ETH 8-K
Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Trading |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as amended from time to time by the Trust's filings with the SEC (the "Annual Report").
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Authorized Participant Agreements
Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, as sponsor (the "Sponsor") on behalf of the registrant (the "Trust"), and the Transfer Agent entered into amendments to its Participant Agreements with Jane Street Capital, LLC and Virtu Americas LLC, pursuant to which such entities are able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind. The Sponsor may engage additional Authorized Participants in the future, and such Authorized Participants may be able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind, in cash, or both.
The foregoing description is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the Form of Participant Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Supplemental Disclosures
As of the date of this filing, NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) has received regulatory approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permitting crypto-based exchange-traded products listed on NYSE Arca, including the Trust, to conduct creations and redemptions of Shares via in-kind transactions with Authorized Participants or their designees (any such designee, an “AP Designee”) (the “In-Kind Regulatory Approval”).
Based on the In-Kind Regulatory Approval, the Sponsor is filing information for the purpose of supplementing and updating the disclosures contained in the Trust’s Annual Report to reflect the receipt of the In-Kind Regulatory Approval and the availability of an in-kind creation and redemption process, pursuant to which Authorized Participants or AP Designees may create or redeem Shares in-kind, as an alternative to the Trust’s cash-based creation and redemption process.
The Sponsor intends to cause the Trust to create and redeem Shares in the manner described in "Description of Creation and Redemption of Shares" set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto, which is incorporated by reference herein and supersedes the section set forth in "Part I—Item 1. Business—Description of Creation and Redemption of Shares" in the Trust's Annual Report.
Other supplemental disclosures are set forth under "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" being filed hereto as Exhibit 99.2, which is incorporated by reference herein and updates the section set forth in "Part I—Item 1. Business—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Trust's Annual Report to provide that the Staking Condition has been satisfied, as previously disclosed, and to give effect to the developments described herein, and under "Other Supplemental Disclosures" being filed hereto as Exhibit 99.3, which is incorporated by reference herein and updates other sections of the Trust's filings with the SEC as described therein, to give effect to the developments described herein.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
10.1 |
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99.1 |
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99.2 |
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99.3 |
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104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, as Sponsor of Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF |
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February 6, 2026 |
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/s/ Edward McGee |
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Name: Edward McGee |
* The Registrant is a trust and the identified person signing this report is signing in their capacity as an authorized officer of Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, the Sponsor of the Registrant.
Ex. 10.1
AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of [●] among: (i) [●] (the “Authorized Participant”); (ii) Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, except as otherwise specified herein, acting in its capacity as sponsor or manager (the “Sponsor”) of each investment vehicle listed on Schedule V attached hereto and incorporated herein, as the same may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor with the consent of the Authorized Participant (e-mail being sufficient), except that the Sponsor may remove any investment vehicle at any time in its sole discretion, (each, the applicable “Product” when referred to throughout the remainder of this Agreement). Each Product is either created under Delaware law pursuant to its applicable declaration of trust and trust agreement listed on Schedule V attached hereto between CSC Delaware Trust Company acting in its capacity as Trustee (the “Trustee”) and the Sponsor (each, the applicable “Trust Agreement” when referred to throughout the remainder of this Agreement) or is a Cayman Islands limited liability company created pursuant to a limited liability company agreement between the Sponsor and the shareholders of such Product (the “LLC Agreement”); and (iii) subject to its acceptance hereof, The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York Banking corporation acting in its capacity as transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) of the Product.
R E C I T A L S
A. Pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, the Product may from time to time issue or redeem equity securities representing common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in the profits, losses, distributions, capital and assets of, and ownership of, the Product (“Shares”), in each case only in aggregate amounts of 10,000 Shares (such block of 10,000 shares, a “Basket”), and integral multiples thereof, and only in transactions with a party who, at the time of the transaction, shall have signed and entered into an effective Authorized Participant Agreement with the Product.
B. [●] has requested to become an “Authorized Participant” with respect to the Product (as such term is defined in the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement), and the Sponsor and the Distributor (as such term is defined in the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement) have agreed to such request. Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Authorized Participant to create or redeem one or more Baskets of Shares or to sell or offer to sell Shares.
C. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, NYSE Arca (as defined herein) has obtained necessary regulatory approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to amend its listing rules to permit the Product to create and redeem Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders (as defined herein) (the “In-Kind Regulatory Approval”), and thus the procedures described herein under Section 8, and any other references to In-Kind Orders, may now be operative.
D. As In-Kind Regulatory Approval was received, the Authorized Participant may designate others, including affiliates or its agents (each, an “AP Designee” and collectively, “AP Designees”), to perform certain functions in this Agreement on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such as transferring, delivering and/or receiving Digital Assets. To the extent the Authorized Participant is under an obligation to transfer, deliver or receive Digital Assets under this Agreement (including any schedule or attachment hereto) or makes any representation,
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Ex. 10.1
warranty or covenant related to such obligation, that obligation may be performed by, and that representation, warranty or covenant may be made by, its AP Designee, not the Authorized Participant, provided that for the avoidance of doubt, the Authorized Participant shall be fully liable for any failure of any AP Designee to perform such obligation or make such representation, warranty or covenant.
E. The Sponsor may designate Grayscale Securities, LLC or any other party, including affiliates or its agents, which may include the Product (such party, the “Sponsor Agent”), to perform certain functions in this Agreement, such as transferring, delivering, and/or receiving cash in connection with the creation or redemption of Shares. Where the creation or redemption of Shares requires the transfer, delivery or receipt of cash under this Agreement (including any schedule or attachment hereto), that obligation shall be performed by, and any applicable representation, warranty or covenant shall be made by, the Sponsor Agent, not the Sponsor, provided that for the avoidance of doubt, (i) any such action taken by the Sponsor or any Sponsor Agent shall be taken solely to facilitate Cash Orders and, except in the case of Alternate Cash Orders (as defined herein), shall not be actions taken on behalf of the Product, and (ii) the Product shall have no responsibility or liability for any such action (or any failure to take such action) or for such representation, warranty or covenant.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
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Ex. 10.1
Each of the Authorized Participant and the AP Designees shall act in a manner consistent with all applicable AML Laws, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 as amended, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other applicable anti-corruption laws (the “Anti-Corruption Laws”) and Sanctions. In furtherance of such efforts, the Authorized Participant and its AP Designees shall not mention the Product, or send any materials related to the Product, to any prospective investor, or accept any contribution or payment in connection with an investment in the Product (including, without limitation, any Creation and Redemption transactions with the Product) by any prospective investor, unless the Authorized Participant or any AP Designee, as applicable, has no knowledge or reason to believe that: (i) any cash or property or Digital Assets, that would be paid to the Authorized Participant in connection with an investment in the Product, would be derived from, or related to, any activity that would violate, or cause the Authorized Participant, any of its AP Designees (as applicable), the Product, the Sponsor or the Sponsor Agent to be in violation of, any United States law or any other applicable law, including AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, Sanctions or otherwise; or (ii) any contribution or payment to the Authorized Participant in connection with an investment in the Product by such prospective investor would cause the Authorized Participant, any of its AP Designees (as applicable), the Product, the Sponsor or the Sponsor Agent to be in violation of AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws or Sanctions.
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Ex. 10.1
The Bank of New York Mellon
Attn: ETF Services
240 Greenwich St.
New York, NY 10286
Telephone: (212) 635-6314
E-Mail: [email protected]
Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC
Attn: ETF Team
290 Harbor Drive, 4th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: (212)668-1427
E-Mail: [email protected]
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Telephone: [ ]
E-mail: [ ]
or such other address as any of the parties hereto shall have communicated in writing to the remaining parties in compliance with the provisions hereof.
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(2) In the case of any Alternate Cash Order, the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant hereby agree, as a condition to the participation in the consummation of any such Alternate Cash Order, (A) to fully (and without exception) exculpate the Product with respect to, and to irrevocably waive any and all claims against the Product or the Product Estate (as defined in the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement) arising from or in connection with, such Alternate Cash Order and (B) to fully indemnify and hold the Product harmless against (x) any breach by such person of any provision of this Agreement; (y) any failure on the part of such person to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement; and (z) any failure by such person to comply with applicable laws, including, without limitation, rules and regulations of any regulatory or self-regulatory organizations in relation to its role under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Product agrees to (i) (x) accept cash from the Authorized Participant and deliver cash to the applicable liquidity provider and (y) accept Digital Asset from a Liquidity Provider Account, in each case of this clause (i), in connection with the issuance of Shares to the Authorized Participant or (ii) (x) accept cash from the applicable liquidity provider and deliver cash to the Authorized Participant and (y) deliver Digital Asset to a Liquidity Provider Account, in each case of this clause (ii), in connection with the delivery of Shares to the Product by the Authorized Participant for redemption, and in each case of clause (i) or (ii), pursuant to the procedures applicable to Alternate Cash Orders.
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[Signatures Follow on Next Page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Authorized Participant Agreement as of the date set forth above.
[AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT LEGAL NAME], as Authorized Participant |
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GRAYSCALE INVESTMENTS SPONSORS, LLC, as Sponsor
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Accepted by: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Transfer Agent |
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SCHEDULE I - CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS - SCHEDULE I
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01 Definitions
Section 1.02 Interpretation
ARTICLE II CREATION PROCEDURES
Section 2.01 Creation of Shares Pursuant to In-Kind Orders
Section 2.02 Creation of Shares Pursuant to Cash Orders
Section 2.03 Creation of Shares Pursuant to Alternate Cash Orders
Section 2.04 Suspension or Rejection of Creation of Shares
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Section 3.01 Redemption of Shares Pursuant to In-Kind Orders
Section 3.02 Redemption of Shares Pursuant to Cash Orders
Section 3.03 Redemption of Shares Pursuant to Alternate Cash Orders
Section 3.04 Suspension or Rejection of Redemption of Shares
ANNEX I-A TO CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Creation/Redemption Order Form
ANNEX I-B TO CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Order Entry System Terms and Conditions
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CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES FOR AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENTS (the “Procedures”) adopted by the Sponsor, Transfer Agent, Authorized Participant and Marketing Agent (each as defined below) as of [●].
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01. Definitions. For purposes of these Procedures, and the Standard Terms incorporated by reference into the Authorized Participant Agreement to which these Procedures are attached, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms will have the following meanings:
“Actual Execution Cash Order” shall mean a Cash Order pursuant to which any price differential between (x) the Total Basket NAV on the Trade Date and (y) the price realized in acquiring or disposing of the corresponding Total Basket Amount, as the case may be, will be borne solely by the Authorized Participant.
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning given to it by Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act.
“Alternate Cash Account” shall mean the account maintained by the Transfer Agent in the name of the Product for purposes of (i) receiving cash from Authorized Participants, and distributing cash to liquidity providers, in connection with Creations pursuant to Alternate Cash Orders and (ii) receiving cash from liquidity providers, and distributing cash to Authorized Participants, in connection with Redemptions pursuant to Alternate Cash Orders.
“Alternate Cash Order” shall mean a Cash Order pursuant to the alternative procedures for creation and redemption of Shares set forth in Section 13.12 of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, as applicable, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
“AP Designee” shall mean the party that acts as a designee, including affiliates or agents of the Authorized Participant in the case of In-Kind Orders.
“AP Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Sections 6.01(a) of the Standard Terms.
“Authorized Participant” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in the introductory paragraph of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Authorized Participant Agreement” shall mean each Authorized Participant Agreement (including the Schedules thereto) among the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor authorizing the Authorized Participant to submit Creation Orders and Redemption Orders.
“Authorized Participant Client” shall mean any party on whose behalf the Authorized Participant acts in connection with an Order (whether a customer or otherwise).
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“Authorized Participant Self-Administered Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b) of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Authorized Representative” shall mean, with respect to an Authorized Participant, each individual who, pursuant to the provisions of the Authorized Participant Agreement, has the power and authority to act on behalf of the Authorized Participant in connection with the placement of Creation Orders or Redemption Orders and is in possession of the personal identification number (PIN) assigned by the Transfer Agent for use in any communications regarding Purchase or Redemption Orders on behalf of such Authorized Participant.
“Basket” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in the recitals to the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Basket Amount” shall mean, on any Trade Date, the number of Digital Assets required as of such Trade Date for each Basket, as determined by dividing (x) the number of Digital Assets owned by the Product at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on such Trade Date, after deducting the number of Digital Assets representing the U.S. dollar value of accrued but unpaid fees and expenses of the Product (in the case of any such fee and expenses other than the Sponsor’s Fee, converted using the Index Price at such time, and carried to the eighth decimal place), by (y) the number of Shares outstanding at such time (with the quotient so obtained calculated to one one-hundred-millionth of one Digital Asset (i.e., carried to the eighth decimal place)), and multiplying such quotient by 10,000.
“Basket NAV” shall mean the U.S. dollar value of a Basket of Shares calculated by multiplying the Basket Amount by the Index Price as of the Trade Date.
“Blockchain” or “Digital Asset Blockchain” shall mean the public transaction ledger of the Digital Asset Network on which transactions in Digital Asset are recorded.
“Business Day” shall mean each day the Shares trade on NYSE Arca.
“Capped Amount” shall mean a number of Shares that may be created pursuant to Cash Orders on any specified day.
“Cash Account” shall mean the account maintained by the Transfer Agent in the name of a Sponsor Agent for purposes of receiving cash from, and distributing cash to, Authorized Participants in connection with Creations and Redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders (other than Alternate Cash Orders). For the avoidance of doubt, the Product shall have no interest (beneficial, equitable or otherwise) in the Cash Account or any cash held therein.
“Cash Orders” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Cash Order Delivery Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(d)(i).
“Collateral Amount” shall mean 115% of the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount determined using the Index Price on the Business Day prior to the Creation Settlement Date, in the case of in-kind Creations, or the Business Day prior to the Redemption Settlement
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Date, in the case of in-kind or in-cash Redemptions. The Collateral Amount may be changed by the Sponsor in its sole discretion at any time.
“Creation” shall mean the process that begins when an Authorized Participant first indicates to the Transfer Agent its intention to acquire one or more Baskets pursuant to these Procedures and concludes with the issuance by the Product and Delivery to such Authorized Participant of the corresponding number of Shares.
“Creation and Redemption Line” shall mean a telephone number designated as such by the Transfer Agent and specified in Annex I-A of the Procedures or otherwise communicated to each Authorized Participant in compliance with the notice provisions of the respective Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Creation Order” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Creation Settlement Date” shall mean the first or second Business Day following the Trade Date as specified in the applicable Creation Order, subject to the exceptions described in the Procedures.
“Custodial Services” shall mean the Custodian’s services that (i) allow Digital Assets to be deposited from a public blockchain address to the Product’s Digital Asset Account and (ii) allow the Product and the Sponsor to withdraw Digital Asset from the Product’s Digital Asset Account to a public blockchain address the Product or the Sponsor controls pursuant to instructions the Product or the Sponsor provides to the Custodian.
“Custodian” shall mean Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC, or any other Person from time to time engaged to provide custodian services or related services to the Product pursuant to authority delegated by the Sponsor.
“Custody Agreement” or “Custody Agreements” shall mean the Custodial Services Agreement by and between the Product and the Sponsor and Custodian that governs the Product’s and the Sponsor’s use of the Custodial Services provided by the Custodian as a fiduciary with respect to the Product’s assets.
“Deliver” shall mean the act of delivering Digital Assets, Cash or Shares, as applicable.
“Delivery” shall mean a delivery of Digital Assets, Cash or Shares, as applicable.
“Depositor” shall mean any Authorized Participant, any AP Designee or any liquidity provider that deposits Digital Assets with the Custodian.
“Deposit Property” shall mean Digital Assets that are, in compliance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement and these Procedures, transferred by the Depositor to the Custodian to effectuate Orders.
“Digital Asset” shall mean the applicable digital asset underlying the Shares of the applicable Product on Schedule V hereto.
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“Digital Asset Account” shall mean a segregated custody account controlled and secured by the Custodian to store private keys, which allow for the transfer of ownership or control of the Product’s Digital Assets on the Product’s behalf. For purposes of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, the Digital Asset Account shall mean the Digital Asset Account.
“Digital Asset Network” shall mean the online, end-user-to-end-user network hosting the public transaction ledger, known as the Blockchain, and the source code comprising the basis for the cryptographic and algorithmic protocols governing the digital asset network for the applicable Digital Asset.
“DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
“DTC Participant” shall mean a direct participant in DTC.
“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
“In-Kind Orders” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Index” shall mean the applicable index listed alongside the applicable Product on Schedule V hereto.
“Index Price” shall mean the U.S. dollar value of a Digital Asset derived from the Digital Asset Exchanges that are reflected in the Index, calculated at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on each Business Day. For purposes of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, the term Digital Asset Index Price shall mean the Index Price as defined herein.
“Index Provider” shall mean CoinDesk Indices, Inc., a Delaware corporation that publishes the Index.
“LLC Agreement” shall have the meanings ascribed to it in the introductory paragraph of the Authorized Participant Agreement
“Marketing Agent” shall mean Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
“NYSE Arca” shall mean NYSE Arca, Inc.
“Order” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Order Cutoff Time” shall mean (i) 3:59:59 p.m. (New York time) on any Business Day, in the case of In-Kind Orders, and (ii) 1:59:59 p.m. (New York time) on any Business Day, in the case of Cash Orders.
“Order Date” shall mean the Business Day on which an Order is accepted by the Marketing Agent.
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“Person” shall mean any natural person, partnership, limited liability company, statutory trust, corporation, association, or other legal entity.
“Procedures” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in the introductory paragraph of this Schedule I.
“Product” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the introductory paragraph of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Prospectus” or “Prospectuses” shall mean the current prospectus of the Product included in its Registration Statement, as supplemented or amended from time to time.
“Redemption” shall mean the process that begins when an Authorized Participant first indicates to the Transfer Agent its intention to redeem one or more Baskets pursuant to these Procedures and concludes with the cancellation of a corresponding number of Shares Delivered by such Authorized Participant for cancellation.
“Redemption Order” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Redemption Settlement Date” shall mean the second Business Day after the Trade Date, subject to the exceptions described in the Procedures.
“Registration Statement” shall mean the Product’s effective registration statement filed with the SEC, as the same may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Sponsor” shall mean Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as the sponsor or manager of the Product under either the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, as applicable, and any successor thereto in compliance with the provisions thereof.
“Sponsor Agent” shall mean the Sponsor, or any other party that acts as a designee, including affiliates or agents of the Sponsor in the case of Cash Orders.
“Sponsor Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.01(b) of the Standard Terms.
“Standard Terms” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“Time of Creation” shall mean each time of acquisition by the Authorized Participant of a Basket from the Product.
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“Total Basket Amount” shall mean the Basket Amount multiplied by the number of Baskets being created or redeemed, specified in the applicable Creation Order or Redemption Order.
“Total Basket NAV” shall mean the Basket NAV multiplied by the number of Baskets being created or redeemed.
“Trade Date” shall mean the Business Day on which the Total Basket Amount is determined in accordance with the Procedures.
“Transaction Fee” shall mean a fee of $500.00 to be paid by the Authorized Participant to the Transfer Agent for each Creation Order or Redemption Order. The fee may be changed by the Transfer Agent with the prior written consent of the Sponsor.
“Transfer Agent” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do banking business.
“Trustee” shall mean CSC Delaware Trust Company, its successors and assigns, or any substitute therefor, acting not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee of the relevant Product as provided for in the Trust Agreement.
“Trust Agreement” shall have the meanings ascribed to it in the introductory paragraph of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
“VAT” shall mean (a) any tax imposed pursuant to or in compliance with the Sixth Directive of the Council of the European Economic Communities (77/388/EEC) including, without limitation, in relation to the United Kingdom, value added tax imposed by the Value Added Tax Act 1994 and legislation and regulations supplemental thereto; and (b) any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union or elsewhere, in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in “(a)”.
“Variable Fee” shall mean an amount in cash based on the Total Basket NAV, which shall be paid by the Authorized Participant in connection with Variable Fee Cash Orders. The amount may be changed by the Sponsor in its sole discretion at any time.
“Variable Fee Cash Order” shall mean a Cash Order pursuant to which any price difference between (x) the Total Basket NAV on the Trade Date and (y) the price realized in acquiring or disposing of the corresponding Total Basket Amount, as the case may be, will be borne solely by the applicable liquidity provider.
Section 1.02. Interpretation. In these Procedures:
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to Sections, clauses, paragraphs, schedules or exhibits, are to Sections, clauses, paragraphs, schedules or exhibits in or to these Procedures.
The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to these Procedures as a whole, and not to any individual provision in which such words may appear.
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A reference to any statute, law, decree, rule, regulation or other applicable norm shall be construed as a reference to such statute, law, decree, rule, regulation or other applicable norm as re-enacted, re-designated or amended from time to time.
A reference to any agreement, instrument or document shall be construed as a reference to such agreement, instrument or document as the same may have been amended from time to time in compliance with the provisions thereof.
ARTICLE II
CREATION PROCEDURES
Section 2.01. Creation of Shares Pursuant to In-Kind Orders. The Creation of Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders shall take place only in compliance with the rules of this Section 2.01:
(a) Authorized Participants wishing to acquire from the Product one or more Baskets shall place a Creation Order with the Transfer Agent no later than the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day. Creation Orders received by the Transfer Agent on or after the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day shall be considered rejected unless determined otherwise by the Sponsor in writing in its sole discretion.
(b) The Trade Date for the Creation of Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders shall be the Order Date.
(c) For purposes of Section 2.01(a) above, a Creation Order shall be deemed received by the Transfer Agent only when either of the following has occurred no later than the Order Cutoff Time:
(i) Telephone Order – An Authorized Representative shall have placed a telephone call to the Creation and Redemption Line informing the Transfer Agent that the Authorized Participant wishes to place a Creation Order for a specified number of Baskets, received an Order Number from the Transfer Agent for insertion in the Creation Order and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Creation Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A, and such Creation Order shall have been received by the Transfer Agent within thirty (30) minutes following such phone call; or
(ii) Web-based Order – An Authorized Representative shall have accessed the Transfer Agent’s online services (nexen.bnymellon.com) and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Creation Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A.
(d) Creation Orders are accepted or rejected by the Marketing Agent. The Marketing Agent will accept or reject a Creation Order as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a properly completed Creation Order but no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date.
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(i) If a Creation Order is accepted, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Creation Order endorsed “Accepted” by the Marketing Agent and indicating the Basket Amount that the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) shall Deliver to the Custodian in respect of each Basket being created. Prior to the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Creation Order for an In-Kind Order will only represent the Authorized Participant’s firm unilateral offer to deposit (or cause its AP Designee to deposit) Digital Assets in exchange for a Delivery of Baskets and will have no binding effect upon the Product, the Transfer Agent or any other party. Following the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Creation Order will be a binding agreement between the Product and the Authorized Participant for the deposit of Digital Assets in exchange for the Creation of Baskets pursuant to the terms of the Creation Order and these Procedures. The Authorized Participant may submit an amended Creation Order changing the number of Baskets ordered no later than the Order Cutoff Time.
(ii) If a Creation Order is rejected, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Creation Order endorsed “Declined” by the Marketing Agent. A Creation Order which is not properly completed will be deemed invalid and rejected by the Marketing Agent; the Authorized Participant may submit a corrected Creation Order no later than the Order Cutoff Time. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Creation Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Creation Order.
(iii) Creation Orders not accepted or rejected by 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date shall be accepted or rejected on the same Business Day as soon as practicable.
(e) The Transfer Agent shall provide a written summary to the Sponsor of all accepted In-Kind Orders for Creation for such Order Date no later than 6:00 p.m. (New York time).
(f) Each Creation Order shall require the Authorized Participant, or any AP Designee acting on behalf of the Authorized Participant (as the case may be), to obtain Digital Asset equal to the Total Basket Amount.
(g) Except as provided in Section 2.01(i) below, each Creation Order shall settle on the Creation Settlement Date. In connection with settlement, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date, or at such later date and time as the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor in their absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant (i) the Total Basket Amount must be deposited by the Authorized Participant, or the AP Designee acting on behalf of the Authorized Participant (as the case may be), in the Product’s Digital Asset Account and (ii) the Authorized Participant shall have paid the Transfer Agent the Transaction Fee, if applicable, and all taxes, governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit, the transfer of Digital Assets and the issuance and Delivery of Shares.
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(h) On the Creation Settlement Date, or on such earlier date and time as the Transfer Agent in its absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares corresponding to the Baskets ordered by the Authorized Participant and shall Deliver such Shares to the Authorized Participant, by credit to the account at DTC that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Creation Order, no later than 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date; provided that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date the Transfer Agent is notified that the Total Basket Amount has been deposited in the Product’s Digital Asset Account in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.01(g) above.
(i) In the event that on the Creation Settlement Date, the Product’s Digital Asset Account shall not have been credited with the Total Basket Amount in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.01(g)(i) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor via electronic mail message notice of such fact.
(i) The Transfer Agent and the Sponsor each agree not to treat such Creation Order as a failed trade or a failed settlement provided that as soon as practicable between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date, the Authorized Participant shall wire the Collateral Amount to the Cash Account.
(ii) If the Authorized Participant fails to deposit the Collateral Amount in the Cash Account as provided in Section 2.01(i)(i) or the Authorized Participant, or the AP Designee acting on behalf of the Authorized Participant (as the case may be), fails to deposit the Total Basket Amount in the Product’s Digital Asset Account by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the Creation Settlement Date, then the Sponsor and Transfer Agent may (A) deem the relevant Creation Order as a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Creation Order or (B) complete such Creation Order by (1) applying the Collateral Amount to the purchase, for the account of the Authorized Participant, of Digital Assets constituting the Total Basket Amount and to the payment or reimbursement of any actual costs of the Sponsor in connection with otherwise completing the Creation Order and (2) delivering such Digital Assets to the Product’s Digital Asset Account in satisfaction of the Authorized Participant’s delivery obligations under such Creation Order.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Authorized Participant has deposited the Collateral Amount in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.01(i)(i) but fails to deposit the Total Basket Amount by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the Creation Settlement Date, the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor may nonetheless agree not to treat such Creation Order as a failed trade, provided that (i) if the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount exceeds the Collateral Amount, as determined using the Index Price on the previous Business Day, then by 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on such Business Day, the Authorized Participant deposits in the Cash Account an additional amount in U.S. dollars such that the amount in the Cash Account is equal to 115% of the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount, as determined using the Index Price on the previous Business Day and (ii) the Authorized Participant, or the AP Designee
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acting on behalf of the Authorized Participant (as the case may be), deposits the Total Basket Amount in the Product’s Digital Asset Account by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the following Business Day. If the Authorized Participant fails to deposit such excess amount in the Cash Account or fails to so deposit the Total Basket Amount, the Sponsor and Transfer Agent may (A) deem the relevant Creation Order as a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Creation Order or (B) complete such Creation Order by (1) applying the Collateral Amount (and any additional amount subsequently deposited in the Cash Account) to the purchase, for the account of the Authorized Participant, of Digital Assets constituting the Total Basket Amount and to the payment or reimbursement of any actual costs of the Sponsor in connection with otherwise completing the Creation Order and (2) delivering such Digital Assets to the Product’s Digital Asset Account in satisfaction of the Authorized Participant’s delivery obligations under such Creation Order.
(iv) If the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent deem the relevant Creation Order a failed trade in accordance with Section 2.01(i)(ii) or Section 2.01(i)(iii), they shall return the Collateral Amount (and any additional amount deposited pursuant to this Section 2.01(i)) by wire transfer to the Authorized Participant.
(v) The Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares corresponding to the Baskets ordered by the Authorized Participant and shall Deliver such Shares to the Authorized Participant, by credit to the account at DTC that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Creation Order, no later than 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date on which the Transfer Agent is notified that the Total Basket Amount has been deposited in the Product’s Digital Asset Account by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on such date.
(j) The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares ordered until such time as (i) the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) Delivers the Total Basket Amount or (ii) the Total Basket Amount is Delivered to the Product, funded by the Collateral Amount.
(k) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, none of the Authorized Participant, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian shall be liable for any failure or delay in making Delivery of Shares, Digital Assets or cash, as the case may be, in respect of a Creation Order arising from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent and the Custodian and similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s, the Sponsor’s, the Product’s, the Custodian’s, the Marketing Agent’s or the Transfer Agent’s reasonable control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Creation Order will be extended for a period equal to that
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during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
(l) Except as provided in Sections 2.01(e), 2.01(h) and the Standard Terms, none of the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor, Marketing Agent or the Custodian are under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any Creation Order or the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Section 2.02. Creation of Shares Pursuant to Cash Orders. The Creation of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders that are not Alternate Cash Orders shall take place only in compliance with the rules of this Section 2.02:
(a) Authorized Participants wishing to acquire from the Product one or more Baskets shall place a Creation Order with the Transfer Agent no later than the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day. Creation Orders received by the Transfer Agent on or after the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day shall be considered rejected unless determined otherwise by the Sponsor in writing in its sole discretion.
(b) The Trade Date for the Creation of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders shall be the Order Date.
(c) The Sponsor may in its absolute discretion limit the Creation of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders to the Capped Amount at any time without notice to the Authorized Participant and may direct the Marketing Agent to reject any Cash Orders in excess of the Capped Amount.
(d) For purposes of Section 2.02(a) above, a Creation Order shall be deemed received by the Transfer Agent only when either of the following has occurred no later than the Order Cutoff Time:
(i) Telephone Order – An Authorized Representative shall have placed a telephone call to the Creation and Redemption Line informing the Transfer Agent that the Authorized Participant wishes to place a Creation Order for a specified number of Baskets, received an Order Number from the Transfer Agent for insertion in the Creation Order and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Creation Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A, and such Creation Order shall have been received by the Transfer Agent within thirty (30) minutes following such phone call; or
(ii) Web-based Order – An Authorized Representative shall have accessed the Transfer Agent’s online services (nexen.bnymellon.com) and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Creation Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A.
(e) Creation Orders are accepted or rejected by the Marketing Agent. The Marketing Agent will accept or reject a Creation Order as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of
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a properly completed Creation Order but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date.
(i) If a Creation Order is accepted, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Creation Order endorsed “Accepted” by the Marketing Agent. Prior to the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Cash Order for Creation will only represent the Authorized Participant’s firm unilateral offer to (x) deposit into the Cash Account, the Total Basket NAV and Variable Fee for Delivery to a liquidity provider and (y) accept a Delivery of Baskets upon such liquidity provider’s Delivery to the Custodian of the Total Basket Amount and will have no binding effect upon the Product, the Transfer Agent, or any other party. Following the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Creation Order will be a binding agreement among (x) the Product and the Authorized Participant for the Creation of Baskets in exchange for the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount, (y) the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant for the engagement by the Sponsor of a liquidity provider to deposit the Total Basket Amount with the Custodian and (z) the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant for the Delivery by the Authorized Participant of the Total Basket NAV and the Variable Fee to the Cash Account no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Creation Order and these Procedures. Subject to the Capped Amount, the Authorized Participant may submit an amended Creation Order changing the number of Baskets ordered no later than the Order Cutoff Time.
(ii) If a Creation Order is rejected, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Creation Order endorsed “Declined” by the Marketing Agent. A Creation Order which is not properly completed will be deemed invalid and rejected by the Marketing Agent; the Authorized Participant may submit a corrected Creation Order no later than the Order Cutoff Time. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Creation Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Creation Order.
(iii) Creation Orders not accepted or rejected by 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date shall be accepted or rejected on the same Business Day as soon as practicable.
The Transfer Agent shall provide a written summary to the Sponsor of all accepted Cash Orders for Creation for such Order Date no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time). Promptly following 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Trade Date, the Transfer Agent shall notify the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant of the Total Basket Amount, the Total Basket NAV and the dollar amount of any Variable Fees.
(f) Each Cash Order shall require (i) the Sponsor to engage a liquidity provider to obtain Digital Asset equal to the Total Basket Amount and (ii) the Authorized Participant to
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Deliver the Total Basket NAV and the Variable Fee to the Cash Account by 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date.
(g) Except as provided in Section 2.02(k) below, each Creation Order shall settle on the Creation Settlement Date. In connection with settlement, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date, or at such later date and time as the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor in their absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant (i) the Total Basket Amount must be deposited by the Sponsor, or a liquidity provider on behalf of the Sponsor (as the case may be), in the Product’s Digital Asset Account, (ii) the Authorized Participant shall have deposited the Total Basket NAV and the Variable Fee in the Cash Account in compliance with Section 2.02(f) above and (iii) the Authorized Participant shall have paid the Transfer Agent the Transaction Fee, if applicable, and all taxes, governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit, the transfer of Digital Assets and the issuance and Delivery of Shares.
(h) On the Creation Settlement Date, or on such earlier date and time as the Transfer Agent in its absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares corresponding to the Baskets ordered by the Authorized Participant and shall Deliver such Shares to the Authorized Participant, by credit to the account at DTC that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Creation Order, no later than 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date; provided that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date the Transfer Agent is notified that the Total Basket Amount has been deposited in the Product’s Digital Asset Account in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.02(g) above.
(i) Upon deposit of the Total Basket Amount in the Product’s Digital Asset Account, the Shares will be deemed issued and delivered with no further action required to be taken by the Product or any other person; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transfer Agent shall take the further actions contemplated hereby to evidence such issuance and delivery to the Authorized Participant.
(j) In the event that on the Creation Settlement Date, the Product’s Digital Asset Account shall not have been credited with the Total Basket Amount in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.02(g)(i) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor via electronic mail message notice of such fact. The relevant Creation Order shall be deemed a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Creation Order, unless the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, chooses to complete such Creation Order by (i) applying any related Total Basket NAV to the purchase of Digital Assets constituting the Total Basket Amount and (ii) delivering such Digital Assets to the Product’s Digital Asset Account in satisfaction of the liquidity provider’s delivery obligations. In the event that on the Creation Settlement Date, the Product’s Digital Asset Account shall have been credited with the Total Basket Amount in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.02(g)(i) above but the Authorized Participant shall not have deposited the Total Basket NAV and the Variable Fee in the Cash Account as required by Section 2.02(f), the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor via electronic mail message notice of such fact. The relevant Creation Order shall settle in accordance with Section 2.02(h) and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses
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incurred by the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider or the Custodian related to the Creation Order.
(k) The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares ordered until such time as the Total Basket Amount has been Delivered to the Product.
(l) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, none of the Authorized Participant, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian shall be liable for any failure or delay in making Delivery of Shares, Digital Assets or cash, as the case may be, in respect of a Creation Order arising from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent and the Custodian and similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s, the Sponsor’s, the Product’s, the Custodian’s, the Marketing Agent’s or the Transfer Agent’s reasonable control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Creation Order will be extended for a period equal to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
(m) Except as provided in Sections 2.02(f), 2.02(j) and the Standard Terms, none of the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian are under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any Creation Order or the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
(n) For the avoidance of doubt, the Product shall not be liable to the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or any other party for actions taken or not taken in relation to Cash Orders for the Creation of Shares other than for a failure by the Product to deliver Shares upon receipt of the Total Basket Amount.
Section 2.03. Creation of Shares Pursuant to Alternate Cash Orders. Unless otherwise specified by the Sponsor in writing, any Creation of Shares pursuant to a Cash Order shall be executed as an Alternate Cash Order. The Creation of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders to be executed as Alternate Cash Orders shall take place only in compliance with the rules set forth in Section 2.02(a) through (d), and the following rules of this Section 2.03:
(a) Creation Orders are accepted or rejected by the Marketing Agent. The Sponsor will determine if such Creation Order will be a Variable Fee Cash Order or an Actual Execution Cash Order, which determination will be communicated to the Authorized Participant. The Marketing Agent will accept or reject a Creation Order as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a properly completed Creation Order but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date.
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(i) If a Creation Order is accepted, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Creation Order endorsed “Accepted” by the Marketing Agent. Prior to the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, an Alternate Cash Order for Creation will only represent the Authorized Participant’s firm unilateral offer to (x) deposit into the Alternate Cash Account, the Total Basket NAV and, in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, any Variable Fee, for Delivery to a liquidity provider and (y) accept a Delivery of Baskets upon such liquidity provider’s Delivery to the Custodian of the Total Basket Amount, and will have no binding effect upon the Product, the Transfer Agent or any other party. Following the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Creation Order will be a binding agreement between the Product and the Authorized Participant for the Creation of Baskets in exchange for the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount, in each case subject to (x) the Product being in simultaneous possession of (1) the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash (as defined below), less any Excess Creation Cash, if applicable, in the Alternate Cash Account and (2) such Total Basket Amount, no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date, (y) the Product delivering such Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash, less any Excess Creation Cash, if applicable, to the liquidity provider and (z) any remaining cash originally Delivered by the Authorized Participant to the Alternate Cash Account in connection with such Creation Order being returned to the Authorized Participant, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Creation Order and these Procedures. Subject to the Capped Amount, the Authorized Participant may submit an amended Creation Order changing the number of Baskets ordered no later than the Order Cutoff Time. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) in the event that, in connection with a Creation Order that is effected as an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Authorized Participant has Delivered cash to the Alternate Cash Account in excess of the total cash purchase price actually paid by the Product to purchase the corresponding Total Basket Amount (the “Excess Creation Cash”), such excess cash shall promptly be returned to the Authorized Participant and (ii) in the event that, in connection with a Creation Order that is effected as an Actual Execution Cash Order, the total cash purchase price to be paid by the Product to purchase the corresponding Total Basket Amount exceeds the Total Basket NAV, the Authorized Participant shall deliver cash in the amount of such excess (the “Additional Creation Cash”) to the Alternate Cash Account prior 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date.
(ii) If a Creation Order is rejected, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Creation Order endorsed “Declined” by the Marketing Agent. A Creation Order which is not properly completed will be deemed invalid and rejected by the Marketing Agent; the Authorized Participant may submit a corrected Creation Order no later than the Order Cutoff Time. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Creation Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized
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Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Creation Order.
(iii) Creation Orders not accepted or rejected by 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date shall be accepted or rejected on the same Business Day as soon as practicable.
The Transfer Agent shall provide a written summary to the Sponsor of all accepted Alternate Cash Orders for Creation for such Order Date no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time). Promptly following 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Trade Date, the Transfer Agent shall notify the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant of the Total Basket Amount, the Total Basket NAV and the dollar amount of any Variable Fees.
(b) Each Alternate Cash Order shall require (i) the Sponsor to engage a liquidity provider to obtain Digital Asset equal to the Total Basket Amount and (ii) the Authorized Participant to Deliver the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash, less any Excess Creation Cash, if applicable, to the Alternate Cash Account by 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date.
(c) Except as provided in Section 2.03(g) below, each Creation Order shall settle on the Creation Settlement Date. In connection with settlement, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date, or at such later date and time as the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor in their absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant, (i) the Total Basket Amount must be deposited by a liquidity provider in the Product’s Digital Asset Account, (ii) the Authorized Participant shall have deposited the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash (or less any Excess Creation Cash), if applicable, in the Alternate Cash Account in compliance with Section 2.03(b) above and (iii) the Authorized Participant shall have paid the Transfer Agent the Transaction Fee, if applicable, and all taxes, governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit, the transfer of Digital Assets and the issuance and Delivery of Shares.
(d) On the Creation Settlement Date, or on such earlier date and time as the Transfer Agent in its absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares corresponding to the Baskets ordered by the Authorized Participant and shall Deliver such Shares to the Authorized Participant, by credit to the account at DTC that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Creation Order, no later than 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date; provided that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Creation Settlement Date the Transfer Agent has been notified that the Total Basket Amount has been deposited in the Product’s Digital Asset Account in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.03(c) above.
(e) In the event that, by 10:00 a.m. on the Creation Settlement Date, either (x) the Product’s Digital Asset Account shall not have been credited with the Total Basket Amount in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(i) above or (y) the Alternate Cash Account shall
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not have been credited with the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash (less any Excess Creation Cash), if applicable, in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(ii) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor via electronic mail message notice of such fact. The relevant Creation Order shall be deemed a failed trade and the Product will return (x) the Total Basket Amount to the liquidity provider and/or (y) the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash (less any Excess Creation Cash), if applicable, to the Authorized Participant, in each case to the extent then in possession of the Product.
(f) The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances cause the Product to issue the aggregate number of Shares ordered until such time as each of (x) the Total Basket Amount and (y) the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash (less any Excess Creation Cash), if applicable, has been Delivered to the Product (and the Product is in simultaneous possession of both).
(g) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, none of the Authorized Participant, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian shall be liable for any failure or delay in making Delivery of Shares, Digital Assets or cash, as the case may be, in respect of a Creation Order arising from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent and the Custodian and similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s, the Sponsor’s, the Product’s, the Custodian’s, the Marketing Agent’s or the Transfer Agent’s reasonable control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Creation Order will be extended for a period equal to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
(h) Except as provided in Sections 2.03(b), 2.03(f) and the Standard Terms, none of the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian are under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any Creation Order or the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
(i) For the avoidance of doubt, the Product shall not be liable to the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or any other party for actions taken or not taken in relation to Alternate Cash Orders for the Creation of Shares other than for a failure by the Product to deliver Shares (and, if applicable, any Excess Creation Cash) upon receipt and simultaneous possession of (x) the Total Basket Amount and (y) the Total Basket NAV plus (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Variable Fee or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, any Additional Creation Cash, if applicable. The Sponsor and the Authorized Participant hereby agree, as a condition to the participation in the consummation of any such Alternate Cash Order,
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(A) to fully (and without exception) exculpate the Product with respect to, and to irrevocably waive any and all claims against the Product or the Product Estate arising from or in connection with, such Alternate Cash Order and (B) to indemnify and hold the Product harmless, in each case as provided in clause (g)(2) of Section 9 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
Section 2.04. Suspension or Rejection of Creation of Shares. The Creation of Shares, whether pursuant to In-Kind Orders or Cash Orders, may be suspended or rejected under the circumstances specified in the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, these Procedures or the Standard Terms. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Creation Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent or Sponsor will notify the Authorized Participant as soon as reasonably practicable, and the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Creation Order. If the Product, Transfer Agent or Sponsor suspends the right to submit Creation Orders pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent or Sponsor will notify the Authorized Participant as soon as reasonably practicable.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Section 3.01. Redemption of Shares Pursuant to In-Kind Orders. The Redemption of Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders shall take place only in compliance with the rules of this Section 3.01:
(a) Authorized Participants wishing to redeem one or more Baskets shall place a Redemption Order with the Transfer Agent no later than the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day. Redemption Orders received by the Transfer Agent on or after the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day shall be considered rejected unless determined otherwise by the Sponsor in writing in its sole discretion.
(b) The Trade Date for the Redemption of Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders shall be the Order Date.
(c) For purposes of Section 3.01(a) above, a Redemption Order shall be deemed received by the Transfer Agent only when either of the following has occurred no later than the Order Cutoff Time:
(i) Telephone Order – An Authorized Representative shall have placed a telephone call to the Creation and Redemption Line informing the Transfer Agent that the Authorized Participant wishes to place a Redemption Order for a specified number of Baskets, received an Order Number from the Transfer Agent for insertion in the Redemption Order and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Redemption Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A, and such Redemption Order shall have been received by the Transfer Agent within thirty (30) minutes following such phone call; or
(ii) Web-based Order – An Authorized Representative shall have accessed the Transfer Agent’s online services (nexen.bnymellon.com) and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Redemption Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these
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Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A.
(d) Redemption Orders are accepted or rejected by the Marketing Agent. The Marketing Agent will accept or reject a Redemption Order as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a properly completed Redemption Order but no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date.
(i) If a Redemption Order is accepted, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant (with a copy to the Custodian), via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Redemption Order endorsed “Accepted” by the Marketing Agent and indicating the Basket Amount that the Custodian shall Deliver to the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) in respect of each Basket being redeemed. Prior to the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, an In-Kind Order for Redemption will only represent the Authorized Participant’s firm unilateral offer for the Redemption of Baskets in exchange for a Delivery of the Total Basket Amount by the Custodian to the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) and will have no binding effect upon the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, or any other party. Following the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Redemption Order will be a binding agreement between the Product and the Authorized Participant for the Redemption of Baskets in exchange for the Delivery of Digital Assets pursuant to the terms of the Redemption Order and these Procedures. The Authorized Participant may submit an amended Redemption Order changing the number of Baskets to be redeemed no later than the Order Cutoff Time.
(ii) If a Redemption Order is rejected, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant (with a copy to the Custodian), via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Redemption Order endorsed “Declined” by the Marketing Agent. A Redemption Order which is not properly completed will be deemed invalid and rejected by the Marketing Agent; the Authorized Participant may submit a corrected Redemption Order no later than the Order Cutoff Time. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Redemption Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Redemption Order.
(e) The Transfer Agent shall provide a written summary to the Sponsor and the Custodian of all accepted In-Kind Orders for Redemption for such Order Date no later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time).
(f) Except as provided in Section 3.01(h) below, each Redemption Order shall settle on the Redemption Settlement Date. In connection with settlement, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date, or at such later date and time as the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor in their absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant (i) the Baskets to be redeemed must be Delivered to the Transfer Agent by the Authorized Participant and (ii) the Authorized Participant shall have paid the Transfer Agent the Transaction Fee, if applicable, and all taxes, governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit,
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the transfer of Digital Assets and the Delivery of Shares, and any expenses incurred in connection with the Delivery of Digital Assets.
(g) On the Redemption Settlement Date, or on such earlier date and time as the Transfer Agent in its absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent shall instruct the Custodian to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the Authorized Participant Self-Administered Account no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date; provided that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date the Authorized Participant has Delivered to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by such Authorized Participant pursuant to such Redemption Order.
(h) In the event that on the Redemption Settlement Date, the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed in compliance with the provisions of Section 3.01(f)(i) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Custodian via electronic mail message notice of such fact.
(i) The Transfer Agent and the Sponsor each agree not to treat such Redemption Order as a failed trade or a failed settlement provided that as soon as practicable between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date, the Authorized Participant shall wire the Collateral Amount to the Cash Account.
(ii) If the Authorized Participant fails to deposit the Collateral Amount in the Cash Account as provided in Section 3.01(h)(i) or the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the Redemption Settlement Date, then the Sponsor and Transfer Agent may (A) deem the relevant Redemption Order as a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order or (B) complete such Redemption Order by (1) applying the Collateral Amount to the purchase, for the account of the Authorized Participant, of Shares and (2) crediting such Shares to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC in satisfaction of the Authorized Participant’s delivery obligations under such Redemption Order.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Authorized Participant has deposited the Collateral Amount in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.01(h)(i) but the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the Redemption Settlement Date, the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent may nonetheless agree not to treat such Redemption Order as a failed trade, provided that (i) if the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount exceeds the Collateral Amount, as determined using the Index Price on the previous Business Day, then by 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on such Business Day, the Authorized Participant deposits in the Cash Account an additional amount in U.S. dollars such that the amount in the Cash Account is equal to 115% of the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount,
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as determined using the Index Price on the previous Business Day, and (ii) the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the following Business Day. If the Authorized Participant fails to deposit such excess amount in the Cash Account or the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed, the Sponsor and Transfer Agent may (A) deem the relevant Redemption Order as a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order or (B) complete such Redemption Order by (1) applying the Collateral Amount (and any excess amount subsequently deposited in respect thereof) to the purchase, for the account of the Authorized Participant, of Shares and (2) crediting such Shares to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC in satisfaction of the Authorized Participant’s delivery obligations under such Redemption Order.
(iv) If the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent deem the relevant Creation Order a failed trade in accordance with Section 3.01(h)(ii) or Section 3.01(h)(iii), they shall return the Collateral Amount (and any additional amount deposited pursuant to this Section 3.01(h)) by wire transfer to the Authorized Participant.
(v) The Transfer Agent shall instruct the Custodian to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the Authorized Participant Self-Administered Account no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on date on which the Authorized Participant has Delivered to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by such Authorized Participant pursuant to such Redemption Order prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on such date.
(i) The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances cause the Custodian to Deliver to the Authorized Participant the Total Basket Amount until the Authorized Participant Delivers the corresponding number of Shares.
(j) Once the Transfer Agent has received the Shares pursuant to Section 3.01(g) or 3.01(h) above, the Transfer Agent shall instruct the Transfer Agent to cancel such Shares.
(k) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, none of the Authorized Participant, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian shall be liable for any failure or delay in making Delivery of Shares, Digital Assets or cash, as the case may be, in respect of a Redemption Order arising from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent and the Custodian and similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s, the Sponsor’s, the Product’s, the Custodian’s, the Marketing Agent’s or the Transfer Agent’s reasonable control. In the event of any
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such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Redemption Order will be extended for a period equal to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
(l) Except as provided in Sections 3.01(e), 3.01(h) and the Standard Terms, none of the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian are under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any Redemption Order or the Delivery of the Shares, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Section 3.02. Redemption of Shares Pursuant to Cash Orders. The Redemption of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders that are not Alternate Cash Orders shall only take place if approved by the Sponsor in writing in its absolute discretion and on a case-by-case basis. If accepted by the Sponsor, such Redemption of Shares shall take place only in compliance with the rules of this Section 3.02:
(a) Authorized Participants wishing to redeem one or more Baskets may place a Redemption Order with the Transfer Agent no later than the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day. Redemption Orders received by the Transfer Agent on or after the Order Cutoff Time on any Business Day shall be considered rejected unless determined otherwise by the Sponsor in writing in its sole discretion.
(b) The Trade Date for the Redemption of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders shall be the Order Date.
(c) For purposes of Section 3.02(a) above, a Redemption Order shall be deemed received by the Transfer Agent only when either of the following has occurred no later than the Order Cutoff Time:
(i) Telephone Order – An Authorized Representative shall have placed a telephone call to the Creation and Redemption Line informing the Transfer Agent that the Authorized Participant wishes to place a Redemption Order for a specified number of Baskets, received an Order Number from the Transfer Agent for insertion in the Redemption Order and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Redemption Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A, and such Redemption Order shall have been received by the Transfer Agent within thirty (30) minutes following such phone call; or
(ii) Web-based Order – An Authorized Representative shall have accessed the Transfer Agent’s online services (nexen.bnymellon.com) and submitted a properly completed, irrevocable Redemption Order in the form set out in Annex I-A to these Procedures executed by an Authorized Representative of such Authorized Participant, via electronic mail message at the address specified in such Annex I-A.
(d) Redemption Orders are accepted or rejected by the Marketing Agent. The Marketing Agent will accept or reject a Redemption Order as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a properly completed Redemption Order but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date.
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(i) If a Redemption Order is accepted, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant (with a copy to the Custodian), via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Redemption Order endorsed “Accepted” by the Marketing Agent. Prior to the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Cash Order for Redemption will only represent the Authorized Participant’s firm unilateral offer to (x) deposit Baskets for cancellation upon the Product’s Delivery of the Total Basket Amount to a Liquidity Provider Account in exchange for (y) a Delivery by the Sponsor or a Sponsor Agent of cash to the Authorized Participant in an amount equal to the Total Basket NAV pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.02(f), after deduction of the Transaction Fee, the Variable Fee and all taxes, governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit, the transfer of Digital Assets and the Delivery of Shares, and any expenses incurred in connection with the Delivery of Digital Assets (the “Cash Order Delivery Amount”) and will have no binding effect upon the Product, the Transfer Agent or any other party. Following the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Redemption Order will be a binding agreement among (i) the Product and the Authorized Participant for the Redemption of Baskets in exchange for the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount to a Liquidity Provider Account, (ii) the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant for the engagement by the Sponsor of a liquidity provider to receive the Total Basket Amount and (iii) the Sponsor and the Authorized Participant for the Delivery of the Cash Order Delivery Amount to the Authorized Participant on the Redemption Settlement Date, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Redemption Order and these Procedures. The Authorized Participant may submit an amended Redemption Order changing the number of Baskets to be redeemed no later than the Order Cutoff Time.
(ii) If a Redemption Order is rejected, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant (with a copy to the Custodian), via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Redemption Order endorsed “Declined” by the Marketing Agent. A Redemption Order which is not properly completed will be deemed invalid and rejected by the Marketing Agent; the Authorized Participant may submit a corrected Redemption Order no later than the Order Cutoff Time. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Redemption Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Redemption Order.
(e) The Transfer Agent shall provide a written summary to the Sponsor and the Custodian of all accepted Cash Orders for Redemption for such Order Date no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York time). Promptly following receipt of the written summary of accepted Redemption Orders pursuant to 3.02(d) above, the Sponsor shall notify a liquidity provider as soon as practicable thereafter.
(f) Except as provided in Section 3.02(i), each Redemption Order shall settle on the Redemption Settlement Date. In connection with settlement, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date, or at such later date and time as the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor in their absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant, (i) the Baskets to be redeemed must be Delivered to the DTC account of the Transfer Agent by the
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Authorized Participant and (ii) the Total Basket NAV, less the Variable Fee, must be deposited in the Cash Account by the relevant liquidity provider at the instruction of the Sponsor.
(g) On the Redemption Settlement Date, or on such earlier date and time as the Transfer Agent in its absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor, (i) the Sponsor Agent shall send the Cash Order Delivery Amount to the Authorized Participant, by wire to the account that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Redemption Order, and (ii) the Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the Liquidity Provider Account, in each case no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date; provided that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date (i) the Authorized Participant has Delivered to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by such Authorized Participant pursuant to such Redemption Order and (ii) the Total Basket NAV, less the Variable Fee, shall have been deposited in the Cash Account by the relevant liquidity provider at the instruction of the Sponsor.
(h) In the event that on the Redemption Settlement Date, the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed in compliance with the provisions of Section 3.02(f) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Custodian via electronic mail message notice of such fact.
(i) The Transfer Agent and the Sponsor each agree not to treat such Redemption Order as a failed trade or a failed settlement provided that as soon as practicable between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date, the Authorized Participant shall wire the Collateral Amount to the Cash Account.
(ii) If the Authorized Participant fails to deposit the Collateral Amount in the Cash Account as provided in Section 3.02(h)(i) or the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the Redemption Settlement Date, then the Sponsor and Transfer Agent may (A) deem the relevant Redemption Order as a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order or (B) complete such Redemption Order by (1) applying the Collateral Amount to the purchase, for the account of the Authorized Participant, of Shares, (2) crediting such Shares to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC in satisfaction of the Authorized Participant’s delivery obligations under such Redemption Order and (3) causing the Product to deliver the Total Basket Amount to the relevant liquidity provider.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Authorized Participant has deposited the Collateral Amount in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.02(h)(i) but the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the Redemption Settlement Date, the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor may nonetheless agree not to treat such Redemption Order as a
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failed trade, provided that (i) if the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount exceeds the Collateral Amount, as determined using the Index Price on the previous Business Day, then by 6:00 p.m. (New York time) on such Business Day, the Authorized Participant deposits in the Cash Account an additional amount in U.S. dollars such that the amount in the Cash Account is equal to 115% of the U.S. dollar value of the Total Basket Amount, as determined using the Index Price on the previous Business Day and (ii) the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the following Business Day. If the Authorized Participant fails to deposit such excess amount in the Cash Account or the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed, the Sponsor and Transfer Agent may (A) deem the relevant Redemption Order as a failed trade and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order or (B) complete such Redemption Order by (1) applying the Collateral Amount to the purchase, for the account of the Authorized Participant, of Shares, (2) crediting such Shares to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC in satisfaction of the Authorized Participant’s delivery obligations under such Redemption Order and (3) causing the Product to deliver the Total Basket Amount to the relevant liquidity provider.
(iv) If the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent deem the relevant Redemption Order a failed trade in accordance with Section 3.02(h)(ii) or Section 3.02(h)(iii), they shall promptly return the Collateral Amount (and any additional amount deposited pursuant to this Section 3.02(i)) by wire transfer to the Authorized Participant.
(v) (A) The Sponsor Agent shall send the Cash Order Delivery Amount to the Authorized Participant, by wire to the account that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Redemption Order, and (B) the Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the Liquidity Provider Account, in each case on the date on which (1) the Authorized Participant has Delivered to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by such Authorized Participant pursuant to such Redemption Order and (2) the Total Basket NAV, less the Variable Fee, shall have been deposited in the Cash Account by the relevant liquidity provider at the instruction of the Sponsor, in each case, prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on such date.
(i) The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances wire the Cash Order Delivery Amount to the Authorized Participant until the Authorized Participant Delivers the corresponding number of Shares to the Transfer Agent.
(j) In the event that, upon notification by the Transfer Agent that the Shares have been Delivered, the Cash Account shall not have been credited with the Total Basket NAV, less any Variable Fee, from a liquidity provider at the direction of the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Custodian via electronic mail message notice of such fact. If the Redemption Order is deemed a failed trade, the Transfer Agent shall return the Shares to the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant will be solely
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responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order for failure to Deliver the Total Basket NAV, less any Variable Fee, to the Cash Account.
(k) Once the Transfer Agent has received the Shares from the Authorized Participant pursuant to Section 3.02(h) or 3.02(i) above and the Total Basket NAV, less any Variable Fee, has been Delivered to the Cash Account, the Transfer Agent shall promptly (x) instruct (i) the Transfer Agent to cancel such Shares and (ii) the Custodian to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the applicable Liquidity Provider Account. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount to the Liquidity Provider Account, whether pursuant to Section 3.02(h) or this Section 3.02(k), and without further action by any Person, the Shares comprising the corresponding Baskets shall be deemed irrevocably canceled and retired; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transfer Agent shall take the further actions contemplated hereby to evidence such cancellation.
(l) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, none of the Authorized Participant, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian shall be liable for any failure or delay in making Delivery of Shares, Digital Assets or cash, as the case may be, in respect of a Redemption Order arising from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent and the Custodian and similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s, the Sponsor’s, the Product’s, the Custodian’s, the Marketing Agent’s or the Transfer Agent’s reasonable control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Redemption Order will be extended for a period equal to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
(m) Except as provided in Sections 3.02(e), 3.02(i) and the Standard Terms, none of the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian are under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any Redemption Order or the Delivery of the Shares, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
(n) For the avoidance of doubt, the Product shall not be liable to the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or any other party for actions taken or not taken in relation to Cash Orders for the Redemption of Shares other than a failure to deliver the Total Basket Amount to the Liquidity Provider Account upon receipt of Shares.
Section 3.03 Redemption of Shares Pursuant to Alternate Cash Orders. Unless otherwise specified by the Sponsor in writing, any Redemption of Shares pursuant to a Cash Order shall be executed as an Alternate Cash Order, which for the avoidance of doubt, shall only take place if approved by the Sponsor in writing in its absolute discretion and on a case-by-case basis. If accepted by the Sponsor, such Redemption of Shares shall take place only in compliance with the rules set forth in Section 3.02(a) through (c), and the following rules of this Section 3.03:
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(a) Redemption Orders are accepted or rejected by the Marketing Agent. The Sponsor will determine if such Redemption Order will be a Variable Fee Cash Order or an Actual Execution Cash Order, which determination will be communicated to the Authorized Participant. The Marketing Agent will accept or reject a Redemption Order as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a properly completed Redemption Order but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date.
(i) If a Redemption Order is accepted, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant (with a copy to the Custodian), via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Redemption Order endorsed “Accepted” by the Marketing Agent. Prior to the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, an Alternate Cash Order for Redemption will only represent the Authorized Participant’s firm unilateral offer to (x) deposit Baskets for cancellation upon the Product’s Delivery of the Total Basket Amount to a Liquidity Provider Account in exchange for (y) a Delivery by the Product of cash to the Authorized Participant in an amount equal to the Cash Order Delivery Amount (as adjusted, if applicable, pursuant to clause (ii) of the final sentence of this Section 3.03(a)(i)), and will have no binding effect upon the Product, the Transfer Agent or any other party. Following the transmission of the acceptance as specified above, a Redemption Order will be a binding agreement between the Product and the Authorized Participant for the Redemption of Baskets in exchange for the Delivery of the Total Basket Amount to a Liquidity Provider Account, in each case subject to (x) the Product being in simultaneous possession of (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (as defined below) (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, in the Alternate Cash Account and such Baskets to be redeemed, (y) the Product delivering the Total Basket Amount to the liquidity provider and (z) any remaining cash in the Alternate Cash Account attributable to such Cash Order being Delivered to the Authorized Participant, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Redemption Order and these Procedures. The Authorized Participant may submit an amended Redemption Order changing the number of Baskets to be redeemed no later than the Order Cutoff Time. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) in the event that, in connection with a Redemption Order that is effected as an Actual Execution Cash Order, the total cash proceeds Delivered to the Alternate Cash Account exceeds the Total Basket NAV (the amount of such excess, the “Additional Redemption Cash”), such excess cash shall promptly be Delivered to the Authorized Participant and (ii) in the event that, in connection with a Redemption Order that is effected as an Actual Execution Cash Order, the total cash proceeds Delivered to the Alternate Cash Account is less than the Total Basket NAV (the amount of such difference, the “Redemption Cash Shortfall”), the amount of cash to be Delivered to the Authorized Participant in connection with such Redemption Order shall be reduced by the amount of such Redemption Cash Shortfall.
(ii) If a Redemption Order is rejected, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant (with a copy to the Custodian), via electronic mail message, as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Order Date, a copy of the corresponding Redemption Order endorsed “Declined” by the Marketing Agent. A Redemption Order which is not properly completed will be deemed invalid and
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rejected by the Marketing Agent; the Authorized Participant may submit a corrected Redemption Order no later than the Order Cutoff Time. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Redemption Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Redemption Order and the Product will promptly return to the liquidity provider all consideration tendered by the liquidity provider in respect of such rejected Redemption Order.
(b) The Transfer Agent shall provide a written summary to the Sponsor and the Custodian of all accepted Alternate Cash Orders for Redemption for such Order Date no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York time). Promptly following receipt of the written summary of accepted Redemption Orders pursuant to 3.03(a) above, the Sponsor shall notify a liquidity provider as soon as practicable thereafter.
(c) Except as provided in Section 3.03(g), each Redemption Order shall settle on the Redemption Settlement Date. In connection with settlement, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date, or at such later date and time as the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor in their absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant, (i) the Baskets to be redeemed must be Delivered to the DTC account of the Transfer Agent by the Authorized Participant and (ii) (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, must be deposited in the Alternate Cash Account by the relevant liquidity provider at the instruction of the Sponsor.
(d) On the Redemption Settlement Date, or on such earlier date and time as the Transfer Agent in its absolute discretion may agree in writing with the Authorized Participant and the Sponsor, (i) the Product shall send the Cash Order Delivery Amount (less any Redemption Cash Shortfall) to the Authorized Participant, by wire to the account that the Authorized Participant shall have identified for such purpose in its Redemption Order, and (ii) the Transfer Agent shall cause the Product to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the Liquidity Provider Account, in each case no later than 4:30 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date; provided that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Redemption Settlement Date (i) the Authorized Participant has Delivered to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC the total number of Baskets to be redeemed by such Authorized Participant pursuant to such Redemption Order and (ii) (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, shall have been deposited in the Alternate Cash Account by the relevant liquidity provider at the instruction of the Sponsor.
(e) In the event that on the Redemption Settlement Date, the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC shall not have been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed in compliance with the provisions of Section 3.03(c) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Custodian via electronic mail message notice of such fact. The Sponsor and Transfer Agent may deem the relevant Redemption Order as a failed trade, and the Product shall return (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an
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Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, to the relevant liquidity provider. The Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, any liquidity provider, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order for failure to deliver the Baskets to the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC.
(f) In the event that, upon notification by the Transfer Agent that the Shares have been Delivered, the Alternate Cash Account shall not have been credited with (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, from a liquidity provider at the direction of the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Custodian via electronic mail message notice of such fact. The Sponsor and Transfer Agent shall deem the relevant Redemption Order as a failed trade, and the Transfer Agent shall return the Shares to the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or the Custodian related to the pending Redemption Order for failure to Deliver (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, to the Alternate Cash Account.
(g) The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances wire the Cash Order Delivery Amount to the Authorized Participant until such time as (x) the Authorized Participant has Delivered the corresponding number of Shares to the Transfer Agent and (y) (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, has been Delivered to the Product (and the Product and/or the Transfer Agent are in simultaneous possession of both).
(h) Once the Transfer Agent has received the Shares from the Authorized Participant pursuant to Section 3.03(e) above and (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, has been Delivered to the Alternate Cash Account, the Transfer Agent shall promptly (x) instruct (i) the Transfer Agent to cancel such Shares and Deliver (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, to the Authorized Participant and (ii) the Custodian to Deliver the Total Basket Amount to the applicable Liquidity Provider Account. In the event that, by 12:00 p.m. on the Redemption Settlement Date, either (x) the Alternate Cash Account shall not have been credited with (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, in compliance with the provisions of Section 3.03(c)(ii) above or (y) the Transfer Agent shall not have received the Shares from the Authorized Participant in compliance with the provisions of Section 3.03(c)(i) above, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Authorized Participant and the
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Sponsor via electronic mail message notice of such fact. The relevant Redemption Order shall be deemed a failed trade and the Product will return (x) (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, to the liquidity provider and/or (y) the Shares to the Authorized Participant, in each case to the extent received by the Product.
(i) The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, none of the Authorized Participant, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian shall be liable for any failure or delay in making Delivery of Shares, Digital Assets or cash, as the case may be, in respect of a Redemption Order arising from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor, the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent and the Custodian and similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s, the Sponsor’s, the Product’s, the Custodian’s, the Marketing Agent’s or the Transfer Agent’s reasonable control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Redemption Order will be extended for a period equal to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
(j) Except as provided in Sections 3.03(b), 3.03(e), 3.03(f) and the Standard Terms, none of the Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent, the Sponsor nor the Custodian are under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any Redemption Order or the Delivery of the Shares, and shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
(k) For the avoidance of doubt, the Product shall not be liable to the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or any other party for actions taken or not taken in relation to Alternate Cash Orders for the Redemption of Shares other than a failure to deliver (1) the Total Basket Amount to the Liquidity Provider Account and (2) (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable, to the Authorized Participant, in each case, upon the Product’s receipt and simultaneous possession of (x) Shares and (y) (A) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (B) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Redemption Cash Shortfall (plus any Additional Redemption Cash), if applicable. The Sponsor and the Authorized participant hereby agree, as a condition to the participation in the consummation of any such Alternate Cash Order, (A) to fully (and without exception) exculpate the Product with respect to, and to irrevocably waive any and all claims against the Product or the Product Estate arising from or in connection with, such Alternate Cash Order and (B) to fully indemnify and hold the Product harmless, in each case as provided in clause (g)(2) of Section 9 of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
Section 3.04 Suspension or Rejection of Redemption of Shares. The Redemption of Shares, whether In-Kind Orders or Cash Orders, may be suspended or rejected under the circumstances
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specified in the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, these Procedures or the Standard Terms. If the Marketing Agent rejects a Redemption Order pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent or Sponsor will notify the Authorized Participant as soon as reasonably practicable and the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant all consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant in respect of such rejected Redemption Order. If the Product, Transfer Agent or Sponsor suspends the right to submit Redemption Orders pursuant to these Procedures or the Standard Terms, the Transfer Agent or Sponsor will notify the Authorized Participant as soon as reasonably practicable.
[Signatures Follow on Next Page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [●], the Sponsor, Transfer Agent, have executed these Creation and Redemption Procedures as of the date set forth above.
[AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT LEGAL NAME], as Authorized Participant |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
GRAYSCALE INVESTMENTS SPONSORS, LLC, as Sponsor
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Transfer Agent |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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ANNEX I-A TO CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC, MARKETING
AGENT, CSC DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY,
TRUSTEE CREATION/REDEMPTION ORDER
FORM
[TRUST]
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ORDER EXECUTION:
Creation and Redemption Line: [●]
ALL ITEMS IN PART I MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT. THE MARKETING AGENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT AND/OR THE ADMINISTRATOR, IN THEIR DISCRETION, MAY REJECT ANY ORDER NOT SUBMITTED IN COMPLETE FORM OR CONTAINING AMBIGUOUS INSTRUCTIONS. CAPITALIZED TERMS USED BUT NOT DEFINED BELOW SHALL HAVE THE MEANING SET FORTH IN THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT.
I. TO BE COMPLETED BY THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT
Date: |
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Time: |
(ET) |
Your Name: |
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Firm Name: |
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NSCC/DTC Participant Number: |
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Telephone Number: |
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Email Address: |
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Type of order (Check One): Creation Redemption
Settlement type (Check One): Digital Asset Cash
Select ETF for transaction (1 Basket = 10,000 Shares)
ETF NAME |
TICKER |
CUT-OFF |
CREATION/ |
[TRUST] |
[TICKER] |
3:59:59 p.m. (ET) for settlement in Digital Asset
1:59:59 p.m. (ET) for settlement in Cash |
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Please provide wire information below.
Bank Account No. |
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Beneficiary Account Name |
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ABA Routing No. |
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Swift Code |
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THIS TRANSACTION SHALL BE EFFECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TRUST’S CURRENT PROSPECTUS AND THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
#of Baskets Transacted Number: __________ Number written out: ___________________ Order #: ___________ Authorized Person’s Signature __________________________________
II. TO BE COMPLETED BY MARKETING AGENT
This certifies that the above order has been:
Accepted by the Marketing Agent Rejected
This certifies that the above order will be executed as a:
Variable Fee Cash Order (default if neither checked) Actual Execution Cash Order
Date ____________ Time ________________ Authorized Person’s Signature ______________
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ANNEX I-B TO CREATION AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES ORDER ENTRY SYSTEM TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This Annex I-B shall govern use by Authorized Participant of the electronic order entry system for placing Creation Orders and Redemption Orders for Shares (the “System”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Schedule I of the Authorized Participant Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Annex I-B and Section 2.01 and 2.02 of the Authorized Participant Agreement with respect to the placing of Creation Orders and Redemption Orders, the terms of this Annex I-B shall control.
1. (a) Authorized Participant shall provide to The Bank of New York Mellon a duly executed authorization letter, in a form satisfactory to The Bank of New York Mellon, identifying those authorized persons who will access the System (the “Authorized Persons”). Authorized Participant shall notify The Bank of New York Mellon in writing in the event that any person’s status as an Authorized Person is revoked or terminated as soon as possible, and The Bank of New York Mellon shall promptly terminate such Authorized Person’s access to the System.
(b) It is understood and agreed that each Authorized Person shall be designated as an Authorized Representative of Authorized Participant for the purpose of the Authorized Participant Agreement. Upon termination of the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Authorized Participant’s and each Authorized Person’s access rights with respect to the System shall be immediately revoked.
2. The Bank of New York Mellon grants to Authorized Participant a personal, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use the System solely for the purpose of transmitting Creation Orders and Redemption Orders and otherwise communicating with The Bank of New York Mellon in connection with the same. Authorized Participant shall use the System solely for its own internal and proper business purposes. Except as set forth herein, no license or right of any kind is granted to Authorized Participant with respect to the System. Authorized Participant acknowledges that The Bank of New York Mellon and its suppliers retain and have title and exclusive proprietary rights to the System. Authorized Participant further acknowledges that all or a part of the System may be copyrighted or trademarked (or a registration or claim made therefor) by The Bank of New York Mellon or its suppliers. Authorized Participant shall not take any action with respect to the System inconsistent with the foregoing acknowledgments. Authorized Participant may not copy, distribute, sell, lease or provide, directly or indirectly, the System or any portion thereof to any other person or entity without The Bank of New York Mellon’s prior written consent. Authorized Participant may not remove any statutory copyright notice or other notice included in the System. Authorized Participant shall reproduce any such notice on any reproduction of any portion of the System and shall add any statutory copyright notice or other notice upon The Bank of New York Mellon’s request.
3. (a) Authorized Participant acknowledges that any user manuals or other documentation (whether in hard copy or electronic form) (collectively, the “Material”), which is delivered or made available to Authorized Participant regarding the System is the exclusive and confidential property of The Bank of New York Mellon. Authorized Participant shall keep the Material confidential by using the same care and discretion that Authorized Participant uses with respect to
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its own confidential property and trade secrets, but in no event less than reasonable care. Authorized Participant may make such copies of the Material as is reasonably necessary for Authorized Participant to use the System and shall reproduce The Bank of New York Mellon’s proprietary markings on any such copy. The foregoing shall not in any way be deemed to affect the copyright status of any of the Material which may be copyrighted and shall apply to all Material whether or not copyrighted. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AND ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE MATERIAL OR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
(b) Upon termination of the Authorized Participant Agreement for any reason Authorized Participant shall return to The Bank of New York Mellon all copies of the Material which is in Authorized Participant’s possession or under its control, except to the extent required by applicable law or Authorized Participant’s commercially reasonable internal document retention, electronic backup or similar policies.
4. Authorized Participant agrees that it shall have sole responsibility for maintaining adequate security and control of the user IDs, passwords and codes for access to the System, which shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of The Bank of New York Mellon. The Bank of New York Mellon shall be entitled to rely on the information received by it from the Authorized Participant and The Bank of New York Mellon may assume that all such information was transmitted by or on behalf of an Authorized Person regardless of by whom it was actually transmitted, unless the Authorized Participant previously notified The Bank of New York Mellon that the user IDs, passwords and codes for access to the System have been compromised or the Authorized Participant has properly revoked the authority of such Authorized Person pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Standard Terms.
5. The Bank of New York Mellon shall have no liability in connection with the use of the System, the access granted to the Authorized Participant and its Authorized Persons hereunder, or any transaction effected or attempted to be effected by the Authorized Participant hereunder, except for damages incurred by the Authorized Participant as a direct result of The Bank of New York Mellon’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS HEREBY AGREED THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON OR ANY MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER OF EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE OR SERVICES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT MAY INCUR OR EXPERIENCE BY REASON OF ITS HAVING ENTERED INTO OR RELIED ON THIS AGREEMENT, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACCESS GRANTED TO AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT HEREUNDER, OR ANY TRANSACTION EFFECTED OR ATTEMPTED TO BE EFFECTED BY AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT HEREUNDER, EVEN IF THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON OR SUCH MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, NOR SHALL THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON OR ANY SUCH MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ACTS OF GOD, MACHINE OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN OR MALFUNCTION, INTERRUPTION OR MALFUNCTION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, LABOR DIFFICULTIES OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR CAUSE BEYOND SUCH PERSON’S REASONABLE CONTROL.
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6. The Bank of New York Mellon reserves the right to revoke Authorized Participant’s access to the System immediately and without notice upon any material breach by the Authorized Participant of the terms and conditions of this Annex I-B.
7. The Bank of New York Mellon shall acknowledge through the System its receipt of each Creation Order or Redemption Order communicated through the System, and in the absence of such acknowledgment The Bank of New York Mellon shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such orders and Authorized Participant may not claim that such Creation Order or Redemption Order was received by The Bank of New York Mellon. The Bank of New York Mellon may in its discretion and with notice to the Authorized Participant decline to act upon any instructions or communications that are insufficient or incomplete or are not received by The Bank of New York Mellon in sufficient time for The Bank of New York Mellon to act upon, or in accordance with, such instructions or communications.
8. Authorized Participant agrees to use reasonable efforts to prevent the transmission through the System of any software or file which contains any viruses, worms, harmful component or corrupted data and agrees not to use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Systems.
9. Authorized Participant acknowledges and agrees that encryption may not be available for every communication through the System, or for all data. Authorized Participant agrees that The Bank of New York Mellon may deactivate any encryption features at any time, without notice or liability to Authorized Participant, for the purpose of maintaining, repairing or troubleshooting its systems.
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SCHEDULE II
STANDARD TERMS FOR AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENTS
ARTICLE I ORDERS FOR PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION
Section 1.01. Authorization to Purchase and Redeem Baskets
Section 1.02. Procedures for Orders
Section 1.03. Consent to Recording
Section 1.04. Irrevocability
Section 1.05. Costs and Expenses
Section 1.06. Delivery of Property to the Product and Shares Surrendered for Redemption
Section 1.07. Title to Deposit Property and Shares Surrendered for Redemption
Section 1.08. Certain Payments or Distributions
Section 1.09. Ambiguous Instructions
ARTICLE II AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
Section 2.01. Certification
Section 2.02. PIN Numbers
Section 2.03. Termination of Authority
Section 2.04. Verification
ARTICLE III STATUS OF THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT
Section 3.01. Clearing Status
Section 3.02. Broker-Dealer Status
Section 3.03. Foreign Status
Section 3.04. Compliance with Certain Laws
Section 3.05. Authorized Participant Status
ARTICLE IV ROLE OF AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT
Section 4.01. No Agency
Section 4.02. Rights and Obligations of DTC Participant
Section 4.03. Beneficial Owner Communications
Section 4.04. Authorized Participant Customer Information
ARTICLE V MARKETING MATERIALS AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 5.01. Representations of the Product
Section 5.02. Representations of the Authorized Participant
Section 5.03. Prospectus
Section 5.04. Use of Authorized Participant’s Name
ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section 6.01. Indemnification
ARTICLE VII LIABILITY PROVISIONS
Section 7.01. No Special Damages
Section 7.02. Force Majeure
Section 7.03. Reliance on Instructions
Section 7.04. Limited Liability
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.01. Commencement of Trading
Section 8.02. Defined Terms
Section 8.03. Third-Party Beneficiaries
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STANDARD TERMS FOR AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENTS
STANDARD TERMS FOR AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENTS (the “Standard Terms”) dated as of [●] among: (i) [●], a company organized under the laws of [●] (the “Authorized Participant”); (ii) The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as Transfer Agent for the Grayscale Digital Asset Trust (the “Transfer Agent”); and (iii) Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as sponsor (the “Sponsor”) for the each Product listed on Schedule V attached hereto and incorporated herein (each, the applicable “Product” when referred to throughout the remainder of this Agreement), as the same may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor except as otherwise specified. Capitalized terms used in these Standard Terms and not otherwise defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Creation and Redemption Procedures attached to the Authorized Participant Agreement as Schedule I (the “Procedures”).
ARTICLE I
ORDERS FOR PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION
Section 1.01. Authorization to Purchase and Redeem Baskets. Subject to the provisions of the Authorized Participant Agreement, during the term of the Authorized Participant Agreement the Authorized Participant will be authorized to purchase and tender for redemption Baskets in compliance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, the Procedures and these Standard Terms.
Section 1.02. Procedures for Orders. Each party hereto agrees to comply with the provisions of the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement, the Procedures and these Standard Terms to the extent applicable to it.
Section 1.03. Consent to Recording. The phone lines used by the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, the Sponsor and/or their affiliated persons may be recorded, and the Authorized Participant hereby consents to the recording of all calls with any of those parties; provided, that, the Transfer Agent shall use its reasonable efforts to provide the Authorized Participant with copies of such recordings upon the reasonable request of the Authorized Participant. The parties agree that either party may use such recordings in connection with any dispute or proceeding related to this Agreement. In the event that the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, the Sponsor or any of their affiliated persons becomes legally compelled to disclose to any third party any recording involving communications with the Authorized Participant, the Sponsor agrees to provide the Authorized Participant with reasonable advance written notice identifying the recordings to be so disclosed unless prohibited by applicable rule, law or order, together with copies of such recordings, so that the Authorized Participant may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy with respect to the recordings or waive its right to do so. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or the Authorized Participant waives its right to seek such protective order or remedy, the Sponsor will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the recorded conversation. The Transfer Agent, the Sponsor or any of their affiliated persons shall not otherwise disclose to any third party any recording involving communications with the Authorized Participant without the Authorized Participant’s express written consent, except that the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor may disclose to any regulatory or self-regulatory organization with competent jurisdiction over Transfer Agent
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or Sponsor, as applicable, to the extent required by applicable rule or law, any recording involving communications with the Authorized Participant.
Section 1.04. Irrevocability. The Authorized Participant agrees that delivery to the Transfer Agent of an Order shall be irrevocable, provided that the Transfer Agent will reject any Order that is not completed in accordance with the Procedures. In the event that the Creation or Redemption of Baskets is suspended by the Transfer Agent or the Sponsor and such suspension affects any Order submitted by the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent or Sponsor, as applicable, will notify the Authorized Participant as soon as reasonably practicable of such suspension. The Sponsor agrees to undertake commercially reasonable efforts to accommodate any request by the Authorized Participant to cancel a previously placed Order if such Order has not yet been accepted, but the Sponsor shall have no liability for the Product’s inability to accommodate such a request. The Product, the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent will promptly return to the Authorized Participant upon cancellation or rejection of an Order all consideration, including any Shares, Digital Asset or other consideration tendered by the Authorized Participant, in respect of such cancelled or rejected Order to the extent reasonably practicable.
Section 1.05. Costs and Expenses. The Authorized Participant shall be responsible for the expenses and costs incurred by the Product that can be directly attributable to Orders submitted by the Authorized Participant other than ordinary course expenses and costs which are reimbursed through payment of the fee contemplated in Sections 2.01(h) and 2.02(h) of the Procedures. The Transfer Agent or the Sponsor shall provide the Authorized Participant with reasonably detailed information relating to such expenses and costs upon request by the Authorized Participant.
Section 1.06. Delivery of Property to the Product and Shares Surrendered for Redemption.
(a) The Authorized Participant understands and agrees that in the event Deposit Property in connection with an In-Kind Order for Creation is not transferred to the Product, or Shares are not delivered to the Transfer Agent by the applicable Settlement Date in connection with any Redemption Order, in compliance with the Procedures and these Standard Terms, and, in each case, the Authorized Participant does not deposit the Collateral Amount pursuant to the Procedures, the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to any such Order. The Authorized Participant will not, however, be responsible for damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to such Orders to the extent the failure to transfer Deposit Property in connection with a Cash Order for Creation, in the case of a Creation Order, or Shares, in the case of a Redemption Order, to the Product is due to the negligence, bad faith or reckless or willful misconduct of the Transfer Agent, the Sponsor, a liquidity provider or the Custodian or if such failure arises from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God, such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Authorized Participant, or similar extraordinary events beyond the Authorized Participant’s control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Creation Order or Redemption Order will be extended for a period equal
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to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion. Upon the deposit of Digital Assets by the Authorized Participant or any AP Designee, the Authorized Participant represents and warrants that (i) the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) is duly authorized to make such deposit of Digital Assets and (ii) at the time of Delivery, the Digital Assets are free and clear of any lien, pledge, encumbrance, right, charge or claim.
(b) The Sponsor understands and agrees that in the event Deposit Property is not transferred to the Product by a liquidity provider at the Sponsor’s direction in connection with a Cash Order for Creation, in compliance with the Procedures and these Standard Terms, the liquidity provider will be solely responsible for all damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to any such Order. The Sponsor will not, however, be responsible for damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Product, the Authorized Participant, the Transfer Agent or the Custodian related to such Orders to the extent the failure to transfer Deposit Property to the Product is due to the negligence, bad faith or reckless or willful misconduct of the Transfer Agent, the Authorized Participant or the Custodian or if such failure arises from nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, war, terrorist event, invasion, insurrection, civil commotion, riot, strike, act of government, public authority, public service or utility problems, power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures, acts of God, such as fires, floods or extreme weather conditions, market conditions or activities causing trading halts, systems failures involving computer or other information systems, including any failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network, affecting the Sponsor, or similar extraordinary events beyond the Sponsor’s control. In the event of any such delay, the time to complete Delivery in respect of a Creation Order will be extended for a period equal to that during which the inability to perform continues as determined by the Transfer Agent in its sole discretion.
Section 1.07. Title to Deposit Property and Shares Surrendered for Redemption. (a) The Authorized Participant represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent and the Sponsor that:
(i) in connection with each In-Kind Order for Creation, the Authorized Participant, as Depositor, will have the right and authority to transfer to the Product the corresponding Deposit Property, and that upon delivery of such Deposit Property to the Custodian on the Creation Settlement Date, the Product will acquire good and unencumbered title to such property, free and clear of all liens, charges, duties imposed on the transfer of assets and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims or transferability restrictions, whether arising by operation of law or otherwise; and
(ii) in connection with a Redemption Order, the Authorized Participant has reasonable grounds to believe that it or the Authorized Participant Client, as the case may be, will on the Redemption Settlement Date own (within the meaning of Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed such that the Shares will be surrendered to the Transfer Agent on or prior to the Redemption Settlement Date. In either case, the Authorized Participant or the Authorized Participant Client, as the case may be, (i) has or will have the right and authority to surrender to the Transfer Agent for redemption on the Redemption Settlement Date the corresponding Shares, (ii) has or will have the right and authority to receive the entire proceeds of the redemption on the Redemption Settlement Date, and (iii) upon such surrender on the Redemption Settlement Date, the Product will acquire good and unencumbered
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title to such Shares, free and clear of all liens, charges, duties imposed on the transfer of assets and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims, transferability restrictions (whether arising by operation of law or otherwise), loan, pledge, repurchase or securities lending agreements or other arrangements affecting legal or beneficial ownership of such Shares being submitted for redemption which, under such circumstances, would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Transfer Agent on the Redemption Settlement Date.
Section 1.08. Ambiguous Instructions. In the event that a Creation Order or Redemption Order contains terms that differ from the information provided in the related telephone call or email transmission, the Transfer Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to contact the Authorized Participant to request confirmation of the terms of the order at the telephone number indicated in the Creation Order or Redemption Order. If an Authorized Representative (as defined below) confirms the terms as they appear in the Creation Order or Redemption Order, then the order will be accepted and processed. If an Authorized Representative contradicts the terms of the Creation Order or Redemption Order, the order will be deemed invalid, and a corrected Creation Order or Redemption Order must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than the Order Cutoff Time. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the invalidation of the initial Creation Order or Redemption Order pursuant to this paragraph, a Creation Order or Redemption Order that is otherwise in proper form shall be deemed submitted at the time of its initial submission for purposes of determining when orders are deemed received. If the Transfer Agent makes a commercially reasonable effort to contact the Authorized Participant but is not able to contact an Authorized Representative by the Order Cutoff Time, then the Creation Order or Redemption Order shall be accepted and processed in accordance with its terms notwithstanding any inconsistency from the terms of the telephone information. In the event that a Creation Order or Redemption Order contains terms that are illegible, the submission will be deemed invalid and the Transfer Agent will attempt to contact the Authorized Participant to request retransmission. A corrected Creation Order or Redemption Order must be received by the Transfer Agent, as applicable, no later than the Order Cutoff Time.
Section 1.09. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that the Deposit Property to be delivered by the Authorized Participant in connection with any Creation Order or the Shares to be delivered by the Authorized Participant in connection with any Redemption Order are missing some of the required assets on the applicable settlement date for such Creation Order or Redemption Order, the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent agree not to treat such Creation Order or Redemption Order as a failed trade or a failed settlement provided that the Authorized Participant adheres to the remedial steps set forth in the Procedures.
ARTICLE II
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
Section 2.01. Certification. Concurrently with the execution of the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Authorized Participant shall deliver to the Transfer Agent and the Marketing Agent a certificate in a form as attached at Schedule III to the Authorized Participant Agreement or in such other formats as may be mutually agreed to by the parties (an “Authorized Representative Certificate”) signed by the Authorized Participant’s Secretary or other duly authorized person setting forth the names, signatures, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of all persons authorized to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated hereby or any other notice,
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request or instruction on behalf of the Authorized Participant (each an “Authorized Representative”). Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by each of the Transfer Agent and the Marketing Agent as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until (i) receipt by the Transfer Agent and the Marketing Agent of a superseding Authorized Representative Certificate, or (ii) termination of the Authorized Participant Agreement. After such Authorized Representative Certificate is accepted by the Transfer Agent and the Marketing Agent, the Authorized Participant may authorize additional Authorized Representatives to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated hereby or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Authorized Participant by delivering to the Transfer Agent and the Marketing Agent an addendum to the certificate described above in a form as attached at Schedule IV to the Authorized Participant Agreement.
Section 2.02. PIN Numbers. The Transfer Agent shall issue to each Authorized Participant a unique personal identification number (“PIN Number”) by which such Authorized Participant shall be identified and instructions issued by the Authorized Participant shall be authenticated. The PIN Number shall be kept confidential and only provided to Authorized Representatives. The Transfer Agent acknowledges and agrees that certain employees of the Authorized Participant, such as those who work in legal, compliance, risk management or other supervisory roles may have a reasonable need to know or may have incidental access to one or more PIN Numbers. The Authorized Participant may revoke the PIN Number at any time upon written notice to the Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, and the Authorized Participant shall be responsible for doing so in the event that it becomes aware that an unauthorized person has received access to its PIN Number or has or intends to use the PIN Number in an unauthorized manner. Except as otherwise provided in these Standard Terms, the Authorized Participant agrees that neither the Product nor the Transfer Agent shall be liable for losses incurred by the Authorized Participant as a result of unauthorized use of the Authorized Participant’s PIN Number prior to the time when the Authorized Participant provides notice to the Transfer Agent of the termination or revocation of authority pursuant to Section 2.03 and the Transfer Agent has de-activated the PIN Number as provided for in Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 2.03. Termination of Authority. Upon the termination or revocation of authority of an Authorized Representative by the Authorized Participant or the revocation of a PIN Number by the Authorized Participant, the Authorized Participant shall (i) give, as promptly as practicable under the circumstances, written notice of such fact to the Transfer Agent and such notice shall be effective upon receipt by the Transfer Agent in accordance with the notice provisions herein; and (ii) request a new PIN Number. The Transfer Agent shall, as promptly as practicable, de-activate the PIN Number upon receipt of such written notice. If an Authorized Participant’s PIN Number is changed, the new PIN Number will become effective on a date mutually agreed upon by the Authorized Participant and the Transfer Agent.
Section 2.04. Verification. The Transfer Agent may assume that all instructions issued to it using the Authorized Participant’s PIN Number have been properly placed by Authorized Representatives, unless the Transfer Agent has actual knowledge to the contrary or the Authorized Participant has properly revoked such PIN Number prior to the placement of such instructions. The Transfer Agent shall have no duty to verify that an Order is being placed by an Authorized Representative that uses a valid PIN Number. The Authorized Participant agrees that the Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for any losses incurred by the Authorized Participant as a result of
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an Authorized Representative identifying himself or herself as a different Authorized Representative or an unauthorized person identifying himself or herself as an Authorized Representative, unless such person uses a PIN Number which the Authorized Participant had previously revoked in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof or which was acquired through a breach of the Transfer Agent’s security system.
ARTICLE III
STATUS OF THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT
Section 3.01. Clearing Status. The Authorized Participant represents, covenants and warrants that, as of the date of execution of the Authorized Participant Agreement, and at all times during the term of the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Authorized Participant is and will be entitled to use the clearing and settlement services of each of the national or international clearing and settlement organizations through which, in compliance with the Procedures, the transactions contemplated hereby will clear and settle. Any change in the foregoing status of the Authorized Participant shall terminate the Authorized Participant Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, and the Authorized Participant shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Transfer Agent.
Section 3.02. Broker-Dealer Status. The Authorized Participant represents and warrants that it is (i) registered as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act or other securities market participant, such as a bank or other financial institution, which, but for an exclusion from registration, would be required to register as a broker-dealer to engage in securities transactions, (ii) qualified to act as a broker or dealer in the states or other jurisdictions where it transacts business to the extent so required by applicable law, and (iii) a member in good standing with FINRA. The Authorized Participant agrees that it will maintain such registration and membership in good standing and any other registrations, qualifications and membership in good standing applicable to it in full force and effect throughout the term of the Authorized Participant Agreement. The Authorized Participant further agrees to comply with all applicable U.S. federal laws, the laws of the states or other jurisdictions concerned, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable to the Authorized Participant’s transactions in, and activities with respect to, Shares, and with the FINRA By-Laws and the FINRA Conduct Rules to the extent the foregoing relates to the Authorized Participant’s transactions in, and activities with respect to, Shares, and that it will not offer or sell Shares in any state or jurisdiction where they may not lawfully be offered and/or sold. The Authorized Participant shall be solely responsible for determining the application of any such laws or regulations in all cases at its own expense.
Section 3.03. Foreign Status. If the Authorized Participant is offering and selling Shares in jurisdictions outside the several states, territories and possessions of the United States and is not otherwise required to meet the requirements of clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 3.02 hereof, the Authorized Participant agrees to observe the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which such offer and/or sale is made and to conduct its business in accordance with the FINRA Conduct Rules, to the extent the foregoing relates to the Authorized Participant’s transactions in, and activities with respect to, Shares.
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Section 3.04. Compliance with Certain Laws. The Authorized Participant has policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the anti-money laundering and related provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended (the “U.S.A. PATRIOT Act”), and the operations of the Authorized Participant are and have been conducted in compliance with the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
Section 3.05. Authorized Participant Status. The Authorized Participant understands and acknowledges that the method by which Baskets will be created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. For example, because new Baskets of Shares may be issued and sold by the Product on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. The Authorized Participant understands and acknowledges that some activities on its part, depending on the facts, and based on certain possible interpretations of applicable law, may result in its being deemed a participant in a distribution in a manner which could render it a statutory underwriter as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act and subject it to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
ARTICLE IV
ROLE OF AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT
Section 4.01. No Agency. The Authorized Participant acknowledges and agrees that, for purposes of the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Authorized Participant will have no authority to act as agent for the Product or the Transfer Agent in any matter or in any respect. The Authorized Participant agrees to make itself and its employees available, upon reasonable request and reasonable notice, during normal business hours to consult with the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, the Sponsor or their designees concerning the performance of the Authorized Participant’s responsibilities under the Authorized Participant Agreement; provided, however, that the Authorized Participant shall be under no obligation to divulge or otherwise disclose any information that the Authorized Participant reasonably believes (i) the disclosure of which to third parties is in violation of any applicable law or regulation or is otherwise prohibited or (ii) is confidential or proprietary in nature.
Section 4.02. Rights and Obligations of DTC Participant. The Authorized Participant, as a DTC Participant, agrees that it shall be bound by all of the obligations of a DTC Participant in addition to any obligations that it undertakes hereunder or in accordance with the Procedures.
Section 4.03. Beneficial Owner Communications. The Authorized Participant agrees (i) subject to any limitations arising under federal or state securities laws relating to privacy, or other obligations it may have to its customers, to assist the Transfer Agent or the Sponsor in determining certain information that the Authorized Participant may have in its possession regarding sales of Shares made by or through the Authorized Participant (including, without limitation, the ownership level of each beneficial owner relating to positions in Shares that the Authorized Participant may hold as record holder) upon the request of the Transfer Agent or the Sponsor that is necessary for the Transfer Agent or Sponsor to comply with their obligations to distribute information to beneficial owners of Shares under applicable state or federal securities laws and (ii) to forward to such beneficial owners written materials and communications received, directly or indirectly, from the Sponsor or the Transfer Agent in sufficient quantities to allow mailing thereof
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to such beneficial owners, including, without limitation, notices, annual reports, disclosure or other informational materials and any amendments or supplements thereto that may be required to be sent by the Sponsor or the Transfer Agent to such beneficial owners pursuant to applicable law or regulation or otherwise, or that the Sponsor or the Transfer Agent reasonably wishes to distribute to such beneficial owners, in each case at the expense of the Sponsor and/or the Product.
Section 4.04. Authorized Participant Customer Information. The Sponsor and the Transfer Agent agree that the names and addresses and other information concerning the Authorized Participant’s customers are and shall remain the sole property of the Authorized Participant, and none of the Sponsor, the Product, or the Transfer Agent, or any of their respective affiliates, shall use such names, addresses or other information for any purpose except as required for performance of their duties and responsibilities under the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Procedures, the Standard Terms, the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement and the applicable Prospectus and except for servicing and informational mailings related to the Product referred to in Section 4.03 above.
ARTICLE V
MARKETING MATERIALS AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 5.01. Representations of the Product. The Sponsor hereby represents and warrants on behalf of the Product:
(a) The Registration Statement will have become effective, and on the effective date of the Registration Statement (the “Effective Date”) and at each Time of Purchase, the Registration Statement shall be effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement will be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose will be pending before or, to the Sponsor’s knowledge, threatened by the SEC.
The Registration Statement complies, or will comply when so filed, in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and the Prospectus complied, or will comply, as of its date, and complies at each Time of Purchase, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. As of the Effective Date and as of each Time of Purchase, the Registration Statement will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus, as of its date or as of each Time of Purchase, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Sponsor makes no warranty or representation with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information concerning the Authorized Participant and furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Authorized Participant to the Sponsor expressly for use therein.
No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, qualification or other action of, or filing with, any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, agency, body or court having jurisdiction over the Product is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, except (i) such as have been obtained and made or will have been obtained and made
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under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act on or prior to the Creation of such Shares, (ii) approval of listing on NYSE Arca, (iii) such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares and (iv) if required, exemptive relief from the SEC pursuant to Regulation M regarding the reinstatement of the Product’s ability to redeem Shares.
(b) As of the Effective Date, the Product will have all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform each of its obligations under this Agreement and issue the Shares. The Shares, when issued, will be in the form contemplated by the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement and when delivered against payment of consideration therefor, as provided in this Agreement, will be duly and validly authorized, issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights. The Shares will be consistent with the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus.
(c) All marketing and promotional materials other than the Prospectus provided to the Authorized Participant by the Sponsor will comply in all material respects with applicable law, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act, FINRA’s marketing rules and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
(d) As of the Effective Date, the Shares will have been approved for listing on NYSE Arca; the Sponsor will comply, at all times during which this Agreement is in effect, with all applicable disclosure requirements in connection with its offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, those under the Securities Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder.
Section 5.02. Representations of the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant represents, warrants and agrees that, in connection with any sale or solicitation of a sale of Shares, it will not make, or permit any of its representatives to make on its behalf, any representations concerning Shares, the Product or the Sponsor other than those not inconsistent with the Product’s Prospectus or any promotional materials or sales literature furnished to the Authorized Participant by the Sponsor or other information and materials filed by the Product with the SEC or made available on any website controlled by the Sponsor or the Product. The Authorized Participant agrees not to furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display or publish any information or materials concerning the Shares, the Product or the Sponsor, including, without limitation, research materials, market color commentaries, training and educational materials, promotional materials and sales literature, advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters, signs or other similar materials (“Marketing Materials”), except such Marketing Materials as may be furnished to the Authorized Participant by the Sponsor and such other information and materials as may be approved in writing by the Sponsor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Authorized Participant and its Affiliates and representatives may, without the approval of the Sponsor, prepare and circulate in the regular course of their respective businesses research, reports, commentary or similar materials that include information, opinions or recommendations relating to Shares (i) for public dissemination, provided that such reports, research, commentary or other similar materials comply with applicable FINRA rules and/or (ii) for internal use by the Authorized Participant and its Affiliates and representatives.
Section 5.03. Prospectus. The Sponsor will provide, or cause to be provided, to the Authorized Participant copies of the Prospectus and any printed supplemental information in
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reasonable quantities upon request. The Sponsor will, as promptly as practicable under the circumstances, notify the Authorized Participant when a revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus for the Shares is available, and deliver or otherwise make available to the Authorized Participant copies of such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus at such time and in such quantities as may be reasonable to permit the Authorized Participant to comply with any obligation the Authorized Participant may have to deliver such Prospectus to its customers. The Sponsor will make such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus available to the Authorized Participant no later than its effective date. The Sponsor shall be deemed to have complied with this Section 5.03 when the Authorized Participant has received such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus by e-mail at [ ], in printable form, with such number of hard copies as may be agreed from time to time by the parties promptly thereafter.
Section 5.04. Use of Authorized Participant’s Name.
(a) The Sponsor agrees that it will not, without prior written consent of the Authorized Participant, use in advertising or publicity the name of the Authorized Participant or any affiliate of the Authorized Participant, any trade name, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof owned by the Authorized Participant or any of its affiliates or represent, directly or indirectly, that any product or any service provided or distributed by the Product or the Sponsor has been approved or endorsed by the Authorized Participant or any of its affiliates or that the Authorized Participant acts as underwriter, distributor, marketing agent or selling group member with respect to the Shares.
(b) The Sponsor agrees not to identify or name the Authorized Participant in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any free-writing prospectus or in any Marketing Materials of the Product, except as required by applicable law or regulation, and in no event shall identify the Authorized Participant as an underwriter in any communications, documentation, materials, or filings of the Product without the Authorized Participant’s prior written consent, and provided that in all cases, the Sponsor shall provide advance written notice of such disclosure to the Authorized Participant and upon receipt of such notice, provided that the Authorized Participant has not previously consented in writing to such disclosure, the Authorized Participant may elect to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion. If the Authorized Participant agrees to be identified in any such documents, upon the notification of termination of the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Sponsor shall promptly (i) file a current report on Form 8-K indicating the notification of withdrawal of the Authorized Participant as an authorized participant of the Product and (ii) update the website of the Product and any investment adviser of the Product to remove any identification of the Authorized Participant as an authorized participant of the Product. Further and for the avoidance of doubt, if the Authorized Participant agrees to be identified in any of such documents, the Product and Sponsor each agree and acknowledge that the Authorized Participant is not intended to serve as an underwriter to the Product by granting such consent.
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ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section 6.01. Indemnification.
(a) The Authorized Participant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsor, in its capacity as sponsor of the Product, the Transfer Agent, the Product and their respective Affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (each an “AP Indemnified Party”) from and against any claim, loss, liability, cost and expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by such AP Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) of any provision of the Authorized Participant Agreement that relates to the Authorized Participant, including the representations and warranties contained in the Procedures and these Standard Terms (together, the “Product Documents”); (ii) any failure on the part of the Authorized Participant to perform any of its obligations set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement or Product Documents; (iii) any failure by the Authorized Participant to comply with applicable laws, including, without limitation, rules and regulations of any regulatory or self-regulatory organizations in relation to its role as Authorized Participant; (iv) actions of such AP Indemnified Party taken in reliance upon any instructions issued or representations made in accordance with the Product Documents reasonably believed by the AP Indemnified Party to be genuine and to have been given by the Authorized Participant; or (v) (A) any representation by the Authorized Participant or any of their employees or agents or other representatives about the Shares or any AP Indemnified Party that is not consistent with the Product’s then-current Prospectus made in connection with the offer or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell Shares, (B) any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading in any Marketing Materials to the extent that such statement or omission relates to the Shares or any AP Indemnified Party, unless such statement or omission was furnished to the Authorized Participant or otherwise approved in writing by the Sponsor, the Product or any of their designees and (C) any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the Registration Statement or any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading in the Prospectus to the extent such statement or omission were based upon written information furnished to an AP Indemnified Party by the Authorized Participant specifically for use therein. The Authorized Participant shall not be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against any AP Indemnified Party unless the AP Indemnified Party shall have notified the Authorized Participant in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the AP Indemnified Party (or after the AP Indemnified Party shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Authorized Participant of any claim shall not relieve the Authorized Participant from any liability which it may have to any AP Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph, and shall not release it from such liability under this paragraph unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Authorized Participant of substantial rights and defenses. The Authorized Participant shall be entitled to
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participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims, but if the Authorized Participant elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it.
(b) The Sponsor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Authorized Participant, its Affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (each a “Sponsor Indemnified Party”) from and against any claim, loss, liability, cost and expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Sponsor Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Sponsor (or its Sponsor Agent) of any provision of the Authorized Participant Agreement that relates to the Sponsor; (ii) any failure by the Sponsor to perform any of its obligations set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement applicable to it; (iii) any failure on the part of the Sponsor to comply in all material respects with applicable laws, including, without limitation, rules and regulations of any regulatory or self-regulatory organizations to the extent such laws, rules and regulations are applicable to the transactions being undertaken pursuant to the Authorized Participant Agreement; (iv) actions of such Sponsor Indemnified Party taken in reliance upon any instructions issued or representations made in accordance with the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Procedures, the Trust Agreement or the LLC Agreement or these Standard Terms reasonably believed by the Sponsor Indemnified Party to be genuine and to have been given by the Sponsor; or (v) with respect to the Registration Statement, any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or, with respect to the Prospectus and any Marketing Materials, any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading to the extent that such statement or omission relates to the Shares or the Product, unless such statement or omission was furnished to the Sponsor or otherwise approved in writing by the Authorized Participant or any of their designees. The Sponsor shall not be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against any Sponsor Indemnified Party unless the Sponsor Indemnified Party shall have notified the Sponsor in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Sponsor Indemnified Party (or after the Sponsor Indemnified Party shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Sponsor of any claim shall not relieve the Sponsor from any liability which it may have to any Sponsor Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph, and shall not release it from such liability under this paragraph unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Sponsor of substantial rights and defenses. The Sponsor shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims, but if the Sponsor elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it. If the Sponsor does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Sponsor Indemnified Parties in the suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
(c) No indemnifying party, as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, shall, without the written consent of the AP Indemnified Party or the Sponsor Indemnified Party, as the case may be, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought
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hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the AP Indemnified Party or Sponsor Indemnified Party, as the case may be, from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any AP Indemnified Party or Sponsor Indemnified Party, as the case may be.
(d) The Authorized Participant shall not be liable to any AP Indemnified Party for any damages arising out of (i) mistakes or errors in data provided in connection with Creations or Redemptions except for data provided by the Authorized Participant, or (ii) mistakes or errors by, or arising out of interruptions or delays of communications with, the Transfer Agent or any AP Indemnified Party.
(e) The indemnification provided for in Section 6.01(a) shall not apply to the extent any such losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses are incurred as a result of any fraud, gross negligence, bad faith or reckless or willful misconduct on the part of an AP Indemnified Party. The indemnification provided for in Section 6.01(b) shall not apply to the extent any such losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses are incurred as a result of any fraud, gross negligence, bad faith or reckless or willful misconduct on the part of a Sponsor Indemnified Party.
(f) The indemnity agreements contained in this Section 6.01 shall remain in full force and effect and shall survive any termination of this Agreement. The Sponsor and the Authorized Participant agree promptly to notify each other of the commencement of any proceeding against it and against any of their officers or directors in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares or in connection with the Registration Statement or the relevant Prospectus.
ARTICLE VII
LIABILITY PROVISIONS
Section 7.01. No Special Damages. In the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, in no event shall any party to these Standard Terms be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, exemplary, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of revenue, loss of actual or anticipated profit, loss of contracts, loss of the use of money, loss of anticipated savings, loss of business, loss of opportunity, loss of market share, loss of goodwill or loss of reputation), even if such parties have been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action. In no event shall any party be liable for the acts or omissions of DTC, NSCC or any other securities depository or clearing corporation.
Section 7.02. Force Majeure. No party to these Standard Terms shall be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation: acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; terrorism; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications service; failures or outages of the Digital Asset Network; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions.
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Section 7.03. Reliance on Instructions. Subject to Sections 2.02, 2.03 and 2.04, the Transfer Agent may conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized under these Standard Terms and upon any written or oral instruction, notice, request, direction or consent reasonably believed by it to be genuine.
Section 7.04. Limited Liability. In the absence of fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part, the Transfer Agent, whether acting directly or through agents, affiliates or attorneys, shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless in exercising such, it shall have been grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts necessary to make such judgment. The Transfer Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder, except as may be required as a result of its own fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.01. Commencement of Trading. The Authorized Participant may not submit an Order prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or amendment to the Registration Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Section 8.02. Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used in these Standard Terms and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Authorized Participant Agreement and the Procedures.
Section 8.03. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Product shall be a third-party beneficiary of the Authorized Participant Agreement, including, without limitation, as to Section 6.01(c) of these Standard Terms.
[Signatures Follow on Next Page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed these Standard Terms as of the date set forth above.
[AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT LEGAL NAME], as Authorized Participant |
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GRAYSCALE INVESTMENTS SPONSORS, LLC, as Sponsor
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Transfer Agent |
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SCHEDULE III
FORM OF LIST OF CERTIFIED AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AUTHORIZED
PARTICIPANT
The following are the names, titles, signatures, phone numbers, and email addresses of all persons (each, an “Authorized Representative”) authorized to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated by this Authorized Participant Agreement for the [PRODUCT] (the “Agreement”) or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Authorized Participant pursuant to the Authorized Participant Agreement.
Authorized Participant:
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III-1
SCHEDULE IV
ADDENDUM TO THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
[On Authorized Participant’s Firm Letterhead]
[DATE]
Attn:
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
Attn: Foreside Fund Services, LLC [●]
[●],
NY [●]
Re: Addendum to the Certificate of Authorized Representatives for [●] under the Authorized Participant Agreement for the [PRODUCT], sponsored by Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, dated [DATE] (the “Agreement”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the Agreement, the following are the names, titles, signatures, phone numbers, and email addresses of additional Authorized Representatives of [●] (the “Authorized Participant”) authorized to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated by the Agreement or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Authorized Participant pursuant to the Agreement. This list of Authorized Representatives is an addendum and adds further Authorized Representatives to the Authorized Participant’s most recently executed certificate (entitled “Certificate of Authorized Representatives of the Authorized Participant”).
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Please provide PIN numbers for such Authorized Representatives who are not already established in the Transfer Agent’s system.
IV-1
The undersigned does hereby certify that the persons listed above have been duly authorized to act as Authorized Representatives pursuant to the Authorized Participant Agreement.
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IV-2
SCHEDULE V
LIST OF PRODUCTS
Product |
Trust Agreement /LLC Agreement |
Digital Asset |
Index |
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF |
Seventh Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 thereto |
Bitcoin (BTC) |
Coindesk Bitcoin Index Price (XBX) |
Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto |
Bitcoin (BTC) |
Coindesk Bitcoin Index Price (XBX) |
Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF |
Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement |
Ethereum (ETH) |
CoinDesk Ether Price Index (ETX) |
Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF |
Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement |
Ethereum (ETH) |
CoinDesk Ether Price Index (ETX) |
Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF
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Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement |
CoinDesk 5 Index Constituents |
CoinDesk 5 Index (CD5) |
Grayscale XRP Trust |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement |
XRP |
CoinDesk XRP CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Solana Trust (SOL) |
Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement |
Solana (SOL) |
CoinDesk SOL CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Dogecoin Trust (DOGE) |
Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement |
Dogecoin (DOGE) |
CoinDesk DOGE CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Cardano Trust ETF |
[Amended and Restated Declaration |
Cardano (ADA) |
CoinDesk ADA CCIXber Reference Rate |
IV-3
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of Trust and Trust Agreement] |
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Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTC) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 thereto |
Litecoin (LTC) |
CoinDesk LTC CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale ChainLink Trust (LINK) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto |
ChainLink (LINK) |
CoinDesk LINK CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Avalanche Trust (AVAX) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement |
Avalanche (AVAX) |
CoinDesk AVAX CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Hedera Trust ETF |
[Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement] |
Hedera (HBAR) |
CoinDesk HBAR CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Bitcoin Cash Trust (BCH) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 thereto |
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) |
CoinDesk BCH CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Polkadot Trust ETF |
[Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement] |
Polkadot (DOT) |
CoinDesk DOT CCIXber Reference Rate |
Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 thereto |
Stellar Lumens (XLM) |
CoinDesk XLM CCIXber Reference Rate |
IV-4
Exhibit 99.1
The following disclosure shall be incorporated by reference into the section titled “Item 1. Business” and shall replace and supersede in its entirety the existing section titled “Item 1. Business—Description of Creation and Redemption of Shares” in the Annual Report:
Description of Creation and Redemption of Shares
General
The Trust issues Shares to and redeems Shares from Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis, but only in one or more Baskets (with a “Basket” being a block of 10,000 Shares). The Trust will not issue fractions of a Basket. The Sponsor believes that the creation and redemption order size of 10,000 Shares will enable Authorized Participants to manage inventory and facilitate an effective arbitrage mechanism for the Trust. However, the Sponsor may in the future adjust the creation and redemption order size in order to improve the effectiveness of the activities of Authorized Participants in the secondary market for the Shares if the Sponsor determines it to be necessary or advisable.
The creation and redemption of Baskets will be made only upon the delivery to the Trust, or the distribution or other disposition by the Trust, of the amount of whole and fractional Ether represented by each Basket being created or redeemed, which is determined by dividing (x) the amount of Ether owned by the Trust at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the trade date of a creation or redemption order, after deducting the amount of Ether representing the U.S. dollar value of accrued but unpaid fees and expenses of the Trust (converted using the Index Price at such time, and carried to the eighth decimal place), by (y) the number of Shares outstanding at such time (with the quotient so obtained calculated to one one-hundred-millionth of one Ether (i.e., carried to the eighth decimal place)), and multiplying such quotient by 10,000 (the “Basket Amount”). The U.S. dollar value of a Basket is calculated by multiplying the Basket Amount by the Index Price as of the trade date (the “Basket NAV”). The Basket NAV multiplied by the number of Baskets being created or redeemed is referred to as the “Total Basket NAV.” All questions as to the calculation of the Basket Amount will be conclusively determined by the Sponsor and will be final and binding on all persons interested in the Trust. One or more major market data vendors may provide an intra-day indicative value (“IIV”) per Share updated every 15 seconds, as calculated by NYSE Arca or a third-party financial data provider during NYSE Arca’s Core Trading Session (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York time). Such IIV will be calculated using the same methodology as the NAV per Share of the Trust, specifically by using the prior day’s closing NAV per Share as a base and updating that value during the NYSE Arca Core Trading Session to reflect changes in the value of the Trust’s NAV during the trading day. The IIV on a per Share basis disseminated during the Core Trading Session should not be viewed as a real-time update of the NAV, which is calculated once a day. The amount of Ether represented by a Share will gradually decrease over time as the Trust’s Ether are used to pay the Trust’s expenses.
Authorized Participants are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem Baskets. Each Authorized Participant must (i) be a registered broker-dealer; (ii) enter into a Participant Agreement with the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent; and (iii) in the case of any creation or redemption pursuant to In-Kind Orders must also own an Ether wallet address that is known to the Custodian as belonging to the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) and maintain an account with the Custodian.
An Authorized Participant may act for its own account or as agent for broker-dealers, custodians and other securities market participants that wish to create or redeem Baskets. Shareholders who are not Authorized Participants will only be able to create or redeem their Shares through an Authorized Participant.
The creation of Baskets requires the delivery to the Trust of the Total Basket Amount (or cash to acquire the Total Basket Amount) and the redemption of Baskets requires the distribution or other disposition by the Trust of the Total Basket Amount. Although the Trust creates Baskets only upon the receipt of Ether, and redeems Baskets only by distributing Ether or proceeds from the disposition of Ether, Authorized Participants may choose to submit Cash Orders, pursuant to which the Authorized Participant will deposit cash into, or accept cash from, a segregated account maintained by the Transfer Agent in the name of the
Trust for purposes of receiving and distributing cash in connection with the creation and redemption of Baskets pursuant to Cash Orders (such account, the “Cash Account”).
Cash Orders will be facilitated by the Transfer Agent and the Liquidity Engager. On an order-by-order basis, the Liquidity Engager will engage one or more Liquidity Providers to obtain or receive Ether in exchange for cash in connection with such order, as described in more detail below. Each Liquidity Provider must enter into a Liquidity Provider Agreement with the Liquidity Engager and the Sponsor (on behalf of the Trust), which will obligate it to obtain or receive Ether in connection with creations and redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders.
Unless the Sponsor requires that a Cash Order be effected at actual execution prices (an “Actual Execution Cash Order”), each Authorized Participant that submits a Cash Order to create or redeem Baskets will pay a fee (the “Variable Fee”) based on the Total Basket NAV (a “Variable Fee Cash Order”), and any price differential between (x) the Total Basket NAV on the trade date and (y) the price realized in acquiring or disposing of the corresponding Total Basket Amount, as the case may be, will be borne solely by the Liquidity Provider until such Ether have been received or liquidated by the Trust. The Variable Fee is intended to cover all of a Liquidity Provider’s expenses in connection with the creation or redemption order, including any exchange fees that the Liquidity Provider incurs in connection with buying or selling Ether. The amount may be changed by the Sponsor in its sole discretion at any time, and Liquidity Providers will communicate to the Sponsor in advance the Variable Fee they would be willing to accept in connection with a Variable Fee Cash Order, based on market conditions and other factors existing at the time of such Variable Fee Cash Order.
Alternatively, the Sponsor may require that a Cash Order be effected as an Actual Execution Cash Order, in its sole discretion based on market conditions and other factors existing at the time of such Cash Order, and under such circumstances, any price differential between (x) the Total Basket NAV on the trade date and (y) the price realized in acquiring or disposing of the corresponding Total Basket Amount, as the case may be, will be borne solely by the Authorized Participant until such Ether have been received or liquidated by the Trust. See “—Creation Procedures—Actual Execution Cash Orders” and “—Redemption Procedures—Actual Execution Cash Orders.”
In the case of creations pursuant to Cash Orders, to transfer the Total Basket Amount to the Trust’s Vault Balance, the Liquidity Provider will transfer Ether to one of the public key addresses associated with the Vault Balance and as provided by the Sponsor. In the case of redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders, the same procedure is conducted, but in reverse, using the public key addresses associated with the wallet of the Liquidity Provider, and as provided by such party. All such transactions will be conducted on the Blockchain and parties acknowledge and agree that such transfers may be irreversible if done incorrectly. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risk Factors Related to the Trust and the Shares—Ether transactions are irrevocable and stolen or incorrectly transferred Ether may be irretrievable. As a result, any incorrectly executed Ether transactions could adversely affect the value of the Shares.”
The Trust may also create and redeem Baskets via In-Kind Orders, pursuant to which an Authorized Participant or its AP Designee will deposit Ether directly with the Trust or receive Ether directly from the Trust.
Authorized Participants do not pay a transaction fee to the Trust in connection with the creation or redemption of Baskets, but there may be transaction fees associated with the validation of the transfer of Ether by the Ethereum Network, which will be paid by the Custodian in the case of redemptions and the Authorized Participant, its AP Designee or the Liquidity Provider in the case of creations. Service providers may charge Authorized Participants or AP Designees administrative fees for order placement and other services related to the creation or redemption of Baskets. As discussed above, Authorized Participants will also pay the Variable Fee in connection with Variable Fee Cash Orders. As discussed in further detail below under “—Creation Procedures—Actual Execution Cash Orders” and “—Redemption Procedures—Actual Execution Cash Orders”, under certain circumstances Authorized Participants may also be required to deposit additional cash in the Cash Account, or be entitled to receive excess cash from the Cash Account, in connection with creations and redemptions pursuant to Actual Execution Cash Orders. Authorized Participants will receive no fees, commissions or other form of compensation or inducement of any kind from
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either the Sponsor or the Trust and no such person has any obligation or responsibility to the Sponsor or the Trust to effect any sale or resale of Shares.
The Participant Agreements and the related procedures attached thereto may be amended by the Sponsor and the relevant Authorized Participant. Under the Participant Agreements, the Sponsor has agreed to indemnify each Authorized Participant against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The following description of the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets is only a summary and shareholders should refer to the relevant provisions of the Trust Agreement and the form of Participant Agreement for more detail.
Creation Procedures
On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Transfer Agent to create one or more Baskets. Orders for creations may be either In-Kind Orders or Cash Orders. In-Kind Orders for creation must be placed with the Transfer Agent no later than 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, and Cash Orders for creation must be placed with the Transfer Agent no later than 1:59:59 p.m., New York time.
The Sponsor may in its sole discretion limit the number of Shares created pursuant to Cash Orders on any specified day without notice to the Authorized Participants and may direct the Marketing Agent to reject any Cash Orders in excess of such capped amount. In exercising its discretion to limit the number of Shares created pursuant to Cash Orders, the Sponsor takes into consideration a number of factors, including (i) the availability of Liquidity Providers to facilitate Cash Orders and (ii) the cost of processing Cash Orders relative to the cost of processing In-Kind Orders. If the Sponsor decides to limit Cash Orders and there are not otherwise a sufficient amount of In-Kind Orders to allow the arbitrage mechanism to function, or if the Trust is otherwise unable to satisfy creation orders made in cash, the Trust’s ability to create new Shares could be negatively impacted, which could impact the Shares’ liquidity and/or cause the Shares to trade at premiums to the NAV per Share, or otherwise have a negative impact on the value of the Shares. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risk Factors Related to the Trust and the Shares—The limited ability to facilitate in-kind creations and redemptions of Shares could have adverse consequences for the Trust.”
In-Kind Orders
Creations pursuant to In-Kind Orders will take place as follows, where “T” is the trade date and each day in the sequence must be a business day.
Trade Date (T) |
Settlement Date (T+1, or T+2, as established at the time of order placement) |
• The Authorized Participant places a creation order with the Transfer Agent. • The Marketing Agent accepts (or rejects) the creation order, which is communicated to the Authorized Participant by the Transfer Agent. |
• The Authorized Participant or AP Designee transfers the Total Basket Amount to the Trust’s Vault Balance. • The Trust issues the aggregate number of Shares corresponding to the Baskets ordered by the Authorized Participant and the Transfer Agent delivers such Shares by crediting the number of Baskets created to the Authorized Participant’s DTC account. |
Cash Orders
Creations pursuant to Cash Orders will take place as follows, where “T” is the trade date and each day in the sequence must be a business day. Before a creation pursuant to a Cash Order is placed, the Sponsor determines if such creation order will be a Variable Fee Cash Order or an Actual Execution Cash Order, which determination is communicated to the Authorized Participant.
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Trade Date (T) |
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Settlement Date (T+1, or T+2, as established at the time of order placement) |
• The Authorized Participant places a creation order with the Transfer Agent. • The Marketing Agent accepts (or rejects) the creation order, which is communicated to the Authorized Participant by the Transfer Agent. • The Sponsor notifies the Liquidity Provider of the creation order. • The Sponsor determines the Total Basket NAV and any Variable Fee and Additional Creation Cash as soon as practicable after 4:00 p.m., New York time. |
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• The Authorized Participant delivers to the Cash Account: (x) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV, plus any Variable Fee; or (y) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV, plus any Additional Creation Cash, less any Excess Creation Cash, if applicable (such amount, as applicable, the “Required Creation Cash”). • The Liquidity Provider transfers the Total Basket Amount to the Trust’s Vault Balance. • Once the Trust is in simultaneous possession of (x) the Total Basket Amount and (y) the Required Creation Cash, the Trust issues the aggregate number of Shares corresponding to the Baskets ordered by the Authorized Participant, which the Transfer Agent holds for the benefit of the Authorized Participant. • Cash equal to the Required Creation Cash is delivered to the Liquidity Provider from the Cash Account. • The Transfer Agent delivers Shares to the Authorized Participant by crediting the number of Baskets created to the Authorized Participant’s DTC account. |
Variable Fee Cash Orders
Unless the Sponsor determines otherwise in its sole discretion based on market conditions and other factors existing at the time of such Cash Order, all creations pursuant to Cash Orders are expected to be executed as Variable Fee Cash Orders, and any price differential between (x) the Total Basket NAV on the trade date and (y) the price realized in acquiring the corresponding Total Basket Amount will be borne solely by the Liquidity Provider until such Ether have been received by the Trust.
The Sponsor anticipates that the Trust’s cost to acquire the Total Basket Amount in connection with a Variable Fee Cash Order will equal the sum of the corresponding Total Basket NAV and Variable Fee to be delivered by the Authorized Participant to the Trust. In the event that, by 12:00 p.m., New York time on the settlement date of a creation pursuant to a Variable Fee Cash Order, either (x) the Trust’s Vault Balance has not been credited with Ether in an amount equal to the Total Basket Amount or (y) the Cash Account has not been credited with the Total Basket NAV, plus any Variable Fee, such Cash Order will be deemed a failed trade, with any consideration that has been delivered by the Authorized Participant or the Liquidity Provider in respect of such Cash Order being returned by the Trust.
The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances cause the Trust to issue Shares in respect of a Variable Fee Cash Order until such time as each of (x) the Total Basket Amount and (y) the Total Basket NAV, plus any Variable Fee, has been delivered to the Trust, and the Trust is in simultaneous possession of both.
Actual Execution Cash Orders
With respect to a creation pursuant to an Actual Execution Cash Order, as between the Trust and an Authorized Participant, the Authorized Participant is responsible for the dollar cost of the difference between the Ether price utilized in calculating Total Basket NAV on the trade date and the price at which the Trust acquires the Ether on the settlement date. If the price realized in acquiring the corresponding Total Basket Amount is higher than the Total Basket NAV, the Authorized Participant will bear the dollar cost of such difference by delivering cash in the amount of such difference (the “Additional Creation Cash”) to the Cash Account. If the price realized in acquiring the corresponding Total Basket Amount is lower than the Total Basket NAV, the Authorized Participant will benefit from such difference, with the Trust promptly returning cash in the amount of such excess (the “Excess Creation Cash”) to the Authorized Participant.
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In the event that, by 12:00 p.m., New York time on the settlement date of a creation pursuant to an Actual Execution Cash Order, either (x) the Trust’s Vault Balance has not been credited with Ether in an amount equal to the Total Basket Amount or (y) the Cash Account has not been credited with the Total Basket NAV (net of any Additional Creation Cash or Excess Creation Cash, if applicable), such Cash Order will be deemed a failed trade, with any consideration that has been delivered by the Authorized Participant or the Liquidity Provider in respect of such Cash Order being returned by the Trust.
The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances cause the Trust to issue Shares in respect of a Cash Order until such time as each of (x) the Total Basket Amount and (y) the Total Basket NAV (net of any Additional Creation Cash or Excess Creation Cash, if applicable) has been delivered to the Trust, and the Trust is in simultaneous possession of both.
Redemption Procedures
The procedures by which an Authorized Participant can redeem one or more Baskets mirror the procedures for the creation of Baskets. On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place a redemption order specifying the number of Baskets to be redeemed. Redemption orders may be placed as either In-Kind Orders or Cash Orders, as described below. Orders for redemptions may be either In-Kind Orders or Cash Orders. In-Kind Orders for redemption must be placed with the Transfer Agent no later than 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, and Cash Orders for redemption must be placed with the Transfer Agent no later than 1:59:59 p.m., New York time.
The redemption of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders will only take place if approved by the Sponsor in writing, in its sole discretion and on a case-by-case basis. In exercising its discretion to approve the redemption of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders, the Sponsor takes into consideration a number of factors, including (i) the availability of Liquidity Providers to facilitate Cash Orders and (ii) the cost of processing Cash Orders relative to the cost of processing In-Kind Orders. If the Sponsor decides to limit Cash Orders and there are not otherwise In-Kind Orders sufficient to allow the arbitrage mechanism to function, or if the Trust is unable to satisfy redemption orders made in cash, the Trust’s ability to redeem new Shares could be negatively impacted which could impact the Shares’ liquidity and/or cause the Shares to trade at discounts, and could have a negative impact on the value of the Shares. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risk Factors Related to the Trust and the Shares—The limited ability to facilitate in-kind creations and redemptions of Shares could have adverse consequences for the Trust” for more information.
The Authorized Participants may only redeem Baskets and cannot redeem any Shares in an amount less than a Basket.
In-Kind Orders
Redemptions pursuant to In-Kind Orders will take place as follows, where “T” is the trade date and each day in the sequence must be a business day.
Trade Date (T) |
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Settlement Date (T+1, or T+2, as established at the time of order placement) |
• The Authorized Participant places a redemption order with the Transfer Agent. • The Marketing Agent accepts (or rejects) the redemption order, which is communicated to the Authorized Participant by the Transfer Agent. |
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• The Authorized Participant delivers Baskets to be redeemed from its DTC account to the Transfer Agent. • The Custodian transfers the Total Basket Amount to the Authorized Participant or AP Designee, and the Transfer Agent cancels the Shares. |
Cash Orders
Redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders will take place as follows, where “T” is the trade date and each day in the sequence must be a business day. Before a redemption pursuant to a Cash Order is placed,
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the Sponsor determines if such redemption order will be a Variable Fee Cash Order or an Actual Execution Cash Order, which determination is communicated to the Authorized Participant.
Trade Date (T) |
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Settlement Date (T+1 (or T+2 on case-by-case basis, as approved by Sponsor)) |
• The Authorized Participant places a redemption order with the Transfer Agent. • The Marketing Agent accepts (or rejects) the redemption order, which is communicated to the Authorized Participant by the Transfer Agent. • The Sponsor notifies the Liquidity Provider of the redemption order. • The Sponsor determines the Total Basket NAV and, in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, any Variable Fee, as soon as practicable after 4:00 p.m., New York time. |
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• The Authorized Participant delivers Baskets to be redeemed from its DTC account to the Transfer Agent. • The Liquidity Provider delivers to the Cash Account: (x) in the case of a Variable Fee Cash Order, the Total Basket NAV less any Variable Fee; or (y) in the case of an Actual Execution Cash Order, the actual proceeds to the Trust from the liquidation of the Total Basket Amount (such amount, as applicable, the “Required Redemption Cash”). • Once the Trust is in simultaneous possession of (x) the Total Basket Amount and (y) the Required Redemption Cash, the Transfer Agent cancels the Shares comprising the number of Baskets redeemed by the Authorized Participant. • The Custodian sends the Liquidity Provider the Total Basket Amount, and cash equal to the Required Redemption Cash is delivered to the Authorized Participant from the Cash Account. |
Variable Fee Cash Orders
Unless the Sponsor determines otherwise in its sole discretion based on market conditions and other factors existing at the time of such Cash Order, all redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders are expected to be executed as Variable Fee Cash Orders, and any price differential between (x) the Total Basket NAV on the trade date and (y) the price realized in disposing of the corresponding Total Basket Amount will be borne solely by the Liquidity Provider.
The Sponsor anticipates that the Trust’s proceeds from liquidating the Total Basket Amount in connection with a Variable Fee Cash Order will equal the corresponding Total Basket NAV less the Variable Fee to be delivered by the Liquidity Provider to the Trust. In the event that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the settlement date of a redemption pursuant to a Variable Fee Cash Order, either (x) the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC has not been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed or (y) the Cash Account has not been credited with the Total Basket NAV, less any Variable Fee, such Cash Order will be deemed a failed trade, with any consideration that has been delivered by the Authorized Participant or the Liquidity Provider in respect of such Cash Order being returned by the Trust.
The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances deliver the Required Redemption Cash to the Authorized Participant in respect of a Variable Fee Cash Order until such time as (x) the Baskets to be redeemed have been delivered to the Transfer Agent and (y) the Total Basket NAV, less any Variable Fee, has been delivered to the Cash Account, and the Trust and/or the Transfer Agent is in simultaneous possession of both.
Actual Execution Cash Orders
With respect to a redemption pursuant to an Actual Execution Cash Order, as between the Trust and an Authorized Participant, the Authorized Participant is responsible for the dollar cost of the difference between the Ether price utilized in calculating Total Basket NAV on the trade date and the price at which the Trust disposes of the Ether on the settlement date. If the price realized in disposing the corresponding Total Basket Amount on the settlement date is lower than the Total Basket NAV on the trade date, the
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Authorized Participant will bear the dollar cost of such difference (the “Redemption Cash Shortfall”), with the amount of cash to be delivered to the Authorized Participant being reduced by the amount of such Redemption Cash Shortfall. If the price realized in disposing the corresponding Total Basket Amount on the settlement date is higher than the Total Basket NAV on the trade date, the Trust will deliver cash in the amount of such excess (the “Additional Redemption Cash”) to the Authorized Participant.
In the event that, by 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the settlement date of a redemption pursuant to an Actual Execution Cash Order, either (x) the Transfer Agent’s account at DTC has not been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number of Baskets to be redeemed or (y) the Cash Account has not been credited with the Total Basket NAV (plus any Additional Redemption Cash or net of any Redemption Cash Shortfall), such Cash Order will be deemed a failed trade, with any consideration that has been delivered by the Authorized Participant or the Liquidity Provider in respect of such Cash Order being returned by the Trust.
The Transfer Agent shall under no circumstances deliver the Required Redemption Cash to the Authorized Participant in respect of a Cash Order until such time as (x) the Total Basket Amount has been delivered to the Transfer Agent and (y) the Total Basket NAV (plus any Additional Redemption Cash or net of any Redemption Cash Shortfall, if applicable) has been delivered to the Trust, and the Trust and/or the Transfer Agent is in simultaneous possession of both.
Suspension or Rejection of Orders and Total Basket Amount
The creation or redemption of Shares may be suspended generally, or refused with respect to particular requested creations or redemptions, during any period when the transfer books of the Transfer Agent are closed or if circumstances outside the control of the Sponsor or its delegates make it for all practical purposes not feasible to process creation orders or redemption orders or for any other reason at any time or from time to time. The Marketing Agent may reject an order or, after accepting an order, may cancel such order, if: (i) such order is not presented in proper form as described in the Participant Agreement, (ii) in the case of In-Kind Orders, the transfer of the Total Basket Amount comes from an account other than an Ether wallet address that is known to the Custodian as belonging to the Authorized Participant or its AP Designee or (iii) the fulfillment of the order, in the opinion of counsel, might be unlawful, among other reasons. None of the Sponsor or its delegates will be liable for the suspension, rejection or acceptance of any creation order or redemption order.
The Sponsor will notify investors of any suspension of creations or redemptions of Shares by filing a current report on Form 8-K. Suspension of the creation or redemption of Shares could negatively impact the Shares’ liquidity and/or cause the Shares to trade at premiums and discounts, and otherwise have a negative impact on the value of the Shares.
Tax Responsibility
Authorized Participants are responsible for any transfer tax, sales or use tax, stamp tax, recording tax, value-added tax or similar tax or governmental charge applicable to the creation and redemption of Baskets, regardless of whether such tax or charge is imposed directly on the Authorized Participant, and agree to indemnify the Sponsor and the Trust if the Sponsor or the Trust is required by law to pay any such tax, together with any applicable penalties, additions to tax or interest thereon.
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Exhibit 99.2
The following disclosure shall be incorporated by reference into the section titled “Item 1. Business” and shall replace and supersede in its entirety the existing section titled “Item 1. Business—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the Annual Report:
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion addresses the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership of Shares. Subject to the limitations and qualifications, and based on the assumptions described herein and in the opinion letter filed as Exhibit 8.1 to the Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2025, the statements of law and legal conclusions set forth in the following discussion constitute the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (“Davis Polk”) as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Shares that generally may apply to a “U.S. Holder” or a “non-U.S. Holder” (in each case, as defined below). This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a beneficial owner of Shares in light of the beneficial owner’s particular circumstances, including tax consequences applicable to beneficial owners subject to special rules, such as:
This discussion applies only to Shares that are held as capital assets and does not address alternative minimum tax consequences or consequences of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding Shares and partners in those partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisers about the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning Shares.
This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date hereof may affect the tax consequences described herein. For the avoidance of doubt, this summary does not discuss any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers about the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Treatment of the Trust
The Sponsor intends to take the position that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming that the Trust is a grantor trust, the Trust will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, if the Trust is a grantor trust, each beneficial owner of Shares will be treated as directly owning its pro rata share of the Trust’s assets and a pro rata portion of the Trust’s income, gains, losses and deductions will “flow through” to each beneficial owner of Shares.
Although not free from doubt due to the lack of authority directly addressing certain aspects of the Trust’s affairs, in the opinion of Davis Polk the Trust should be classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, there can be no complete assurance that the Trust will be treated as a grantor trust for those purposes. An opinion of counsel is not binding on the
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Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or any court, and there are significant uncertainties regarding the application of existing authorities to certain aspects of Ether and the Trust.
In particular, the Staking Condition has been satisfied as to the particular form of Staking described herein, and the Sponsor intends to continue to take the position that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that any Staking activity undertaken by the Trust in compliance with the opinion, ruling or other guidance relied upon to satisfy the Staking Condition will not prevent the Trust from continuing to qualify as a grantor trust for such purposes. The IRS recently issued a revenue procedure providing a staking safe harbor for certain grantor trust vehicles whose beneficial interests are listed and traded on a national securities exchange (the “2025 Revenue Procedure”). However, certain aspects of the 2025 Revenue Procedure are unclear, and therefore the Trust may not currently satisfy all conditions of the safe harbor. Accordingly, due to the uncertainty regarding the ability of a grantor trust to engage in Staking activities, there can be no assurance that the IRS or any court would agree with this position (or with any opinion of counsel delivered to the Sponsor in support thereof). Accordingly, the Trust might cease to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Furthermore, the Sponsor has committed to cause the Trust to irrevocably abandon any Incidental Rights and IR Virtual Currency to which the Trust may become entitled in the future. In furtherance of that commitment, the Sponsor has, on behalf of the Trust, notified the Prime Broker, the Custodian, and Coinbase Credit via the Pre-Creation/Redemption Abandonment Notices (as defined herein) that the Trust is irrevocably abandoning, effective immediately prior to each Creation Time or Redemption Time, all Incidental Rights or IR Virtual Currency to which it would otherwise be entitled as of such time and with respect to which it has not taken any Affirmative Action at or prior to such time. There can be no complete assurance that these abandonments will be treated as effective for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Trust were treated as owning any asset other than Ether as of any date on which it creates or redeems Shares, it might cease to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, at this time the Trust is permitted to create or redeem Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders and Cash Orders. In general, investment vehicles intended to be treated as grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes historically have created additional trust interests only in kind, and there is no authority directly addressing whether a grantor trust may create or redeem trust interests under procedures similar to those that govern Cash Orders. Accordingly, there can be no complete assurance that the creation or redemption of Shares under the procedures governing Cash Orders will not cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Moreover, because of the evolving nature of digital assets, it is not possible to predict potential future developments that may arise with respect to digital assets, including forks, airdrops and other similar occurrences. Assuming that the Trust is currently a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain future developments could render it impossible, or impracticable, for the Trust to continue to be treated as a grantor trust for such purposes.
If the Trust is not properly classified as a grantor trust, the Trust might be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, due to the uncertain treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes, there can be no assurance in this regard. If the Trust were classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax consequences of owning Shares generally would not be materially different from the tax consequences described herein, although there might be certain differences, including with respect to timing of the recognition of taxable income or loss. In addition, tax information reports provided to beneficial owners of Shares would be made in a different form. Moreover, it is possible, in that case, that a portion of the Trust’s income would be considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, accordingly, a non-U.S. person owning Shares could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to that “effectively connected” income and be required to file a U.S. tax return. If none of the Trust’s Staking income were considered to be “effectively connected” income, a non-U.S. person owning Shares likely would be subject to withholding on its pro rata portion of U.S.-source income from the Trust’s Staking activities as described below. Tax-exempt Shareholders may also recognize UBTI from the Trust’s Staking activities if the Trust is not treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If the Trust were not classified as either a grantor trust or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be classified as a corporation for such purposes. In that event, the Trust would be subject to entity-level U.S. federal income tax (currently at the rate of 21%) on its net taxable income and certain distributions made by the Trust to shareholders would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of the Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Any such dividend distributed to a beneficial owner of Shares that is a non-U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as provided in an applicable tax treaty).
The remainder of this discussion is based on the assumption that the Trust will be treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Uncertainty Regarding the U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Digital Assets
Each beneficial owner of Shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of an undivided interest in the Ether (and any Incidental Rights and/or IR Virtual Currency) held in the Trust. Due to the new and evolving nature of digital assets and the absence of comprehensive guidance with respect to digital assets, many significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of digital assets are uncertain.
In 2014, the IRS released a notice (the “Notice”) discussing certain aspects of the treatment of “convertible virtual currency” (that is, digital assets that have an equivalent value in fiat currency or that act as substitutes for fiat currency) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the Notice, the IRS stated that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such digital assets (i) are “property,” (ii) are not “currency” for purposes of the provisions of the Code relating to foreign currency gain or loss and (iii) may be held as a capital asset. In 2019, the IRS released a revenue ruling and a set of “Frequently Asked Questions” that has been updated from time to time since (the “Ruling & FAQs”) that provide some additional guidance, including guidance to the effect that, under certain circumstances, hard forks of digital assets are taxable events giving rise to ordinary income and guidance with respect to the determination of the tax basis of digital assets. Moreover, in 2023, the IRS released a revenue ruling that provided guidance on digital asset staking, including guidance to the effect that staking rewards will, under certain circumstances, be treated as giving rise to taxable income (the “2023 Staking Guidance”). Further, the IRS recently issued the 2025 Revenue Procedure, which provides a staking safe harbor for certain grantor trust vehicles. However, the Notice, the Ruling & FAQs, the 2023 Staking Guidance and the 2025 Revenue Procedure do not address other significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of digital assets. For example, for a non-U.S. Holder, there currently is no guidance directly addressing whether or in what circumstances engaging in certain activities to generate yield on digital assets, including Staking, could give rise to income that is effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States. Similarly, for a U.S. tax-exempt shareholder, there currently is no guidance directly addressing whether or in what circumstances such activities could give rise to “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”). Moreover, although the Ruling & FAQs address the treatment of hard forks, there continues to be significant uncertainty with respect to the timing and amount of the income inclusions. While the Ruling & FAQs do not address most situations in which airdrops occur, it is clear from the reasoning of the Ruling & FAQs that the IRS generally would treat an airdrop as a taxable event giving rise to ordinary income.
There can be no assurance that the IRS will not alter its position with respect to digital assets in the future or that a court would uphold the treatment set forth in the Notice, the Ruling & FAQs, the 2023 Staking Guidance and the 2025 Revenue Procedure. It is also unclear what additional guidance on the treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be issued in the future. Any such alteration of the current IRS positions or additional guidance could result in adverse tax consequences for shareholders and could have an adverse effect on the prices of digital assets, including the price of Ether in the Digital Asset Market, and therefore could have an adverse effect on the value of Shares. Future developments that may arise with respect to digital assets may increase the uncertainty with respect to the treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, the Notice addresses only digital assets that are “convertible virtual currency,” and it is conceivable that, as a result of a fork, airdrop or similar occurrence, the Trust could hold certain types of digital assets that are not within the scope of the Notice, in the event the Sponsor seeks to change the Trust’s policy with respect to Incidental Rights or IR Virtual Currency, subject to NYSE Arca obtaining regulatory approval from the SEC.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that Ether, and any Incidental Rights or IR Virtual Currency that the Trust may hold, is properly treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as property that may be held as a capital asset and that is not currency for purposes of the provisions of the Code relating to foreign currency gain and loss.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of an investment in the Trust and in digital assets in general, including, in the case of shareholders that are generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation, whether such shareholders may recognize UBTI as a consequence of Staking or the occurrence of a fork, airdrop or similar event.
Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a Share for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is:
Except as specifically noted, the discussion below assumes that each U.S. Holder will acquire all of its Shares on the same date for the same price per Share and solely for cash or solely for Ether that were originally acquired by the U.S. Holder for cash on the same date.
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As discussed in the section entitled “Description of Creation and Redemption of Shares,” a U.S. Holder may be able to acquire Shares of the Trust by contributing Ether in kind to the Trust (either directly or through an Authorized Participant acting as agent of the U.S. Holder). Assuming that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such a contribution should not be a taxable event to the U.S. Holder.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each U.S. Holder will be treated as owning an undivided interest in the Ether held in the Trust and will be treated as directly realizing its pro rata share of the Trust’s income, gains, losses and deductions (including any Staking income). When a U.S. Holder purchases Shares solely for cash, (i) the U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in its pro rata share of the Ether held in the Trust will be equal to the amount paid for the Shares and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s holding period for its pro rata share of such Ether will begin on the date of such purchase. When a U.S. Holder acquires Shares in exchange for Ether, (i) the U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in its pro rata share of the Ether held in the Trust will be equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Ether that the U.S. Holder transferred to the Trust and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s holding period for its pro rata share of such Ether generally will include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the Ether that the U.S. Holder transferred to the Trust. The Ruling & FAQs confirm that if a taxpayer acquires tokens of a digital asset at different times and for different prices, the taxpayer has a separate tax basis in each lot of such tokens. Under the Ruling & FAQs, if a U.S. Holder that owns more than one lot of Ether contributes a portion of its Ether to the Trust in exchange for Shares, the U.S. Holder could designate the lot(s) from which such contribution will be made, provided that the U.S. Holder is able to identify specifically which Ether it is contributing and to substantiate its tax basis in that Ether. In general, if a U.S. Holder acquires Shares (i) solely for cash at different prices, (ii) partly for cash and partly in exchange for a contribution of Ether or (iii) in exchange for a contribution of Ether with different tax bases, the U.S. Holder’s share of the Trust’s Ether will consist of separate lots with separate tax bases. In addition, in this situation, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the separate lots may be different. In addition, any Ether received as Staking Consideration that the Trust acquires will constitute a separate lot with a separate tax basis and holding period.
Gains or losses from the sale of Ether to fund cash redemptions are expected to be treated as incurred only by the shareholder that is being redeemed. However, when the Trust transfers Ether to the Sponsor as payment of the Sponsor’s Fee or the Sponsor’s Staking Portion or sells Ether to fund payment of any cash distributions or of any Additional Trust Expenses, each U.S. Holder will be treated as having sold its pro rata share of that Ether for their fair market value at that time (which, in the case of Ether sold by the Trust, generally will be equal to the cash proceeds received by the Trust in respect thereof). As a result, each U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of the Ether transferred and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s tax basis for its pro rata share of the Ether transferred. Any such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for its pro rata share of the Ether is one year or less and long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for its pro rata share of the Ether is more than one year. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its pro rata share of any Ether transferred by the Trust generally will be determined by multiplying the tax basis of the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of all of the Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to the transfer by a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of Ether transferred and the denominator of which is the total amount of Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to the transfer. Immediately after the transfer, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its pro rata share of the Ether remaining in the Trust will be equal to the tax basis of its pro rata share of the Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to the transfer, less the portion of that tax basis allocable to its pro rata share of the Ether transferred. A U.S. Holder’s receipt of distributions of cash proceeds from the sale of Ether (other than in connection with a redemption) should not, itself, be a taxable event to a U.S. Holder.
As noted above, the IRS has taken the position in the Ruling & FAQs that, under certain circumstances, a hard fork of a digital asset constitutes a taxable event giving rise to ordinary income, and it is clear from the reasoning of the Ruling & FAQs that the IRS generally would treat an airdrop as a taxable event giving rise to ordinary income. As described above, the Sponsor has committed to causing the Trust to abandon all Incidental Rights and IR Virtual Currency to which the Trust otherwise might become entitled. If, however, the Trust were to receive and retain IR Virtual Currency in the future, a U.S. Holder would have a basis in that IR Virtual Currency equal to the amount of income the U.S. Holder recognizes as a result of such fork or airdrop and the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such IR Virtual Currency would begin as of the time it recognizes such income. Similarly, although the IRS has not issued similar guidance with respect to staking, if the Trust receives any Staking Consideration in connection with Staking, it is likely that a U.S. Holder will have a basis in any Ether received as part of such Staking Consideration equal to the amount of income that the U.S. Holder recognizes and the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Staking Consideration will begin as of the time it recognizes such income.
U.S. Holders’ pro rata shares of the expenses incurred by the Trust will be treated as “miscellaneous itemized deductions” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a non-corporate U.S. Holder’s share of these expenses will not be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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On a sale or other disposition of Shares, a U.S. Holder will be treated as having sold the Ether underlying such Shares. Accordingly, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized on the sale of the Shares and (ii) the portion of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its pro rata share of the Ether held in the Trust that is attributable to the Shares that were sold or otherwise subject to a disposition. Such tax basis generally will be determined by multiplying the tax basis of the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of all of the Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to such sale or other disposition by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of Shares disposed of and the denominator of which is the total number of Shares held by such U.S. Holder immediately prior to such sale or other disposition (such fraction, expressed as a percentage, the “Share Percentage”). If the U.S. Holder’s share of the Trust’s Ether consists of separate lots with separate tax bases and/or holding periods, the U.S. Holder will be treated as having sold the Share Percentage of each such lot. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of Shares will generally be short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Ether underlying such Shares is one year or less and long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Ether underlying such Shares is more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.
If the Trust redeems all or a portion of a U.S. Holder’s Shares in exchange for the underlying Ether represented by the redeemed Shares, such redemption generally will not be a taxable event to the U.S. Holder. The U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Ether received in the redemption generally will be the same as the U.S. Holder’s tax basis for the portion of its pro rata share of the Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to the redemption that was attributable to the Shares redeemed, determined as described above, and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its remaining pro rata portion, if any, of the Ether held in the Trust after the redemption will be equal to the tax basis of its pro rata share of the total amount of the Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to the redemption, less the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Ether received in the redemption. The U.S. Holder’s holding period with respect to the Ether received will generally include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the Shares so redeemed. A subsequent sale of the Ether received in such redemption will generally be a taxable event.
After any sale or other disposition of fewer than all of a U.S. Holder’s Shares, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its pro rata share of the Ether held in the Trust immediately after the disposition will equal the tax basis in its pro rata share of the total amount of the Ether held in the Trust immediately prior to the disposition, less the portion of that tax basis that is taken into account in determining the amount of gain or loss recognized by the U.S. Holder on the disposition (or, in the case of a redemption pursuant to an In-Kind Order, the portion of tax basis that is treated as the basis of the Ether received by the U.S. Holder in the redemption).
Any brokerage or other transaction fee incurred by a U.S. Holder in purchasing Shares generally will be added to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the underlying assets of the Trust. Similarly, any brokerage fee or other transaction fee incurred by a U.S. Holder in selling Shares generally will reduce the amount realized by the U.S. Holder with respect to the sale.
If the Trust receives Staking Consideration, that Staking Consideration would be reportable to Shareholders as taxable income under current IRS guidance.
In the absence of guidance to the contrary, it is possible that any income recognized by a U.S. tax-exempt shareholder as a consequence of Staking, or the occurrence of a hard fork, airdrop or similar event, would constitute UBTI. A tax-exempt shareholder should consult its tax adviser regarding whether such shareholder may recognize some UBTI as a consequence of an investment in Shares.
Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term “non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a Share for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is not a U.S. Holder. The term “non-U.S. Holder” does not include (i) a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a taxable year, (ii) a former U.S. citizen or U.S. resident or an entity that has expatriated from the United States; (iii) a person whose income in respect of Shares is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or (iv) an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Shareholders described in the preceding sentence should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning Shares.
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to its share of any gain recognized on the Trust’s transfer of Ether in payment of the Sponsor’s Fee, the Sponsor’s Staking Portion or any Additional Trust Expense or on the Trust’s sale or other disposition of Ether. In addition, assuming that the Trust holds no asset other than Ether, a non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to any gain it recognizes on a sale or other disposition of Shares. A non-U.S. Holder also will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to any distribution received from the Trust, whether in cash or in-kind.
Provided that it does not constitute income that is treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” (“FDAP”) income received, or treated as received, by a non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (subject to possible reduction or elimination pursuant
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to an applicable tax treaty and to statutory exemptions such as the portfolio interest exemption). Although the Sponsor has committed to causing the Trust to abandon all Incidental Rights and IR Virtual Currency to which the Trust may become entitled in the future, and although there is no guidance on point, if the Trust were to receive and retain IR Virtual Currency arising from a future fork, airdrop or similar occurrence, it is likely that any ordinary income recognized by a non-U.S. Holder as a result would constitute FDAP income. It is also possible that the receipt of any Staking Consideration by the Trust would constitute FDAP income. It is unclear, however, whether any such FDAP income would be properly treated as U.S.-source or foreign-source FDAP income. Non-U.S. Holders should assume that, in the absence of guidance, a withholding agent (including the Sponsor) is likely to withhold 30% from a non-U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of any such income. A non-U.S. Holder that is a resident of a country that maintains an income tax treaty with the United States may be eligible to claim the benefits of that treaty to reduce or eliminate, or to obtain a partial or full refund of, the 30% U.S. withholding tax on its share of any such income, but only if the non-U.S. Holder’s home country treats the Trust as “fiscally transparent,” as defined in applicable Treasury regulations.
In order to prevent the possible imposition of U.S. “backup” withholding and (if applicable) to qualify for a reduced rate of withholding tax at source under a treaty, a non-U.S. Holder must comply with certain certification requirements (generally, by delivering a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E to the relevant withholding agent).
U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
The Trust or the appropriate broker will file certain information returns with the IRS and provide shareholders with information regarding their annual income (if any) and expenses with respect to the Trust in accordance with applicable Treasury regulations.
A U.S. Holder will generally be subject to information reporting requirements and backup withholding unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. In order to avoid the information reporting and backup withholding requirements, a non-U.S. Holder may have to comply with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person. The amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
FATCA
As discussed above, it is unclear whether any ordinary income recognized by a non-U.S. Holder as a result of a fork, airdrop or similar occurrence or staking would constitute U.S.-source FDAP income. Provisions of the Code commonly referred to as “FATCA” require withholding of 30% on payments of U.S.-source FDAP income and, subject to the discussion of proposed U.S. Treasury regulations below, of gross proceeds of dispositions of certain types of property that produce U.S.-source FDAP income to, “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and certain other non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. In addition, regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department (the preamble to which indicates that taxpayers may rely on the regulations pending their finalization) would eliminate the requirement under FATCA of withholding on gross proceeds. If FATCA withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner that is not a foreign financial institution generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return (which may entail significant administrative burden). Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effects of FATCA on an investment in the Trust.
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Exhibit 99.3
The following disclosure shall be incorporated by reference into the section titled “Item 1. Business” and shall update the existing section titled “Item 1. Business—Service Providers of the Trust—Authorized Participant” in the Annual Report:
Authorized Participants
An Authorized Participant must enter into a “Participant Agreement” with the Sponsor and the Trust to govern its placement of orders to create and redeem Baskets. The Participant Agreement sets forth the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of Ether required for creations. A copy of the form of Participant Agreement is available for inspection at the Sponsor’s principal office identified herein.
Each Authorized Participant (i) is a registered broker-dealer (ii) has entered into a Participant Agreement with the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent and (iii) in the case of creations or redemptions through In-Kind Orders (as defined below) must also own, or their designee in connection with In-Kind Orders (“AP Designee”), must own, an Ether wallet address that is known to the Custodian as belonging to the Authorized Participant or its AP Designee and maintain an account with the Custodian.
The Trust issues Shares to, and redeems Shares from, Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis, but only in one or more Baskets (with a “Basket” being a block of 10,000 Shares). The Participant Agreements set forth the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets by the Authorized Participants. Although the Trust creates Baskets only upon the receipt of Ether, and redeems Baskets only by distributing Ether or proceeds from the disposition of Ether, Authorized Participants may choose to submit “Cash Orders,” pursuant to which the Authorized Participant will deposit cash into, or accept cash from, the Cash Account (as defined herein) in connection with the creation and redemption of Baskets. Cash Orders will be facilitated by the Transfer Agent and Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC (in such capacity, the “Liquidity Engager”), which will engage one or more eligible companies (each, a “Liquidity Provider”) that is not an agent of, or otherwise acting on behalf of, any Authorized Participant to obtain or receive Ether in connection with such orders. The Sponsor may in its sole discretion limit the number of Shares created pursuant to Cash Orders on any specified day without notice to the Authorized Participants and may direct the Marketing Agent to reject any Cash Orders in excess of such capped amount. The redemption of Shares pursuant to Cash Orders will only take place if approved by the Sponsor in writing, in its sole discretion and on a case-by-case basis.
As of the date of this filing, NYSE Arca has received regulatory approval permitting the Trust to conduct creations and redemptions of Shares via in-kind transactions with Authorized Participants or AP Designee in exchange for Ether. The Trust is also able to accept Cash Orders (as defined herein). Accordingly, the Trust currently conducts creations and redemptions of Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders and Cash Orders (each as described herein). See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risk Factors Related to the Trust and the Shares—The limited ability to facilitate in-kind creations and redemptions of Shares could have adverse consequences for the Trust” for more information.
As of the date of this filing, the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, and the Transfer Agent entered into Participant Agreements with [Jane Street Capital, LLC, Virtu Americas LLC, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC], pursuant to which such entities have agreed to act as Authorized Participants, and are able to conduct creations and redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders. In addition, as of the date of this filing, [•] is able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind. The Sponsor may engage additional Authorized Participants who are unaffiliated with the Trust in the future, and such Authorized Participants may be able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind, in cash, or both.
No Authorized Participant has any obligation or responsibility to the Sponsor or the Trust to effect any sale or resale of Shares.”
The following disclosure shall be incorporated by reference into the section titled “Item 1. Business” and shall update the existing section titled “Item 1. Business—Description of the Shares—Redemptions and Distributions” in the Annual Report:
Redemptions and Distributions
Through its redemption program, the Trust may redeem Shares from Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis. Although the Trust redeems Baskets only by distributing Ether or proceeds from the disposition of Ether, Authorized Participants may choose to submit Cash Orders, pursuant to which the Authorized Participant will accept cash from the Cash Account in connection with the redemption of Baskets. Cash Orders will be facilitated by the Transfer Agent and Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, which will engage one or more Liquidity Providers that is not an agent of, or otherwise acting on behalf of, any Authorized Participant receiving Ether in connection with such orders. The Trust may also redeem Baskets via In-Kind Orders, pursuant to which an Authorized Participant or its AP Designee will deposit Ether directly with the Trust or receive Ether directly from the Trust.
In addition, if the Trust is terminated and liquidated, the Sponsor will distribute to the shareholders any amounts of the cash proceeds of the liquidation remaining after the satisfaction of all outstanding liabilities of the Trust and the establishment of reserves for applicable taxes, other governmental charges and contingent or future liabilities as the Sponsor will determine. See “—Description of the Trust Agreement—Termination of the Trust.” Shareholders of record on the record date fixed by the Transfer Agent for a distribution will be entitled to receive their pro rata portions of any distribution.
The following disclosures revise the corresponding risk factors previously included in the section titled “Item 1. Business—Risk Factors” in the Annual Report and, as revised, shall be incorporated by reference therein:
Any suspension or other unavailability of the Trust’s redemption program may cause the Shares to trade at a discount to the NAV per Share.
Although the Sponsor has commenced the Trust’s redemption program in conjunction with the listing of the Shares on NYSE Arca, as a result of which Authorized Participants have been able to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities when the market value of the Shares deviated from the NAV per Share to reduce premiums or discounts to NAV per Share, there can be no assurance that the Trust’s redemption program will not be suspended or become unavailable in the future. In addition, if the Sponsor decides to limit Cash Orders at a time when the Shares are trading at a premium or a discount to the NAV per Share, and In-Kind Orders are unavailable for any reason, the arbitrage mechanism may fail to effectively function, which could impact the Shares’ liquidity and/or cause the Shares to trade at premiums and discounts to the NAV per Share, and otherwise have a negative impact on the value of the Shares.”
The limited ability to facilitate in-kind creations and redemptions of Shares could have adverse consequences for the Trust.
Authorized participants must be registered broker-dealers. Registered broker-dealers are subject to various requirements of the federal securities laws and rules, including financial responsibility rules such as the customer protection rule, the net capital rule and recordkeeping requirements. Although the SEC recently approved orders to permit in-kind creations and redemptions by authorized participants for certain spot digital asset ETP shares, there has yet to be definitive regulatory guidance on and the specific details of how registered broker-dealers can comply with these rules with regard to transacting in or holding spot Ether. In particular, registered broker-dealers participating in the in-kind creation or redemption of Shares for Ether will need to ensure that they can demonstrate compliance with applicable financial responsibility rules
While compliance with such requirements would be the broker-dealer’s responsibility, a national securities exchange is required to enforce compliance by its member broker-dealers with applicable federal securities law and rules. Only certain Authorized Participants, at present, have the ability to also, through their affiliates, support in-kind creation and redemption activity pursuant to the terms of their participant agreements with the Trust. As of the date of this filing, [•] has executed an agreement providing it with the ability to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind for Ether in addition to conducting creations and
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redemptions for cash. The Sponsor may engage additional Authorized Participants who are unaffiliated with the Trust in the future, and such Authorized Participants may be able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind, in cash, or both.
Even with the approval of in-kind creations and redemptions, the Trust’s limited ability to facilitate in-kind creations and redemptions could result in the exchange-traded product arbitrage mechanism failing to function as efficiently as it otherwise would, leading to the potential for the Shares to trade at premiums or discounts to the NAV per Share, and such premiums or discounts could be substantial. Furthermore, if Cash Orders are unavailable, either due to the Sponsor’s decision to reject or suspend such orders or otherwise, Authorized Participants may be limited in their ability to redeem or create Shares, in which case the arbitrage mechanism may not function as efficiently. This could result in impaired liquidity for the Shares, wider bid/ask spreads in secondary trading of the Shares and greater costs to investors and other market participants. In addition, the Trust’s limited ability to facilitate in-kind creations and redemptions, and resulting relative reliance on cash creations and redemptions, could cause the Sponsor to halt or suspend the creation of redemption of Shares during times of market volatility or turmoil, among other consequences.
Further, there can be no assurance that additional broker-dealers would be willing to serve as Authorized Participants with respect to the in-kind creation and redemption of Shares. Any of these factors could adversely affect the performance of the Trust and the value of the Shares.
Beneficial owners of Shares could incur tax liabilities without receiving corresponding distributions from the Trust.
The Staking Condition has been satisfied as to the particular form of Staking described in the Trust’s Annual Report (as amended from time to time). Shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result. In particular, the IRS has indicated that the receipt of Staking Consideration gives rise to current, ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beneficial owners of Shares will be required to take their ratable share of any such income into account in determining their own tax liability, regardless of whether the Trust makes any corresponding distributions. Shareholders should therefore expect that other sources of funds may be needed to satisfy any associated tax liability. Moreover, if the Trust were to sell Ether to fund cash distributions in respect of that tax liability, a Shareholder generally would be treated as having sold its pro rata share of those Ether for their fair market value at that time (which, in the case of Ether sold by the Trust, generally will be equal to the cash proceeds received by the Trust in respect thereof), and the Shareholder generally would recognize gain or loss on such sale as described in the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
The treatment of the Trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes is uncertain.
The Sponsor intends to take the position that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming that the Trust is a grantor trust, the Trust will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, if the Trust is a grantor trust, each beneficial owner of Shares will be treated as directly owning its pro rata share of the Trust’s assets and a pro rata portion of the Trust’s income, gains, losses and deductions will “flow through” to each beneficial owner of Shares.
In particular, the Staking Condition has been satisfied as to the particular form of Staking described herein, and the Sponsor intends to continue to take the position that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that any Staking activity undertaken by the Trust in compliance with the opinion, ruling or other guidance relied upon to satisfy the Staking Condition will not prevent the Trust from continuing to qualify as a grantor trust for such purposes. The IRS recently issued a revenue procedure providing a staking safe harbor for certain grantor trust vehicles whose beneficial interests are listed and traded on a national securities exchange (the “2025 Revenue Procedure”), but certain aspects of the 2025 Revenue Procedure are unclear, and therefore the Trust may not currently satisfy all conditions of the safe harbor. Accordingly, due to the uncertainty regarding the ability of a grantor trust to engage in Staking activities, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or any court would agree with this position (or with any opinion of counsel delivered to the
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Sponsor in support thereof). Accordingly, the Trust might cease to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Furthermore, the Sponsor has committed to cause the Trust to irrevocably abandon any Incidental Rights and IR Virtual Currency to which the Trust may become entitled in the future. In furtherance of that commitment, the Sponsor has, on behalf of the Trust, notified the Prime Broker, the Custodian, and Coinbase Credit via the Pre-Creation/Redemption Abandonment Notices (as defined herein) that the Trust is irrevocably abandoning, effective immediately prior to each Creation Time or Redemption Time, all Incidental Rights or IR Virtual Currency to which it would otherwise be entitled as of such time and with respect to which it has not taken any Affirmative Action at or prior to such time. There can be no complete assurance that these abandonments will be treated as effective for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Trust were treated as owning any asset other than Ether as of any date on which it creates or redeems Shares, it might cease to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, at this time the Trust is permitted to create or redeem Shares pursuant to In-Kind Orders and Cash Orders. In general, investment vehicles intended to be treated as grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes historically have created additional trust interests only in kind, and there is no authority directly addressing whether a grantor trust may create or redeem trust interests under procedures similar to those that govern Cash Orders. Accordingly, there can be no complete assurance that the creation or redemption of Shares under the procedures governing Cash Orders will not cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Moreover, because of the evolving nature of digital assets, it is not possible to predict potential future developments that may arise with respect to digital assets, including forks, airdrops and other similar occurrences. Assuming that the Trust is currently a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain future developments could render it impossible, or impracticable, for the Trust to continue to be treated as a grantor trust for such purposes.
If the Trust is not properly classified as a grantor trust, the Trust might be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, due to the uncertain treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as discussed in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Uncertainty Regarding the U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Digital Assets”), there can be no assurance in this regard. If the Trust were classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax consequences of owning Shares generally would not be materially different from the tax consequences described herein, although there might be certain differences, including with respect to timing of the recognition of taxable income or loss. In addition, tax information reports provided to beneficial owners of Shares would be made in a different form. Moreover, it is possible, in that case, that a portion of the Trust’s income would be considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, accordingly, a non-U.S. person owning Shares could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to that “effectively connected” income and be required to file a U.S. tax return. If none of the Trust’s Staking income were considered to be “effectively connected” income, a non-U.S. person owning Shares likely would be subject to withholding on its pro rata portion of U.S.-source income from the Trust’s Staking activities as described below in “—Shareholders may be subject to withholding tax on Staking Consideration received as staking rewards and income derived from forks, airdrops and similar occurrences.” Tax-exempt Shareholders may also recognize UBTI from the Trust’s Staking activities if the Trust is not treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If the Trust were not classified as either a grantor trust or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be classified as a corporation for such purposes. In that event, the Trust would be subject to entity-level U.S. federal income tax (currently at the rate of 21%) on its net taxable income and certain distributions made by the Trust to shareholders would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of the Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Any such dividend distributed to a beneficial owner of Shares that is a non-U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as provided in an applicable tax treaty). As a result, the taxation of the Trust as a corporation could materially reduce the after-tax return on an investment in Shares, and substantially reduce the value of the Shares, and result in a material divergence between NAV and the value of the Trust’s Ether.
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The treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes is uncertain.
As discussed in the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Uncertainty Regarding the U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Digital Assets,” assuming that the Trust is properly treated as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each beneficial owner of Shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of an undivided interest in the Ether (and, if applicable, any Incidental Rights, IR Virtual Currency and/or any Staking Consideration) held in the Trust. Due to the new and evolving nature of digital assets and the absence of comprehensive guidance with respect to digital assets, many significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of digital assets are uncertain.
In 2014, the IRS released a notice (the “Notice”) discussing certain aspects of “convertible virtual currency” (that is, digital assets that have an equivalent value in fiat currency or that act as substitutes for fiat currency) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, in particular, stating that such digital assets (i) are “property” (ii) are not currency” for purposes of the rules relating to foreign currency gain or loss and (iii) may be held as a capital asset. In 2019, the IRS released a revenue ruling and a set of “Frequently Asked Questions” that has been updated from time to time since (the “Ruling & FAQs”) that provide some additional guidance, including guidance to the effect that, under certain circumstances, hard forks of digital assets are taxable events giving rise to ordinary income and guidance with respect to the determination of the tax basis of digital assets. Moreover, in 2023, the IRS released a revenue ruling that provided guidance on digital asset staking, including guidance to the effect that staking rewards will, under certain circumstances, be treated as giving rise to taxable income (the “2023 Staking Guidance”). Further, the IRS recently issued the 2025 Revenue Procedure, which provides a staking safe harbor for certain grantor trust vehicles. However, the Notice, the Ruling & FAQs, the 2023 Staking Guidance and the 2025 Revenue Procedure do not address other significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of digital assets. For example, for a non-U.S. Holder (as defined below), there currently is no guidance directly addressing whether or in what circumstances engaging in certain activities to generate yield on digital assets, including Staking, could give rise to income that is effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States. Similarly, for a U.S. tax-exempt shareholder, there currently is no guidance directly addressing whether or in what circumstances such activities could give to rise to “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”). Moreover, although the Ruling & FAQs address the treatment of hard forks, there continues to be uncertainty with respect to the timing and amount of the income inclusions.
There can be no assurance that the IRS will not alter its position with respect to digital assets in the future or that a court would uphold the treatment set forth in the Notice, the Ruling & FAQs, the 2023 Staking Guidance and the 2025 Revenue Procedure. It is also unclear what additional guidance on the treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be issued in the future. Any such alteration of the current IRS positions or additional guidance could result in adverse tax consequences for shareholders and could have an adverse effect on the value of Ether. Future developments that may arise with respect to digital assets may increase the uncertainty with respect to the treatment of digital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, the Notice addresses only digital assets that are “convertible virtual currency,” and it is conceivable that, as a result of a fork, airdrop or similar occurrence, the Trust could hold certain types of digital assets that are not within the scope of the Notice in the event the Sponsor seeks to change the Trust’s policy with respect to Incidental Rights or IR Virtual Currency, subject to NYSE Arca obtaining regulatory approval from the SEC.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of owning and disposing of Shares and digital assets in general.
A U.S. tax-exempt shareholder may recognize “unrelated business taxable income” as a consequence of an investment in Shares.
Under the guidance provided in the Ruling & FAQs, hard forks, airdrops and similar occurrences with respect to digital assets will under certain circumstances be treated as taxable events giving rise to ordinary income. Moreover, as separately provided by the IRS in the 2023 Staking Guidance, staking rewards will, under certain circumstances, be treated as giving rise to taxable income. In the absence of guidance to the contrary, it is possible that any such income recognized by a U.S. tax-exempt shareholder would constitute UBTI. A tax-exempt shareholder should consult its tax adviser regarding whether such shareholder may
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recognize UBTI as a consequence of an investment in Shares. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
Shareholders may be subject to withholding tax on Staking Consideration received as staking rewards and income derived from forks, airdrops and similar occurrences.
The Ruling & FAQs do not address whether income recognized by a non-U.S. person as a result of a fork, airdrop or similar occurrence or staking could be subject to the 30% withholding tax imposed on U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income. Non-U.S. Holders (as defined under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders”) should be aware that, in the absence of guidance, a withholding agent (including a broker through which a Non-U.S. Holder holds Shares) may withhold 30% of any such income recognized by a non-U.S. Holder in respect of its Shares, including by deducting such withheld amounts from proceeds that such non-U.S. Holder would otherwise be entitled to receive in connection with a distribution of Incidental Rights, IR Virtual Currency or Staking Consideration received as staking rewards. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
In addition, the Trust may enter into Staking Arrangements with Staking Providers organized in, or that have operations in, a non-U.S. jurisdiction. Non-U.S. jurisdictions may seek to impose withholding tax on Staking Consideration received by the Trust as staking rewards, which may negatively affect a shareholder’s investment in the Trust.
The following disclosure revises the disclosure previously included in the section titled “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Market Information” in the Annual Report and, as revised, shall be incorporated by reference therein:
Market Information
The Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, and the Transfer Agent entered into Participant Agreements with a number of unaffiliated Authorized Participants in connection with the approval of NYSE Arca’s application under Rule 19b-4 of the Exchange Act. As of the date of this filing, [Jane Street Capital, LLC, Virtu Americas LLC, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC] have agreed to act as Authorized Participants and are able to conduct creations and redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders. In addition, as of the date of this filing, [•] is able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind. The Shares are listed on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “ETH.”
The following disclosure revises the disclosure previously included in the section titled “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence—Authorized Participants” in the Annual Report and, as revised, shall be incorporated by reference therein:
Authorized Participants
Effective July 23, 2024, the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, and the Transfer Agent entered into Participant Agreements with [Jane Street Capital, LLC, Virtu Americas LLC, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC], pursuant to which such entities have agreed to act as Authorized Participants, and are able to conduct creations and redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders. In addition, as of the date of this filing, [•] is able to conduct creations and redemptions in-kind. The Sponsor may engage additional Authorized Participants who are unaffiliated with the Trust in the future.
Each of the following terms had the meaning previously set forth in the “Glossary of Defined Terms” in the Annual Report and, as revised below, shall replace and supersede such meanings and shall be incorporated by reference into, and supplement, the definitions in the “Glossary of Defined Terms” in the Annual Report:
“AP Designee”—An Authorized Participant’s designee in connection with In-Kind Orders.
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“Authorized Participant”—Certain eligible financial institutions that have entered into an agreement with the Trust and the Sponsor concerning the creation or redemption of Shares. Each Authorized Participant (i) is a registered broker-dealer, (ii) has entered into a Participant Agreement with the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent and (iii) in the case of creations or redemptions through In-Kind Orders, must also own, or their AP Designee (as defined above) must own, an Ether wallet address that is known to the Custodian as belonging to the Authorized Participant or its AP Designee and maintain an account with the Custodian.
“In-Kind Order”—An order for the creation or redemption of Shares pursuant to which the Authorized Participant (or its AP Designee) will deliver or receive Ether directly from the Trust’s Vault Balance.
“Liquidity Provider”—One or more eligible companies that facilitate the purchase and sale of Ether in connection with creations or redemptions pursuant to Cash Orders. The Liquidity Providers with which Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC, acting in its capacity as the Liquidity Engager, will engage in Ether transactions are third parties that are not affiliated with the Sponsor or the Trust and are not acting as agents of the Trust, the Sponsor, or any Authorized Participant, but may be affiliated with the Authorized Participant, and all transactions will be done on an arms-length basis. Except for the contractual relationships between each Liquidity Provider and Grayscale Investments Sponsors, LLC in its capacity as the Liquidity Engager, there is no contractual relationship between each Liquidity Provider and the Trust or the Sponsor.
“Participant Agreement”—An agreement entered into by an Authorized Participant with the Sponsor and the Transfer Agent that provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets.
The following terms shall be removed from the definitions in the “Glossary of Defined Terms” in the Annual Report:
“In-Kind Regulatory Approval”—The necessary regulatory approval to permit NYSE Arca to list the Shares of the Trust utilizing a structure that allows the Trust to create and redeem Shares via in-kind transactions with Authorized Participants or their AP Designees in exchange for Ether. In common with other spot digital asset exchange-traded products, the Trust is not at this time able to create and redeem shares via in-kind transactions with Authorized Participants, and there has yet to be definitive regulatory guidance on whether and how registered broker-dealers can hold and deal in Ether in compliance with the federal securities laws. To the extent further regulatory clarity emerges, the Sponsor expects NYSE Arca to seek the necessary regulatory approval to amend its listing rules to permit the Trust to create and redeem Shares through In-Kind Orders. There can be no assurance as to when such regulatory clarity will emerge, or when NYSE Arca will seek or obtain such regulatory approval, if at all.
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