Bitwise, ProShares File for ETFs Tracking Soaring Circle (CRCL) Shares

Two well-known ETF issuers are racing to bring funds to market that track the explosive rise of Circle’s newly public stock.

Bitwise and ProShares late Friday each submitted applications with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Circle (CRCL).

Both funds would give investors different ways to play the Circle’s surge, which has turned heads since the IPO late last week. Up another 9% today in volatile action, shares have nearly quadrupled from their $31 offering price.

ProShares, a major name in leveraged ETFs, filed to create the ProShares Ultra CRCL ETF. The fund is designed to provide twice the daily return of CRCL stock. Leveraged ETFs are popular for short-term trades but carry elevated risk due to their compounding effects over multiple days.

Bitwise, on the other hand, is taking a more income-focused route. Its proposed Bitwise CRCL Option Income Strategy ETF would employ a covered call strategy. That involves holding CRCL shares while regularly selling call options against them—generating cash premiums that could help smooth returns, especially if the stock’s rise cools off. This kind of fund typically appeals to investors looking for yield rather than high-octane growth.

Neither fund has disclosed a ticker yet. The proposed effective date for both products is August 20, though SEC approval timelines can vary.

Circle, already a central player in the stablecoin market, has drawn attention from traditional finance and crypto investors alike. If the SEC signs off on these ETFs, they could mark another step in the blending of crypto-linked equities and mainstream investing strategies.

Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk’s full AI Policy.