21Shares hits $5b AUM milestone as ETF mania intensifies

21Shares AG, the world’s largest issuer of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products for the global market, has reached a milestone of over $5 billion in assets under management.

Per sources close to the matter, 21.co, the parent company of 21Shares, now sees 21Shares accounting for $3.1 billion of its total assets under management (AUM).

The Swiss firm 21Shares, established in 2018 by Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder, launched the first crypto exchange-traded product with the goal of removing the hassle of investing in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

In February, 21Shares and ARK Invest partnered with Chainlink to enhance transparency in its Bitcoin ETF. This integration positioned ARK and 21Shares as the second Bitcoin ETF issuer to make holdings data accessible on-chain.

Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer, Matt Hougan, says there will soon be a considerable uptick in institutional investment in Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs. According to Hougan, initial interest has been driven mainly by retailers, hedge funds, and independent financial advisors. Both investors and analysts expect a pivotal moment for Bitcoin akin to an IPO moment.

At the time of writing, the price of BTC is hovering around the $65,000 area after successfully hitting a new all-time high (ATH) of $69,045 on Mar. 5, as Bitcoin’s market cap now stands at $1.29 trillion. 

However, not all of the company’s journey has been smooth sailing. Jupiter Asset Management, with assets exceeding $65.8 billion, reversed its decision to invest in the 21Shares Ripple XRP ETP due to regulatory concerns in Ireland.

Ireland’s regulatory framework prohibits crypto exposure in UCITS funds, prompting Jupiter’s Gold & Silver Fund to sell its cryptocurrency ETP holding at a loss. Recent indications suggest that UCITS funds may not be allowed to invest in crypto assets in Ireland and France.