreement. The Sponsor
coordinated and paid for the creation of the Trust. The Sponsor together with the Administrator, the Bitcoin Custodian, the Cash and Treasury Custodian, the Transfer Agent and their respective agents are generally responsible for the administration
of the Trust under the provisions of the Trust Agreement. Some of the responsibilities of the Sponsor include (i) selecting and monitoring the Trust's service providers and, from time to time, engaging additional, successor or replacement service
providers, and (ii) if particular Shares have been outstanding for at least one year and to the extent permissible under the applicable securities laws, using commercially reasonable efforts to (a) facilitate the removal of the restrictive legends,
if any, associated with that series of Shares and (b) register such series of Shares in book-entry form and held in the name of Cede & Co. at the facilities of the Depository Trust Company.
Liability of the Sponsor
The Sponsor will not be liable to the Trust or any Shareholder for any action or omission taken or omitted to be
taken in good faith, however, the Sponsor will be liable for liabilities resulting from their own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties.
The Sponsor will be indemnified by the Trust and held harmless against any loss, judgment, liability, claim, suit,
penalty, tax, cost or expense incurred by them without fraud, gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or a material breach of the Trust Agreement on the part of the Sponsor arising out of or in connection with the performance of their
obligations under the Trust Agreement and under each other agreement entered into by the Sponsor in furtherance of the administration of the Trust, including any costs and expenses incurred by the Sponsor in defending itself against any claim or
liability in their capacity as Sponsor. Any amounts payable to an indemnified party may be payable in advance or shall be secured by a lien on the Trust.
The Sponsor may undertake any action that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of the Trust Agreement and
the interests of the Shareholders and prosecute, defend, settle or compromise actions or claims at law or in equity that it considers necessary or proper to protect the Trust or the interests of the Shareholders, and in each case, the legal expenses
and costs of any such actions shall be deemed Additional Trust Expenses for which the Sponsor shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Trust.
Insolvency of Sponsor
If either Sponsor is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, the Trustee may terminate and liquidate the Trust and
distribute its remaining assets. Neither the Trustee nor the Administrator has any obligation to appoint a successor sponsor or to assume the duties of a Sponsor, and will have no liability to any person because the Trust is or is not terminated as
described in the preceding sentence.
The Trustee
The Trustee is appointed to serve as the trustee of the Trust in the State of Delaware for the sole purpose of
satisfying the requirement of Section 3807(a) of the DSTA that the Trust have at least one trustee with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware. The duties of the Trustee will be limited to (i) accepting legal process served on the
Trust in the State of Delaware, (ii) the execution of any certificates required to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State which the Delaware
Trustee is required to execute under the DSTA, and (iii) any other duties specifically allocated to the Delaware Trustee in the Trust
Agreement. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the Delaware Trustee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust, it is hereby understood and agreed by the other parties hereto that such duties and
liabilities are replaced by the duties and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee expressly set forth in this Agreement. The existence of a trustee should not be taken as an indication of any additional level of management or supervision over the Trust.
Limitation on Trustee's Liability
The Trustee shall not be
liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence. Neither the Trustee, either in its capacity as trustee or in its individual capacity, nor any director, officer or controlling person of
the Trustee is, or has any liability as, the issuer, director, officer or controlling person of the issuer of Shares. The Trustee's liability in connection with the issuance and sale of Shares is limited solely to the express obligations of the
Trustee as set forth in the Trust Agreement. The Trustee will have no obligation to supervise, nor will it be liable for, the acts or omissions of the Sponsor, Transfer Agent, Administrator, Bitcoin Custodian, Cash and Treasury Custodian or any
other person. The Trustee may employ custodians, agents, attorneys, accountants, auditors and nominees and will not be answerable for the conduct or misconduct of any such custodians, agents, attorneys or nominees if such custodians, agents,
attorney and nominees have been selected with reasonable care.
Indemnification of the Trustee
The Trustee and any of the officers, directors, employees and agents of the Trustee shall be indemnified by the
Trust and held harmless against any loss, damage, liability, claim, action, suit, cost, expense, disbursement (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), tax or penalty of any kind and nature whatsoever, arising out of, imposed upon or
asserted at any time against such indemnified person in connection with the performance of its obligations under the Trust Agreement, the creation, operation or termination of the Trust or the transactions contemplated therein; provided, however,
that the Trust shall not be required to indemnify any such indemnified person for any such expenses which are a result of the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such indemnified person. Any amount payable to such an indemnified
person under the Trust Agreement may be payable in advance and shall be secured by a lien on the Trust property. The obligations of the Trust to indemnify such indemnified persons under the Trust Agreement shall survive the termination of this Trust
Agreement.
Resignation or Removal of Trustee
The Trustee is permitted to resign upon at least 30 days' notice to the Trust and the Sponsor, however such
resignation is not effective unless and until a successor trustee has accepted its appointment as successor in writing. The Sponsor has the authority to remove the Trustee upon at least 10 days' notice. If the Trustee resigns and no successor
trustee is appointed within 30 days after the Trustee notifies the Sponsor of its resignation, the Trustee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor.
Amendments to the Trust Agreement
The Trust Agreement can be amended by the Sponsor without the Shareholders' consent, provided that (i) no such
amendment may be made if it would adversely affect the status of the Trust as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) any amendment that affects the duties, liabilities, rights or protections of the Trustee shall require the
Trustee's prior written consent, which it may grant or withhold in its sole discretion, and (ii) any amendment that appoints a new sponsor, dissolves the Trust or makes any material change to the Trust's basic investment policies requires the consent
(which may be obtained by way of negative consent) of Shareholders owning at least 50% of the outstanding Shares.
Termination of the Trust
The Trust will dissolve if any of the following events occur:
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A U.S. federal or state regulator requires the Trust to shut down or forces the Trust to liquidate its Bitcoin or seizes, impounds or otherwise restricts access to
Trust assets;
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The Trust is determined to be a "money service business" under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and is required
to comply with certain FinCEN regulations thereunder, and the Sponsor has made the determination that dissolution of the Trust is advisable;
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The Trust is required to obtain a license or make a registration under any state law regulating money transmitters, money services business, providers of prepaid or
stored value or similar entities, or virtual currency businesses, and the Sponsor has made the determination that dissolution of the Trust is advisable;
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Any ongoing event exists that either prevents the Trust from making or makes impractical the Trust's reasonable efforts to make a fair determination of the Bitcoin
Price;
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Any ongoing event exists that either prevents the Trust from converting, or makes impractical the Trust's reasonable efforts to convert Bitcoin to U.S. dollars; or
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Upon the withdrawal, removal, adjudication or admission of bankruptcy or insolvency of the Sponsor, or an event of withdrawal unless (i) at the time there is at least
one remaining Sponsor or (ii) within 90 days of such event of withdrawal Shareholders holding at least a majority of the Shares (not including Shares held by the Sponsor and their affiliates) agree in writing to continue the Trust and to
select, effective as of the date of such event, one or more successor sponsors.
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The Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, dissolve the Trust if any of the following events occur:
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The SEC determines that the Trust is an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;
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The CFTC determines that the Trust is a commodity pool under the CEA;
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The Trust becomes insolvent or bankrupt;
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All of the Trust's Bitcoin is sold; or
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The Sponsor determines that the size of the Trust Estate in relation to the expenses of the Trust make it unreasonable or imprudent to continue the Trust.
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The death, legal disability, bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution, or withdrawal of any Shareholder (as long as such
Shareholder is not the sole Shareholder of the Trust) shall not result in the termination of the Trust, and such Shareholder, his estate, custodian or personal representative shall have no right to withdraw or value such Shareholder's Shares. Each
Shareholder (and any assignee thereof) expressly agrees that in the event of his death, he waives on behalf of himself and his estate, and he directs the legal representative of his estate and any person interested therein to waive the furnishing of
any inventory, accounting or appraisal of the assets of the Trust and any right to an audit or examination of the books of the Trust.
If the Trust is forced to liquidate, the Trust will be liquidated under the Sponsor's direction. The Sponsor, on
behalf of the Trust, will engage directly with either accessible Bitcoin exchanges or over-the-counter Bitcoin markets to seek to liquidate the Trust's Bitcoin as promptly as possible in an orderly fashion while seeking to maximize value. The
proceeds therefrom will be applied and distributed in the following order of priority: (a) to the expenses of liquidation and termination and to creditors, including Shareholders who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in
satisfaction of liabilities of the Trust other than liabilities for distributions to Shareholders and (b) to the holders of Shares pro rata in accordance with the respective percentages of Shares that they hold. It is expected that the Sponsor would
be subject to the same regulatory requirements as the Trust, and therefore, the markets available to the Sponsor will be the same markets available to the Trust.
Governing Law
The Trust Agreement and the rights of the Sponsor, Trustee, and Shareholders under the Trust Agreement are governed
by the laws of the State of Delaware. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement is governed by [___] law, and the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement and the Administration Agreement are each governed by [___] law.
Description of the Custodian Agreements
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement establishes the rights and responsibilities of the Bitcoin Custodian, the Sponsor,
and Trust with respect to the Trust's Bitcoin in the Bitcoin Account, which is maintained and operated by the Bitcoin Custodian on behalf of the Trust. Although the Trust's Bitcoin is not stored in a physical sense, a record of the Bitcoin owned by
Trust is identifiable on the Bitcoin Blockchain via digital addresses (i.e., the public address for Bitcoin) established by the Bitcoin Custodian. The Bitcoin Custodian is responsible for safekeeping the Trust's Bitcoin, which includes securely
storing all"private
keys associated with the Trust's Bitcoin held by the Bitcoin Custodian. For a general description of the Bitcoin Custodian's
obligations, see "The Bitcoin Custodian—Duties of the Bitcoin Custodian."
The Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement establishes the rights and responsibilities of the Cash and Treasury
Custodian, Sponsor, and Trust with respect to the Trust's T-Bills and U.S. dollars that are held in the Trust's Cash Account, which is maintained and operated by the Cash and Treasury Custodian on behalf of the Trust. The Cash and Treasury
Custodian is responsible for safekeeping the Trust's T-Bills and U.S. dollars. For a general description of the Cash and Treasury Custodian's obligations, see "The Cash and Treasury Custodian—Duties of the Cash and Treasury Custodian."
Location of Bitcoin; Bitcoin Accounts
Bitcoin to be held at [___] by [___].
Access to the Bitcoin Account; Deposits, Withdrawals and Storage
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will provide that the Bitcoin Custodian will use its best efforts to keep the
Trust's Bitcoin in safe custody. The Bitcoin Account will be controlled at all times by or on behalf of the Bitcoin Custodian. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will provide that all of the Trust's Bitcoin credited to the Bitcoin Account must be
appropriately identified as being held for the Trust and held in the Bitcoin Account on a non-fungible basis. The Trust's Bitcoin stored in the Bitcoin Account cannot be commingled with other Bitcoin held by the Bitcoin Custodian.
The Trust will be able to transfer Bitcoin from the Bitcoin Account to another Bitcoin account that is not
maintained or controlled by the Bitcoin Custodian. Except in the case of certain prohibited activities of the Trust and certain events described in the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement, the Bitcoin Custodian will not suspend the Trust's access to the
Bitcoin Account unless the Trust engages in certain prohibited activities. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement is expected to provide that the Trust, the Administrator and certain designated officers and employees of the Trust and the Administrator will
be able to access the Bitcoin Account via the Bitcoin Custodian's services at all times, in order to check information about the Bitcoin Account, and add Bitcoin to, or withdraw Bitcoin from, the Bitcoin Account. From time to time, in connection
with trades of Bitcoin on behalf of the Trust, the Bitcoin Custodian may hold cash of the Trust. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will also provide that the Trust's and Sponsor's auditors or third-party accountants upon reasonable notice, have
inspection rights to visit and inspect the Bitcoin Account.
Under the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement, the Bitcoin Custodian will credit all Bitcoin properly sent to the Bitcoin
Custodian via the Bitcoin Custodian's services by authorized persons. The Bitcoin Custodian will notify the Trust or Sponsor and the relevant authorized persons of the receipt and credit of the Trust's Bitcoin to the Bitcoin Account.
The Bitcoin Custodian will only allow withdrawals of Bitcoin from the Bitcoin Account by authorized persons.
Security of the Bitcoin Account
The Bitcoin Custodian will be the custodian of the Trust's private keys in accordance with the terms and provisions
of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement and it is expected that the Bitcoin Custodian will utilize certain security procedures such as passwords, encryption, Internet connectivity, two-factor authentication process, multi-signature wallets or telephone
call-backs in the administration and operation of the Trust and the safekeeping of its Bitcoin and private keys. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will also provide that the Bitcoin Custodian must exercise best efforts in all Bitcoin Network
transactions executed in connection with its services.
In order to enhance overall security of the Trust's Bitcoin, (1) any instructions with respect to the Trust's
Bitcoin (whether adding to, reducing, or movement of, the Bitcoin held by the Trust), will utilize a two-factor authentication process, and (2) after each transaction all of the Trust's Bitcoin will be moved to a new public address maintained by the
Bitcoin Custodian.
Cash Account
Under the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will establish a Cash Account
that will hold T-Bills and cash on behalf of the Trust. The Cash Account will be maintained by the Cash and Treasury Custodian in the name of the Trust for the benefit of the Shareholders. Only the Administrator will have the right to direct the
Cash and Treasury Custodian with respect to debiting the Cash Account and liquidating any T-Bills (prior to maturity) held in the Cash Account. The T-Bills and cash held for the benefit of the Trust cannot be commingled with other T-Bills and cash
held by the Cash and Treasury Custodian.
When the Administrator directs the Cash and Treasury Custodian to buy or sell T-Bills in accordance with a
rebalancing of the Trust's assets pursuant to the Index methodology, the Cash and Treasury Custodian will select such T-Bills.
Record Keeping
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement and Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement will require each custodian to keep
appropriate records of its services pursuant to the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement and the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement, respectively, and such records will be retained by the Bitcoin Custodian and the and Cash and Treasury Custodian for no
less than seven years. Both the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement and the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement will provide that the Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian will permit, to the extent it may legally do so, the Trust or
Sponsor's auditors or third-party accountants, upon reasonable notice, to inspect, take extracts from and audit the records that it maintains. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement and the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement will require each custodian
to provide a copy of any audit report prepared by their internal or independent auditors to the Trust or Sponsor.
Standard of Care; Limitations of Liability under the Bitcoin Custodian
Agreement
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will provide that the Bitcoin Custodian will use best efforts in performing its
obligations. The Bitcoin Custodian shall not be liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence.
Under the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement, the Bitcoin Custodian will be liable to the Trust and the Sponsor only for an
amount up to the value of the Bitcoin in the Custodial Account. The Bitcoin Custodian is not liable to the Trust for any lost profits or any special, incidental, indirect, intangible, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages, whether based in
contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with authorized or unauthorized use of the site or the custodial services, or the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement, even if an authorized representative of the
Bitcoin Custodian has been advised of or knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages. Furthermore, the Bitcoin Custodian shall not be liable for delays, suspension of operations (temporary or permanent), failure in performance, or
interruption of service which result directly or indirectly from any cause or condition beyond the Bitcoin Custodian's reasonable control, including but not limited to, any delay or failure due to any act of God; natural disasters; act of civil or
military authorities; act of terrorists including, but not limited to, cyber-related terrorist acts; hacking; government restrictions; exchange or market rulings; civil disturbance; war; strike or other labor dispute; fire; interruption in
telecommunications or Internet services or network provider services; failure of equipment and/or software; other catastrophe; or any other occurrence which is beyond the Bitcoin Custodian's reasonable control.
The Bitcoin Custodian is not responsible for operation of the underlying protocols and the Bitcoin Custodian makes
no guarantee of their functionality, security, or availability. Furthermore, the Bitcoin Custodian cannot cancel or reverse a transaction that has been submitted to the Bitcoin Network.
Standard of Care; Limitations of Liability under the Cash and Treasury
Custodian Agreement
The Cash and Treasury Custodian will use best efforts in performing its obligations under the Cash and Treasury
Custodian Agreement. The Cash and Treasury Custodian is liable to the Sponsor and the Trust for the loss of any of the Trust's T-Bills or cash to the extent that the Cash and Treasury Custodian caused such loss, even if the Cash and Treasury
Custodian meets its duty of exercising best efforts.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian will not be liable for any losses associated with the Cash Account, absent its gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian, Sponsor and Trust are not liable to each other for any indirect, incidental,
special or consequential damages whether or not such losses were foreseeable or within contemplation of the parties. Furthermore, the Cash and Treasury Custodian is not responsible or liable to the Trust and the Sponsor for a failure or inability
to perform under the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement or for loss of the Trust's T-Bills or U.S. dollars due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control when exercising best efforts, including acts of God, terrorist activities, war,
rebellion or military or usurped power or confiscation. A cybersecurity attack, hack or other intrusion by a third party or by someone associated with Cash and Treasury Custodian is not a circumstance that is beyond the Cash and Treasury
Custodian's reasonable control when exercising best efforts.
Indemnity
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement provides that the Trust will indemnify and hold the Bitcoin Custodian harmless from any claim or demand (including attorneys' fees
and any fines, fees or penalties imposed by any regulatory authority) arising out of or related to the Trust's breach of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement or the Trust's violation of any law, rule or regulation, or the rights of any third party.
In addition, the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement provides that the Trust will release the Bitcoin Custodian from any and
all claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature arising out of or in any way connected with a dispute with a third party that is connected with the Bitcoin Custodian or the Bitcoin Custodian's services.
The Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement provides that the Trust will indemnify the Cash and Treasury Custodian for
any claim, demand or loss arising out of the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement, other than those caused by the Cash and Treasury Custodian's gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.
Fees and Expenses
The Bitcoin Custodian and the Cash and Treasury Custodian are entitled to fees for services, and any changes or
updates to the fees shall be agreed to in writing.
The Trust will be liable for all taxes with respect to any Bitcoin held on its behalf or any transaction related to
Bitcoin held in the Bitcoin Account.
Termination of the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement may be terminated with the written consent of the Bitcoin Custodian, the Sponsor and
the Trust. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will provide that the Bitcoin Custodian may resign or may be removed by the Trust for any reason upon [_] days' written prior notice; provided however that such resignation or removal shall not become
effective unless and until a successor Bitcoin Custodian shall have accepted its appointment as such. In addition, the Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will provide that, in the event that a successor Bitcoin Custodian has not accepted such appointment
within [_] days after written notice of such resignation or removal, the Bitcoin Custodian may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor. The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement will also provide that, upon termination of the Bitcoin
Custodian Agreement, the Bitcoin Custodian must promptly deliver all the Trust's Bitcoin to or at the direction of the Trust as of the effective date of termination, together with copies of the records maintained pursuant to the Bitcoin Custodian
Agreement.
Termination of the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement
The Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement provides for annual, automatically renewable terms. The Cash and
Treasury Custodian Agreement may be terminated with the written consent of the Cash and Treasury Custodian, the Sponsor and the Trust. The Cash and Treasury Custodian may resign or may be removed by the Trust for any reason upon 30 days' written
prior notice; provided however that such resignation or removal shall not become effective unless and until a successor Cash and Treasury Custodian shall have accepted its appointment as such. In the event that a successor Cash and Treasury
Custodian has not accepted such appointment within 60 days after written notice of such resignation or removal, the Cash and Treasury Custodian may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor. Upon termination of the Cash and
Treasury Custodian Agreement, the Cash and Treasury Custodian must promptly deliver all the Trust's T-Bills and U.S. dollars to or at the direction of the Sponsor, the Administrator or Trust as of the effective date of termination, together with
copies of the records maintained pursuant to the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement.
Governing Law
The Bitcoin Custodian Agreement is governed by [___] law, and the Cash and Treasury Custodian Agreement is governed
by [___] law.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Shareholders. This discussion is
based upon the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect on the date hereof (the "Code") and the judicial decisions, Treasury
Regulations and published revenue rulings and procedures in existence on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In the event of a change in applicable tax law, neither the Trust nor the Sponsor is
under any obligation to update this discussion.
This summary discusses U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Trust by beneficial owners who
are United States persons and beneficial owners who are not United States persons. A United States person means an individual, citizen or resident of the U.S., a corporation or partnership created or organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, any estate (other than an estate the income from which, from sources outside the U.S. that is not effectively connected with a trade or business within the U.S., is not includible in its gross income for U.S.
federal income tax purposes), or a trust if a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. A
non-United States person means a person other than a United States person.
This summary does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor or (unless
otherwise indicated) to certain investors subject to special treatment under federal income tax laws, such as regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, brokers or dealers in securities, bank and certain other financial institutions,
insurance companies, persons required to recognize income pursuant to an "applicable financial statement" or trusts. The tax consequences of an investment in the Trust may vary depending upon the particular circumstances of each prospective
Shareholder. Accordingly, each prospective Shareholder should consult his own tax advisers with respect to the effect of an investment in the Trust on his personal tax situation and, in particular, the state and local and non-U.S. tax consequences
to him of an investment in the Trust.
If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds
Shares, the tax treatment of its partners generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding Shares, you are encouraged to consult your own tax advisor regarding
the tax consequences to you of the partnership's ownership of such Shares.
No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") (or
other relevant taxing authority) or a court will agree with the tax consequences set forth below. Prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers as to the U.S. federal, state and local and the non-U.S. tax consequences of an
investment in the Trust.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Trust and Shareholders that are United States Persons
Treatment of the
Trust as a Partnership for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes. The Trust intends to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To this end, the Trust intends to make, or has made, an election to be treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust has been advised by its counsel, Seward & Kissel LLP, that as a partnership, the Trust will not be a taxable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, each partner will be
required to take into account for each fiscal year, for purposes of computing his own income tax, his proportionate share of the items of taxable income or loss allocated to him pursuant to the Trust Agreement, whether or not any income is paid out
to him. Such taxable income or loss will be required to be taken into account in the taxable year of the Shareholder in which the fiscal year of the Trust ends.
Under Section 7704 of the Code, a partnership that meets the definition of a "publicly traded
partnership" may be taxable as a corporation. It is expected that the Trust should not be treated as a "publicly traded partnership". However, even if it were considered to be publicly traded, the Trust would be taxed as a corporation only if
less than 90% of its gross income for any taxable year consisted of "qualifying income", which term includes, among other things, interest and income from trading commodities, if commodities trading is a primary purpose of the partnership. Bitcoin
has been recognized as a commodity by the CFTC. Although the IRS has not published guidance on whether Bitcoin is a commodity for purposes of the qualifying income exception of Code Section 7704, it is reasonable to treat property that is a
commodity for CFTC purposes as a commodity for publicly-traded partnership purposes. Since the Trust will only hold Bitcoin, T-Bills and/or U.S. dollars, all of the income of the Trust should be "qualifying income", and that, accordingly, even if
the Trust were considered to be publicly-traded, the Trust should still be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not as an association taxable as a corporation. If the Trust were taxed as a corporation, the Trust's
taxable income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, which would significantly reduce the return that an investor would derive from the Trust.
Under the Trust Agreement, the Trust will have the discretion to allocate specially an amount of the Trust's taxable income,
gains or losses to a retiring Shareholder to the extent that the Shareholder's capital account differs from his U.S. federal income tax basis in his Shares. There can be no assurance that the IRS would accept such a special allocation. If the
special allocation was successfully challenged by the IRS, the Trust's taxable income, gains or losses, as the case may be, allocable to the remaining Shareholders would be increased.