Why 21Shares believes ‘passive strategies’ for crypto ETFs are outdated

For many Bitcoin OGs within the house, the principle crypto funding technique has at all times been ‘HODL,’ which has been sufficient to outperform most property in sure intervals.
Early asset managers who entered the sector additionally adopted the same passive technique for his or her respective crypto ETFs (exchange-traded funds). They’ve been holding the crypto property within the hope that, in three, six, or 12 months, their worth would recognize.
Based on 21Shares president Duncan Moir, nevertheless, crypto ETFs are transitioning from passive administration to lively methods. Moir noted that the sector was a ‘nascent’ and ‘rising asset class’ that matches completely with lively administration.
On the core of this new technique is scaling yield streams and further incomes alternatives past simply holding the crypto property. From a regional crypto ETF demand, Moir stated,
The curiosity continues to be concentrated within the bigger cash within the US. In Europe, institutional purchasers are extra curious about newer property and the appliance layer past the Layer-1.


Actually, on a year-to-date (YTD) foundation, the U.S. leads with $638 million in crypto inflows, adopted carefully by Germany at $377 million and Switzerland at $233 million.
Crypto ETFs evolution and diversification
For Moir, the mature investor base in Europe, who already maintain Bitcoin and Ethereum, is trying to broaden their crypto allocation with higher choices.
This led to 21Shares launching an ETP tied to Technique’s most well-liked inventory, Stretch (STRC), which gives an annual dividend yield of as much as 11.5% payable month-to-month. This is likely one of the Technique’s methods of elevating capital for Bitcoin buys.
Moir famous that the product has been an prompt success throughout a number of areas, underscoring a powerful urge for food for yield-bearing property which can be feasibly accessible by way of conventional platforms.
Moreover, crypto ETF staking rewards have turn into one other lively technique to maximise buyers’ returns.
Grayscale and BlackRock’s push for staking rewards of their respective Spot ETH ETFs is one instance of asset managers searching for extra alternatives for buyers.
Lastly, Moir stated in addition they search for main thematic tendencies or future shifts that may be maximized. The strategy knowledgeable the launch of 21Shares’ Bitcoin-and-gold ETP, primarily based on the rising demand for secure havens amid debasement commerce and rising U.S. fiscal debt.
It stays to be seen how the brand new lively technique will drive demand into crypto ETFs. As of writing, the whole crypto ETF property beneath administration (AUM) had been about $130 billion, down from practically $240 billion on the peak of 2025.


Last Abstract
- 21Shares’ Duncan Moir stated that lively methods will probably be on the middle of the following crypto ETF administration.
- Yield-focused wrappers and staking rewards are some lively methods asset managers are deploying for buyers.





