21Shares lists four physically backed crypto-asset ETNs on

London, United Kingdom, 28 May 2024 – 21Shares, the world’s largest issuer of cryptocurrency Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), today announced the launch of four physically backed crypto-asset Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) on the London Stock Exchange, available to professional investors. Each ETN is listed in both GBP and USD. This launch marks 21Shares’ official entry into the UK market.

The listings come in response to a new regulatory environment in the UK, following recent news that the Financial Conduct Authority will allow professional investors to access exchange-traded notes backed by Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This milestone marks the latest expansion in 21Shares’ global growth, providing professional and institutional investors with regulated, transparent and secure access to the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market and asset class.

Founded in 2018, 21Shares pioneered the world’s first physically backed crypto ETN and has established a strong track record of creating innovative, reliable and compliant crypto investment products. With ETNs already listed on major exchanges such as Nasdaq OMX, Euronext Paris and Amsterdam, Deutsche Börse Xetra and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is there to meet the growing demand from investors to gain exposure to digital assets through their bank or existing intermediation.

Ophelia Snyder, co-founder, said:

“The UK is one of the deepest and most liquid capital markets in the world. As institutional interest in cryptocurrencies grows, it is only natural that the London Stock Exchange hosts responsible and properly structured funds that offer access to these markets.

This is where an established company like ours, with proven experience in volatile markets, can play a vital role. We have listed more than 40 ETNs on 11 different exchanges. We are excited to be part of this evolution in the UK.”

Hany Rashwan, co-founder, said:

“Cryptocurrencies are here to stay. There is a clear role for decentralized finance in a global world and more and more people are coming around to this view. More and more institutional investors want to expose themselves to the transformative potential of cryptocurrencies, as part of a balanced investment portfolio.

That demand already exists, and we’re helping provide the products to meet it. We are eager to watch how the space evolves and how we can continue to support industry growth as the regulatory environment progresses.”

21Shares offers the largest range of cryptocurrency Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) globally, meeting a wide range of investor needs, including 7 ETNs with diversified indices, providing exposure to a basket of major cryptocurrencies, and 5 ETNs of staking that generate additional returns through staking. Additionally, 21Shares provides 2 inverse ETNs that profit from falling prices.

As of May 24, 2024, 21Shares currently has over $3.6 billion in European assets under management (AUM).

For further information, interviews or high resolution images, contact Christian Round
christian.round@teneo.com (+44 7585 996379)

Notes to the editors

• 21Shares was founded to solve a specific problem: making cryptocurrency accessible to everyday investors. Co-founders Ophelia Snyder and Hany Rashwan have combined their backgrounds in finance and technology to create a bridge between traditional finance and the thriving world of digital assets.

• Co-founder Ophelia Snyder graduated from Stanford University in 2014, before pursuing a career in investment banking. In 2013, Snyder’s interest in cryptocurrencies was sparked by her mother, a former banker and entrepreneur, who introduced her to Bitcoin during a discussion about the impact of the 2008 financial crisis. Snyder realized that cryptocurrencies they could offer decentralized, transparent, inclusive and secure alternatives to traditional financial systems during times of economic instability, leading her to co-found 21Shares with university friend Hany Rashwan, with the ultimate mission of building bridges in the world of cryptocurrencies.
• Co-founder Hany Rashwan, an Egyptian businessman and software engineer, was born in Cairo and raised in Alexandria. Inspired by his grandfather’s expertise in cryptography, Rashwan’s journey with technology began early, building gaming sites at the age of 14. He launched several start-ups while studying for an MBA at Columbia, including a digital payments business that he sold for a sizable profit. . He moved to Silicon Valley and started networking on the Stanford campus, where he met Ophelia.
• Alex Pollak, head of UK and Israel, spent 15 years at BlackRock and was part of the team that worked on BlackRock’s exchange traded fund, iShares, before joining 21Shares in 2021. He started the Israel business from BlackRock where he was exposed to the vibrant cryptocurrency culture in the country. Prior to BlackRock, Alex was an investment analyst at an asset manager in London, his first professional role in finance after graduating from the University of Georgia.
• With a strong focus on research, customer service and regulatory compliance, 21Shares continues to be at the forefront of cryptocurrency investment solutions.
• 21Shares launched the world’s first physically backed crypto ETN in 2018, marking a significant milestone in the industry.
• It offers the broadest range of cryptocurrency exchange-traded (ETN) products globally, catering to a wide range of investor needs.
• It has listed more than 40 ETNs on 11 different exchanges around the world and operates 29 single-asset ETNs that track the performance of individual cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• As of April 2024, assets under management for the Bitcoin ETN alone were approximately $693.8 million.
• Introduced the world’s first ETN staking product, a new type of investment product that allows investors to earn returns not only from market price movements but also by participating in the process known as “staking” in the world of cryptocurrencies.
• Staking involves holding ETN in a cryptocurrency wallet to support the operations and security of a blockchain network. In exchange, stakers receive rewards, similar to earning interest on a traditional bank account. The 21Shares Ethereum Staking ETN (AETH) is the largest ETN tracking Ethereum and has the longest track record of any physical ETH product on the market.
• Find out more about https://www.21shares.com/en-eu/about-us

Important information

This document does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any offer or undertaking whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing contained herein should be considered investment advice.

This document and the information contained herein are not intended for distribution into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan (directly or indirectly) or into any other jurisdiction where distribution or release would be unlawful.

This document does not constitute an offer to sell securities in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved an investment in the securities or made any announcement as to the accuracy or appropriateness of the contents of this presentation. Any statement to the contrary is a criminal offense in the United States.

In the United Kingdom, this document is distributed to and is only addressed to: (i) investment professionals who fall under Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) ; or (ii) high net worth entities and other persons to whom they may lawfully be disclosed, pursuant to Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Ordinance (all such persons together are referred to as “relevant persons ” ); or (iii) persons falling within article 43(2) of the Ordinance, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other person to whom this document may be lawfully distributed in circumstances where article 21 (1) of the Ordinance FSMA does not apply. The securities are available only to and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be made only to relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Exclusively for prospective investors in any EEA Member State which has implemented Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website at www.21Shares .com.

Approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be construed as an approval by the SFSA of securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

This document constitutes advertising within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2023 base prospectus of 21Shares AG was filed pursuant to Article 54 para. 2 FinSA at the SIX Exchange Regulation AG in its function as a Swiss prospectus review body in accordance with Article 52 FinSA. The 2023 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any product can be obtained on the website of 21Shares AG (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

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