Why a $76B Asset Manager is Unlocking Onchain Yield to Institutions | Jan van Eck & Martin Leinweber
In today's episode of Empire Jason is joined by Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, a firm overseeing $76.4 billion in assets, and Martin Leinweber, a digital asset strategist at Market Vector Indexes. They dive into conversation ranging from the macroeconomic climate to the prospects of a Bitcoin ETF approval. They dissect how MarketVector aims to capture crypto native value through Ethereum staking rewards and other on-chain metrics, the demand for these products from institutions, and how MarketVector creates investible crypto products for institutions to get exposure.
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Macro Sentiment Check
(07:51) Budget Deficit Concern: Overblown?
(14:15) The van Eck Origin Story
(18:31) The 60-40 Portfolio
(22:23) Bitcoin ETF Likelihood in 2023 vs 2024
(28:11) Toku Ad
(29:25) MarketVector Changing Data and Indices
(40:46) Demand for Onchain Yield
(45:19) Corporate Strategy Focus on Crypto
(48:48) Identifying Tokens with Economic Traction
(53:15) Central Banks Buying BTC
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Resources
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
'We'll be back': VanEck's CEO says they will keep pushing for a spot bitcoin ETF
“We’ll be back."
This November, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rejected a proposal to list a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) from VanEck, only to approve VanEck's bitcoin futures-based fund a few days later.
While VanEck may not have been able to launch a spot ETF at the time, the firm sees a silver lining in the reaction from policymakers in Congress. “For the SEC to have gotten a letter from both a Republican and a Democrat in favor of approval of the Bitcoin ETF was, to me was very positive in the absence of a lot of negative noise around the approval," VanEck CEO Jan van Eck said during the latest episode of The Scoop podcast.
Van Eck also discussed why the firm remains undeterred in bringing more crypto funds to market, and what’s next for the ETF giant. He explained that while the SEC ruling on the spot ETF wasn't surprising, the firm expects to submit more bitcoin funds for approval.
History repeating?
But van Eck went on to note that the rejection of spot bitcoin ETfs may be similar to the initial pushback against gold bullion ETFs. He observed that the government initially also rejected gold bullion ETFs, while they were quick to approve gold futures funds.
In this respect, van Eck contended that the SEC is exhibiting a double standard over bitcoin ETFs, with the agency wanting jurisdiction over crypto-cash markets. “It did not require that meaningfully for a gold ETF or a dry bulk shipping ETF," he said. From a macro perspective, however, van Eck acknowledged that while he believes governments view digital assets as “incredibly threatening” -- citing China’s ban on crypto trading and mining earlier this year -- he is encouraged by other regulatory movements in the space.
... For more visit theblockcrypto.com/podcasts
Episode 79 of Season 3 of The Scoop was recorded remotely with The Block’s Frank Chaparro and Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck.
Listen below, and subscribe to The Scoop on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Email feedback and revision requests to podcast@theblockcrypto.com.
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