ETF Industry Legend John Hyland Joins Cryptocurrency Pioneer Bitwise Asset Management As Global Head of Exchange-Traded Products
SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2018 — Bitwise Asset Management, creator of the world’s first cryptocurrency index fund, announced today that it has hired ETF industry legend John Hyland as the firm focuses aggressively on developing public vehicles for accessing cryptoassets around the world.
Hyland joins the firm as its new global head of exchange-traded products. He was previously chief investment officer and leader of United States Commodity Funds, a multibillion-dollar ETF manager based in Oakland, Calif. He is well-known for spearheading the launch of the first crude oil ETF, the first natural gas ETF, the first copper ETF and one of the most innovative commodity basket funds in the world, the United States Commodity Index Fund. At its peak under Hyland’s leadership, United States Commodity Funds managed more than $7 billion in commodity exposure in an ETF wrapper.
Hyland joins two other senior ETF veterans who have signed on with Bitwise in recent months. Matt Hougan, former CEO of both ETF.com and Inside ETFs, and one of the most well-respected figures in the ETF industry, joined the firm in February as global head of research. Teddy Fusaro joined the firm as its chief operating officer in April after helping build two significant ETF firms, Direxion and IndexIQ; Fusaro most recently served as senior vice president at NY Life Investments, following that firm’s acquisition of IndexIQ in 2015.
“I feel like I’m joining the crypto ETF ‘Dream Team’ at Bitwise,” said Hyland. “Bitwise has everything you need to succeed in this space: world-class software and engineering talent, a deep understanding of cryptoassets, and hugely relevant experience in the world of institutional asset management and sales. While regulators still have many questions about the crypto space, I’m excited to work with the team at Bitwise and our partners in the ETF ecosystem to productively engage in that dialogue.”
“Bitwise is committed to making it easy for any investor to get secure, convenient, and low-cost exposure to cryptoassets,” said Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise. “Exchange-traded products, such as ETFs, are a fantastic way to do that in an efficient wrapper. Though they haven’t been possible in the space so far in the U.S., John has deep experience in working with regulators and partners to introduce first-of-a-kind ETFs. We’re thrilled to have him leading our efforts on this front.”
Bitwise launched the world’s first cryptocurrency index fund, the HOLD 10 Private Index Fund, on Nov. 22, 2017. The fund is available to accredited investors and charges a management fee for its Investor Class of 2.5% per year. Through May 13, 2018, the fund was up 32.2% after fees, compared to a 5.3% return for Bitcoin.
ABOUT BITWISE
Founded in 2017, Bitwise Asset Management is a partner to individuals, financial advisors, family offices, investment managers, and institutions in navigating cryptocurrency. With the mission to make it easy for anyone to invest in cryptocurrency, Bitwise develops funds, indexes, insight, and other services. The team behind Bitwise has expertise in technology, security, and finance. The firm is based in San Francisco. For more information, or to invest, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com.
CONTACT
Hewes Communications, Inc.
Tucker Hewes, 212.207.9451
tucker@hewescomm.com
Bitwise Asset Management, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, the “Manager”) are furnishing this release (this “Release”) to sophisticated prospective investors for informational purposes only in relation to a potential opportunity to subscribe for limited liability company interests (“Interests”) in Bitwise HOLD 10 Private Index Fund, LLC (the “Fund”). This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation for an offer to buy Interests in the Bitwise HOLD 10 Private Index Fund, LLC. Any offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy Interests will be made solely through definitive offering documents, identified as such, in respect of the Fund in compliance with the terms of all applicable securities and other laws. Such definitive offering documents, if any, will describe risks related to an investment in the Fund (including loss of the entire investment) and will qualify in their entirety the information set forth in this Release.
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Prior to making any investment decision in respect of the Fund, each investor must undertake its own independent examination and investigation of the Fund, including the merits and risks involved in an investment in the Interests, and must base its investment decision — including a determination whether Interests would be a suitable investment for the investor — on such examination and investigation and must not rely on the Manager or the Fund in making such investment decision. Prospective investors must not construe the contents of this Release as legal, tax, investment, or other advice. Each prospective investor is urged to consult with its own advisors with respect to legal, tax, regulatory, financial, accounting and similar consequences of investing in the Fund, the suitability of the investment for such investor and other relevant matters concerning an investment in the Fund. This Release contains an overview summary of the terms of the Fund. The summary set forth in this does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the definitive offering documents relating to the Fund. Do not place undue reliance on this Release.
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