ck0001432353-20260226
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Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
NASDAQ:
BITS |
Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF
NYSE
Arca: BTRN
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Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF
Cboe
BZX: BCCC |
Global
X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
Cboe
BZX: EHCC |
Prospectus
March 1,
2026
The
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (“CFTC”) have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed
upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
Shares
in a Fund (defined below) are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are shares
deposits or obligations of any bank. Such shares in a Fund involve investment
risks, including the loss of principal.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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| FUND
SUMMARIES |
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| ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS |
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| A
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPAL RISKS |
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| A
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF OTHER RISKS |
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| PORTFOLIO
HOLDINGS INFORMATION |
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| FUND
MANAGEMENT |
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| DISTRIBUTOR |
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| BUYING
AND SELLING FUND SHARES |
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| FREQUENT
TRADING |
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| DISTRIBUTION
AND SERVICE PLAN |
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| DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS |
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INVESTMENTS
BY INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
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| TAXES |
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| DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE |
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| PREMIUM/DISCOUNT
AND SHARE INFORMATION |
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| TOTAL
RETURN INFORMATION |
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| INFORMATION
REGARDING THE INDICES AND THE INDEX PROVIDERS |
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| OTHER
SERVICE PROVIDERS |
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| ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
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| FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS |
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| OTHER
INFORMATION |
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Global X Blockchain
& Bitcoin Strategy ETF
Ticker:
BITS Exchange: NASDAQ
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The
Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term
capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and
sell shares (“Shares”) of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and examples
below.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
investment):
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Management
Fees: |
0.65% |
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Distribution
and Service (12b-1) Fees: |
None |
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Other
Expenses: |
0.00% |
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Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses: |
0.65% |
Example:
The following example
is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost
of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account customary
brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund
in the secondary market. The example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then hold
or sell all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating
expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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One
Year |
Three
Years |
Five
Years |
Ten
Years |
| $66 |
$208 |
$362 |
$810 |
Portfolio
Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account.
These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the
example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 18.03% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES
The
Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve
its investment objective by investing directly or indirectly in equity
securities of U.S. and non-U.S. “Blockchain Companies”, as defined below, and in
long positions in U.S. listed bitcoin futures (“Bitcoin Futures”)
contracts.
As
of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund intends to gain exposure to Blockchain
Companies by investing indirectly in underlying ETFs holding Blockchain
Companies, including the passively-managed affiliated Global X Blockchain ETF.
Such investment in underlying ETFs holding Blockchain Companies may be used to
provide most, or even all, of the Fund’s exposure to Blockchain Companies, and
it is possible that the Fund may or may not invest directly in any Blockchain
Companies.
Such
Bitcoin Futures contracts will be standardized, cash-settled bitcoin futures
contracts traded on commodity exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Currently, the only such contracts are traded on,
or subject to the rules of, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”).
Under normal
circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the
amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Blockchain Companies and in
long positions on U.S. listed Bitcoin Futures contracts. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in Blockchain
Companies and will have notional exposure to Bitcoin Futures equal to at least
20% of the total assets of the Fund. The Fund's 80% investment policy is
non-fundamental and requires 60 days prior written notice to shareholders before
it can be changed.
The
Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in “long” positions in listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts and in Blockchain Companies, including indirectly by
investment in underlying ETFs holding Blockchain Companies, including the
passively-managed affiliated Global X Blockchain ETF. To be “long” means to hold
or be exposed to a security or instrument with the expectation that its value
will increase over time.
The
Fund will benefit if it has a long position in a security or instrument that
increases
in value. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to Bitcoin Futures, in whole or in
part, through investments in a subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands,
namely the Global X Bitcoin Strategy Subsidiary I Limited (the “Global X
Subsidiary”).
The
Global X Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Fund’s
investment in the Global X Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total
assets at each quarter-end of the Fund’s fiscal year. However, there are cure
periods for certain violations of the asset diversification requirements that
apply to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The
Fund’s investment in the Global X Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund
with exposure to Bitcoin Futures while enabling the Fund to satisfy
source-of-income requirements that apply to RICs under the Code.
The
Fund’s allocation determinations may be informed by a variety of criteria,
including, but not limited to, liquidity, open interest/free float market
capitalization, regulatory requirements, anticipated cost of carry, correlation
to the price movements of bitcoin, other fundamental investment considerations
and/or the then-current size of the Fund.
For
example, the Fund may allocate proportionally greater exposure to Bitcoin
Futures during periods where the anticipated cost of carry for Bitcoin Futures
is lower, as measured by the time-weighted difference between the trading price
of Bitcoin Futures relative to the then-current price of bitcoin, and conversely
may allocate proportionally greater exposure to Blockchain Companies during
periods where valuation measures, including but not limited, to forward
price-to-earnings or price-to-sales ratios within the Blockchain Companies
universe present attractive relative value. Except as noted, references to the
investment strategies and risks of the Fund include the investment strategies
and risks of the Global X Subsidiary.
Bitcoin
is a digital asset the ownership and behavior of which are determined by
participants in an online, peer-to-peer network that connects computers that run
publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows an agreed upon set
of rules and procedures. This network is referred to as the "Bitcoin network,"
and the rules and procedures governing the Bitcoin network are commonly referred
to as the "Bitcoin protocol". The value of bitcoin, like the value of other
digital assets, is not backed by any government, corporation or other identified
body. Ownership and the ability to transfer or take other actions with respect
to bitcoin is protected through the Bitcoin protocol, which allows bitcoin to be
sent to a publicly available address that is generated from a private numerical
key, but which prevents anyone other than the holder of such private numerical
key from accessing the bitcoin associated with the publicly available address.
The supply of bitcoin is constrained or formulated by its protocol instead of
being explicitly delegated to an identified body (e.g., a central bank or
corporate treasury) to control. Bitcoin and certain other types of digital
assets are sometimes referred to as digital currencies or cryptocurrencies. No
single entity owns or operates the Bitcoin network, the infrastructure of which
is collectively maintained by (1) a decentralized group of participants who run
computer software that results in the recording and validation of transactions
(commonly referred to as “miners”), (2) developers who propose improvements to
the Bitcoin protocol and the software that enforces the protocol and (3) users
who choose what Bitcoin software to run. Bitcoin was released in 2009 and, as a
result, there is little data on its long-term investment potential. Bitcoin is
not backed by a government-issued legal tender. Bitcoin is “stored” or reflected
on a blockchain. A blockchain is a distributed, digital ledger that records and
stores transaction data of digital assets in units called “blocks”. The Fund
will not invest in bitcoin directly.
Blockchain
Companies include companies that derive or are expected to derive at least 50%
of their revenues, operating income, or assets from the following business
activities:
1.Digital
Asset Mining:
Companies involved in verifying and adding digital asset transactions to a
blockchain ledger (e.g. digital asset mining), or that produce technology used
in digital asset mining.
2.Blockchain
& Digital Asset Transactions:
Companies that operate trading platforms/exchanges, custodians, wallets, and/or
payment gateways for digital assets.
3.Blockchain
Applications:
Companies involved in the development and distribution of applications and
software services related to blockchain and digital asset technology, including
smart contracts.
4.Blockchain
& Digital Asset Hardware:
Companies that manufacture and distribute infrastructure and/or hardware used in
blockchain and digital asset activities.
5.Blockchain
& Digital Asset Integration:
Companies that provide engineering and consulting services specifically tied to
the adoption and utilization of blockchain and digital asset
technology.
Blockchain
Companies also include U.S.-listed operating companies that directly own a
material amount of digital assets.
The Fund
may concentrate (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in investments that
provide exposure to bitcoin and Bitcoin Futures. The Fund concentrates its
investments (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in securities of
Blockchain Companies, including through its investment in underlying ETFs
holding Blockchain Companies, which will include the passively-managed
affiliated Global X Blockchain ETF.
The
Fund is classified as "non-diversified," which means it may invest a larger
percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified
fund.
SUMMARY
OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
As with any
investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the
Fund’s performance could trail that of other investments. There
is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency, the Adviser or any of its affiliates.
The
Fund may not be suitable for all investors and investors should carefully
consider and fully understand the risks involved in the Fund’s investment
strategy. The Fund’s indirect exposure to bitcoin may make the Fund a more
volatile investment than other funds. The
value of an investment in the Fund could decline significantly and without
warning, including to zero. An investor should be in a position to bear the
potential loss of their entire investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to
the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s
net asset value (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet
its investment objective, as well as other risks that are described in greater
detail in the Additional
Information About the Funds
section of the Fund's Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”).
Active
Management Risk: The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment
strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and
processes will be successful or that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
Asset
Class Risk: Securities
and other assets held in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to
the general securities markets, a particular securities market or other asset
classes.
Bitcoin
Futures Risk: A
futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale
by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument
at a specified price and time. The risks of futures contracts include but are
not limited to: (1) the success of the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in
the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and
movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the
changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of
futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the
contracts at any particular time. Trading in the cash bitcoin market remains
difficult as compared to more traditional cash markets, and in particular short
selling bitcoin remains challenging and costly. As a result of these features of
the bitcoin cash market, market makers and arbitrageurs may not be as willing to
participate in the Bitcoin Futures market as they are in other futures markets.
Each of these factors may increase the likelihood that the price of Bitcoin
Futures will be volatile and/or will deviate from the price of bitcoin. Bitcoin
Futures may experience significant price volatility. Exchange-specified
collateral for Bitcoin Futures is substantially higher than for most other
futures contracts, and collateral may be set as a percentage of the value of the
contract, which means that collateral requirements for long positions can
increase if the price of the contract rises. In addition, futures commission
merchants (FCMs) may require collateral beyond the exchange’s minimum
requirement. FCMs may also restrict trading activity in Bitcoin Futures by
imposing position limits, prohibiting selling short the future or prohibiting
trades where the executing broker places a trade on behalf of another broker
(so-called “give-up transactions”). Although the Fund will only take long
positions in Bitcoin Futures, restrictions on the ability of certain market
participants to take short Bitcoin Futures positions may ultimately constrain
the Fund’s ability to take long positions in Bitcoin Futures or may impact the
price at which the Fund is able to take such positions. Bitcoin Futures are
subject to daily limits that may impede a market participant’s ability to exit a
position during a period of high volatility. See “Derivatives
Risk.”
Exchanges
where bitcoin is traded (which are the source of the price(s) used to determine
the cash settlement amount for the Fund’s Bitcoin Futures) have experienced
technical and operational issues, making bitcoin prices unavailable at times.
During periods of high volatility for bitcoin prices, the prices at which
bitcoin traded on various exchanges have diverged, and some bitcoin exchanges
have experienced issues relating to account access and trade execution during
such periods. The cash market in bitcoin has been the target of fraud and
manipulation, which could affect the pricing, volatility and liquidity of the
futures contracts. In addition, if settlement prices for Bitcoin Futures are
unavailable (which may occur following a trading suspension imposed by the
exchange due to large price movements or following a fork of Bitcoin, or for
other reasons) or the Adviser's Valuation Committee determines such settlement
prices are unreliable, the fair value of the Fund’s Bitcoin Futures may be
determined by reference, in whole or in part, to the cash market in bitcoin. See
“Valuation Risk”. These circumstances may be more likely to occur with respect
to Bitcoin Futures than with respect to futures on more traditional
assets.
Additionally,
because the Fund does not intend to invest in bitcoin directly, it intends to
only invest in cash-settled Bitcoin Futures. This means that if the market for
Bitcoin Futures grows towards favoring physically-settled instruments (meaning
futures contracts that are settled by the actual delivery of bitcoin in exchange
for payment by the purchaser of the futures price agreed to at the outset of the
contract), the Fund will likely not benefit from this market
growth.
There is no way to predict whether additional new offerings of Bitcoin Futures
will be cash-settled or physically-settled.
The
price for Bitcoin Futures is based on a number of factors, including the supply
of and the demand for Bitcoin Futures. Market conditions and expectations,
position limits, collateral requirements, and other factors each can impact the
supply of and demand for Bitcoin Futures. In the past, increased demand paired
with supply constraints and other factors have caused Bitcoin Futures to trade
at a significant premium to the “spot” price of bitcoin. Additional demand,
including demand resulting from the purchase, or anticipated purchase, of
futures contracts by the Fund or other entities may increase that premium,
perhaps significantly. It is not possible to predict whether or how long such
conditions will continue. To the extent the Fund purchases Bitcoin Futures at a
premium and the premium declines, the value of an investment in the Fund also
should be expected to decline.
Futures
contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced higher than futures
contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship called “contango.”
Conversely, futures contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced
lower than futures contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship
called “backwardation.” When rolling futures contracts that are in contango, the
Fund may sell the expiring Bitcoin Futures at a lower price and buy a
longer-dated Bitcoin Futures at a higher price. The price difference between the
expiring contract and longer-dated contract associated with rolling Bitcoin
Futures is typically substantially higher than the price difference associated
with rolling other futures contracts. Bitcoin Futures have historically
experienced extended periods of contango. Contango in the Bitcoin Futures market
may have a significant adverse impact on the performance of the Fund and may
cause Bitcoin Futures to underperform spot bitcoin. Additionally, because of the
frequency with which the Fund may roll futures contracts, the impact of contango
or backwardation on Fund performance may be greater than it would have been if
the Fund rolled Bitcoin Futures less frequently.
China
A-Shares Risk: A-Shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China and
are traded on Chinese exchanges. Foreign investors can access investments in
A-Shares by obtaining a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ("QFII") or a
Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ("RQFII") license, as well as
through the Stock Connect Program, which is a securities trading and clearing
program with an aim to achieve mutual stock market access between the China and
Hong Kong markets. Stock Connect was developed by Hong Kong Exchanges and
Clearing Limited, the Shanghai Stock Exchange ("SSE") (in the case of Shanghai
Connect) or the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ("SZSE") (in the case of Shenzhen
Connect), and the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited
(“CSDCC”). The Fund currently intends to gain exposure to A-Shares through the
Stock Connect Programs. The markets on which A-Shares trade are considered
emerging markets characterized by generally low trading volume and less market
liquidity due to various factors. For example, investments in A-Shares are
subject to various regulations and limits, and the recoupment or repatriation of
assets invested in A-Shares is subject to restrictions imposed by the Chinese
government. In addition, investors from outside mainland China may face
difficulties or prohibitions accessing certain A-Shares that are part of a
restricted list in countries such as the U.S. A-Shares may also be subject to
frequent and widespread trading halts, which can increase pricing volatility and
cause the A-Shares to become illiquid. Trading suspensions in certain stock
could lead to greater market execution, clearing and settlement risks and costs
for the Fund, and the creation and redemption of Creation Units (as defined
below) may also be disrupted. These risks, among others, could adversely affect
the value of the Fund’s investments.
Depositary
Receipts Risk:
The Fund may invest in depositary receipts, such as ADRs and GDRs. Depositary
receipts are receipts listed on U.S. or foreign exchanges issued by banks or
trust companies that entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that
are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. Depositary receipts are generally
subject to the same risks associated with direct investments in the securities
of foreign companies. A holder of depositary receipts may also be subject to
fees and the credit risk of the financial institution acting as depositary.
Unsponsored depositary receipts may involve higher expenses, fewer shareholder
rights, and may be less liquid.
Derivatives
Risk: The Fund will gain exposure to bitcoin indirectly by investing in
Bitcoin Futures, a type of derivative instrument. Futures are standardized,
exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a
seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future
date at a specified price. Derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in
interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices than conventional
securities, which can result in greater losses for the Fund. In addition, the
prices of the derivative instruments and the price of bitcoin may not move
together as expected. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the
fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the relevant
reference asset, bitcoin. Derivatives are usually traded on margin, which may
subject the Fund to margin calls. Margin calls may force the Fund to liquidate
assets.
Equity
Securities Risk: Equity securities are subject to changes in value, and their values
may be more volatile than other asset classes, as a result of a company’s
business performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general
economic conditions.
ETF
Investment Risk: The
Fund is subject to the same risks as underlying ETFs in which it may invest,
including: that the underlying ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or discount
to NAV; that an underlying ETF may experience a lack of liquidity that can
result in greater volatility than its underlying securities; that an active
trading market for an underlying ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained;
that trading in an underlying ETF’s shares may be halted in certain
circumstances; and that an underlying ETF may fail to achieve its investment
objective, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in the
underlying ETF and the overall performance of the Fund. Because the value of an
underlying ETF's shares depends on the demand in the market, the Adviser may not
be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings in those shares at the most optimal
time, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s performance.
An underlying ETF that seeks to track
an underlying index may experience tracking error in relation to the index.
Further, a lack of liquidity may result in the underlying ETF’s value being more
volatile than the underlying portfolio securities. Underlying ETFs in which the
Fund invests may be non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
its shares may be more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified
fund that invests in a broader range of securities. In addition, investments in
the securities of underlying ETFs may involve duplication of advisory fees and
certain other expenses.
Associated
Risks Related to Investing in Blockchain Companies: Blockchain
companies may be adversely impacted by government regulations, limited operating
histories, or economic conditions. Blockchain technology is new, and its uses
are in many cases untested or unclear. These companies may also have significant
exposure to fluctuations in the spot prices of digital assets, particularly to
the extent that demand for a company’s hardware or services may increase as the
spot price of digital assets increase. Blockchain companies typically face
intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. In addition,
many Blockchain companies store sensitive consumer information and could be the
target of cybersecurity attacks and other types of theft, which could have a
negative impact on these companies. Access to a given blockchain may require a
specific cryptographic key (in effect, a string of characters granting unique
access to initiate transactions related to specific digital assets) or set of
keys, the theft, loss, or destruction of which, either by accident or as a
result of the efforts of a third party, could irrevocably impair a claim to the
digital assets stored on that blockchain.
Many
Blockchain companies currently operate under less regulatory scrutiny than
traditional financial services companies and banks, but there is significant
risk that regulatory oversight could increase in the future. For example,
companies that operate trading platforms and/or exchanges may face heightened
regulatory risks associated with their operations. The SEC has made several
public statements indicating that some cryptocurrency exchanges may be operating
unregistered securities exchanges in violation of applicable regulations. In
August 2021, the SEC settled charges with Poloniex for selling digital asset
securities between 2017 and 2019 without registering as a national securities
exchange. Higher levels of regulation could increase costs and adversely impact
the current business models of some Blockchain companies and could even result
in the outright prohibition of certain business activities. For example, on
September 24, 2021, multiple Chinese regulators issued prohibitions on all
cryptocurrency transactions and mining. Any further restrictions imposed by
governments, including China or the United States of America, on crypto-currency
related activities may adversely impact Blockchain Companies and, in turn, the
Fund. These companies could be negatively impacted by disruptions in service
caused by hardware or software failure, or by interruptions or delays in service
by third-party data center hosting facilities and maintenance providers.
Blockchain companies involved in digital assets may face slow adoption rates and
be subject to higher levels of regulatory scrutiny in the future, which could
severely impact the viability of these companies. Blockchain companies,
especially smaller companies, tend to be more volatile than companies that do
not rely heavily on technology. The customers and/or suppliers of Blockchain
companies may be concentrated in a particular country, region or industry. Any
adverse event affecting one of these countries, regions or industries could have
a negative impact on Blockchain companies. Many Blockchain companies have
limited operating histories and may lack the necessary safeguards to ensure
their long-term viability. On July 6, 2022, Voyager Digital, a U.S. crypto
brokerage, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Voyager Digital suffered
significant losses due to its lending practices in which it issued
under-collateralized loans to companies within the digital asset ecosystem.
Shares of Voyager Digital were subsequently delisted from the Toronto Stock
Exchange.
Bitcoin
Risk: Bitcoin
is a relatively new asset with a limited history. It is subject to unique and
substantial risks, and historically has been a highly speculative asset and has
experienced significant price volatility. While the Fund will not invest
directly in bitcoin, the value of the Fund’s investments in Bitcoin Futures and
bitcoin funds is subject to fluctuations in the value of the bitcoin, which may
be highly volatile.
The
value of bitcoin is determined by supply and demand in the global market, which
consists primarily of transactions of bitcoin on electronic exchanges (“Bitcoin
Exchanges”). Pricing on Bitcoin Exchanges and/or other venues could drop
precipitously
for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, regulatory changes, a
crisis of confidence, a flaw or operational issue in the bitcoin network, or
users preferring competing digital assets and cryptocurrencies. The further
development of bitcoin as an asset and the growing acceptance and use of bitcoin
in the marketplace are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to
evaluate. Currently, there is relatively limited use of bitcoin in the retail
and commercial marketplace, which contributes to price volatility. A lack of
expansion, or a contraction in the use of bitcoin, may result in increased
volatility in its value. Legal or regulatory changes may negatively impact the
operation of bitcoin’s network or protocols or restrict the ability to use
bitcoin. Additionally, bitcoin transactions are irrevocable and stolen or
incorrectly transferred bitcoin may be irretrievable. The realization of any of
these risks could result in a decline in the acceptance of bitcoin and
consequently a reduction in the value of bitcoin, Bitcoin Futures, and the
Fund.
Bitcoin
also is subject to the risk of fraud, theft and manipulation, as well as
security failures and operational or other problems that impact bitcoin trading
venues. Unlike the exchanges utilized by traditional assets, such as equity and
bond securities, Bitcoin Exchanges are largely unregulated. As a result,
individuals or groups may engage in fraud and investors in bitcoin may be more
exposed to the risk of theft and market manipulation than when investing in more
traditional asset classes. Investors in bitcoin may have little or no recourse
should such theft, fraud or manipulation occur and could suffer significant
losses, which could ultimately impact bitcoin utilization, the price of bitcoin
and the value of Fund investments with indirect exposure to bitcoin.
Additionally, if one or a coordinated group of miners were to gain control of
51% of the Bitcoin Network, they would have the ability to manipulate
transactions, halt payments and fraudulently obtain bitcoin. A significant
portion of bitcoin is held by a small number of holders, who may have the
ability to manipulate the price of bitcoin. In addition, Bitcoin Exchanges are
subject to the risk of cybersecurity threats and in the past have been breached,
resulting in the theft and/or loss of digital assets, including bitcoin. A risk
also exists with respect to malicious actors or previously unknown
vulnerabilities in the network or its protocols, which may adversely affect the
value of bitcoin.
Shares
of some bitcoin funds may trade at a premium or discount to the net asset value
of the bitcoin fund itself. For more detailed information on the risks related
to bitcoin, see “A Further Discussion of Principal Risks – Bitcoin
Risk”.
Capitalization
Risk:
Investing in issuers within the same market capitalization category carries the
risk that the category may be out of favor due to current market conditions or
investor sentiment.
Mid-Capitalization
Companies Risk: Mid-capitalization
companies may have greater price volatility, lower trading volume and less
liquidity than large-capitalization companies. In addition, mid-capitalization
companies may have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management
depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer
financial resources and less competitive strength than large-capitalization
companies. These securities may have returns that vary, sometimes significantly,
from the overall securities market.
Small-Capitalization
Companies Risk: Small-capitalization companies may be
less stable and more susceptible to adverse developments, and their securities
may be more volatile and less liquid than large- and mid-capitalization
companies. In addition, small-capitalization companies may have smaller
revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller
shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources, and
shorter operating histories than large- and mid-capitalization companies. These
securities may have returns that vary, sometimes significantly, from the overall
securities market.
Commodities
Regulatory Risk: Under
regulations promulgated by the CFTC, the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
considered commodity pools, and therefore each is subject to regulation under
the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC rules. Global X has registered as a
commodity pool operator and manages the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary in
accordance with CFTC rules, as well as the rules that apply to registered
investment companies. Commodity pools are subject to additional laws,
regulations and enforcement policies, all of which may increase compliance costs
and may affect the operations and financial performance of the Fund and the
Global X Subsidiary. Additionally, positions in futures, options, and other
contracts may have to be liquidated at disadvantageous times or prices to
prevent the Fund from exceeding any applicable position limits established by
the CFTC. Such actions may subject the Fund to substantial losses. The
regulation of commodity transactions is subject to change and the effect of
future regulatory changes are impossible to predict but could adversely impact
the Fund. Such changes may compel the Fund to consider significant changes,
including substantially altering its principal investment strategies or, if
deemed necessary, liquidating the Fund.
Cryptocurrency
Risk:
The Fund is exposed to the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies such as
bitcoin or ether. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new and highly speculative
investment. Because the Fund may, at times, focus its investments in
cryptocurrencies, it may be susceptible to increased risk of loss, including
losses due to events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the
market as a whole.
Cryptocurrency,
often referred to as “virtual currency” or “digital currency,” operates as a
decentralized, peer-to-peer financial exchange and value storage that is used
like money. The Fund will have exposure to cryptocurrencies indirectly through
investments in derivative instruments and may have exposure to cryptocurrencies
other than bitcoin or ether. Cryptocurrencies operate without central authority
or banks and are not backed by any government. Cryptocurrencies may experience
very high volatility, and related investment vehicles that invest in
cryptocurrencies may be affected by such volatility. Cryptocurrency is not legal
tender. Federal, state or foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange
of cryptocurrency, and regulation in the U.S. is still developing.
Cryptocurrency exchanges have stopped operating and have permanently shut down
due to fraud, technical glitches, hackers or malware. Cryptocurrency exchanges
are new, largely unregulated, and may be more exposed to fraud. The risks
associated with cryptocurrencies are set forth below.
Cryptocurrency
Custody Risk: Security
breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent
concern in relation to digital assets. The cryptocurrencies held by a
cryptocurrency ETPs’ custodian may be an appealing target to hackers or malware
distributors seeking to destroy, damage or steal a cryptocurrency ETPs’
cryptocurrency. To the extent that the cryptocurrency ETPs and their service
providers are unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats or
otherwise adapt to technological changes in the digital asset industry, a
cryptocurrency ETP’s cryptocurrencies may be subject to theft, loss, destruction
or other attack.
Cryptocurrency ETPs have put security procedures in
place to prevent such theft, loss or destruction, including but not limited to,
offline storage, or cold storage, multiple encrypted private key “shards”, and
other measures. Nevertheless, the security procedures cannot guarantee the
prevention of any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God
that may be borne by the cryptocurrency ETPs and the security procedures may not
protect against all errors, software flaws or other vulnerabilities in an
cryptocurrency ETP’s technical infrastructure, which could result in theft, loss
or damage of its assets. Assets not held in cold storage, such as assets held in
a trading account, may be more vulnerable to security breach, hacking or loss
than assets held in cold storage. Furthermore, assets held in a trading account
are held on an omnibus, rather than segregated basis, which creates greater risk
of loss.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Counterparty Risk: Transactions
in some types of derivatives, such as options on cryptocurrency futures ETFs or
spot cryptocurrency ETPs, are required to be centrally cleared. In transactions
involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty will be a clearing house.
As only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate
directly in the clearing house, the Fund must hold cleared derivatives through
accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will
make payments to and from a clearing house (including margin payments) through
their accounts at clearing members. Customer funds held at a clearing house in
connection with any options contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account
and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual
customers. As a result, assets deposited by the Fund with any clearing member as
margin for options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy other
clients’ losses. Also, in the event of a clearing member’s bankruptcy, although
clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the
clearing house, there is a risk that the assets of the Fund might not be fully
protected, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of
all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing member’s customers for
the relevant account class. The Fund is also subject to the risk that a limited
number of clearing members are willing to transact on the Fund’s behalf, which
increases the risks associated with a clearing member’s default. If a clearing
member defaults the Fund could lose some or all of the benefits of a transaction
entered into by the Fund with the clearing member. If the Fund cannot find a
clearing member to transact with on the Fund’s behalf, the Fund may be unable to
effectively implement its investment strategy.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Liquidity Risk: The market for derivatives on cryptocurrency-related instruments
is still developing and may be subject to periods of illiquidity which may lead
to difficulty in buying or selling a position at a desired price. Additionally,
periods of increased volatility and market disruptions can make it difficult to
find a counterparty willing to transact at a reasonable price and size. Illiquid
markets may cause significant losses. Also, the large size of the positions
which the Fund may engage in increases the difficulty of liquidation and
potentially increases the risk of losses. These larger positions may also impact
the price of options or other derivatives on cryptocurrency-related
instruments.
Cryptocurrency
Tax Risk: By investing in cryptocurrency-related instruments indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund will obtain exposure to cryptocurrency
within the federal tax requirements that apply to the Fund. However, because the
Global X Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation, any income received by
the Fund from its investments in the Global X Subsidiary will be passed through
to the Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than
capital gains.
Digital
Asset Regulatory Risk: Digital
asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and
adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the
value of the Fund’s investments in cryptocurrency ETPs, options on
cryptocurrency futures ETFs, options on cryptocurrency ETPs or options on a
cryptocurrency ETP
Index,
and cryptocurrency futures ETFs, such as by banning, restricting or imposing
onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of Ether, staking, digital
wallets, the provision of services related to trading and custodying digital
assets, the operation of the digital ledger that securely records cryptocurrency
transactions, or the digital asset markets generally. Such occurrences could
also impair the ability of a cryptocurrency futures ETF or cryptocurrency ETP to
meet its investment objective pursuant to its investment
strategy.
Fork
and Air Drop Risk: When
cryptocurrencies experience a fork or an air drop, a holder of the
cryptocurrency typically will receive an additional cryptocurrency or will be
entitled to claim an additional cryptocurrency. These additional
cryptocurrencies may have significant value, and the value of cryptocurrency may
decline significantly following a fork or air drop. Because the Fund and the
cryptocurrency futures ETFs do not hold ether directly, they will not be
entitled to participate in any fork or air drop, but they will be adversely
impacted by any resulting decline in the price of ether due to the
cryptocurrency futures ETF’s holdings of cryptocurrency futures. Some futures
exchanges may in the future publish mechanisms intended to compensate holders of
cryptocurrency futures for the loss in value following certain forks that meet
specified criteria, there can be no assurance that these mechanisms will
adequately compensate the Fund or the cryptocurrency futures ETFs for the full
loss of value or that any particular fork will meet the criteria for an
adjustment. In particular, there is substantial uncertainty as to how these
adjustment mechanisms will be implemented by the exchanges in practice, both in
terms of what forks and air drops will trigger an adjustment, and whether a
holder of cryptocurrency futures will receive a cash adjustment or an additional
futures contract linked to the new digital asset. Because of the uncertainty
around these adjustment mechanisms, it is also possible that a significant fork
of ether could lead to extended trading halts for the ether futures held by the
cryptocurrency futures ETF, which could lead to significant liquidity and
valuation risks for the cryptocurrency futures ETFs and its relative derivatives
as well as the Fund. It is possible that a fork of ether could substantially
reduce the value of the cryptocurrency futures held by the cryptocurrency
futures ETFs.
Irrevocability
of Transactions Risk:
Cryptocurrency transactions are typically not reversible without the consent and
active participation of the recipient of the transaction. Once a transaction has
been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an
incorrect transfer or theft of ether generally will not be reversible, and a
cryptocurrency ETP may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such
transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or
through theft or other criminal action, a cryptocurrency ETP’s ether could be
transferred from a cryptocurrency ETP’s custodian in incorrect amounts or to
unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled
accounts.
Currency
Risk:
The Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Because the
Fund's NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund's NAV could decline if
currencies of the underlying securities depreciate against the U.S. dollar or if
there are delays or limits on repatriation of such currencies. Generally, an
increase in the value of the U.S. dollar against a foreign currency will reduce
the value of a security denominated in that foreign currency, thereby decreasing
the Fund's NAV. Exchange rates may be volatile and may change quickly and
without warning, which could have a significant negative impact on the
Fund.
Custody
Risk: Custody risk refers to the risks in the process of clearing and
settling trades, as well as the holding of securities and other assets by local
banks, agents, and securities depositories. These risks are heightened in
jurisdictions with less developed markets or less robust settlement and custody
infrastructure and processes.
Cybersecurity
Risk: With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to
conduct business, the Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to
operational, information security and related risks. Cybersecurity incidents
involving the Fund and its service providers (including, without limitation, the
Adviser, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and financial
intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business
operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, impediments to trading,
the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance
costs.
Focus
Risk: The
Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due to
events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the market as a
whole, to the extent that the Fund’s investments are focused in the securities
of a particular issuer or issuers within the same geographic region, market,
industry, group of industries, sector or asset
class.
Foreign
Securities Risk:
Investments in foreign securities can be riskier than U.S. securities
investments. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers (including
investments in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary
Receipts (“GDRs”)) are subject to additional risks, including lower levels of
liquidity and market efficiency; greater securities price volatility; exchange
rate fluctuations and exchange controls; less availability of public information
about issuers; limitations on foreign ownership of securities; imposition of
withholding or other taxes; imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of
the
assets of the Fund; restrictions placed on U.S. investors by U.S.
regulations governing foreign investments; higher transaction and custody costs
and delays in settlement procedures; difficulties in enforcing contractual
obligations; lower levels of regulation of the securities market; weaker
accounting, disclosure and reporting requirements; and legal principles relating
to corporate governance and directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities. The
countries in which the Fund invests may also be subject to structural risks,
including economic, political and social instability. Additionally, certain
securities held by the Fund, while traded on U.S. exchanges, may be issued by
foreign financial institutions and as such, may be subject to the risks of
investing in securities issued by foreign companies, which may not be subject to
the same regulations as companies domiciled in the U.S. Where all or a portion
of the Fund's securities trade in a market that is closed when the market in
which the Fund's Shares are listed and trading is open, there may be differences
between the last quote from the security’s closed foreign market and the value
of the security during the Fund’s domestic trading day. This, in turn, could
lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s Shares and the
underlying value of those shares.
Geographic
Risk: The
Fund’s investments in securities of issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region may subject the Fund to certain risks to a greater extent than
if its investments were less focused, including: natural, biological or other
disasters and the spread of infectious diseases; economic, political and social
instability; security concerns; and trade disputes with key trading partners.
The securities in which the Fund invests and, consequently, the Fund are also
subject to specific risks as a result of their business operations in a
particular country or region, including, but not limited to:
Risk
of Investing in Developed Markets:
Investments in a developed country’s issuer may subject the Fund to legal,
regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risks specific to
developed countries. Developed countries tend to represent a significant portion
of the global economy and have generally experienced slower economic growth than
some less developed countries. Certain developed countries have experienced
security concerns, such as war, terrorism and strained international relations.
Incidents involving a country’s or region’s security may cause uncertainty in
its markets and may adversely affect its economy and the Fund’s investments. In
addition, developed countries may be adversely impacted by changes to the
economic conditions of certain key trading partners, regulatory burdens, debt
burdens and the price or availability of certain
commodities.
Risk
of Investing in the United States:
Investments in United States issuers
may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and
economic risks specific to the United States. A decrease in imports or exports,
changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the U.S.
may have a material adverse effect on the U.S.
economy.
International
Closed Market Trading Risk: To
the extent that the underlying investments held by the Fund trade on foreign
exchanges that may be closed when the securities exchange on which the Fund’s
Shares trade is open, there are likely to be deviations between the current
price of such an underlying security and the last quoted price for the
underlying security (i.e., the Fund’s quote from the closed foreign market).
These deviations could result in premiums or discounts to the Fund’s NAV that
may be greater than those experienced by other exchange-traded funds
("ETFs").
Investable
Universe of Companies Risk: The investable universe of companies in which the Fund may invest
may be limited. The Fund may hold a large concentration of its net assets
in a single security or issuer. Holding a large concentration in a single
security or issues may expose the Fund to the market volatility of that specific
security or issuer if the security performs worse than the market as a whole,
which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Issuer
Risk:
Fund performance depends on the performance of individual companies in which the
Fund invests. Changes to the financial condition of any of those companies may
cause the value of such company's securities to
decline.
Market
Risk: Turbulence in the financial markets and reduced liquidity may
negatively affect issuers, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund and
its investments. The Fund’s NAV could decline over short periods due to
short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.
Trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs, may dampen consumer spending
and result in decreased confidence in the markets. Additionally, political
uncertainty regarding U.S. policy, including the U.S. government’s approach to
trade, may also impact the markets. Furthermore, local, regional or global
events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases,
inflation and recessions, changes in interest or exchange rates, or other events
could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and trading of
its Shares. Market risk factors may result in increased volatility and/or
decreased liquidity in the securities markets.
Non-Diversification
Risk: The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), which means that the Fund
may invest a greater portion of its assets in securities of individual issuers
than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single
investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund
more volatile than more diversified funds.
Operational
Risk: The
Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including
but not limited to human error, processing and communication errors, errors of
the Fund's service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or
inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. Additionally, cyber
security failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Adviser
and the Fund's other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants
or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause
disruptions and negatively impact the Fund's business operations, potentially
resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund and the
Adviser seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures.
However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate
for those risks that they are intended to address.
Risks
Associated with Exchange-Traded Funds:
As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:
Authorized
Participants Concentration Risk: The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may
act as Authorized Participants and engage in creation or redemption transactions
directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated
to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent that those
Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to process creation
and/or redemption orders, such as in times of market stress, Shares may be more
likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and/or at wider intraday bid-ask
spreads, and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting from an exchange.
Authorized Participants Concentration Risk may be heightened because the Fund
invests in non-U.S. securities.
Large
Shareholder Risk: Certain
shareholders, including an Authorized Participant, the Adviser, an affiliate of
the Adviser, or funds managed by the Adviser, may own a substantial amount of
the Fund’s Shares. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant
negative impact on the Fund. If a large shareholder were to redeem all, or a
large portion, of its Shares, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able
to maintain sufficient assets to continue operations in which case the Board of
Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. In addition, transactions by large
shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on a
national securities exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or
downward effect on the market price of the Shares.
Listing
Standards Risk:
The Fund is required to comply with listing requirements adopted by the listing
exchange. Non-compliance with such requirements may result in the Fund's Shares
being delisted by the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation of the Fund
could cause the Fund to incur elevated transaction costs and could result in
negative tax consequences for its shareholders.
Market
Trading Risks and Premium/Discount Risks:
Shares of the Fund are publicly traded on a national securities exchange, which
may subject shareholders to numerous market trading risks. In stressed market
conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in response to the
deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the
liquidity of the Shares, as well as disruptions to creations and redemptions,
the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of assets in the
Fund or an active trading market for Shares may result in Shares trading at a
significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a
time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time
when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain
losses. The NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and
fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The trading
price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates, in some cases materially, throughout
trading hours in response to changes in the Fund’s
NAV.
Risk
of Investing in Bitcoin Futures Contracts: A
futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale
by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument
at a specified price and time. The risks of futures contracts include but are
not limited to: (1) the success of the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in
the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and
movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the
changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of
futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the
contracts at any particular time.
Risks
Related to Stock Connect Programs:
A Fund may purchase shares in mainland China-based companies that trade on
Chinese stock exchanges (“China A-Shares”) through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock
Connect program and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (“the Stock Connect
Programs”). Trading through the Stock Connect Programs is subject to a number of
restrictions, including daily and aggregate quota limitations, which may
restrict or preclude the Fund’s ability to enter into and exit Stock Connect
positions on a timely basis. The Shenzhen and Shanghai markets may operate when
the Stock Connect Programs are not active, and consequently the prices of shares
held via Stock Connect Programs may fluctuate at times when the Fund is unable
to add to or exit its positions. The Stock Connect Programs are relatively new
trading platforms, and the effect of the introduction of large numbers of
foreign investors on the market for trading Chinese-listed securities is not yet
well
understood. Further developments to the Stock Connect Programs are likely and
there can be no assurance as to whether or how such developments may restrict or
affect the Fund’s investments or returns. Regulations, such as limitations on
redemptions or suspension of trading, may adversely impact the Stock Connect
Programs and in turn, adversely impact the value of the Fund’s investments. The
Fund's investments in A-Shares though the Stock Connect Program are held by its
custodian in accounts in Central Clearing and Settlement System ("CCASS")
maintained by the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited ("HKSCC"), which
in turn holds the A-Shares, as the nominee holder, through an omnibus securities
account in its name registered with the CSDCC. The precise nature and rights of
the Fund as the beneficial owner of the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities
through HKSCC as nominee is not well defined under Chinese law. There is no
guarantee that the Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges will
continue to support the Stock Connect Programs in the
future.
Subsidiary
Investment Risk: By
investing in the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the
risks associated with the Global X Subsidiary’s investments and operations. The
derivative instruments and other investments held by the Global X Subsidiary are
similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund, and thus, present
the same risks whether they are held by the Fund or the Global X Subsidiary.
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Global X
Subsidiary will be achieved. The Global X Subsidiary is not registered under the
1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all
the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and
controls the Global X Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
both managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely that the Global X Subsidiary
will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment
activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Global X Subsidiary, and
the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Global X Subsidiary. In adhering to
the Fund’s investment restrictions and limitations, the Adviser will treat the
assets of the Global X Subsidiary generally in the same manner as assets that
are held directly by the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or
the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary,
respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or
the Global X Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders.
Tax
Risk: The
Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company ("RIC"). The Fund
expects to obtain exposure to bitcoin by purchasing listed futures contracts.
The Fund intends to invest in such contracts, in whole or in part, indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary. In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, the
Fund must, amongst other requirements detailed in the SAI, derive at least 90%
of its gross income each taxable year from qualifying income. Income from listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts in which the Fund invests directly may not be
considered qualifying income. The Fund will seek to limit such income so as to
qualify as a RIC. The Fund will seek to limit such income through the Global X
Subsidiary so as to qualify as a RIC. If a fund experiences difficulty in
satisfying RIC source-of-income requirements, or other RIC qualification
requirements, existing laws generally permit the fund to take certain actions to
bring itself back into compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements for
qualification as a RIC would have significant negative tax consequences to Fund
shareholders. See “Taxes – Fund Taxation” section of the Statement of Additional
Information for further discussion.
Trading
Halt Risk:
An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities,
or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be
restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell certain
securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be
unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its
investments and/or may incur substantial trading
losses.
Turnover
Risk: The
Fund may engage in frequent and active trading, which may significantly increase
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. At times, the Fund may have a portfolio
turnover rate substantially greater than 100%. For example, a portfolio turnover
rate of 300% is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of its securities
three times during the course of a year. A high portfolio turnover rate would
result in high brokerage costs for the Fund, may result in higher taxes when
Shares are held in a taxable account and lower Fund
performance.
Valuation
Risk: The
sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may
differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities
or other investments, such as cryptocurrency-related instruments, that trade in
thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology.
Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors
and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote
prices for them. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may be impacted by
technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party
service providers. Investments in digital asset-related products are intended to
reflect the price of digital assets, less fees and expenses, and the shares may
trade at a substantial premium to the net asset value of such assets. As such,
the price of digital asset-related products may go down even if the price of the
underlying digital asset remains unchanged. Additionally, shares that trade at a
premium mean that an investor who purchases $1 of a portfolio will actually own
less than $1 in assets.
PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION
The bar chart
and table that follow show how the Fund performed on a calendar year basis and
provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes
in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's
average annual returns for the indicated periods compare with the Fund's
broad-based benchmark index, which reflects a broad measure of market
performance, and the Coin Metrics Bletchley Index (CMBI) Bitcoin Benchmark,
which shows how the Fund's performance compares with the performance an investor
would expect from purchasing and holding bitcoin. The Fund's past performance
(before and after taxes) is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will
perform in the future. Updated performance information is
available online at www.globalxetfs.com.
Annual Total Returns
(Years Ended December 31)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Best
Quarter: |
12/31/2023 |
80.69% |
| Worst
Quarter: |
6/30/2022 |
-64.92% |
Average Annual
Total Returns (for the Periods Ended December 31,
2025)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
One
Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
Since
Inception (11/15/2021) |
| Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF: |
| |
|
·Return
before taxes |
15.16% |
-0.81% |
|
·Return
after taxes on distributions1 |
6.46% |
-6.21% |
|
·Return
after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares1 |
9.00% |
-3.02% |
|
S&P
500 Index (USD) (TR)
(Index returns do not
reflect deduction for fees, expenses, or
taxes) |
17.88% |
11.27% |
|
Coin
Metrics Bletchley Index (CMBI) Bitcoin Benchmark (CMBIBTC) (USD)
(PR)
(Index
returns do not reflect deduction for fees, expenses, or
taxes) |
-6.73% |
7.84% |
1
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual U.S. federal marginal income
tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local
taxes. Your actual after-tax
returns will depend on your specific tax situation and may differ from those
shown above. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of
the Fund through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts (IRAs).
FUND
MANAGEMENT
Investment
Adviser:
Global X Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”).
Portfolio
Managers:
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund are Nam To, CFA and Sandy Lu, CFA (“Portfolio Managers”). Messrs. To and Lu
have been Portfolio Managers of the Fund since March 2024.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Shares
of the Fund are or will be listed and traded at market prices on a national
securities exchange. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the exchange
through a broker-dealer. The price of Shares is based on market price, and
because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Shares may trade
at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). Only
“Authorized Participants” (as defined in the SAI) who have entered into
agreements with the Fund’s distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.
(“Distributor”), may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
the Fund. The Fund will only issue or redeem Shares that have been aggregated
into blocks called “Creation Units”. The Fund will issue or redeem Creation
Units in return for a basket of cash and/or securities that the Fund specifies
any day that the national securities exchanges are open for business (“Business
Day”). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the
highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and
the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when
buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). To
access information regarding the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums
and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, please go to
https://www.globalxetfs.com.
TAX
INFORMATION
The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxable to you as ordinary income
or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement
such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), in which case
distributions from such tax-advantaged arrangement may be taxable to you.
PAYMENTS
TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The
Adviser and its related companies may pay broker-dealers or other financial
intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of Fund Shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your
broker-dealer, salespersons or other intermediary or its employees or associated
persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial
adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Global X Bitcoin
Trend Strategy ETF
Ticker:
BTRN Exchange: NYSE Arca
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The
Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide investment
results that correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and
expenses, of the CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index (the “Underlying
Index”).
FEES AND
EXPENSES
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and
sell shares (“Shares”) of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and examples
below.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Management
Fees: |
0.95% |
|
Distribution
and Service (12b-1) Fees: |
None |
|
Other
Expenses: |
0.00% |
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses: |
0.95% |
Example:
The following example
is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost
of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account customary
brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund
in the secondary market. The example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then hold
or sell all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating
expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One
Year |
Three
Years |
Five
Years |
Ten
Years |
| $97 |
$303 |
$525 |
$1,166 |
Portfolio
Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account.
These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the
example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 75.95% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES
The Fund
invests at least 80% of its total assets, plus borrowings for investment
purposes (if any), in the constituents of the CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator
Futures Index (the "Underlying Index"), and in other securities the Adviser
determines have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the
economic characteristics of the constituents that comprise the Underlying Index,
such as U.S. listed Bitcoin Futures ETFs. In addition, in seeking to track the
Underlying Index, the Fund may invest in debt securities that are not included
in the Underlying Index, cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments,
such as repurchase agreements and money market funds. The Fund's 80% investment
policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days prior written notice to
shareholders before it can be changed. The Fund may lend
securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund’s total assets
(including the value of the collateral received).
The
Underlying Index systematically and dynamically allocates between (i) U.S.
exchange-traded bitcoin futures contracts (“Bitcoin Futures”), and (ii) the
Global X 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (the “U.S. Treasury ETF”), a passively managed
exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) and affiliate of the Fund. The Underlying Index
allocates between these two exposures based on the value of the Bitcoin Trend
Indicator (the “Signal”), a dynamic quantitative signal developed and
administrated by CoinDesk Indices, Inc. (the “Index Provider”) which aims to
detect the presence, direction, and strength of the price trend in bitcoin. The
Signal seeks to achieve this using a combination of four exponential moving
average calculations, which compute the average price of bitcoin over explicit
periods and are then combined into a single value. Based on the average of the
four exponential moving average calculations, the Signal will have one of five
possible values:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Trend
Indicator Value |
Indication |
Description |
Bitcoin
Futures Exposure |
| 1 |
Significant
Uptrend |
All
four inputs have a value of +1 |
100% |
| 0.5 |
Uptrend |
Three
of four inputs have a value of +1, and one input has a value of
-1 |
75% |
| 0 |
No
Trend |
Two
of four inputs have a value of +1, and two inputs have a value of
-1 |
50% |
| -0.5 |
Downtrend |
Three
of four inputs have a value of -1, and one input has a value of
+1 |
25% |
| -1 |
Significant
Downtrend |
All
four inputs have a value of -1 |
0% |
As
described in the chart above, at each scheduled rebalance date, the Underlying
Index increases its allocation to Bitcoin Futures when the value of the Signal
is higher, and decreases its allocation to Bitcoin Futures when the value of the
Signal is lower. The Signal relies on a comparison of recent bitcoin prices to
older bitcoin prices to gauge the presence, strength and direction of the
bitcoin price trend. This approach can present several risks, including but not
limited to: (1) a lag in trend identification, (2) frequent reversal of the
trend, (3) sensitivity to specific data periods which determine the Signal, (4)
market volatility that contributes to more erratic trends and/or (5) a change in
the trends that deviates materially from the historical observations used to
develop the Signal. Generally speaking, these risks could reduce the
effectiveness of the Signal at identifying bitcoin price trends, and may
contribute to higher turnover in certain circumstances. The Adviser does not
intend to deviate from the Signal.
The
Underlying Index allocates to Bitcoin Futures in accordance with the methodology
of the CoinDesk Bitcoin Futures Excess Return Index (“Bitcoin Futures
Sub-Index”). The Bitcoin Futures Sub-Index seeks to measure the performance of
the nearest maturing, monthly CME-listed Bitcoin Futures contract, including the
“roll yield” that is generated as the Bitcoin Futures Sub-Index transitions
(rolls) from the current futures contract to the next. The Bitcoin Futures
Sub-Index is a “rolling index” — the roll occurs over a four-day roll period
every month, effective prior to the close of trading one week preceding the last
trading date of the futures contract. The last trading date of Bitcoin Futures
contracts is generally the last Friday of the contract month. The Bitcoin
Futures Sub-Index rolls monthly and distributes the weights in equal 25%
increments each day over the four-day roll period.
The
Fund seeks to allocate to Bitcoin Futures and/or the U.S. Treasury ETF in
proportion to the Underlying Index.
Investment
in an underlying ETF holding U.S. Government securities, cash and cash
alternatives may be used to provide most, or even all, of the Fund’s exposure to
such instruments, and it is possible that the Fund may or may not invest
directly in any U.S. Government securities and cash and cash alternatives.
Bitcoin Futures contracts will be standardized, cash-settled Bitcoin Futures
contracts traded on commodity exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Such contracts are traded on at least one other
exchange, but the Fund will only invest in cash-settled Bitcoin Futures
contracts traded on, or subject to the rules of, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange
(“CME”).
The
Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in “long” positions in listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts and in U.S. Government securities, cash and cash
equivalents, including indirectly by investment in underlying ETFs holding U.S.
Government securities, including the U.S. Treasury ETF. To be “long” means to
hold or be exposed to a security or instrument with the expectation that its
value will increase over time. The Fund will benefit if it has a long position
in a security or instrument that increases in value. The Fund seeks to gain
exposure to Bitcoin Futures, in whole or in part, through investments in a
subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands, namely the Global X Bitcoin Trend
Strategy Subsidiary Limited (the “Global X Subsidiary”).
The
Global X Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Fund’s
investment in the Global X Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total
assets at each quarter-end of the Fund’s fiscal year. However, there are cure
periods for certain violations of the asset diversification requirements that
apply to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund’s investment in the Global X
Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund with exposure to Bitcoin Futures
while enabling the Fund to satisfy source-of-income requirements that apply to
RICs under the Code. The Fund will allocate to Bitcoin Futures in proportion to
the value of the Signal and rebalance dynamically in alignment with the
Underlying Index. Except as noted, references to the investment strategies and
risks of the Fund include the investment strategies and risks of the Global X
Subsidiary.
Bitcoin
is a digital asset of which the ownership and behavior are determined by
participants in an online, peer-to-peer network that connects computers that run
publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows an agreed upon set
of rules and procedures. This network is referred to as the "Bitcoin network,"
and the rules and procedures governing the Bitcoin network are commonly referred
to as the "Bitcoin protocol." The Bitcoin network allows people to exchange
tokens of value, called bitcoin, which are recorded on a public transaction
ledger known as the “Bitcoin blockchain.” Bitcoin can be used to pay for goods
and services, or it can be converted to fiat currencies, such as the U.S.
dollar, at rates determined on digital asset trading platforms or in individual
end-user-to-end-user transactions under a barter system. Although nascent in
use, bitcoin may be used as a medium of exchange, unit of account or store of
value. The value of bitcoin, like the value of other digital assets, is not
backed by any government, corporation or other identified body. Ownership and
the ability to transfer or take other actions with respect to bitcoin is
protected through the Bitcoin protocol, which allows bitcoin to be sent to a
publicly available address that is generated from a private numerical key, but
which prevents anyone other than the holder of such private numerical key from
accessing the bitcoin associated with the publicly available address. The supply
of bitcoin is constrained or formulated by its protocol instead of being
explicitly delegated to an identified body (e.g., a central bank or corporate
treasury) to control. No single entity owns or operates the Bitcoin network, the
infrastructure of which is collectively maintained by (1) a decentralized group
of participants who run computer software that results in the recording and
validation of transactions (commonly referred to as “miners”), (2) developers
who propose improvements to the Bitcoin protocol and the software that enforces
the protocol and (3) users who choose what Bitcoin software to run. Bitcoin was
released in 2009 and, as a result, there is little data on its long-term
investment potential. Bitcoin is not backed by a government-issued legal tender.
Bitcoin is “stored” or reflected on a blockchain. A blockchain is a distributed,
digital ledger that records and stores transaction data of digital assets in
units called “blocks.” The Fund will not invest in bitcoin
directly.
The
Fund generally uses a representative sampling strategy with respect to the
Underlying Index. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that
involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively
has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index in terms of key risk
factors, performance attributes and other characteristics. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets, plus
borrowings for investment purposes (if any), in the constituents of the CoinDesk
Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index (the "Underlying Index"), and in other
securities the Adviser determines have economic characteristics that are
substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the constituents that
comprise the Underlying Index, such as U.S. listed Bitcoin Futures ETFs.. The
Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund's performance
and that of the Underlying Index, before fees and expenses, will exceed 95%. A
correlation percentage of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.
The
Fund is classified as "non-diversified," which means it may invest a larger
percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.
The Fund concentrates its investments
(i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in Bitcoin Futures and/or the U.S.
Treasury ETF in approximately the same extent as the Underlying Index is
concentrated. As of December 31, 2025, the Underlying Index has significant
exposure to Bitcoin Futures.
SUMMARY
OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
As with any
investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the
Fund’s performance could trail that of other investments. There
is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency, the Adviser or any of its affiliates.
The
Fund may not be suitable for all investors and investors should carefully
consider and fully understand the risks involved in the Fund’s investment
strategy. The Fund’s indirect exposure to bitcoin may make the Fund a more
volatile investment than other funds. The
value of an investment in the Fund could decline significantly and without
warning, including to zero. An investor should be in a position to bear the
potential loss of their entire investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to
the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s
net asset value (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet
its investment objective, as well as other risks that are described in greater
detail in the Additional
Information About the Funds
section of the Fund's Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”).
Asset
Class Risk: Securities
and other assets held in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to
the general securities markets, a particular securities market or other asset
classes.
Bitcoin
Futures Risk: A
futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale
by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument
at a specified price and time. The risks of futures contracts include but are
not limited to: (1) the success of the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in
the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and
movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the
changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of
futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the
contracts at any particular time. Trading in the cash bitcoin market remains
difficult as compared to more traditional cash markets, and in particular short
selling bitcoin remains
challenging
and costly. As a result of these features of the bitcoin cash market, market
makers and arbitrageurs may not be as willing to participate in the Bitcoin
Futures market as they are in other futures markets. Each of these factors may
increase the likelihood that the price of Bitcoin Futures will be volatile
and/or will deviate from the price of bitcoin. Bitcoin Futures may experience
significant price volatility. Exchange-specified collateral for Bitcoin Futures
is substantially higher than for most other futures contracts, and collateral
may be set as a percentage of the value of the contract, which means that
collateral requirements for long positions can increase if the price of the
contract rises. In addition, futures commission merchants (FCMs) may require
collateral beyond the exchange’s minimum requirement. FCMs may also restrict
trading activity in Bitcoin Futures by imposing position limits, prohibiting
selling short the future or prohibiting trades where the executing broker places
a trade on behalf of another broker (so-called “give-up transactions”). Although
the Fund will only take long positions in Bitcoin Futures, restrictions on the
ability of certain market participants to take short Bitcoin Futures positions
may ultimately constrain the Fund’s ability to take long positions in Bitcoin
Futures or may impact the price at which the Fund is able to take such
positions. Bitcoin Futures are subject to daily limits that may impede a market
participant’s ability to exit a position during a period of high volatility. See
“Derivatives Risk.”
Crypto
asset trading platforms where bitcoin is traded (which are the source of the
price(s) used to determine the cash settlement amount for the Fund’s Bitcoin
Futures) have experienced technical and operational issues, making bitcoin
prices unavailable at times. During periods of high volatility for bitcoin
prices, the prices at which bitcoin traded on various crypto asset trading
platforms have diverged, and some bitcoin trading platforms have experienced
issues relating to account access and trade execution during such periods. The
cash market in bitcoin has been the target of fraud and manipulation, which
could affect the pricing, volatility and liquidity of the futures contracts. In
addition, if settlement prices for Bitcoin Futures are unavailable (which may
occur following a trading suspension imposed by the trading platform due to
large price movements or following a fork of Bitcoin, or for other reasons) or
the Adviser's Valuation Committee determines such settlement prices are
unreliable, the fair value of the Fund’s Bitcoin Futures may be determined by
reference, in whole or in part, to the cash market in bitcoin. See “Valuation
Risk”. These circumstances may be more likely to occur with respect to Bitcoin
Futures than with respect to futures on more traditional assets.
Additionally,
because the Fund does not intend to invest in bitcoin directly, it intends to
only invest in cash-settled Bitcoin Futures. This means that if the market for
Bitcoin Futures grows towards favoring physically-settled instruments (meaning
futures contracts that are settled by the actual delivery of bitcoin in exchange
for payment by the purchaser of the futures price agreed to at the outset of the
contract), the Fund will likely not benefit from this market growth. There is no
way to predict whether additional new offerings of Bitcoin Futures will be
cash-settled or physically-settled.
The
price for Bitcoin Futures is based on a number of factors, including the supply
of and the demand for Bitcoin Futures. Market conditions and expectations,
position limits, collateral requirements, and other factors each can impact the
supply of and demand for Bitcoin Futures. In the past, increased demand paired
with supply constraints and other factors have caused Bitcoin Futures to trade
at a significant premium to the “spot” price of bitcoin. Additional demand,
including demand resulting from the purchase, or anticipated purchase, of
futures contracts by the Fund or other entities may increase that premium,
perhaps significantly. It is not possible to predict whether or how long such
conditions will continue. To the extent the Fund purchases Bitcoin Futures at a
premium and the premium declines, the value of an investment in the Fund also
should be expected to decline.
Futures
contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced higher than futures
contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship called “contango.”
Conversely, futures contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced
lower than futures contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship
called “backwardation.” When rolling futures contracts that are in contango, the
Fund may sell the expiring Bitcoin Futures at a lower price and buy a
longer-dated Bitcoin Futures at a higher price. The price difference between the
expiring contract and longer-dated contract associated with rolling Bitcoin
Futures is typically substantially higher than the price difference associated
with rolling other futures contracts. Bitcoin Futures have historically
experienced extended periods of contango. Contango in the Bitcoin Futures market
may have a significant adverse impact on the performance of the Fund and may
cause Bitcoin Futures to underperform spot bitcoin. Additionally, because of the
frequency with which the Fund may roll futures contracts, the impact of contango
or backwardation on Fund performance may be greater than it would have been if
the Fund rolled Bitcoin Futures less frequently.
Derivatives
Risk:
The Fund will gain exposure to bitcoin indirectly by investing in Bitcoin
Futures, a type of derivative instrument. Futures are standardized,
exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a
seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future
date at a specified price. Derivatives
can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden
fluctuations in market prices than conventional securities, which can result in
greater losses for the Fund. In addition, the prices of the derivative
instruments and the price of bitcoin may not move together as expected. A risk
of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may
not correlate perfectly with the relevant reference asset, bitcoin. Derivatives
are usually traded on margin, which may subject the Fund to margin calls. Margin
calls may force the Fund to liquidate assets.
ETF
Investment Risk: The
Fund is subject to the same risks as underlying ETFs in which it may invest,
including: that the underlying ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or discount
to NAV; that an underlying ETF may experience a lack of liquidity that can
result in greater volatility than its underlying securities; that an active
trading market for an underlying ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained;
that trading in an underlying ETF’s shares may be halted in certain
circumstances; and that an underlying ETF may fail to achieve its investment
objective, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in the
underlying ETF and the overall performance of the Fund. Because the value of an
underlying ETF's shares depends on the demand in the market, the Adviser may not
be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings in those shares at the most optimal
time, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s performance.
An underlying ETF that seeks to track an underlying index may
experience tracking error in relation to the index. Further, a lack of liquidity
may result in the underlying ETF’s value being more volatile than the underlying
portfolio securities. Underlying ETFs in which the Fund invests may be
non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and its shares may be
more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests
in a broader range of securities. In addition, investments in the securities of
underlying ETFs may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other
expenses.
U.S.
Treasury Obligations Risk: U.S.
Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of
issuance and other characteristics. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to
inflation risk, as the price of short term U.S. Treasury obligations tends to
fall during inflationary periods as investors seek higher yielding investments.
Changes to interest rates may also adversely affect the value and liquidity of
the U.S. Treasury obligations. Similar to other issuers, changes to the
financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value
of the Fund's investments in U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.
Notwithstanding that U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States, circumstances could arise that could prevent the
timely payment of interest or principal, such as reaching the legislative "debt
ceiling," which can in turn drive debt higher. Such non-payment could result in
losses to the Fund and substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy
and the global financial system.
Bitcoin
Risk: Bitcoin
is a relatively new asset with a limited history. It is subject to unique and
substantial risks, and historically has been a highly speculative asset and has
experienced significant price volatility. While the Fund will not invest
directly in bitcoin, the value of the Fund’s investments in Bitcoin Futures and
bitcoin futures funds is subject to fluctuations in the value of the bitcoin,
which may be highly volatile.
The
value of bitcoin is determined by supply and demand in the global market, which
consists primarily of transactions of crypto asset trading platforms (“Crypto
Trading Platforms”). Pricing on Crypto Trading Platforms and/or other venues
could drop precipitously for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited
to, regulatory changes, a crisis of confidence, a flaw or operational issue in
the bitcoin network, or users preferring competing digital assets. The further
development of bitcoin as an asset and the growing acceptance and use of bitcoin
in the marketplace are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to
evaluate. Currently, there is relatively limited use of bitcoin in the retail
and commercial marketplace, which contributes to price volatility. A lack of
expansion, or a contraction in the use of bitcoin, may result in increased
volatility in its value. Legal or regulatory changes may negatively impact the
operation of bitcoin’s network or protocols or restrict the ability to use
bitcoin. Additionally, bitcoin transactions are irrevocable and stolen or
incorrectly transferred bitcoin may be irretrievable. The realization of any of
these risks could result in a decline in the acceptance of bitcoin and
consequently a reduction in the value of bitcoin, Bitcoin Futures, and the
Fund.
Bitcoin
also is subject to the risk of fraud, theft and manipulation, as well as
security failures and operational or other problems that impact bitcoin trading
venues. Unlike the exchanges utilized by traditional assets, such as equity and
bond securities, Crypto Trading Platforms are largely unregulated. As a result,
individuals or groups may engage in fraud and investors in bitcoin may be more
exposed to the risk of theft and market manipulation than when investing in more
traditional asset classes. Investors in bitcoin may have little or no recourse
should such theft, fraud or manipulation occur and could suffer significant
losses, which could ultimately impact bitcoin utilization, the price of bitcoin
and the value of Fund investments with indirect exposure to bitcoin.
Additionally, if one or a coordinated group of miners were to gain control of
51% of the Bitcoin Network,
they
would have the ability to manipulate transactions, halt payments and
fraudulently obtain bitcoin. A significant portion of bitcoin is held by a small
number of holders, who may have the ability to manipulate the price of bitcoin.
In addition, Crypto Trading Platforms are subject to the risk of cybersecurity
threats and in the past have been breached, resulting in the theft and/or loss
of digital assets, including bitcoin. A risk also exists with respect to
malicious actors or previously unknown vulnerabilities in the network or its
protocols, which may adversely affect the value of bitcoin. The price of bitcoin
may be impacted by market fragmentation. Fragmentation in the bitcoin market can
lead to price discrepancies between different Crypto Trading Platforms. Traders
seeking to exploit such price differences through arbitrage may influence the
short-term price of bitcoin.
Additionally,
bitcoin price volatility may arise from the announcement of regulations and/or
regulatory action. Changes in investor sentiment as a result of regulatory
uncertainty may lead to sell-offs and negatively impact the price of bitcoin,
Bitcoin Futures, and the Fund.
Additionally,
the emergence of other public blockchains that seek to serve as alternative
payment services can serve as a threat to bitcoin. For example, some competitors
utilize zero- knowledge cryptography to enhance privacy and security of their
blockchains. Zero-knowledge cryptography is a protocol that allows one party
(the prover) to prove to another party (the verifier) that they know a piece of
information without revealing contents of that information. Such advancements in
privacy and security from competitors could serve as a threat to the dominance
of bitcoin.
Bitcoin
also faces significant scaling obstacles that can lead to high fees or slow
transaction settlement times. As the use of digital asset networks increases
without a corresponding increase in throughput of the networks, average fees and
settlement times can increase significantly. Bitcoin’s network has been, at
times, at capacity, which has led to increased transaction fees. Increased fees
and decreased settlement speeds could preclude certain use cases for bitcoin
(e.g., micropayments), and could reduce demand for and the price of bitcoin,
which could adversely impact the Fund’s indirect bitcoin exposure. There is no
guarantee that any of the mechanisms in place or being explored for increasing
the scale of settlement of transactions in bitcoin will be effective, or how
long these mechanisms will take to become effective, which could adversely
impact the Fund’s indirect bitcoin exposure.
There
are also challenges associated with Bitcoin’s substantial past and future
dependence on “layer 2” solutions. “Layer 2” solutions are protocols that act on
top of layer 1 blockchains (i.e., Bitcoin). Although such protocols provide many
advantages to the blockchain, they also introduce additional risks, particularly
when used to facilitate transaction off the blockchain, including but not
limited to centralization risk, security risk, interoperability risk, trust
risk, transparency risk and regulatory risk.
•Centralization
Risk: Layer 2 solutions can introduce centralization risk to the blockchain if a
significant portion of the network of the layer 2 is controlled by certain
entities.
•Security
Risk: Layer 2 solutions introduce new attack vectors, that expose more
vulnerabilities that could lead to a security breach.
•Interoperability
Risk: Layer 2 solutions may not be compatible with each other. This can create
fragmentation within the bitcoin ecosystem.
•Trust
Risk: Layer 2 solutions often require the trust of third-party
operators/providers. This challenges the “trustless” nature of
blockchain.
•Transparency
Risk: transactions that occur off the blockchain may not follow the same
protocol as the blockchain (i.e., Bitcoin), which may increase the potential for
disputes between the transacting parties
•Regulatory
Risk: Regulators could impose rules pertaining to layer 2 solutions that could
decrease the advantages they provide to the bitcoin ecosystem.
The
price of bitcoin may be impacted by speculative and/or unexpected events. Due to
the nascent nature of the asset class, these events may be precipitated by a
small number of influential individuals or companies. Such individuals and
companies can negatively impact the price of bitcoin even though they are not
related to the security or utility of the blockchain. The price of bitcoin has
experienced increased volatility resulting from the statements and actions of
individuals in the bitcoin and broader technology community. Filings by
companies and social media statements by prominent individuals have in the past
and may in the future have an outsized impact on the price of bitcoin relative
to fundamental value considerations. To the extent that the actions of one or
more companies or individuals leads to an increase in the price of bitcoin, a
reversal of such position by the company or individual may have a sharp,
negative impact on the price of bitcoin, Bitcoin Futures, and the
Fund.
For
more detailed information on the risks related to bitcoin, see “A Further
Discussion of Principal Risks – Bitcoin Risk”.
The
Fund will not invest in bitcoin directly.
Commodities
Regulatory Risk: Under
regulations promulgated by the CFTC, the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
considered commodity pools, and therefore each is subject to regulation under
the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC rules. Global X has registered as a
commodity pool operator and manages the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary in
accordance with CFTC rules, as well as the rules that apply to registered
investment companies. Commodity pools are subject to additional laws,
regulations and enforcement policies, all of which may increase compliance costs
and may affect the operations and financial performance of the Fund and the
Global X Subsidiary. Additionally, positions in futures, options, and other
contracts may have to be liquidated at disadvantageous times or prices to
prevent the Fund from exceeding any applicable position limits established by
the CFTC. Such actions may subject the Fund to substantial losses. The
regulation of commodity transactions is subject to change and the effect of
future regulatory changes are impossible to predict but could adversely impact
the Fund. Such changes may compel the Fund to consider significant changes,
including substantially altering its principal investment strategies or, if
deemed necessary, liquidating the Fund.
Cryptocurrency
Risk:
The Fund is exposed to the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies such as
bitcoin or ether. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new and highly speculative
investment. Because the Fund may, at times, focus its investments in
cryptocurrencies, it may be susceptible to increased risk of loss, including
losses due to events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the
market as a whole.
Cryptocurrency, often referred to as “virtual
currency” or “digital currency,” operates as a decentralized, peer-to-peer
financial exchange and value storage that is used like money. The Fund will have
exposure to cryptocurrencies indirectly through investments in derivative
instruments and may have exposure to cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin or
ether. Cryptocurrencies operate without central authority or banks and are not
backed by any government. Cryptocurrencies may experience very high volatility,
and related investment vehicles that invest in cryptocurrencies may be affected
by such volatility. Cryptocurrency is not legal tender. Federal, state or
foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrency, and
regulation in the U.S. is still developing. Cryptocurrency exchanges have
stopped operating and have permanently shut down due to fraud, technical
glitches, hackers or malware. Cryptocurrency exchanges are new, largely
unregulated, and may be more exposed to fraud. The risks associated with
cryptocurrencies are set forth below.
Cryptocurrency
Custody Risk: Security
breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent
concern in relation to digital assets. The cryptocurrencies held by a
cryptocurrency ETPs’ custodian may be an appealing target to hackers or malware
distributors seeking to destroy, damage or steal a cryptocurrency ETPs’
cryptocurrency. To the extent that the cryptocurrency ETPs and their service
providers are unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats or
otherwise adapt to technological changes in the digital asset industry, a
cryptocurrency ETP’s cryptocurrencies may be subject to theft, loss, destruction
or other attack.
Cryptocurrency ETPs have put security procedures in
place to prevent such theft, loss or destruction, including but not limited to,
offline storage, or cold storage, multiple encrypted private key “shards”, and
other measures. Nevertheless, the security procedures cannot guarantee the
prevention of any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God
that may be borne by the cryptocurrency ETPs and the security procedures may not
protect against all errors, software flaws or other vulnerabilities in an
cryptocurrency ETP’s technical infrastructure, which could result in theft, loss
or damage of its assets. Assets not held in cold storage, such as assets held in
a trading account, may be more vulnerable to security breach, hacking or loss
than assets held in cold storage. Furthermore, assets held in a trading account
are held on an omnibus, rather than segregated basis, which creates greater risk
of loss.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Counterparty Risk: Transactions
in some types of derivatives, such as options on cryptocurrency futures ETFs or
spot cryptocurrency ETPs, are required to be centrally cleared. In transactions
involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty will be a clearing house.
As only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate
directly in the clearing house, the Fund must hold cleared derivatives through
accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will
make payments to and from a clearing house (including margin payments) through
their accounts at clearing members. Customer funds held at a clearing house in
connection with any options contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account
and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual
customers. As a result, assets deposited by the Fund with any clearing member as
margin for options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy other
clients’ losses. Also, in the event of a clearing member’s bankruptcy, although
clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the
clearing house, there is a risk that the assets of the Fund might not be fully
protected, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of
all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing member’s customers for
the relevant account class. The Fund is also subject to the risk that a limited
number of clearing members are willing to transact on the Fund’s behalf, which
increases the risks associated with a clearing member’s default. If a clearing
member defaults the Fund could lose some or all of the benefits of a transaction
entered into by the Fund with the
clearing
member. If the Fund cannot find a clearing member to transact with on the Fund’s
behalf, the Fund may be unable to effectively implement its investment
strategy.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Liquidity Risk: The market for derivatives on cryptocurrency-related instruments is
still developing and may be subject to periods of illiquidity which may lead to
difficulty in buying or selling a position at a desired price. Additionally,
periods of increased volatility and market disruptions can make it difficult to
find a counterparty willing to transact at a reasonable price and size. Illiquid
markets may cause significant losses. Also, the large size of the positions
which the Fund may engage in increases the difficulty of liquidation and
potentially increases the risk of losses. These larger positions may also impact
the price of options or other derivatives on cryptocurrency-related
instruments.
Cryptocurrency
Tax Risk: By investing in cryptocurrency-related instruments indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund will obtain exposure to cryptocurrency
within the federal tax requirements that apply to the Fund. However, because the
Global X Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation, any income received by
the Fund from its investments in the Global X Subsidiary will be passed through
to the Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than
capital gains.
Digital
Asset Regulatory Risk: Digital
asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and
adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the
value of the Fund’s investments in cryptocurrency ETPs, options on
cryptocurrency futures ETFs, options on cryptocurrency ETPs or options on a
cryptocurrency ETP Index, and cryptocurrency futures ETFs, such as by banning,
restricting or imposing onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of Ether,
staking, digital wallets, the provision of services related to trading and
custodying digital assets, the operation of the digital ledger that securely
records cryptocurrency transactions, or the digital asset markets generally.
Such occurrences could also impair the ability of a cryptocurrency futures ETF
or cryptocurrency ETP to meet its investment objective pursuant to its
investment strategy.
Fork
and Air Drop Risk: When
cryptocurrencies experience a fork or an air drop, a holder of the
cryptocurrency typically will receive an additional cryptocurrency or will be
entitled to claim an additional cryptocurrency. These additional
cryptocurrencies may have significant value, and the value of cryptocurrency may
decline significantly following a fork or air drop. Because the Fund and the
cryptocurrency futures ETFs do not hold ether directly, they will not be
entitled to participate in any fork or air drop, but they will be adversely
impacted by any resulting decline in the price of ether due to the
cryptocurrency futures ETF’s holdings of cryptocurrency futures. Some futures
exchanges may in the future publish mechanisms intended to compensate holders of
cryptocurrency futures for the loss in value following certain forks that meet
specified criteria, there can be no assurance that these mechanisms will
adequately compensate the Fund or the cryptocurrency futures ETFs for the full
loss of value or that any particular fork will meet the criteria for an
adjustment. In particular, there is substantial uncertainty as to how these
adjustment mechanisms will be implemented by the exchanges in practice, both in
terms of what forks and air drops will trigger an adjustment, and whether a
holder of cryptocurrency futures will receive a cash adjustment or an additional
futures contract linked to the new digital asset. Because of the uncertainty
around these adjustment mechanisms, it is also possible that a significant fork
of ether could lead to extended trading halts for the ether futures held by the
cryptocurrency futures ETF, which could lead to significant liquidity and
valuation risks for the cryptocurrency futures ETFs and its relative derivatives
as well as the Fund. It is possible that a fork of ether could substantially
reduce the value of the cryptocurrency futures held by the cryptocurrency
futures ETFs.
Irrevocability
of Transactions Risk:
Cryptocurrency transactions are typically not reversible without the consent and
active participation of the recipient of the transaction. Once a transaction has
been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an
incorrect transfer or theft of ether generally will not be reversible, and a
cryptocurrency ETP may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such
transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or
through theft or other criminal action, a cryptocurrency ETP’s ether could be
transferred from a cryptocurrency ETP’s custodian in incorrect amounts or to
unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled
accounts.
Cybersecurity
Risk: With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to
conduct business, the Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to
operational, information security and related risks. Cybersecurity incidents
involving the Fund and its service providers (including, without limitation, the
Adviser, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and financial
intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business
operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, impediments to trading,
the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance
costs.
Focus
Risk: The
Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due to
events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the market as a
whole, to the extent that the Fund’s investments are focused in the securities
of a particular issuer or issuers within the same geographic region, market,
industry, group of industries, sector or asset
class.
Geographic
Risk: The
Fund’s investments in securities of issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region may subject the Fund to certain risks to a greater extent than
if its investments were less focused, including: natural, biological or other
disasters and the spread of infectious diseases; economic, political and social
instability; security concerns; and trade disputes with key trading partners.
The securities in which the Fund invests and, consequently, the Fund are also
subject to specific risks as a result of their business operations in a
particular country or region, including, but not limited to:
Risk
of Investing in Developed Markets:
Investments in a developed country’s issuer may subject the Fund to legal,
regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risks specific to
developed countries. Developed countries tend to represent a significant portion
of the global economy and have generally experienced slower economic growth than
some less developed countries. Certain developed countries have experienced
security concerns, such as war, terrorism and strained international relations.
Incidents involving a country’s or region’s security may cause uncertainty in
its markets and may adversely affect its economy and the Fund’s investments. In
addition, developed countries may be adversely impacted by changes to the
economic conditions of certain key trading partners, regulatory burdens, debt
burdens and the price or availability of certain
commodities.
Risk
of Investing in the United States: A
decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations and/or an economic
recession in the U.S. may have a material adverse effect on the U.S.
economy.
Income
Risk:
Income risk is the risk that the Fund’s income will decline because
of falling interest rates.
Indexing
Strategy Risk:
The Fund is generally not actively managed, and the Adviser does not attempt to
take defensive positions in declining markets. Unlike many investment companies,
the Fund does not seek to outperform its Underlying Index. Therefore, it would
not necessarily buy or sell a security unless that security is added or removed,
respectively, from the Underlying Index, even if that security generally is
underperforming. Additionally, if a constituent of the Underlying Index were
removed, even outside of a regular rebalance of the Underlying Index, the
Adviser anticipates that the Fund make similar changes to its portfolio.
Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the
performance of individual securities could cause the Fund’s return to be lower
than if the Fund employed an active strategy.
Index-Related
Risk:
There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation to
the Underlying Index and therefore achieve its investment objective. Market
disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on the
Fund’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track
the Underlying Index. Errors in index data, index computations and/or the
construction of the Underlying Index in accordance with its methodology may
occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the Index
Provider for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the
Fund and its shareholders.
Management
Risk:
The Fund may not fully replicate its Underlying Index and may hold securities
not included in its Underlying Index. The Adviser’s investment strategy, the
implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may cause the
Fund to underperform the market or its relevant benchmark or adversely affect
the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment
objective.
Representative
Sampling Risk: Representative
sampling is a method of indexing that involves investing in a representative
sample of securities that collectively have a similar investment profile to the
Underlying Index and resemble the Underlying Index in terms of risk factors and
other key characteristics. When the Fund utilizes a representative sampling
strategy, the Fund is subject to an increased risk of tracking error, in that
the securities selected in the aggregate for the Fund may not have an investment
profile similar to those of the Underlying
Index.
Tracking
Error Risk: Tracking error may occur because of
differences between the instruments held in the Fund's portfolio and those
included in the Underlying Index, pricing differences, transaction costs
incurred by the Fund, the Fund's holding of uninvested cash, size of the Fund,
differences in timing of the accrual of or the valuation of dividends or
interest, tax gains or losses, changes to the Underlying Index or the costs to
the Fund of complying with various new or existing regulatory requirements. This
risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other
unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because the Fund
incurs fees and expenses, while the Underlying Index does
not.
Interest
Rate Risk: Interest
rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of fixed income securities
resulting from changes in the level of interest rates. When interest rates
decline, prices of fixed-income securities generally increase; and decrease when
interest rates increase. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term
interest rates rise sharply.
Variable and floating rate securities also
increase or decrease in value in response to changes in interest rates, although
generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes than fixed rate
securities. Variable and floating rate securities may decline in value if their
interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general.
When the Fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease in market
interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities,
which may also impact the net asset value of the Fund’s
Shares.
Investable
Universe of Companies Risk:
The investable universe of companies in which the Fund may invest may be
limited. The Fund may hold a large concentration of its net assets in a
single security or issuer. Holding a large concentration in a single security or
issues may expose the Fund to the market volatility of that specific security or
issuer if the security performs worse than the market as a whole, which could
adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Market
Risk:
Turbulence in the financial markets and reduced liquidity may negatively affect
issuers, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund and its investments. The
Fund’s NAV could decline over short periods due to short-term market movements
and over longer periods during market downturns. Trade policy, including the
imposition of tariffs, may dampen consumer spending and result in decreased
confidence in the markets. Additionally, political uncertainty regarding U.S.
policy, including the U.S. government’s approach to trade, may also impact the
markets. Furthermore, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of
terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases, inflation and recessions, changes
in interest or exchange rates, or other events could have a significant impact
on the Fund and its investments and trading of its Shares. Market risk factors
may result in increased volatility and/or decreased liquidity in the securities
markets.
Model
Risk: If the models and information and data used in developing the
Bitcoin Trend Indicator (“BTI”) prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any
investment decisions made in reliance on the data may not produce the desired
results and the Fund may realize losses. Models used to calculate the BTI may
also be impacted by volatility in bitcoin prices. Furthermore, the success of
models that are predictive in nature is dependent largely on the accuracy and
reliability of the supplied historical data. All models are susceptible to input
errors which may cause the resulting information to be
incorrect.
Non-Diversification
Risk:
The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), which means that the Fund may
invest a greater portion of its assets in securities of individual issuers than
a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single
investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund
more volatile than more diversified funds.
Operational
Risk: The
Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including
but not limited to human error, processing and communication errors, errors of
the Fund's service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or
inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. Additionally, cyber
security failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Adviser
and the Fund's other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants
or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause
disruptions and negatively impact the Fund's business operations, potentially
resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund and the
Adviser seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures.
However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate
for those risks that they are intended to address.
Risks
Associated with Exchange-Traded Funds:
As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:
Authorized
Participants Concentration Risk:
The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as
Authorized Participants and engage in creation or redemption transactions
directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated
to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent that those
Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to process creation
and/or redemption orders, such as in times of market stress, Shares may be more
likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and/or at wider intraday bid-ask
spreads, and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting from an exchange.
Authorized Participants Concentration Risk may be heightened because the Fund
invests in non-U.S. securities.
Large
Shareholder Risk: Certain
shareholders, including an Authorized Participant, the Adviser, an affiliate of
the Adviser, or funds managed by the Adviser, may own a substantial amount of
the Fund’s Shares. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant
negative impact on the Fund. If a large shareholder were to redeem all, or a
large portion, of its Shares, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able
to maintain sufficient assets to continue operations in which case the Board of
Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. In addition, transactions by large
shareholders
may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on a national
securities exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward
effect on the market price of the Shares.
Listing
Standards Risk: The
Fund is required to comply with listing requirements adopted by the listing
exchange. Non-compliance with such requirements may result in the Fund's shares
being delisted by the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation of the Fund
could cause the Fund to incur elevated transaction costs and could result in
negative tax consequences for its shareholders.
Market
Trading Risks and Premium/Discount Risks:
Shares of the Fund are publicly traded on a national securities exchange, which
may subject shareholders to numerous market trading risks. In stressed market
conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in response to the
deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the
liquidity of the Shares, as well as disruptions to creations and redemptions,
the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of assets in the
Fund or an active trading market for Shares may result in Shares trading at a
significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a
time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time
when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain
losses. The NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and
fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The trading
price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates, in some cases materially, throughout
trading hours in response to changes in the Fund’s
NAV.
Risk
of Investing in Bitcoin Futures Contracts Risk: A
futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale
by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument
at a specified price and time. The risks of futures contracts include but are
not limited to: (1) the success of the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in
the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and
movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the
changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of
futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the
contracts at any particular time.
Securities
Lending Risk:
Securities lending involves a risk of loss because the borrower may fail to
return the securities in a timely manner or at all. If the Fund is not able to
recover the securities loaned, it may sell the collateral and purchase a
replacement security in the market. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to
the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the loaned securities
increases and the collateral is not increased accordingly. Additionally, the
Fund will bear any loss on the investment of cash collateral it receives. These
events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. As securities
on loan may not be voted by the Fund, there is a risk that the Fund may not be
able to recall the securities in sufficient time to vote on material proxy
matters.
Subsidiary
Investment Risk: By
investing in the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the
risks associated with the Global X Subsidiary’s investments and operations. The
derivative instruments and other investments held by the Global X Subsidiary are
similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund, and thus, present
the same risks whether they are held by the Fund or the Global X Subsidiary.
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Global X
Subsidiary will be achieved. The Global X Subsidiary is not registered under the
1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all
the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and
controls the Global X Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
both managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely that the Global X Subsidiary
will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment
activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Global X Subsidiary, and
the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Global X Subsidiary. In adhering to
the Fund’s investment restrictions and limitations, the Adviser will treat the
assets of the Global X Subsidiary generally in the same manner as assets that
are held directly by the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or
the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary,
respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or
the Global X Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders.
Tax
Risk: The
Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company ("RIC"). The Fund
expects to obtain exposure to bitcoin by purchasing listed futures contracts.
The Fund intends to invest in such contracts, in whole or in part, indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary. In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, the
Fund must, amongst other requirements detailed in the SAI, derive at least 90%
of its gross income each taxable year from qualifying income. Income from listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts in which the Fund invests directly may not be
considered qualifying income. The Fund will seek to limit such income so as to
qualify as a RIC. The Fund will seek to limit such income through the Global X
Subsidiary so as to qualify as a RIC. If a fund experiences difficulty in
satisfying RIC source-of-income requirements, or other RIC qualification
requirements, existing laws generally permit the fund to take certain actions to
bring itself back into compliance. Failure to comply with the
requirements
for qualification as a RIC would have significant negative tax consequences to
Fund shareholders. See “Taxes – Fund Taxation” section of the Statement of
Additional Information for further discussion.
Trading
Halt Risk:
An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities,
or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be
restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell certain
securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be
unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its
investments and/or may incur substantial trading
losses.
Turnover
Risk: The
Fund may engage in frequent and active trading, which may significantly increase
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. At times, the Fund may have a portfolio
turnover rate substantially greater than 100%. For example, a portfolio turnover
rate of 300% is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of its securities
three times during the course of a year. A high portfolio turnover rate would
result in high brokerage costs for the Fund, may result in higher taxes when
Shares are held in a taxable account and lower Fund
performance.
Valuation
Risk: The
sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may
differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities
or other investments, such as cryptocurrency-related instruments, that trade in
thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology.
Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors
and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote
prices for them. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may be impacted by
technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party
service providers. Investments in digital asset-related products are intended to
reflect the price of digital assets, less fees and expenses, and the shares may
trade at a substantial premium to the net asset value of such assets. As such,
the price of digital asset-related products may go down even if the price of the
underlying digital asset remains unchanged. Additionally, shares that trade at a
premium mean that an investor who purchases $1 of a portfolio will actually own
less than $1 in assets.
PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION
The bar chart
and table that follow show how the Fund performed on a calendar year basis and
provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes
in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's
average annual returns for the indicated periods compare with the Fund's
broad-based benchmark index, which reflects a broad measure of market
performance, and the Underlying Index, which the Fund seeks to
track. The Fund's past performance
(before and after taxes) is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will
perform in the future. Updated performance information is
available online at www.globalxetfs.com.
Annual Total Returns
(Years Ended December 31)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Best
Quarter: |
6/30/2025 |
16.12% |
| Worst
Quarter: |
12/31/2025 |
(8.75)% |
Average Annual
Total Returns (for the Periods Ended December 31,
2025)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
One
Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
Since
Inception (03/20/2024) |
|
Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF |
| |
|
·Return
before taxes |
4.81% |
5.41% |
|
·Return
after taxes on distributions1 |
-4.49% |
-0.55% |
| ·Return
after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund
Shares |
2.86% |
1.66% |
|
S&P
500 Index (USD) (TR)
(Index
returns do not reflect deduction for fees, expenses, or
taxes) |
17.88% |
17.88% |
|
CoinDesk
Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index (USD) (TR)
(Index returns reflect
invested dividends net of withholding taxes, but reflect no deduction for
fees, expenses, or other
taxes) |
2.79% |
6.87% |
1
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual U.S. federal marginal income
tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local
taxes. Your actual after-tax
returns will depend on your specific tax situation and may differ from those
shown above. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of
the Fund through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts (IRAs).
FUND
MANAGEMENT
Investment
Adviser:
Global X Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”).
Portfolio
Managers:
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund are Nam To, CFA and Sandy Lu, CFA (“Portfolio Managers”). Messrs. To and Lu
have been Portfolio Managers of the Fund since March 2024.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Shares
of the Fund are or will be listed and traded at market prices on a national
securities exchange. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the exchange
through a broker-dealer. The price of Shares is based on market price, and
because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Shares may trade
at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). Only
“Authorized Participants” (as defined in the SAI) who have entered into
agreements with the Fund’s distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.
(“Distributor”), may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
the Fund. The Fund will only issue or redeem Shares that have been aggregated
into blocks called “Creation Units”. The Fund will issue or redeem Creation
Units in return for a basket of cash and/or securities that the Fund specifies
any day that the national securities exchanges are open for business (“Business
Day”). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the
highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and
the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when
buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). To
access information regarding the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums
and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, please go to
https://www.globalxetfs.com.
TAX
INFORMATION
The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxable to you as ordinary income
or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement
such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), in which case
distributions from such tax-advantaged arrangement may be taxable to you.
PAYMENTS
TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The
Adviser and its related companies may pay broker-dealers or other financial
intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of Fund Shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your
broker-dealer, salespersons or other intermediary or its employees or associated
persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial
adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Global X Bitcoin
Covered Call ETF
Ticker:
BCCC Exchange: Cboe BZX
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The
Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF ("Fund") seeks to provide current income while
also providing exposure to the price return of one or more U.S. listed
exchange-traded products that provide exposure to
bitcoin.
FEES AND
EXPENSES
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and
sell shares (“Shares”) of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and examples
below.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Management
Fees: |
0.75% |
|
Distribution
and Service (12b-1) Fees: |
None |
|
Other
Expenses: |
0.00% |
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses: |
0.75% |
1
Other Expenses are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Example:
The following example
is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost
of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account customary
brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund
in the secondary market. The example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then hold
or sell all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating
expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| One
Year |
Three
Years |
| $77 |
$240 |
Portfolio
Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over"
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account.
These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the
example, affect the Fund's performance. From the Fund's commencement of
operations on June 3, 2025, to the end of the most recent fiscal period, the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 14.61% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES
The
Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to provide
current income while also providing exposure to the price return of one or more
U.S.-listed exchange-traded products ("ETPs") that seek exposure to bitcoin
(each a “Bitcoin ETP” and collectively, the “Bitcoin ETPs”), subject to a cap on
potential investment gains. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective
by utilizing a synthetic covered call strategy that is designed to provide
current income and exposure to the share price returns of one or more Bitcoin
ETPs. The Fund seeks to provide exposure through options contracts that
reference one or more Bitcoin ETPs that invest principally in bitcoin futures
contracts (each, a “Bitcoin Futures ETF”) or invests directly in bitcoin (each,
a “Spot Bitcoin ETP”). The Fund may also gain exposure through investment in
options on indexes that are designed to track the performance of a basket of
Spot Bitcoin ETFs listed on U.S. exchanges, such as the Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF
Index (“Bitcoin ETF Index”). The Fund expects to achieve its investment
objective by purchasing and selling a combination of call and put option
contracts that utilize a Bitcoin ETP as the reference asset. The Fund will
invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for
investment purposes, in assets providing direct or indirect exposure to bitcoin
(“Bitcoin”). Bitcoin includes options on Bitcoin ETF Indexes,
options on Bitcoin ETPs, Bitcoin ETPs, and U.S. exchange-traded bitcoin futures
contracts. For purposes of compliance with this investment policy, derivative
contracts will be valued at their notional value. The notional value of a
derivative contract represents the total dollar value of exposure the derivative
has to the underlying asset. The Fund’s sale of call options on the Bitcoin ETP
to generate income is expected to limit the degree to which the Fund will
participate in any gains experienced by the Bitcoin
ETP.
The
Fund does not invest directly in bitcoin. The Fund does not invest in, or seek
direct exposure to, the current “spot” or cash price of bitcoin. Investors
seeking direct exposure to the price of bitcoin should consider an investment
other than the Fund.
A
traditional covered call strategy is generally considered to be an investment
strategy in which an investor (such as the Fund) "writes" (or sells) a call
option on an asset it owns to generate income. In a synthetic covered call
strategy, rather than selling a call option on an asset the Fund already owns,
the Fund writes a put option and purchases a call option on the underlying
asset, generally at the same strike price, which is the pre-set price at which
the underlying asset may be bought or sold if the option is exercised, to
“synthetically” replicate approximately 100% of the price movements of that
asset. The Fund can also achieve this synthetic exposure by purchasing deep
in-the-money call options on the underlying asset. These approaches
synthetically provide the upside and downside participation in the price returns
of the Bitcoin ETPs, without directly purchasing the Bitcoin ETPs. The Fund then
sells a call option on the same underlying asset to generate income. The Fund
may write call options on all or a portion of its net assets. Each time the Fund
writes a call option on a Bitcoin ETP, the Fund receives a payment from the
investor who buys the call option from the Fund, which is called the premium. If
the Fund's value declines because of a decline in the value of a reference
asset, the premium that the Fund received for writing the call option on a
Bitcoin ETP offsets this loss to some extent. The Fund’s writing (selling) of
call options on bitcoin-related instruments will limit the Fund’s upside
participation in increases in the value of bitcoin beyond the strike price of
the written call options. To the extent the share price of the underlying asset
increases up to the strike price, the Fund’s synthetic long exposure and direct
exposure to Spot Bitcoin ETPs are expected to result in similar percentage
gains. However, if the share price of the underlying asset rises above the
strike price of one or more call options written by the Fund, the Fund’s upside
participation will be limited.
Deep
in-the-money call options have strike prices significantly below the current
share price of the corresponding underlying asset, having the effect of
synthetically replicating the price movements of the underlying asset with
minimal intrinsic value risk. This means the Fund’s investments in deep
in-the-money call options will experience potential gains and losses that are
commensurate with owning the underlying Bitcoin ETPs outright. The deep
in-the-money call option approach may serve as an alternative to the Fund’s
strategy of writing put options and purchasing call options on underlying
assets, or may be used in conjunction with it, depending on market conditions
and the Adviser’s discretion.
In
addition, the Fund will generate income by selling call options that reference
the Bitcoin ETP at a strike price that is at-the- money or out-of-the-money. An
at-the-money call option is a call option with a strike price that is equal to
the spot price of the reference asset. An out-of-the-money call option is a call
option with a strike price that is greater than the spot price of the reference
asset. An in-the-money call option is a call option with a strike price that is
less than the spot price of the reference asset. It is important to note that
the sale of these call options to generate income will limit the Fund’s ability
to participate in increases in value of the Bitcoin ETPs’ share price beyond a
certain point. If the share price of the Bitcoin ETPs increases, the
above-referenced synthetic long exposure would allow the Fund to experience
similar percentage gains. However, if the Bitcoin ETPs’ share price appreciates
in value beyond the strike price of one or more of the call option contracts
that the Fund has sold to generate income, the Fund will lose money on those
short call positions, and the losses will, in turn, limit the upside return of
the Fund’s synthetic long exposure. As a result, the Fund’s overall strategy
(i.e., the combination of the synthetic long exposure to the Bitcoin ETPs and
the sold Bitcoin ETPs call positions) will limit the Fund’s participation in
gains of the Bitcoin ETPs’ share price beyond a certain point. The Fund intends
to make periodic distribution payments.
The
implications of the options utilized in implementing the synthetic covered call
strategy are described in more detail here:
Purchased
Call Option – When the Fund purchases a call option, the Fund pays an amount
(“premium”) to acquire the right (but not the obligation) to buy shares of a
reference asset at a specified exercise (“strike”) price on the expiration date.
If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the expiration date
and the Fund exercises the call option, the Fund will be entitled to receive the
difference between the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the
reference asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date, the
call option may end up worthless and the Fund’s loss is limited to the amount of
premium it paid. In the case of deep in-the-money call options, the price of the
reference asset is far greater than the strike price. Deep in-the-money call
options have higher intrinsic value and are considered to be more stable as the
value of the option is closely tied to the reference asset’s price. Because deep
in-the-money call options typically require a higher premium, the return on the
investment may be limited.
–Purchased
Put Option – When the Fund purchases a put option, the Fund pays an amount
(“premium”) to acquire the right (but not the obligation) to sell shares of a
reference asset at a specified exercise (“strike”) price on or before the
expiration date. If the reference asset closes below the strike price as of the
expiration date and the Fund exercises the put option, the Fund will be entitled
to receive the difference between the strike price and the value of the
reference asset. If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the
expiration date, the put option may expire worthless, and the Fund’s loss is
limited to the amount of the premium it paid.
Sold
Put Option – When the Fund sells a put option, the Fund receives a premium in
exchange for an obligation to buy shares of a reference asset at a strike price
on the expiration date if the buyer of the put option exercises it. If the
reference asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date and the
buyer exercises the put option, the Fund will have to pay the difference between
the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the reference asset
closes above the strike price as of the expiration date, the put option may end
up worthless and the Fund retains the premium.
Sold
Call Options – When the Fund sells a call option, the Fund receives a premium in
exchange for an obligation to sell shares of a reference asset at a strike price
on the expiration date if the buyer of the call option exercises it. If the
reference asset closes above the strike price as of the expiration date and the
buyer exercises the call option, the Fund will have to pay the difference
between the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the reference
asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date, the call option
may end up worthless and the Fund retains the premium.
In
implementing its investment strategy, the Fund may invest in traditional
exchange-traded options contracts and/or FLexible EXchange®
(“FLEX”) options that utilize the Bitcoin ETPs as the reference asset. In
general, an option is a contract that gives the purchaser (holder) of the
option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (call) or sell to (put)
the seller (writer) of the option the asset underlying the option (in this case,
Bitcoin ETPs) at a specified exercise price. The writer of an option has the
obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying asset upon
payment of the exercise price (call) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery
of the underlying (put). Traditional exchange-traded options have standardized
terms, such as the type (call or put), the reference asset, the strike price and
expiration date. In comparison, FLEX options allow investors to customize key
contract terms, including expiration date, exercise style, exercise price, and
expanded positions limits. Both traditional exchange-traded options and FLEX
options are guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation
(“OCC”). It is anticipated that the Fund may invest primarily in both
traditional exchange-traded options and/or FLEX options.
In
addition to the options contracts, the Fund will hold cash and cash equivalents
and may also invest in short-term U.S. Treasury securities and the Global X 1-3
Month T-Bill ETF (the “U.S. Treasury ETF”), a passively managed exchange-traded
fund (“ETF”) and affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may also directly hold shares
of the Bitcoin ETPs or U.S. exchanges-traded bitcoin futures contracts in
effectuating its investment strategy. Bitcoin futures contracts will be
standardized, cash-settled bitcoin futures contracts traded on commodity
exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).
The
Fund seeks to gain exposure to options on Spot Bitcoin ETFs, in whole or in
part, through investments in a subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands,
namely the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call Subsidiary Limited (the “Global X
Subsidiary”).
The
Global X Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Fund’s
investment in the Global X Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total
assets at each quarter-end of the Fund’s fiscal year. However, there are cure
periods for certain violations of the asset diversification requirements that
apply to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The
Fund’s investment in the Global X Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund
with exposure to options on Spot Bitcoin ETFs while enabling the Fund to satisfy
source-of-income requirements that apply to RICs under the Code.
The
Fund’s allocation determinations may be informed by a variety of criteria,
including, but not limited to, liquidity, open interest/free float market
capitalization, regulatory requirements, anticipated cost of carry, correlation
to the price movements of bitcoin, other fundamental investment considerations
and/or the then-current size of the Fund. Except as noted, references to the
investment strategies and risks of the Fund include the investment strategies
and risks of the Global X Subsidiary.
The
Fund is classified as "non-diversified," which means it may invest a larger
percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified
fund.
Additional
Information About Bitcoin Futures ETFs
The
Bitcoin Futures ETFs seek to provide investment results that correspond to the
performance of bitcoin by investing in bitcoin futures contracts through a
wholly-owned Cayman subsidiary. These bitcoin futures contracts are
standardized, cash-settled bitcoin futures traded on commodity exchanges
registered with the CFTC. The Bitcoin Futures ETFs seek to invest in
cash-settled, front-month bitcoin futures contracts, which are contracts with
the shortest time to maturity. However, the Bitcoin Futures ETFs may also invest
in back-month, cash-settled bitcoin futures contracts, which have a longer time
to maturity.
In
order to maintain their exposure to bitcoin futures contracts, the Bitcoin
Futures ETFs must sell their futures contracts as they near expiration and
replace them with new futures contracts with a later expiration date. Futures
contracts with a longer term to
expiration
may be priced higher than futures contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a
relationship called “contango.” Conversely, futures contracts with a longer term
to expiration may be priced lower than futures contracts with a shorter term to
expiration, a relationship called “backwardation.” When rolling futures
contracts that are in contango, the Funds may sell the expiring bitcoin futures
at a lower price and buy a longer-dated bitcoin futures at a higher price. The
price difference between the expiring contract and longer-dated contract
associated with rolling bitcoin futures is typically substantially higher than
the price difference associated with rolling other futures
contracts.
The
Bitcoin Futures ETFs may also invest in debt securities, cash and cash
equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money
market funds to provide liquidity, serve as margin or collateralize such Bitcoin
Futures ETFs' investments in bitcoin futures contracts.
Due
to the high margin requirements that are unique to bitcoin futures contracts and
certain tests that must be met in order to qualify as a regulated investment
company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
“Code”), the Bitcoin Futures ETFs may also utilize reverse repurchase agreements
during certain times of the year to help maintain the desired level of exposure
to bitcoin futures contracts. The Bitcoin Futures ETFs expect to gain exposure
to bitcoin by investing in bitcoin futures contracts.
The
Bitcoin Futures ETFs do not invest directly in bitcoin.
Additional
Information about Spot Bitcoin ETFs
A
Spot Bitcoin ETF seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the
performance of bitcoin by holding the digital asset directly, rather than
through derivatives or futures contracts. Spot Bitcoin ETFs offer investors
transparent and operationally efficient access to bitcoin without the need to
manage digital wallets, private keys, or custody solutions, which are typically
required when directly accessing bitcoin through peer-to-peer transactions,
digital asset platforms, or other means. However, investing in Spot Bitcoin ETFs
carries certain risks, including bitcoin’s inherent price volatility, potential
regulatory changes, and cybersecurity concerns.
Spot
Bitcoin ETFs are typically structured as grantor trusts, where the trust holds
bitcoin on behalf of its shareholders. This structure allows investors to
directly benefit from changes in the value of the underlying bitcoin, as the
trust is designed to pass through the economic risks and rewards of bitcoin
ownership. Unlike traditional ETFs that may be registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, Spot Bitcoin ETFs are not registered under the 1940 Act. As
a result, they are not subject to the same regulatory requirements, protections,
or governance standards applicable to funds registered under the 1940 Act. The
Bitcoin ETFs are not a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act
of 1936, as amended (the “Commodity Exchange Act” or “CEA”), and the sponsors
are not subject to regulation by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator or a
commodity trading advisor with respect to the Bitcoin ETFs. Instead, these ETFs
are governed by other applicable securities laws, which provide a tailored
framework for disclosure and investor protection.
The
holdings of a Spot Bitcoin ETF consist of bitcoin acquired from digital asset
trading platforms or over-the-counter markets. These bitcoin assets are stored
with institutional-grade custodians employing advanced security protocols, such
as cold storage and multi-signature technology, to minimize the risks of theft
or loss.
Additional
Information about Options on Bitcoin ETF Indexes
Cboe
Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index (CBTX) options are cash-settled, European style index
options based on the Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index. Similarly, the Cboe Mini
Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index (MBTX) options are cash-settled, European style index
options based on the Cboe Mini Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index that are designed to be
1/10th the size of the standard CBTX options contract. The Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF
Index is a modified market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to
track the performance of a basket of Bitcoin ETFs listed on U.S.
exchanges.
European
style options cannot be exercised prior to their expiration date and are cash
settled. Since European style options can only be exercised at their expiration,
they do not carry any risk of early assignment. American style options are
physically settled and have early assignment risk as they can be exercised at
any time prior to their expiration date. In the case of an American style call
option, the underlying asset is transferred from the seller of the call to the
buyer of the call when it is exercised. In the case of an American style put
option, the underlying asset is transferred from the buyer of the put to the
seller of the put when it is exercised.
Additional
Information about Bitcoin
Bitcoin is a digital asset of which the ownership and behavior are
determined by participants in an online, peer-to-peer network that connects
computers that run publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows
an agreed upon set of rules and procedures. This network is referred to as the
"Bitcoin network," and the rules and procedures governing the Bitcoin network
are commonly referred to as the "Bitcoin protocol." The Bitcoin network allows
people to exchange tokens of value, called bitcoin, which are recorded on a
public transaction ledger known as the “Bitcoin blockchain.” Bitcoin can be used
to pay for goods and services, or it can be converted to fiat currencies, such
as the U.S. dollar, at rates determined on digital asset trading platforms or in
individual end-user-to-end-user transactions under a barter system. Although
nascent in use, bitcoin may be used as a medium of exchange, unit of account or
store of value. The value of bitcoin, like the value of other digital assets, is
not backed by any government, corporation or other identified body. Ownership
and the ability to transfer or take other actions with respect to bitcoin is
protected through the Bitcoin protocol, which allows bitcoin to be sent to a
publicly available address that is generated from a private numerical key, but
which prevents anyone other than the holder of such private numerical key from
accessing the bitcoin associated with the publicly available address. The supply
of bitcoin is constrained or formulated by its protocol instead of being
explicitly delegated to an identified body (e.g., a central bank or corporate
treasury) to control. No single entity owns or operates the Bitcoin network, the
infrastructure of which is collectively maintained by (1) a decentralized group
of participants who run computer software that results in the recording and
validation of transactions (commonly referred to as “miners”), (2) developers
who propose improvements to the Bitcoin protocol and the software that enforces
the protocol and (3) users who choose what Bitcoin software to run. Bitcoin was
released in 2009 and, as a result, there is little data on its long-term
investment potential. Bitcoin is not backed by a government-issued legal tender.
Bitcoin is “stored” or reflected on a blockchain. A blockchain is a distributed,
digital ledger that records and stores transaction data of digital assets in
units called “blocks.” The Fund will not invest in bitcoin
directly.
SUMMARY
OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
As with any
investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the
Fund's performance could trail that of other investments. There
is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency, the Adviser or any of its affiliates. The
Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely
affect the Fund's net asset value ("NAV"), trading price, yield, total return
and ability to meet its investment objective, as well as other risks that are
described in greater detail in the Additional
Information About the Fund
section of this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information
("SAI").
Active
Management Risk:
The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and
processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will be
successful or that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
Asset
Class Risk: Securities
and other assets held in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to
the general securities markets, a particular securities market or other asset
classes.
Bitcoin
ETP Risk: Bitcoin
ETPs are exchange-traded investment products not registered under the 1940 Act
that seek to generally match the performance of the price of bitcoin, and trade
intra-day on a national securities exchange. Shares of Bitcoin ETPs are not
traded at net asset value, but may trade at prices above or below the value of
their underlying portfolios. The level of risk involved in the purchase or sale
of a Bitcoin ETP is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of an
exchange-traded fund, and generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying
bitcoin and cash that a Bitcoin ETP holds. Bitcoin ETPs are subject to
management fees and other fees that may increase their costs versus the costs of
owning bitcoin directly. Bitcoin ETPs generally determine the price of bitcoin
by reference to a benchmark rate or index, and therefore may not reflect the
global price of bitcoin, or the price of bitcoin on any one digital asset
trading platform. In the event the price used by a Bitcoin ETP deviates from the
global price of bitcoin, the Fund’s returns may be adversely
affected.
Bitcoin
Futures Risk: A
futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future sale
by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or instrument
at a specified price and time. The risks of futures contracts include but are
not limited to: (1) the success of the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in
the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in markets and
movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation between the
changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of
futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the
contracts at any particular time. Trading in the cash bitcoin market remains
difficult as compared to more traditional cash markets, and in particular short
selling bitcoin remains challenging and costly. As a result of these features of
the bitcoin cash market, market makers and arbitrageurs may not be as willing to
participate in the bitcoin futures market as they are in other futures markets.
Each of these factors may increase the likelihood that the price of bitcoin
futures will be volatile and/or will deviate from the price of bitcoin. Bitcoin
futures may experience significant price volatility. Exchange-specified
collateral for bitcoin futures is
substantially
higher than for most other futures contracts, and collateral may be set as a
percentage of the value of the contract, which means that collateral
requirements for long positions can increase if the price of the contract rises.
In addition, futures commission merchants (FCMs) may require collateral beyond
the exchange’s minimum requirement. FCMs may also restrict trading activity in
bitcoin futures by imposing position limits, prohibiting selling short the
future or prohibiting trades where the executing broker places a trade on behalf
of another broker (so-called “give-up transactions”). Although the Bitcoin
Futures ETFs will only take long positions in bitcoin futures, restrictions on
the ability of certain market participants to take short bitcoin futures
positions may ultimately constrain the Bitcoin Futures ETF’s ability to take
long positions in bitcoin futures or may impact the price at which the Fund is
able to take such positions. Bitcoin futures are subject to daily limits that
may impede a market participant’s ability to exit a position during a period of
high volatility. See “Derivatives Risk.”
Trading
platforms where bitcoin is traded (which are the source of the price(s) used to
determine the cash settlement amount for the Bitcoin Futures ETF’s bitcoin
futures) have experienced technical and operational issues, making bitcoin
prices unavailable at times. During periods of high volatility for bitcoin
prices, the prices at which bitcoin traded on various trading platforms have
diverged, and some digital asset trading platforms have experienced issues
relating to account access and trade execution during such periods. The cash
market in bitcoin has been the target of fraud and manipulation, which could
affect the pricing, volatility and liquidity of the futures contracts. In
addition, if settlement prices for bitcoin futures are unavailable (which may
occur following a trading suspension imposed by the exchange due to large price
movements or following a fork of Bitcoin, or for other reasons) or the Bitcoin
Futures ETF’s Adviser determines such settlement prices are unreliable, the fair
value of the Bitcoin Futures ETF’s bitcoin futures may be determined by
reference, in whole or in part, to the cash market in bitcoin. See “Valuation
Risk”. These circumstances may be more likely to occur with respect to bitcoin
futures than with respect to futures on more traditional assets.
Additionally,
because the Bitcoin Futures ETFs do not intend to invest in bitcoin directly, it
intends to only invest in cash-settled bitcoin futures. This means that if the
market for bitcoin futures grows towards favoring physically-settled instruments
(meaning futures contracts that are settled by the actual delivery of bitcoin in
exchange for payment by the purchaser of the futures price agreed to at the
outset of the contract), the Bitcoin Futures ETFs will likely not benefit from
this market growth. There is no way to predict whether additional new offerings
of bitcoin futures will be cash-settled or physically-settled.
The
price for bitcoin futures is based on a number of factors, including the supply
of and the demand for bitcoin futures. Market conditions and expectations,
position limits, collateral requirements, and other factors each can impact the
supply of and demand for bitcoin futures. In the past, increased demand paired
with supply constraints and other factors have caused bitcoin futures to trade
at a significant premium to the “spot” price of bitcoin. Additional demand,
including demand resulting from the purchase, or anticipated purchase, of
futures contracts by the Bitcoin Futures ETFs or other entities may increase
that premium, perhaps significantly. It is not possible to predict whether or
how long such conditions will continue. To the extent the Bitcoin Futures ETFs
purchases bitcoin futures at a premium and the premium declines, the value of an
investment in the Bitcoin Futures ETFs also should be expected to
decline.
Futures
contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced higher than futures
contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship called “contango.”
Conversely, futures contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced
lower than futures contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship
called “backwardation.” When rolling futures contracts that are in contango, the
Bitcoin Futures ETFs may sell the expiring bitcoin futures at a lower price and
buy a longer-dated bitcoin futures at a higher price. The price difference
between the expiring contract and longer-dated contract associated with rolling
bitcoin futures is typically substantially higher than the price difference
associated with rolling other futures contracts. Bitcoin futures have
historically experienced extended periods of contango. Contango in the bitcoin
futures market may have a significant adverse impact on the performance of the
Bitcoin Futures ETFs and may cause bitcoin futures to underperform spot bitcoin.
Additionally, because of the frequency with which the Bitcoin Futures ETFs may
roll futures contracts, the impact of contango or backwardation on Bitcoin
Futures ETFs performance may be greater than it would have been if the Bitcoin
Futures ETFs rolled bitcoin futures less
frequently.
Derivatives
Risk:
The Fund will gain exposure to bitcoin indirectly by investing in options on
Bitcoin ETF Indexes, a type of derivative instrument. Futures are standardized,
exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a
seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future
date at a specified price. Options are financial instruments that give the buyer
of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy the underlying asset at
a predetermined price within a specific time frame in exchange for a
premium.
Derivatives (e.g., options, futures contracts, forwards, swaps) are
instruments the value of which is derived from that of other assets, rates, or
indices. Derivative instruments that use digital asset-related products as the
reference asset may face heightened risks as a result of their exposure to the
underlying digital assets (e.g., volatility, speculative investment interest,
regulatory uncertainty). Derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in
interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices than conventional
securities, which can result in greater losses for the Fund. There is the risk
of imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative and that of the asset
underlying the derivative. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of
risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and
management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Certain derivatives
are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the
transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligations. Derivatives are
usually traded on margin, which may subject the Fund to margin calls. Margin
calls may force the Fund to liquidate assets. Further, the market for certain
derivatives may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions
independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular
issuer. If the Fund needed to sell a large block of illiquid securities to meet
shareholder redemption request or to raise cash, these sales could further
reduce the securities’ prices and adversely affect performance of the
Fund.
ETF
Investment Risk: The
Fund is subject to the same risks as underlying ETFs in which it may invest,
including: that the underlying ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or discount
to NAV; that an underlying ETF may experience a lack of liquidity that can
result in greater volatility than its underlying securities; that an active
trading market for an underlying ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained;
that trading in an underlying ETF’s shares may be halted in certain
circumstances; and that an underlying ETF may fail to achieve its investment
objective, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in the
underlying ETF and the overall performance of the Fund. Because the value of an
underlying ETF's shares depends on the demand in the market, the Adviser may not
be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings in those shares at the most optimal
time, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s performance.
An underlying ETF that seeks to track an underlying index may
experience tracking error in relation to the index. Further, a lack of liquidity
may result in the underlying ETF’s value being more volatile than the underlying
portfolio securities. Underlying ETFs in which the Fund invests may be
non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and its shares may be
more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests
in a broader range of securities. In addition, investments in the securities of
underlying ETFs may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other
expenses.
U.S.
Treasury Obligations Risk:
U.S. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times
of issuance and other characteristics. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to
inflation risk, as the price of short term U.S. Treasury obligations tends to
fall during inflationary periods as investors seek higher yielding investments.
Changes to interest rates may also adversely affect the value and liquidity of
the U.S. Treasury obligations. Similar to other issuers, changes to the
financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value
of the Fund's investments in U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.
Notwithstanding that U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States, circumstances could arise that could prevent the
timely payment of interest or principal, such as reaching the legislative "debt
ceiling," which can in turn drive debt higher. Such non-payment could result in
losses to the Fund and substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy
and the global financial system.
Bitcoin
Futures Capacity Risk: Disruptions
to the bitcoin futures markets, such as illiquidity, position limits,
accountability levels, or other limitations imposed by the Bitcoin Futures ETF’s
futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) as a result of margin requirements, set by
the listing exchange, or the CFTC, may hamper the Bitcoin Futures ETF’s ability
to gain exposure to bitcoin futures contracts, which may result in the Bitcoin
Futures ETF’s inability to achieve its investment objective and may experience
significant losses. Any disruption to the Bitcoin Futures ETF’s exposure to
bitcoin futures contracts will also cause the Fund’s performance to deviate from
the performance of bitcoin. Additionally, the ability of the Bitcoin Futures
ETFs to obtain exposure to bitcoin futures contracts is limited by the tax rules
that limit the amount the Bitcoin Futures ETFs can invest in their wholly owned
subsidiary at the end of each tax quarter.
Bitcoin
Risk:
Bitcoin is a relatively new asset with a limited history. It is subject to
unique and substantial risks, and historically has been a highly speculative
asset and has experienced significant price volatility. While the Fund will not
invest directly in bitcoin, the value of the Bitcoin ETP's investments in
bitcoin futures and bitcoin is subject to fluctuations in the value of the
bitcoin, which may be highly volatile.
The
value of bitcoin is determined by supply and demand in the global market, which
consists primarily of transactions of bitcoin on electronic trading platforms
(“Digital Asset Trading Platforms”). Pricing on Digital Asset Trading Platforms
could drop precipitously for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited
to, regulatory changes, a crisis of confidence, a flaw or
operational
issue in the bitcoin network, or users preferring competing digital assets and
cryptocurrencies. The further development of bitcoin as an asset and the growing
acceptance and use of bitcoin in the marketplace are subject to a variety of
factors that are difficult to evaluate. Currently, there is relatively limited
use of bitcoin in the retail and commercial marketplace, which contributes to
price volatility. A lack of expansion, or a contraction in the use of bitcoin,
may result in increased volatility in its value. Legal or regulatory changes may
negatively impact the operation of bitcoin’s network or protocols or restrict
the ability to use bitcoin. Additionally, bitcoin transactions are irrevocable
and stolen or incorrectly transferred bitcoin may be irretrievable. The
realization of any of these risks could result in a decline in the acceptance of
bitcoin and consequently a reduction in the value of bitcoin, bitcoin futures,
the Bitcoin ETPs and its related derivatives, and the Fund.
Bitcoin
also is subject to the risk of fraud, theft and manipulation, as well as
security failures and operational or other problems that impact bitcoin trading
venues. Unlike the exchanges utilized by traditional assets, such as equity and
bond securities, Digital Asset Trading Platforms are largely unregulated. As a
result, individuals or groups may engage in fraud and investors in bitcoin may
be more exposed to the risk of theft and market manipulation than when investing
in more traditional asset classes. Investors in bitcoin may have little or no
recourse should such theft, fraud or manipulation occur and could suffer
significant losses, which could ultimately impact bitcoin utilization, the price
of bitcoin and the value of Fund investments with indirect exposure to bitcoin.
Additionally, if one or a coordinated group of miners were to gain control of
51% of the Bitcoin Network, they would have the ability to manipulate
transactions, halt payments and fraudulently obtain bitcoin. A significant
portion of bitcoin is held by a small number of holders, who may have the
ability to manipulate the price of bitcoin. In addition, Digital Asset Trading
Platforms are subject to the risk of cybersecurity threats and in the past have
been breached, resulting in the theft and/or loss of digital assets, including
bitcoin. A risk also exists with respect to malicious actors or previously
unknown vulnerabilities in the network or its protocols, which may adversely
affect the value of bitcoin.
Shares
of some Bitcoin ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to the net asset value
of the Bitcoin ETPs' underlying asset. For more detailed information on the
risks related to bitcoin, see “A Further Discussion of Principal Risks – Bitcoin
Risk”.
Cash
Transaction Risk: Unlike most exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), the Fund intends to
effect a significant portion of creations and redemptions for cash, rather than
in-kind securities. As such, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio
securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds.
As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an
investment in a more conventional ETF. Moreover, cash transactions may have to
be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid
and may involve the Fund recognizing a capital gain and/or incurring
considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These factors may result in wider spreads
between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s Shares than for more
conventional ETFs. Additionally, to the extent that brokerage or other costs are
costs or taxable gains or losses that the Fund might not offset by transaction
fees, such costs may be borne by the Fund and result in a decrease in the value
of the Fund.
Commodities
Regulatory Risk: Under
regulations promulgated by the CFTC, the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
considered commodity pools, and therefore each is subject to regulation under
the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC rules. Global X has registered as a
commodity pool operator and manages the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary in
accordance with CFTC rules, as well as the rules that apply to registered
investment companies. Commodity pools are subject to additional laws,
regulations and enforcement policies, all of which may increase compliance costs
and may affect the operations and financial performance of the Fund and the
Global X Subsidiary. Additionally, positions in futures, options, and other
contracts may have to be liquidated at disadvantageous times or prices to
prevent the Fund from exceeding any applicable position limits established by
the CFTC. Such actions may subject the Fund to substantial losses. The
regulation of commodity transactions is subject to change and the effect of
future regulatory changes are impossible to predict but could adversely impact
the Fund. Such changes may compel the Fund to consider significant changes,
including substantially altering its principal investment strategies or, if
deemed necessary, liquidating the Fund.
Covered
Call Option Writing Risk:
By writing covered call options in return for the receipt of premiums, the Fund
will give up the opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of
the Bitcoin ETP above the exercise prices of such options, but will continue to
bear the risk of declines in the value of the Bitcoin ETP. The premiums received
from the options may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from the
volatility of the underlying stocks over time. As a result, the risks associated
with writing covered call options may be similar to the risks associated with
writing put options. In addition, the Fund’s ability to sell the securities
underlying the options will be limited while the options are in effect unless
the Fund cancels out the option positions through the purchase of offsetting
identical options prior to the expiration of the written options. Exchanges may
suspend the trading of options in volatile markets. If trading is suspended, the
Fund may be unable to write options at times that may be desirable or
advantageous to do so, which may impact the Fund's ability to generate
income.
Cryptocurrency
Risk:
The Fund is exposed to the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies such as
bitcoin or ether. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new and highly speculative
investment. Because the Fund may, at times, focus its investments in
cryptocurrencies, it may be susceptible to increased risk of loss, including
losses due to events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the
market as a whole.
Cryptocurrency, often referred to as “virtual
currency” or “digital currency,” operates as a decentralized, peer-to-peer
financial exchange and value storage that is used like money. The Fund will have
exposure to cryptocurrencies indirectly through investments in derivative
instruments and may have exposure to cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin or
ether. Cryptocurrencies operate without central authority or banks and are not
backed by any government. Cryptocurrencies may experience very high volatility,
and related investment vehicles that invest in cryptocurrencies may be affected
by such volatility. Cryptocurrency is not legal tender. Federal, state or
foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrency, and
regulation in the U.S. is still developing. Cryptocurrency exchanges have
stopped operating and have permanently shut down due to fraud, technical
glitches, hackers or malware. Cryptocurrency exchanges are new, largely
unregulated, and may be more exposed to fraud. The risks associated with
cryptocurrencies are set forth below.
Cryptocurrency
Custody Risk: Security
breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent
concern in relation to digital assets. The cryptocurrencies held by a
cryptocurrency ETPs’ custodian may be an appealing target to hackers or malware
distributors seeking to destroy, damage or steal a cryptocurrency ETPs’
cryptocurrency. To the extent that the cryptocurrency ETPs and their service
providers are unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats or
otherwise adapt to technological changes in the digital asset industry, a
cryptocurrency ETP’s cryptocurrencies may be subject to theft, loss, destruction
or other attack.
Cryptocurrency ETPs have put security procedures in
place to prevent such theft, loss or destruction, including but not limited to,
offline storage, or cold storage, multiple encrypted private key “shards”, and
other measures. Nevertheless, the security procedures cannot guarantee the
prevention of any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God
that may be borne by the cryptocurrency ETPs and the security procedures may not
protect against all errors, software flaws or other vulnerabilities in an
cryptocurrency ETP’s technical infrastructure, which could result in theft, loss
or damage of its assets. Assets not held in cold storage, such as assets held in
a trading account, may be more vulnerable to security breach, hacking or loss
than assets held in cold storage. Furthermore, assets held in a trading account
are held on an omnibus, rather than segregated basis, which creates greater risk
of loss.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Counterparty Risk: Transactions
in some types of derivatives, such as options on cryptocurrency futures ETFs or
spot cryptocurrency ETPs, are required to be centrally cleared. In transactions
involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty will be a clearing house.
As only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate
directly in the clearing house, the Fund must hold cleared derivatives through
accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will
make payments to and from a clearing house (including margin payments) through
their accounts at clearing members. Customer funds held at a clearing house in
connection with any options contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account
and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual
customers. As a result, assets deposited by the Fund with any clearing member as
margin for options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy other
clients’ losses. Also, in the event of a clearing member’s bankruptcy, although
clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the
clearing house, there is a risk that the assets of the Fund might not be fully
protected, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of
all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing member’s customers for
the relevant account class. The Fund is also subject to the risk that a limited
number of clearing members are willing to transact on the Fund’s behalf, which
increases the risks associated with a clearing member’s default. If a clearing
member defaults the Fund could lose some or all of the benefits of a transaction
entered into by the Fund with the clearing member. If the Fund cannot find a
clearing member to transact with on the Fund’s behalf, the Fund may be unable to
effectively implement its investment strategy.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Liquidity Risk: The market for derivatives on cryptocurrency-related instruments is
still developing and may be subject to periods of illiquidity which may lead to
difficulty in buying or selling a position at a desired price. Additionally,
periods of increased volatility and market disruptions can make it difficult to
find a counterparty willing to transact at a reasonable price and size. Illiquid
markets may cause significant losses. Also, the large size of the positions
which the Fund may engage in increases the difficulty of liquidation and
potentially increases the risk of losses. These larger positions may also impact
the price of options or other derivatives on cryptocurrency-related
instruments.
Cryptocurrency
Tax Risk: By
investing in cryptocurrency-related instruments indirectly through the Global X
Subsidiary, the Fund will obtain exposure to cryptocurrency within the federal
tax requirements that apply to the Fund. However, because the Global X
Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation, any income received by the Fund
from
its investments in the Global X Subsidiary will be passed through to
the Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than
capital gains.
Digital
Asset Regulatory Risk: Digital
asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and
adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the
value of the Fund’s investments in cryptocurrency ETPs, options on
cryptocurrency futures ETFs, options on cryptocurrency ETPs or options on a
cryptocurrency ETP Index, and cryptocurrency futures ETFs, such as by banning,
restricting or imposing onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of Ether,
staking, digital wallets, the provision of services related to trading and
custodying digital assets, the operation of the digital ledger that securely
records cryptocurrency transactions, or the digital asset markets generally.
Such occurrences could also impair the ability of a cryptocurrency futures ETF
or cryptocurrency ETP to meet its investment objective pursuant to its
investment strategy.
Fork
and Air Drop Risk: When
cryptocurrencies experience a fork or an air drop, a holder of the
cryptocurrency typically will receive an additional cryptocurrency or will be
entitled to claim an additional cryptocurrency. These additional
cryptocurrencies may have significant value, and the value of cryptocurrency may
decline significantly following a fork or air drop. Because the Fund and the
cryptocurrency futures ETFs do not hold ether directly, they will not be
entitled to participate in any fork or air drop, but they will be adversely
impacted by any resulting decline in the price of ether due to the
cryptocurrency futures ETF’s holdings of cryptocurrency futures. Some futures
exchanges may in the future publish mechanisms intended to compensate holders of
cryptocurrency futures for the loss in value following certain forks that meet
specified criteria, there can be no assurance that these mechanisms will
adequately compensate the Fund or the cryptocurrency futures ETFs for the full
loss of value or that any particular fork will meet the criteria for an
adjustment. In particular, there is substantial uncertainty as to how these
adjustment mechanisms will be implemented by the exchanges in practice, both in
terms of what forks and air drops will trigger an adjustment, and whether a
holder of cryptocurrency futures will receive a cash adjustment or an additional
futures contract linked to the new digital asset. Because of the uncertainty
around these adjustment mechanisms, it is also possible that a significant fork
of ether could lead to extended trading halts for the ether futures held by the
cryptocurrency futures ETF, which could lead to significant liquidity and
valuation risks for the cryptocurrency futures ETFs and its relative derivatives
as well as the Fund. It is possible that a fork of ether could substantially
reduce the value of the cryptocurrency futures held by the cryptocurrency
futures ETFs.
Irrevocability
of Transactions Risk:
Cryptocurrency transactions are typically not reversible without the consent and
active participation of the recipient of the transaction. Once a transaction has
been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an
incorrect transfer or theft of ether generally will not be reversible, and a
cryptocurrency ETP may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such
transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or
through theft or other criminal action, a cryptocurrency ETP’s ether could be
transferred from a cryptocurrency ETP’s custodian in incorrect amounts or to
unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled
accounts.
Cybersecurity
Risk: With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to
conduct business, the Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to
operational, information security and related risks. Cybersecurity incidents
involving the Fund and its service providers (including, without limitation, the
Adviser, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and financial
intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business
operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, impediments to trading,
the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance
costs.
FLEX
Options Risk:
The Fund may utilize FLEX options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the
OCC. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable to, or unwilling to,
perform their obligations under the contracts. In the unlikely event that the
OCC cannot meet their obligations, the Fund could suffer significant losses.
Additionally, FLEX options may be more illiquid than other securities, including
traditional options. To the extent that the FLEX options may not be expected to
experience regular trading, the FLEX options held by the Fund may be valued
based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by a
pricing service, rather than based on a price last traded on an exchange. In
less liquid markets for FLEX options, the Fund may have difficulty entering into
or closing out certain positions at designated times and/or prices, including in
connection with the options roll process. With the creation and redemption of
Shares, to the extent market participants are not willing or able to enter into
FLEX option transactions with the Fund at prices that reflect the market price
of the Shares, the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and, in turn the share price
of the Fund, could suffer significant losses. The Fund may experience
substantial downside from specific FLEX option positions, and some may expire
worthless. As a FLEX option approaches the predetermined expiration date, its
value typically moves in parallel with the value of the Bitcoin ETP. However,
prior to such date, the value of the FLEX options may not increase or decrease
at the same rate as the Bitcoin ETP’s share price on a day-to-day basis. The
value of the underlying FLEX options will be affected by many market factors,
such as
changes
in the Bitcoin ETP’s share price, interest rates, the volatility of the Bitcoin
ETP, and the remaining time to until the FLEX options
expire.
Focus
Risk: The
Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due to
events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the market as a
whole, to the extent that the Fund’s investments are focused in the securities
of a particular issuer or issuers within the same geographic region, market,
industry, group of industries, sector or asset
class.
Geographic
Risk: The
Fund’s investments in securities of issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region may subject the Fund to certain risks to a greater extent than
if its investments were less focused, including: natural, biological or other
disasters and the spread of infectious diseases; economic, political and social
instability; security concerns; and trade disputes with key trading partners.
The securities in which the Fund invests and, consequently, the Fund are also
subject to specific risks as a result of their business operations in a
particular country or region, including, but not limited to:
Risk
of Investing in Developed Markets: Investments
in a developed country’s issuer may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory,
political, currency, security, and economic risks specific to developed
countries. Developed countries tend to represent a significant portion of the
global economy and have generally experienced slower economic growth than some
less developed countries. Certain developed countries have experienced security
concerns, such as war, terrorism and strained international relations. Incidents
involving a country’s or region’s security may cause uncertainty in its markets
and may adversely affect its economy and the Fund’s investments. In addition,
developed countries may be adversely impacted by changes to the economic
conditions of certain key trading partners, regulatory burdens, debt burdens and
the price or availability of certain
commodities.
Risk
of Investing in the United States: Investments in United States issuers
may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and
economic risks specific to the United States. A decrease in imports or exports,
changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the U.S.
may have a material adverse effect on the U.S.
economy.
Income
Risk: Income risk is the risk that the Fund’s income will decline because
of falling interest rates.
Interest
Rate Risk: Interest
rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of fixed income securities
resulting from changes in the level of interest rates. When interest rates
decline, prices of fixed-income securities generally increase; and decrease when
interest rates increase. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term
interest rates rise sharply.
Variable and floating rate securities also
increase or decrease in value in response to changes in interest rates, although
generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes than fixed rate
securities. Variable and floating rate securities may decline in value if their
interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general.
When the Fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease in market
interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities,
which may also impact the net asset value of the Fund’s
Shares.
Investable
Universe of Companies Risk:
The investable universe of companies in which the Fund may invest may be
limited. The Fund may hold a large concentration of its net assets in a
single security or issuer. Holding a large concentration in a single security or
issues may expose the Fund to the market volatility of that specific security or
issuer if the security performs worse than the market as a whole, which could
adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Market
Risk: Turbulence in the financial markets and reduced liquidity may
negatively affect issuers, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund and
its investments. The Fund’s NAV could decline over short periods due to
short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.
Trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs, may dampen consumer spending
and result in decreased confidence in the markets. Additionally, political
uncertainty regarding U.S. policy, including the U.S. government’s approach to
trade, may also impact the markets. Furthermore, local, regional or global
events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases,
inflation and recessions, changes in interest or exchange rates, or other events
could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and trading of
its Shares. Market risk factors may result in increased volatility and/or
decreased liquidity in the securities markets.
New
Fund Risk: The
Fund is a new fund, with limited or no operating history, which may result in
additional risks for investors in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the
Board of Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. While shareholder
interests will be the paramount consideration, the timing of any liquidation may
not be favorable to certain individual shareholders. New funds are also subject
to Large Shareholder Risk.
Non-Diversification
Risk: The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), which means that the Fund
may invest a greater portion of its assets in securities of individual issuers
than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single
investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund
more volatile than more diversified funds.
Operational
Risk: The Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of
factors, including but not limited to human error, processing and communication
errors, errors of the Fund's service providers, counterparties or other
third-parties, failed or inadequate processes, cyber security incidents, and
technology or systems failures. The Fund and the Adviser seek to reduce these
operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do
not address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that they
are intended to address.
Options
Premium Tax Risk: An option premium is not subject to taxation upon receipt but
rather when such option is exercised, is sold or lapses. The Fund’s investment
strategy may limit its ability to distribute dividends eligible for treatment as
qualified dividend income, which for non-corporate shareholders are subject to
federal income tax at rates of up to 20% plus the 3.8% Medicare tax. The Fund’s
investment strategy may also limit its ability to distribute dividends eligible
for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. For these
reasons, a significant portion of distributions received by Fund shareholders
may be subject to tax at effective tax rates that are higher than the rates that
would apply if the Fund were to engage in a different investment strategy. You
should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of acquiring, owning
and disposing of Shares in the Fund.
Risks
Associated with Exchange-Traded Funds:
As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:
Authorized
Participants Concentration Risk: The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may
act as Authorized Participants and engage in creation or redemption transactions
directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated
to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent that those
Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to process creation
and/or redemption orders, such as in times of market stress, Shares may be more
likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and/or at wider intraday bid-ask
spreads, and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting from an exchange.
Authorized Participants Concentration Risk may be heightened because the Fund
invests in non-U.S. securities.
Large
Shareholder Risk: Certain
shareholders, including an Authorized Participant, the Adviser, an affiliate of
the Adviser, or funds managed by the Adviser, may own a substantial amount of
the Fund’s Shares. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant
negative impact on the Fund. If a large shareholder were to redeem all, or a
large portion, of its Shares, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able
to maintain sufficient assets to continue operations in which case the Board of
Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. In addition, transactions by large
shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on a
national securities exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or
downward effect on the market price of the Shares.
Listing
Standards Risk: The Fund is required to comply with listing requirements adopted by
the listing exchange. Non-compliance with such requirements may result in the
Fund's Shares being delisted by the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation
of the Fund could cause the Fund to incur elevated transaction costs and could
result in negative tax consequences for its shareholders.
Market
Trading Risks and Premium/Discount Risks:
Shares of the Fund are publicly traded on a national securities exchange, which
may subject shareholders to numerous market trading risks. In stressed market
conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in response to the
deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the
liquidity of the Shares, as well as disruptions to creations and redemptions,
the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of assets in the
Fund or an active trading market for Shares may result in Shares trading at a
significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a
time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time
when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain
losses. The NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and
fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The trading
price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates, in some cases materially, throughout
trading hours in response to changes in the Fund’s
NAV.
Risk
of Investing in Bitcoin Futures Contracts:
A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement for the future
sale by one party and the purchase by another of a specified security or
instrument at a specified price and time. The risks of futures contracts include
but are not limited to: (1) the success of the Adviser’s ability to predict
movements in the prices of individual currencies or securities, fluctuations in
markets and movements in interest rates; (2) an imperfect or no correlation
between
the changes in market value of the currencies or securities and the prices of
futures contracts; and (3) no guarantee that an active market will exist for the
contracts at any particular time.
Subsidiary
Investment Risk:
By investing in the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the
risks associated with the Global X Subsidiary’s investments and operations. The
derivative instruments and other investments held by the Global X Subsidiary are
similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund, and thus, present
the same risks whether they are held by the Fund or the Global X Subsidiary.
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Global X
Subsidiary will be achieved. The Global X Subsidiary is not registered under the
1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all
the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and
controls the Global X Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
both managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely that the Global X Subsidiary
will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment
activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Global X Subsidiary, and
the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Global X Subsidiary. In adhering to
the Fund’s investment restrictions and limitations, the Adviser will treat the
assets of the Global X Subsidiary generally in the same manner as assets that
are held directly by the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or
the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary,
respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or
the Global X Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders. By investing in the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly
exposed to the risks associated with the Global X Subsidiary’s investments and
operations. The derivative instruments and other investments held by the Global
X Subsidiary are similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund, and
thus, present the same risks whether they are held by the Fund or the Global X
Subsidiary. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the
Global X Subsidiary will be achieved. The Global X Subsidiary is not registered
under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not
subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund
wholly owns and controls the Global X Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Global X
Subsidiary are both managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely that the Global X
Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its
shareholders. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the
investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Global X
Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Global X Subsidiary.
In adhering to the Fund’s investment restrictions and limitations, the Adviser
will treat the assets of the Global X Subsidiary generally in the same manner as
assets that are held directly by the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United
States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Global X
Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the
Fund and/or the Global X Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus
and the Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund
and its shareholders.
Tax
Risk:
The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company ("RIC"). The Fund
expects to obtain exposure to bitcoin by purchasing listed futures contracts.
The Fund intends to invest in such contracts, in whole or in part, indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary. In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, the
Fund must, amongst other requirements detailed in the SAI, derive at least 90%
of its gross income each taxable year from qualifying income. Income from listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts in which the Fund invests directly may not be
considered qualifying income. The Fund will seek to limit such income so as to
qualify as a RIC. The Fund will seek to limit such income through the Global X
Subsidiary so as to qualify as a RIC. If a fund experiences difficulty in
satisfying RIC source-of-income requirements, or other RIC qualification
requirements, existing laws generally permit the fund to take certain actions to
bring itself back into compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements for
qualification as a RIC would have significant negative tax consequences to Fund
shareholders. See “Taxes – Fund Taxation” section of the Statement of Additional
Information for further discussion.
Trading
Halt Risk:
An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities,
or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be
restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell certain
securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be
unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its
investments and/or may incur substantial trading
losses.
Turnover
Risk: The
Fund may engage in frequent and active trading, which may significantly increase
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. At times, the Fund may have a portfolio
turnover rate substantially greater than 100%. For example, a portfolio turnover
rate of 300% is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of its securities
three times during the course of a year. A high portfolio turnover rate would
result in high brokerage costs for the Fund, may result in higher taxes when
Shares are held in a taxable account and lower Fund
performance.
Valuation
Risk:
The sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment
may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for
securities or other investments, such as cryptocurrency-related instruments,
that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value
methodology. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since
many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex
instruments or quote prices for them. The Fund’s ability to value its
investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing
services or
other
third-party service providers. Investments in digital asset-related products are
intended to reflect the price of digital assets, less fees and expenses, and the
shares may trade at a substantial premium to the net asset value of such assets.
As such, the price of digital asset-related products may go down even if the
price of the underlying digital asset remains unchanged. Additionally, shares
that trade at a premium mean that an investor who purchases $1 of a portfolio
will actually own less than $1 in assets.
PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION
The Fund does not have a full calendar year
of performance. Once the Fund
has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be
included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns and comparing the Fund’s
performance to a benchmark index. The Fund’s
performance is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will perform in the
future.
FUND
MANAGEMENT
Investment
Adviser:
Global X Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”).
Portfolio
Managers:
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund are Nam To, CFA and Sandy Lu, CFA (“Portfolio Managers”). Messrs. To and Lu
have been Portfolio Managers of the Fund since the Fund's
inception.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Shares
of the Fund are or will be listed and traded at market prices on a national
securities exchange. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the exchange
through a broker-dealer. The price of Shares is based on market price, and
because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Shares may trade
at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). Only
"Authorized Participants" (as defined in the SAI) who have entered into
agreements with the Fund's distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.
("Distributor"), may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
the Fund. The Fund will only issue or redeem Shares that have been aggregated
into blocks called "Creation Units". The Fund will issue or redeem Creation
Units in return for a basket of cash and/or securities that the Fund specifies
any day that the national securities exchanges are open for business (“Business
Day”). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the
highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and
the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when
buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). To
access information regarding the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums
and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, please go to
www.globalxetfs.com.
TAX
INFORMATION
The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxable to you as ordinary income
or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement
such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account ("IRA"), in which case
distributions from such tax-advantaged arrangement may be taxable to you.
PAYMENTS
TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The
Adviser and its related companies may pay broker-dealers or other financial
intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of Fund Shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your
broker-dealer, sales persons or other intermediary or its employees or
associated persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your
financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary's website for more
information.
Global X Ethereum
Covered Call ETF
Ticker:
EHCC Exchange: Cboe BZX
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
The
Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF ("Fund") seeks to provide current income
while also providing exposure to the price return of one or more U.S. listed
exchange-traded products that provide exposure to
ether.
FEES AND
EXPENSES
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and
sell shares (“Shares”) of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Management
Fees: |
0.75% |
|
Distribution
and Service (12b-1) Fees: |
None |
|
Other
Expenses:1 |
0.00% |
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses: |
0.75% |
1 Other Expenses are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal
year.
Example:
The following example
is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost
of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account customary
brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund
in the secondary market. The example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell
all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that
your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses
remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One
Year |
Three
Years |
| $77 |
$240 |
Portfolio
Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over"
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account.
These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the
example, affect the Fund's performance. This is a new fund and does not yet have
a portfolio turnover rate to disclose.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES
The
Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to provide
current income while also providing exposure to the price return of one or more
U.S.-listed exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) that seek exposure to ether (each
an “Ether ETP” and collectively, the “Ether ETPs”), subject to a cap on
potential investment gains. The Fund will
invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for
investment purposes, in assets providing direct or indirect exposure to ether
(“Ether”). Ether is a digital asset that is created and
transmitted through the operations of the peer-to-peer Ethereum network
(“Ethereum Network”). For purposes of the Fund’s investments, Ether may include
Ether ETPs, options on an Ether ETP Index (as defined below), and options on
Ether ETPs. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by utilizing a
synthetic covered call strategy that is designed to provide current income and
exposure to the share price returns of one or more Ether ETPs by purchasing and
selling a combination of call and put option contracts that utilize an Ether ETP
as the reference asset. The options contracts will reference one or more Ether
ETPs that invest principally in ether futures contracts (each, an “Ether Futures
ETF”) or invest directly in ether (each, a “Spot Ether ETP”). The Fund will
invest in Ether ETPs primarily through a subsidiary organized in the Cayman
Islands, namely the Global X Ethereum Covered Call Subsidiary Limited (the
“Global X Subsidiary”) and, in some cases, may also invest in Ether ETPs
directly. The Fund may also, to the extent available, gain exposure through
investment in options on indexes that are designed to track the performance of a
basket of Spot Ether ETPs listed on U.S. exchanges (“Ether ETP Index”). For
purposes of compliance with the Fund’s investment policy, derivative contracts
will be valued at their notional value. The notional value of a derivative
contract represents the total dollar value of exposure the derivative has to the
underlying asset. The Fund’s sale of call options on the Ether ETP to generate
income is expected to limit the degree to which the Fund will participate in any
gains experienced by the Ether ETP.
The
Fund does not invest directly in ether. The Fund does not invest in, or seek
direct exposure to, the current “spot” or cash price of ether. Investors seeking
direct exposure to the price of ether should consider an investment other than
the Fund.
A
traditional covered call strategy is generally considered to be an investment
strategy in which an investor (such as the Fund) "writes" (or sells) a call
option on an asset it owns to generate income. In a synthetic covered call
strategy, rather than selling a call option on an asset the Fund already owns,
the Fund writes a put option and purchases a call option on the underlying
asset, generally at the same strike price, which is the pre-set price at which
the underlying asset may be bought or sold if the option is exercised, to
“synthetically” replicate approximately 100% of the price movements of that
asset. The Fund can also achieve this synthetic exposure by purchasing deep
in-the-money call options on the underlying asset. These approaches
synthetically provide the upside and downside participation in the price returns
of the Ether ETPs, without directly purchasing the Ether ETPs. The Fund then
sells a call option on the same underlying asset to generate income. The Fund
may write call options on all or a portion of its net assets. Each time the Fund
writes a call option on an Ether ETP, the Fund receives a payment from the
investor who buys the call option from the Fund, which is called the premium. If
the Fund's value declines because of a decline in the value of a reference
asset, the premium that the Fund received for writing the call option on an
Ether ETP offsets this loss to some extent. The Fund’s writing (selling) of call
options on Ether-related instruments will limit the Fund’s upside participation
in increases in the value of Ether beyond the strike price of the written call
options. To the extent the share price of the underlying asset increases up to
the strike price, the Fund’s synthetic long exposure and direct exposure to Spot
Ether ETPs are expected to result in similar percentage gains. However, if the
share price of the underlying asset rises above the strike price of one or more
call options written by the Fund, the Fund’s upside participation will be
limited.
Deep
in-the-money call options have strike prices significantly below the current
share price of the corresponding underlying asset, having the effect of
synthetically replicating the price movements of the underlying asset with
minimal intrinsic value risk. This means the Fund’s investments in deep
in-the-money call options will experience potential gains and losses that are
commensurate with owning the underlying Ether ETPs outright. The deep
in-the-money call option approach may serve as an alternative to the Fund’s
strategy of writing put options and purchasing call options on underlying
assets, or may be used in conjunction with it, depending on market conditions
and the Adviser’s discretion.
In
addition, the Fund will generate income by selling call options that reference
the Ether ETP at a strike price that is at-the- money or out-of-the-money. An
at-the-money call option is a call option with a strike price that is equal to
the spot price of the reference asset. An out-of-the-money call option is a call
option with a strike price that is greater than the spot price of the reference
asset. An in-the-money call option is a call option with a strike price that is
less than the spot price of the reference asset.
It
is important to note that the sale of these call options to generate income will
limit the Fund’s ability to participate in increases in value of the Ether ETPs’
share price beyond a certain point. If the share price of the Ether ETPs
increases, the above-referenced synthetic long exposure would allow the Fund to
experience similar percentage gains. However, if the Ether ETPs’ share price
appreciates in value beyond the strike price of one or more of the call option
contracts that the Fund has sold to generate income, the Fund will lose money on
those short call positions, and the losses will, in turn, limit the upside
return of the Fund’s synthetic long exposure. As a result, the Fund’s overall
strategy (i.e., the combination of the synthetic long exposure to the Ether ETPs
and the sold Ether ETPs call positions) will limit the Fund’s participation in
gains of the Ether ETPs’ share price beyond a certain point. The Fund intends to
make periodic distribution payments.
The
implications of the options utilized in implementing the synthetic covered call
strategy are described in more detail here:
–Purchased
Call Option – When the Fund purchases a call option, the Fund pays an amount
(“premium”) to acquire the right (but not the obligation) to buy shares of a
reference asset at a specified exercise (“strike”) price on the expiration date.
If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the expiration date
and the Fund exercises the call option, the Fund will be entitled to receive the
difference between the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the
reference asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date, the
call option may end up worthless and the Fund’s loss is limited to the amount of
premium it paid. In the case of deep in-the-money call options, the price of the
reference asset is far greater than the strike price. Deep in-the-money call
options have higher intrinsic value and are considered to be more stable as the
value of the option is closely tied to the reference asset’s price. Because deep
in-the-money call options typically require a higher premium, the return on the
investment may be limited.
–Purchased
Put Option – When the Fund purchases a put option, the Fund pays an amount
(“premium”) to acquire the right (but not the obligation) to sell shares of a
reference asset at a specified exercise (“strike”) price on or before the
expiration date. If the reference asset closes below the strike price as of the
expiration date and the Fund exercises the put option, the Fund will be entitled
to receive the difference between the strike price and the value of the
reference asset. If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the
expiration date, the put option may expire worthless, and the Fund’s loss is
limited to the amount of the premium it paid.
–Sold
Put Option – When the Fund sells a put option, the Fund receives a premium in
exchange for an obligation to buy shares of a reference asset at a strike price
on the expiration date if the buyer of the put option exercises it. If the
reference asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date and the
buyer exercises the put option, the Fund
will
have to pay the difference between the value of the reference asset and the
strike price. If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the
expiration date, the put option may end up worthless and the Fund retains the
premium.
–Sold
Call Options – When the Fund sells a call option, the Fund receives a premium in
exchange for an obligation to sell shares of a reference asset at a strike price
on the expiration date if the buyer of the call option exercises it. If the
reference asset closes above the strike price as of the expiration date and the
buyer exercises the call option, the Fund will have to pay the difference
between the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the reference
asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date, the call option
may end up worthless and the Fund retains the premium.
In
implementing its investment strategy, the Fund intends to invest primarily in
traditional exchange-traded options contracts and/or FLexible
EXchange®
(“FLEX”) options that utilize the Ether ETPs as the reference asset, when
available. In general, an option is a contract that gives the purchaser (holder)
of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (call) or sell to
(put) the seller (writer) of the option the asset underlying the option (in this
case, Ether ETPs) at a specified exercise price. The writer of an option has the
obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying asset upon
payment of the exercise price (call) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery
of the underlying asset (put). Traditional exchange-traded options have
standardized terms, such as the type (call or put), the reference asset, the
strike price and expiration date. In comparison, FLEX options allow investors to
customize key contract terms, including expiration date, exercise style,
exercise price, and expanded positions limits. Both traditional exchange-traded
options and FLEX options are guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing
Corporation (“OCC”).
In
addition to the options contracts, the Fund will hold cash and cash equivalents
and may also invest in short-term U.S. Treasury securities and the Global X 1-3
Month T-Bill ETF (the “U.S. Treasury ETF”), a passively managed exchange-traded
fund (“ETF”) and affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may also directly hold shares
of the Ether ETPs. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to Ether ETPs and options on
Ether ETPs, in whole or in part, through investments in the Global X Subsidiary.
The Global X Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Fund’s
investment in the Global X Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total
assets at each quarter-end of the Fund’s fiscal year. However, there are there
are cure periods for certain violations of the asset diversification
requirements that apply to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund’s investment in
the Global X Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund with exposure to Ether
ETPs and options on Ether ETPs while enabling the Fund to satisfy
source-of-income requirements that apply to RICs under the Code. The Fund’s
allocation determinations may be informed by a variety of criteria, including,
but not limited to, liquidity, open interest/free float market capitalization,
regulatory requirements, anticipated cost of carry, correlation to the price
movements of ether, other fundamental investment considerations and/or the
then-current size of the Fund. Except as noted, references to the investment
strategies and risks of the Fund include the investment strategies and risks of
the Global X Subsidiary.
The
Fund is classified as "non-diversified," which means it may invest a larger
percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified
fund.
Additional
Information About Ether Futures ETFs
The
Ether Futures ETFs seek to provide investment results that correspond to the
performance of ether by investing in ether futures contracts through a
wholly-owned Cayman subsidiary. These ether futures contracts are standardized,
cash-settled Ether futures traded on commodity exchanges registered with the
CFTC. The Ether Futures ETFs seek to invest in cash-settled, front-month ether
futures contracts, which are contracts with the shortest time to maturity.
However, the Ether Futures ETFs may also invest in back-month, cash-settled
Ether futures contracts, which have a longer time to maturity.
In
order to maintain their exposure to ether futures contracts, the Ether Futures
ETFs must sell their futures contracts as they near expiration and replace them
with new futures contracts with a later expiration date. Futures contracts with
a longer term to expiration may be priced higher than futures contracts with a
shorter term to expiration, a relationship called “contango.” Conversely,
futures contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced lower than
futures contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship called
“backwardation.” When rolling futures contracts that are in contango, the Funds
may sell the expiring ether futures at a lower price and buy a longer-dated
ether futures at a higher price. The price difference between the expiring
contract and longer-dated contract associated with rolling ether futures is
typically substantially higher than the price difference associated with rolling
other futures contracts.
The
Ether Futures ETFs may also invest in debt securities, cash and cash equivalents
or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market
funds to provide liquidity, serve as margin or collateralize such Ether Futures
ETFs' investments in ether futures contracts. Due to the high margin
requirements that are unique to ether futures contracts and certain tests that
must be met in order to qualify as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under
Subchapter M of the Code, the Ether Futures ETFs may also utilize reverse
repurchase agreements during certain times of the year to help maintain the
desired level
of
exposure to ether futures contracts. The Ether Futures ETFs expect to gain
exposure to ether by investing in Ether futures contracts. The Ether Futures
ETFs do not invest directly in ether.
Additional
Information about Spot Ether ETPs
A
Spot Ether ETP seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the
performance of ether by holding the digital asset directly, rather than through
derivatives or futures contracts. Spot Ether ETPs offer investors transparent
and operationally efficient access to ether without the need to manage digital
wallets, private keys, or custody solutions, which are typically required when
directly accessing ether through peer-to-peer transactions, digital asset
platforms, or other means. However, investing in Spot Ether ETPs carries certain
risks, including ether’s inherent price volatility, potential regulatory
changes, and cybersecurity concerns.
Spot
Ether ETPs are typically structured as grantor trusts, where the trust holds
ether on behalf of its shareholders. This structure allows investors to directly
benefit from changes in the value of the underlying ether, as the trust is
designed to pass through the economic risks and rewards of ether ownership.
Unlike traditional ETFs that may be registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, Spot Ether ETPs are not registered under the 1940 Act. As a result,
they are not subject to the same regulatory requirements, protections, or
governance standards applicable to funds registered under the 1940 Act. The Spot
Ether ETPs are not commodity pools for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act of
1936, as amended (the “Commodity Exchange Act” or “CEA”), and the sponsors are
not subject to regulation by the CFTC as commodity pool operators or a commodity
trading advisors with respect to the Ether ETPs. Instead, these ETPs are
governed by other applicable securities laws, which provide a tailored framework
for disclosure and investor protection.
The
holdings of a Spot Ether ETP consist of ether acquired from digital asset
trading platforms or over-the-counter markets. These ether assets are stored
with institutional-grade custodians employing advanced security protocols, such
as cold storage and multi-signature technology, to minimize the risks of theft
or loss.
Additional
Information about Ether
Ether
is a digital asset. The ownership and operation of ether is determined by
participants in an online, peer-to-peer network sometimes referred to as the
“Ethereum Network.” The Ethereum Network allows people to exchange tokens of
value, called ether (or “ETH”), which are recorded on a public transaction
ledger known as a blockchain. Ether can be used to pay for goods and services,
or it can be converted to fiat currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, at rates
determined on digital asset trading platforms or in individual end-user to
end-user transactions under a barter system. The Ethereum Network connects
computers that run publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows
the rules and procedures governing the Ethereum Network. This is commonly
referred to as the Ethereum Protocol. The value of ether is not backed by any
government, corporation, or other identified body. Instead, its value is
determined in part by the supply and demand in markets created to facilitate the
trading of ether. Ownership and transaction records for ether are protected
through public-key cryptography. The supply of ether is determined by the
Ethereum Protocol. Following the initial distribution of ether, ether is
created, burned and allocated by the Ethereum Protocol through a process that is
currently subject to an issuance and burn rate. “Burning” refers to the process
through which tokens are permanently removed from the circulating supply. No
single entity owns or operates the Ethereum Network. The Ethereum Network is
collectively maintained by (1) a decentralized group of participants who run
computer software that results in the recording and validation of transactions
(commonly referred to as “validators”), (2) developers who propose improvements
to the Ethereum Protocol and the software that enforces the Protocol and (3)
users who choose which version of the Ethereum software to run. From time to
time, the developers suggest changes to the Ethereum software. If a sufficient
number of users and validators elect not to adopt the changes, a new digital
asset, operating on the earlier version of the Ethereum software, may be
created. This is often referred to as a “fork.” The price of the Ether futures
contracts in which the Fund invests may reflect the impact of these forks.
Further,
the Ethereum Network allows users to write and implement “smart contracts,”
which are cryptographic operations that verify and secure Ether transactions. A
smart contract operates by a pre-defined set of rules that allows it to automate
transactions on the blockchain through code that self-executes on every computer
in the Ethereum Network. Using smart contracts, users can create markets, store
registries of debts or promises, represent the ownership of property, move funds
in accordance with conditional instructions and create digital assets other than
ether on the Ethereum Network. Smart contract operations are executed on the
Ethereum Network in exchange for payment of ether. The Ethereum Network is one
of a number of projects intended to expand blockchain use beyond a peer-to-peer
money system. Unlike other digital assets, such as ether, which are solely
created through a progressive mining process, 72.0 million ether were created in
connection with the launch of the Ethereum network.
The
Fund will not invest in ether directly.
SUMMARY
OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
As with any
investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the
Fund's performance could trail that of other investments. There
is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and it is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency, the Adviser or any of its affiliates. The
Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely
affect the Fund's net asset value ("NAV"), trading price, yield, total return
and ability to meet its investment objective, as well as other risks that are
described in greater detail in the Additional
Information About the Fund
section of this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information
("SAI").
Active
Management Risk:
The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and
processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will be
successful or that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
Asset
Class Risk: Securities
and other assets held in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to
the general securities markets, a particular securities market or other asset
classes.
Derivatives
Risk:
The Fund will gain exposure to ether indirectly by investing in options on Ether
ETPs, a type of derivative instrument. Options are financial instruments that
give the buyer of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy the
underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specific time frame in
exchange for a premium.
Derivatives (e.g., options, futures contracts, forwards, swaps) are
instruments the value of which is derived from that of other assets, rates, or
indices. Derivative instruments that use digital asset-related products as the
reference asset may face heightened risks as a result of their exposure to the
underlying digital assets (e.g., volatility, speculative investment interest,
regulatory uncertainty). Derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in
interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices than conventional
securities, which can result in greater losses for the Fund. There is the risk
of imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative and that of the asset
underlying the derivative. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of
risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and
management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Certain derivatives
are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the
transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligations. Derivatives are
usually traded on margin, which may subject the Fund to margin calls. Margin
calls may force the Fund to liquidate assets. Further, the market for certain
derivatives may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions
independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular
issuer. If the Fund needed to sell a large block of illiquid securities to meet
shareholder redemption request or to raise cash, these sales could further
reduce the securities’ prices and adversely affect performance of the
Fund.
ETF
Investment Risk: The
Fund is subject to the same risks as underlying ETFs in which it may invest,
including: that the underlying ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or discount
to NAV; that an underlying ETF may experience a lack of liquidity that can
result in greater volatility than its underlying securities; that an active
trading market for an underlying ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained;
that trading in an underlying ETF’s shares may be halted in certain
circumstances; and that an underlying ETF may fail to achieve its investment
objective, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in the
underlying ETF and the overall performance of the Fund. Because the value of an
underlying ETF's shares depends on the demand in the market, the Adviser may not
be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings in those shares at the most optimal
time, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s performance.
An underlying ETF that seeks to track an underlying index may
experience tracking error in relation to the index. Further, a lack of liquidity
may result in the underlying ETF’s value being more volatile than the underlying
portfolio securities. Underlying ETFs in which the Fund invests may be
non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and its shares may be
more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests
in a broader range of securities. In addition, investments in the securities of
underlying ETFs may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other
expenses.
Ether
ETP Risk:
Ether ETPs are exchange-traded investment products not registered under the 1940
Act that seek to generally match the performance of the price of ether, and
trade intra-day on a national securities exchange. Shares of Ether ETPs are not
traded at net asset value, but may trade at prices above or below the value of
their underlying portfolios. The level of risk involved in the purchase or sale
of an Ether ETP is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of an
exchange-traded fund, and generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying
ether and cash that an Ether ETP holds. Ether ETPs are subject to management
fees and other fees that may increase their costs versus the costs of owning
ether directly. Ether ETPs generally determine the price of ether by reference
to a benchmark rate
or
index, and therefore may not reflect the global price of ether, or the price of
ether on any one digital asset trading platform. In the event the price used by
an Ether ETP deviates from the global price of ether, the Fund’s returns may be
adversely affected.
Ether
Futures ETF Risk:
Ether Futures ETFs do not invest directly in Ether. Instead, Ether Futures ETFs
obtain indirect exposure to ether by investing in ether futures contracts. The
market for ether futures contracts may be less developed, and potentially less
liquid and more volatile, than more established futures markets. While the
market for ether futures contracts has grown substantially since ether futures
contracts commenced trading, there can be no assurance that this growth will
continue. The price for ether futures contracts is based on a number of factors,
including the supply of and the demand for ether futures contracts. Market
conditions and expectations, position limits, accountability levels, collateral
requirements, availability of counterparties, and other factors each can impact
the supply of and demand for ether futures contracts. Additionally, due to the
high margin requirements that are unique to ether futures contracts, an Ether
Futures ETF may experience difficulty maintaining the desired level of exposure
to ether futures contracts. If an Ether Futures ETF is unable to achieve such
exposure it may not be able to meet its investment objective and the fund’s
returns may be different or lower than expected. Additionally, collateral
requirements may require an Ether Futures ETF to liquidate its positions,
potentially incurring losses and expenses, when it otherwise would not do so.
Investing in derivatives like ether futures contracts may be considered
aggressive and may expose an Ether Futures ETF to significant risks. These risks
include counterparty risk and liquidity risk.
U.S.
Treasury Obligations Risk:
U.S. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times
of issuance and other characteristics. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to
inflation risk, as the price of short term U.S. Treasury obligations tends to
fall during inflationary periods as investors seek higher yielding investments.
Changes to interest rates may also adversely affect the value and liquidity of
the U.S. Treasury obligations. Similar to other issuers, changes to the
financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value
of the Fund's investments in U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.
Notwithstanding that U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States, circumstances could arise that could prevent the
timely payment of interest or principal, such as reaching the legislative "debt
ceiling," which can in turn drive debt higher. Such non-payment could result in
losses to the Fund and substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy
and the global financial system.
Cash
Transaction Risk: Unlike most exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), the Fund intends to
effect a significant portion of creations and redemptions for cash, rather than
in-kind securities. As such, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio
securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds.
As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an
investment in a more conventional ETF. Moreover, cash transactions may have to
be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid
and may involve the Fund recognizing a capital gain and/or incurring
considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These factors may result in wider spreads
between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s Shares than for more
conventional ETFs. Additionally, to the extent that brokerage or other costs are
costs or taxable gains or losses that the Fund might not offset by transaction
fees, such costs may be borne by the Fund and result in a decrease in the value
of the Fund.
Commodities
Regulatory Risk: Under
regulations promulgated by the CFTC, the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
considered commodity pools, and therefore each is subject to regulation under
the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC rules. Global X has registered as a
commodity pool operator and manages the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary in
accordance with CFTC rules, as well as the rules that apply to registered
investment companies. Commodity pools are subject to additional laws,
regulations and enforcement policies, all of which may increase compliance costs
and may affect the operations and financial performance of the Fund and the
Global X Subsidiary. Additionally, positions in futures, options, and other
contracts may have to be liquidated at disadvantageous times or prices to
prevent the Fund from exceeding any applicable position limits established by
the CFTC. Such actions may subject the Fund to substantial losses. The
regulation of commodity transactions is subject to change and the effect of
future regulatory changes are impossible to predict but could adversely impact
the Fund. Such changes may compel the Fund to consider significant changes,
including substantially altering its principal investment strategies or, if
deemed necessary, liquidating the Fund.
Covered
Call Option Writing Risk:
By writing covered call options in return for the receipt of premiums, the Fund
will give up the opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of
the Ether ETP above the exercise prices of such options, but will continue to
bear the risk of declines in the value of the Ether ETP. The premiums received
from the options may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from the
volatility of the underlying stocks over time. As a result, the risks associated
with writing covered call options may be similar to the risks associated with
writing put options. In addition, the Fund’s ability to sell the securities
underlying the options will be limited while the options are in effect unless
the Fund cancels out the option positions through the purchase of offsetting
identical options prior to the expiration of the written options. Exchanges may
suspend
the trading of options in volatile markets. If trading is suspended, the Fund
may be unable to write options at times that may be desirable or advantageous to
do so, which may impact the Fund's ability to generate
income.
Cryptocurrency
Risk:
The Fund is exposed to the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies such as
bitcoin or ether. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new and highly speculative
investment. Because the Fund may, at times, focus its investments in
cryptocurrencies, it may be susceptible to increased risk of loss, including
losses due to events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the
market as a whole.
Cryptocurrency, often referred to as “virtual
currency” or “digital currency,” operates as a decentralized, peer-to-peer
financial exchange and value storage that is used like money. The Fund will have
exposure to cryptocurrencies indirectly through investments in derivative
instruments and may have exposure to cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin or
ether. Cryptocurrencies operate without central authority or banks and are not
backed by any government. Cryptocurrencies may experience very high volatility,
and related investment vehicles that invest in cryptocurrencies may be affected
by such volatility. Cryptocurrency is not legal tender. Federal, state or
foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrency, and
regulation in the U.S. is still developing. Cryptocurrency exchanges have
stopped operating and have permanently shut down due to fraud, technical
glitches, hackers or malware. Cryptocurrency exchanges are new, largely
unregulated, and may be more exposed to fraud. The risks associated with
cryptocurrencies are set forth below.
Cryptocurrency
Custody Risk: Security
breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent
concern in relation to digital assets. The cryptocurrencies held by a
cryptocurrency ETPs’ custodian may be an appealing target to hackers or malware
distributors seeking to destroy, damage or steal a cryptocurrency ETPs’
cryptocurrency. To the extent that the cryptocurrency ETPs and their service
providers are unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats or
otherwise adapt to technological changes in the digital asset industry, a
cryptocurrency ETP’s cryptocurrencies may be subject to theft, loss, destruction
or other attack.
Cryptocurrency ETPs have put security procedures in
place to prevent such theft, loss or destruction, including but not limited to,
offline storage, or cold storage, multiple encrypted private key “shards”, and
other measures. Nevertheless, the security procedures cannot guarantee the
prevention of any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God
that may be borne by the cryptocurrency ETPs and the security procedures may not
protect against all errors, software flaws or other vulnerabilities in an
cryptocurrency ETP’s technical infrastructure, which could result in theft, loss
or damage of its assets. Assets not held in cold storage, such as assets held in
a trading account, may be more vulnerable to security breach, hacking or loss
than assets held in cold storage. Furthermore, assets held in a trading account
are held on an omnibus, rather than segregated basis, which creates greater risk
of loss.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Counterparty Risk: Transactions
in some types of derivatives, such as options on cryptocurrency futures ETFs or
spot cryptocurrency ETPs, are required to be centrally cleared. In transactions
involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty will be a clearing house.
As only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate
directly in the clearing house, the Fund must hold cleared derivatives through
accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will
make payments to and from a clearing house (including margin payments) through
their accounts at clearing members. Customer funds held at a clearing house in
connection with any options contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account
and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual
customers. As a result, assets deposited by the Fund with any clearing member as
margin for options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy other
clients’ losses. Also, in the event of a clearing member’s bankruptcy, although
clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the
clearing house, there is a risk that the assets of the Fund might not be fully
protected, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of
all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing member’s customers for
the relevant account class. The Fund is also subject to the risk that a limited
number of clearing members are willing to transact on the Fund’s behalf, which
increases the risks associated with a clearing member’s default. If a clearing
member defaults the Fund could lose some or all of the benefits of a transaction
entered into by the Fund with the clearing member. If the Fund cannot find a
clearing member to transact with on the Fund’s behalf, the Fund may be unable to
effectively implement its investment strategy.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Liquidity Risk: The market for derivatives on cryptocurrency-related instruments is
still developing and may be subject to periods of illiquidity which may lead to
difficulty in buying or selling a position at a desired price. Additionally,
periods of increased volatility and market disruptions can make it difficult to
find a counterparty willing to transact at a reasonable price and size. Illiquid
markets may cause significant losses. Also, the large size of the positions
which the Fund may engage in increases the difficulty of liquidation and
potentially increases the risk of losses. These larger positions may also impact
the price of options or other derivatives on cryptocurrency-related
instruments.
Cryptocurrency
Tax Risk: By investing in cryptocurrency-related instruments indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund will obtain exposure to cryptocurrency
within the federal tax requirements that apply to the Fund. However, because the
Global X Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation, any income received by
the Fund from its investments in the Global X Subsidiary will be passed through
to the Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than
capital gains.
Digital
Asset Regulatory Risk: Digital
asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and
adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the
value of the Fund’s investments in cryptocurrency ETPs, options on
cryptocurrency futures ETFs, options on cryptocurrency ETPs or options on a
cryptocurrency ETP Index, and cryptocurrency futures ETFs, such as by banning,
restricting or imposing onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of Ether,
staking, digital wallets, the provision of services related to trading and
custodying digital assets, the operation of the digital ledger that securely
records cryptocurrency transactions, or the digital asset markets generally.
Such occurrences could also impair the ability of a cryptocurrency futures ETF
or cryptocurrency ETP to meet its investment objective pursuant to its
investment strategy.
Fork
and Air Drop Risk: When
cryptocurrencies experience a fork or an air drop, a holder of the
cryptocurrency typically will receive an additional cryptocurrency or will be
entitled to claim an additional cryptocurrency. These additional
cryptocurrencies may have significant value, and the value of cryptocurrency may
decline significantly following a fork or air drop. Because the Fund and the
cryptocurrency futures ETFs do not hold ether directly, they will not be
entitled to participate in any fork or air drop, but they will be adversely
impacted by any resulting decline in the price of ether due to the
cryptocurrency futures ETF’s holdings of cryptocurrency futures. Some futures
exchanges may in the future publish mechanisms intended to compensate holders of
cryptocurrency futures for the loss in value following certain forks that meet
specified criteria, there can be no assurance that these mechanisms will
adequately compensate the Fund or the cryptocurrency futures ETFs for the full
loss of value or that any particular fork will meet the criteria for an
adjustment. In particular, there is substantial uncertainty as to how these
adjustment mechanisms will be implemented by the exchanges in practice, both in
terms of what forks and air drops will trigger an adjustment, and whether a
holder of cryptocurrency futures will receive a cash adjustment or an additional
futures contract linked to the new digital asset. Because of the uncertainty
around these adjustment mechanisms, it is also possible that a significant fork
of ether could lead to extended trading halts for the ether futures held by the
cryptocurrency futures ETF, which could lead to significant liquidity and
valuation risks for the cryptocurrency futures ETFs and its relative derivatives
as well as the Fund. It is possible that a fork of ether could substantially
reduce the value of the cryptocurrency futures held by the cryptocurrency
futures ETFs.
Irrevocability
of Transactions Risk:
Cryptocurrency transactions are typically not reversible without the consent and
active participation of the recipient of the transaction. Once a transaction has
been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an
incorrect transfer or theft of ether generally will not be reversible, and a
cryptocurrency ETP may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such
transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or
through theft or other criminal action, a cryptocurrency ETP’s ether could be
transferred from a cryptocurrency ETP’s custodian in incorrect amounts or to
unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled
accounts.
Cybersecurity
Risk: With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to
conduct business, the Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to
operational, information security and related risks. Cybersecurity incidents
involving the Fund and its service providers (including, without limitation, the
Adviser, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and financial
intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business
operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, impediments to trading,
the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance
costs.
Ether
Risk:
The Fund’s investments in Ether are subject to fluctuations in the value of
ether. Ether is a relatively new innovation and the market for ether is subject
to rapid price swings, changes and uncertainty. The further development of the
Ethereum Network and the acceptance and use of ether are subject to a variety of
factors that are difficult to evaluate. The value of ether has been, and may
continue to be, substantially dependent on speculation, such that trading and
investing in these assets generally may not be based on fundamental analysis.
The slowing, stopping or reversing of the development of the Ethereum Network or
the acceptance of ether may adversely affect the price of ether. Ether is
subject to the risk of fraud, theft, manipulation or security failures,
operational or other problems that impact ether trading venues. Additionally, if
one or a coordinated group of validators were to gain control of 33% or more of
staked ether, they would have the ability to execute extensive attacks,
manipulate transactions and fraudulently obtain ether. If such a validator or
group of validators were to gain control of one-third of staked ether, they
could halt payments. A significant portion of ether is held by a small number of
holders sometimes referred to as “whales”. Transactions by these holders may
influence the price of ether and these holders
may
have the ability to manipulate the price of ether.
Unlike the exchanges
for more traditional assets, such as equity securities and futures contracts,
Ether and the digital asset trading venues on which it trades are largely
unregulated and highly fragmented and digital asset trading venues may be
operating out of compliance with regulations. As a result of the lack of
regulation, individuals or groups may engage in fraud or market manipulation
(including using social media to promote Ether in a way that artificially
increases the price of ether). Investors may be more exposed to the risk of
theft, fraud and market manipulation than when investing in more traditional
asset classes. Over the past several years, a number of digital asset trading
venues have been closed due to fraud, failure or security breaches. Investors in
ether may have little or no recourse should such theft, fraud or manipulation
occur and could suffer significant losses.
Legal or regulatory changes
may negatively impact the operation of the Ethereum Network or restrict the use
of ether. The digital asset trading venues upon which ether trades have been
subject to enforcement actions by regulatory authorities, and the Fund’s
investments in Ether may be negatively impacted by such regulatory enforcement
actions. Any such actions could significantly reduce the number of venues upon
which ether trades and could negatively impact Ether ETPs, options on Ether
Futures ETFs, options on Ether ETPs, options on Ether Futures ETFs, options on
an Ether ETP Index, the ether futures contracts held by the Ether Futures ETFs,
or the ether held by the Spot Ether ETPs.
In addition, digital asset
trading venues, ether validators, and other participants may have significant
exposure to other digital assets. Instability in the price, availability or
legal or regulatory status of those assets and/or instruments may adversely
impact the operation of the digital asset trading venues and the Ethereum
Network. The realization of any of these risks could result in a decline in the
acceptance of ether and consequently a reduction in the value of the Fund’s
investments. Such occurrences could also impair the ether-related instruments’
ability to meet their investment objective pursuant to their respective
investment strategy.
Lastly, the creation of a “fork” (as described
above) or a substantial giveaway of ether (sometimes referred to as an “air
drop”) may result in significant and unexpected declines in the value of ether,
ether-related instruments, and the Fund. A fork may be intentional, such as the
‘Merge.’ The ‘Merge’ refers to protocol changes altering the method by which
transactions are validated.
FLEX
Options Risk:
The Fund may utilize FLEX options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the
OCC. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable to, or unwilling to,
perform their obligations under the contracts. In the unlikely event that the
OCC cannot meet their obligations, the Fund could suffer significant losses.
Additionally, FLEX options may be more illiquid than other securities, including
traditional options. To the extent that the FLEX options may not be expected to
experience regular trading, the FLEX options held by the Fund may be valued
based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by a
pricing service, rather than based on a price last traded on an exchange. In
less liquid markets for FLEX options, the Fund may have difficulty entering into
or closing out certain positions at designated times and/or prices, including in
connection with the options roll process. With the creation and redemption of
Shares, to the extent market participants are not willing or able to enter into
FLEX option transactions with the Fund at prices that reflect the market price
of the Shares, the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and, in turn the share price
of the Fund, could suffer significant losses. The Fund may experience
substantial downside from specific FLEX option positions, and some may expire
worthless. As a FLEX option approaches the predetermined expiration date, its
value typically moves in parallel with the value of the Ether ETP. However,
prior to such date, the value of the FLEX options may not increase or decrease
at the same rate as the Ether ETP’s share price on a day-to-day basis. The value
of the underlying FLEX options will be affected by many market factors, such as
changes in the Ether ETP’s share price, interest rates, the volatility of the
Ether ETP, and the remaining time to until the FLEX options
expire.
Focus
Risk:
The Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due
to events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the market as a
whole, to the extent that the Fund’s investments are focused in the securities
of a particular issuer or issuers within the same geographic region, market,
industry, group of industries, sector or asset
class.
Geographic
Risk: The
Fund’s investments in securities of issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region may subject the Fund to certain risks to a greater extent than
if its investments were less focused, including: natural, biological or other
disasters and the spread of infectious diseases; economic, political and social
instability; security concerns; and trade disputes with key trading partners.
The securities in which the Fund invests and, consequently, the Fund are also
subject to specific risks as a result of their business operations in a
particular country or region, including, but not limited to:
Risk
of Investing in Developed Markets: Investments
in a developed country’s issuer may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory,
political, currency, security, and economic risks specific to developed
countries. Developed countries tend
to
represent a significant portion of the global economy and have generally
experienced slower economic growth than some less developed countries. Certain
developed countries have experienced security concerns, such as war, terrorism
and strained international relations. Incidents involving a country’s or
region’s security may cause uncertainty in its markets and may adversely affect
its economy and the Fund’s investments. In addition, developed countries may be
adversely impacted by changes to the economic conditions of certain key trading
partners, regulatory burdens, debt burdens and the price or availability of
certain commodities.
Risk
of Investing in the United States: Investments in United States issuers
may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and
economic risks specific to the United States. A decrease in imports or exports,
changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the U.S.
may have a material adverse effect on the U.S.
economy.
Income
Risk: Income risk is the risk that the Fund’s income will decline because
of falling interest rates.
Interest
Rate Risk: Interest
rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of fixed income securities
resulting from changes in the level of interest rates. When interest rates
decline, prices of fixed-income securities generally increase; and decrease when
interest rates increase. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term
interest rates rise sharply.
Variable and floating rate securities also
increase or decrease in value in response to changes in interest rates, although
generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes than fixed rate
securities. Variable and floating rate securities may decline in value if their
interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general.
When the Fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease in market
interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities,
which may also impact the net asset value of the Fund’s
Shares.
Investable
Universe of Companies Risk:
The investable universe of companies in which the Fund may invest may be
limited. The Fund may hold a large concentration of its net assets in a
single security or issuer. Holding a large concentration in a single security or
issues may expose the Fund to the market volatility of that specific security or
issuer if the security performs worse than the market as a whole, which could
adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Market
Risk: Turbulence in the financial markets and reduced liquidity may
negatively affect issuers, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund and
its investments. The Fund’s NAV could decline over short periods due to
short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.
Trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs, may dampen consumer spending
and result in decreased confidence in the markets. Additionally, political
uncertainty regarding U.S. policy, including the U.S. government’s approach to
trade, may also impact the markets. Furthermore, local, regional or global
events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases,
inflation and recessions, changes in interest or exchange rates, or other events
could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and trading of
its Shares. Market risk factors may result in increased volatility and/or
decreased liquidity in the securities markets.
New
Fund Risk: The
Fund is a new fund, with limited or no operating history, which may result in
additional risks for investors in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the
Board of Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. While shareholder
interests will be the paramount consideration, the timing of any liquidation may
not be favorable to certain individual shareholders. New funds are also subject
to Large Shareholder Risk.
Non-Diversification
Risk: The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), which means that the Fund
may invest a greater portion of its assets in securities of individual issuers
than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single
investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund
more volatile than more diversified funds.
Operational
Risk: The Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of
factors, including but not limited to human error, processing and communication
errors, errors of the Fund's service providers, counterparties or other
third-parties, failed or inadequate processes, cyber security incidents, and
technology or systems failures. The Fund and the Adviser seek to reduce these
operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do
not address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that they
are intended to address.
Options
Premium Tax Risk:
An option premium is not subject to taxation upon receipt but rather when such
option is exercised, is sold or lapses. The Fund’s investment strategy may limit
its ability to distribute dividends eligible for treatment as qualified dividend
income, which for non-corporate shareholders are subject to federal income tax
at rates of up to 20% plus the 3.8% Medicare tax. The Fund’s investment strategy
may also limit its ability to distribute dividends eligible for the
dividends-
received deduction for corporate shareholders. For these reasons, a
significant portion of distributions received by Fund shareholders may be
subject to tax at effective tax rates that are higher than the rates that would
apply if the Fund were to engage in a different investment strategy. You should
consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of acquiring, owning and
disposing of Shares in the Fund.
Risks
Associated with Exchange-Traded Funds:
As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:
Authorized
Participants Concentration Risk: The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may
act as Authorized Participants and engage in creation or redemption transactions
directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated
to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent that those
Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to process creation
and/or redemption orders, such as in times of market stress, Shares may be more
likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and/or at wider intraday bid-ask
spreads, and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting from an exchange.
Authorized Participants Concentration Risk may be heightened because the Fund
invests in non-U.S. securities.
Large
Shareholder Risk: Certain
shareholders, including an Authorized Participant, the Adviser, an affiliate of
the Adviser, or funds managed by the Adviser, may own a substantial amount of
the Fund’s Shares. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant
negative impact on the Fund. If a large shareholder were to redeem all, or a
large portion, of its Shares, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able
to maintain sufficient assets to continue operations in which case the Board of
Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. In addition, transactions by large
shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on a
national securities exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or
downward effect on the market price of the Shares.
Listing
Standards Risk: The Fund is required to comply with listing requirements adopted by
the listing exchange. Non-compliance with such requirements may result in the
Fund's Shares being delisted by the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation
of the Fund could cause the Fund to incur elevated transaction costs and could
result in negative tax consequences for its shareholders.
Market
Trading Risks and Premium/Discount Risks:
Shares of the Fund are publicly traded on a national securities exchange, which
may subject shareholders to numerous market trading risks. In stressed market
conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in response to the
deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the
liquidity of the Shares, as well as disruptions to creations and redemptions,
the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of assets in the
Fund or an active trading market for Shares may result in Shares trading at a
significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a
time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time
when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain
losses. The NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and
fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The trading
price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates, in some cases materially, throughout
trading hours in response to changes in the Fund’s
NAV.
Subsidiary
Investment Risk:
By investing in the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the
risks associated with the Global X Subsidiary’s investments and operations. The
derivative instruments and other investments held by the Global X Subsidiary are
similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund, and thus, present
the same risks whether they are held by the Fund or the Global X Subsidiary.
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Global X
Subsidiary will be achieved. The Global X Subsidiary is not registered under the
1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all
the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and
controls the Global X Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
both managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely that the Global X Subsidiary
will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment
activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Global X Subsidiary, and
the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Global X Subsidiary. In adhering to
the Fund’s investment restrictions and limitations, the Adviser will treat the
assets of the Global X Subsidiary generally in the same manner as assets that
are held directly by the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or
the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary,
respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or
the Global X Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders.
The
Fund may also invest in exchange-traded products that invest in their own
wholly-owned Cayman subsidiaries. Changes in the laws of the United States
and/or the Cayman Island, under which such subsidiaries are organized, could
result in the inability of the Fund and the funds that it invests in to operate
as intended, which could negatively affect the Fund and its
shareholders.
Tax
Risk:
The Fund intends to qualify as a “regulated investment company” or “RIC.” The
Fund expects to obtain exposure to ether through options that reference one or
more Ether ETPs or options on other ether-related instruments or products. The
Fund intends to invest in such contracts, in whole or in part, indirectly
through the Global X Subsidiary. In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, the
Fund must, amongst other requirements detailed in the SAI, derive at least 90%
of its gross income each taxable year from qualifying income. Income from
options on ether-related instruments in which the Fund invests directly may not
be considered qualifying income. The Fund will seek to limit such income so as
to qualify as a RIC. The Fund will seek to limit such income through the Global
X Subsidiary so as to qualify as a RIC. If a fund experiences difficulty in
satisfying RIC source-of-income requirements, or other RIC qualification
requirements, existing laws generally permit the fund to take certain actions to
bring itself back into compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements for
qualification as a RIC would have significant negative tax consequences to Fund
shareholders. See “Taxes – Fund Taxation” section of the Statement of Additional
Information for further discussion.
Trading
Halt Risk:
An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities,
or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be
restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell certain
securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be
unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its
investments and/or may incur substantial trading
losses.
Turnover
Risk: The
Fund may engage in frequent and active trading, which may significantly increase
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. At times, the Fund may have a portfolio
turnover rate substantially greater than 100%. For example, a portfolio turnover
rate of 300% is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of its securities
three times during the course of a year. A high portfolio turnover rate would
result in high brokerage costs for the Fund, may result in higher taxes when
Shares are held in a taxable account and lower Fund
performance.
Valuation
Risk:
The sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment
may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for
securities or other investments, such as cryptocurrency-related instruments,
that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value
methodology. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since
many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex
instruments or quote prices for them. The Fund’s ability to value its
investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing
services or other third-party service providers. Investments in digital
asset-related products are intended to reflect the price of digital assets, less
fees and expenses, and the shares may trade at a substantial premium to the net
asset value of such assets. As such, the price of digital asset-related products
may go down even if the price of the underlying digital asset remains unchanged.
Additionally, shares that trade at a premium mean that an investor who purchases
$1 of a portfolio will actually own less than $1 in
assets.
PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION
The Fund does not have a full calendar year
of performance. Once the Fund
has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be
included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns and comparing the Fund’s
performance to a benchmark index. The Fund’s
performance is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will perform in the
future.
FUND
MANAGEMENT
Investment
Adviser:
Global X Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”).
Portfolio
Managers:
The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund are Nam To, CFA and Sandy Lu, CFA (“Portfolio Managers”). Messrs. To and Lu
have been Portfolio Managers of the Fund since the Fund's
inception.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Shares
of the Fund are or will be listed and traded at market prices on a national
securities exchange. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the exchange
through a broker-dealer. The price of Shares is based on market price, and
because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Shares may trade
at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). Only
"Authorized Participants" (as defined in the SAI) who have entered into
agreements with the Fund's distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.
("Distributor"), may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
the Fund. The Fund will only issue or redeem Shares that have been aggregated
into blocks called "Creation Units". The Fund will issue or redeem Creation
Units in return for a basket of cash and/or securities that the Fund specifies
any day that the national securities exchanges are open for business (“Business
Day”). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference
between
the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid)
and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask)
when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). To
access information regarding the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums
and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, please go to
www.globalxetfs.com.
TAX
INFORMATION
The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxable to you as ordinary income
or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement
such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account ("IRA"), in which case
distributions from such tax-advantaged arrangement may be taxable to you.
PAYMENTS
TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The
Adviser and its related companies may pay broker-dealers or other financial
intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of Fund Shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your
broker-dealer, sales persons or other intermediary or its employees or
associated persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your
financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary's website for more
information.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
This
Prospectus contains information about investing in a Fund. Please read this
Prospectus carefully before you make any investment decisions. Shares of a Fund
are listed for trading on a national securities exchange. The market price for a
Share of a Fund may be different from the Fund’s most recent NAV.
Exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") are funds that trade like other publicly-traded
securities. Each Share of the Funds represents an ownership interest in an
underlying portfolio of securities. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be
bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based
on NAV, Shares of a Fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund at
NAV solely by Authorized Participants and only in Creation Unit increments. Also
unlike shares of a mutual fund, Shares of a Fund are listed on a national
securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that
change throughout the day. A Fund is designed to be used as part of broader
asset allocation strategies. Accordingly, an investment in a Fund should not
constitute a complete investment program.
Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
The
Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund
is an actively managed ETF that seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing directly or indirectly in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S.
“Blockchain Companies”, as defined below, and in long positions in U.S. listed
bitcoin futures (“Bitcoin Futures”) contracts. Such Bitcoin Futures contracts
will be standardized, cash-settled bitcoin futures contracts traded on commodity
exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).
Currently, the only such contracts are traded on, or subject to the rules of,
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund
will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings
for investment purposes, in Blockchain Companies and in long positions on U.S.
listed Bitcoin Futures contracts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will
invest at least 25% of its assets in Blockchain Companies and will have notional
exposure to Bitcoin Futures equal to at least 20% of the total assets of the
Fund. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund intends to gain exposure to
Blockchain Companies indirectly through investing in underlying ETFs holding
Blockchain Companies, including the passively-managed affiliated Global X
Blockchain ETF.
Such
investment in underlying ETFs holding Blockchain Companies may be used to
provide most, or even all, of the Fund’s exposure to Blockchain Companies, and
it is possible that the Fund may or may not invest directly in any Blockchain
Companies.
The
Fund's 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days prior
written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.
The
Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in “long” positions on listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts and in Blockchain Companies, including indirectly by
investment in underlying ETFs holding Blockchain Companies, including the
passively-managed affiliated Global X Blockchain ETF.
To
be “long” means to hold or be exposed to a security or instrument with the
expectation that its value will increase over time. The Fund will benefit if it
has a long position in a security or instrument that increases in value. The
Fund seeks to gain exposure to Bitcoin Futures, in whole or in part, through
investments in a subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands,
namely
the Global X Bitcoin Strategy Subsidiary I Limited (the “Global X Subsidiary”).
The Global X Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Fund’s
investment in the Global X Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total
assets at each quarter-end of the Fund’s fiscal year. However, there are cure
periods for certain violations of the asset diversification requirements that
apply to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund’s investment in the Global X
Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund with exposure to Bitcoin Futures
while enabling the Fund to satisfy source-of-income requirements that apply to
RICs under the Code.
The
Fund’s allocation determinations may be informed by a variety of criteria,
including, but not limited to, liquidity, open interest/free float market
capitalization, regulatory requirements, anticipated cost of carry, correlation
to the price movements of bitcoin, other fundamental investment considerations
and/or the then-current size of the Fund. For example, the Fund may allocate
proportionally greater exposure to Bitcoin Futures during periods where the
anticipated cost of carry for Bitcoin Futures is lower, as measured by the
time-weighted difference between the trading price of Bitcoin Futures relative
to the then-current price of bitcoin, and conversely may allocate proportionally
greater exposure to Blockchain Companies during periods where valuation
measures, including but not limited, to forward price-to-earnings or
price-to-sales ratios within the Blockchain Companies universe present
attractive relative value. Except as noted, references to the investment
strategies and risks of the Fund include the investment strategies and risks of
the Global X Subsidiary.
Blockchain
Companies include companies that derive or are expected to derive at least 50%
of their revenues, operating income, or assets from the following business
activities:
1.Digital
Asset Mining:
Companies involved in verifying and adding digital asset transactions to a
blockchain ledger (e.g. digital asset mining), or that produce technology used
in digital asset mining.
2.Blockchain
& Digital Asset Transactions:
Companies that operate trading platforms/exchanges, custodians, wallets, and/or
payment gateways for digital assets.
3.Blockchain
Applications:
Companies involved in the development and distribution of applications and
software services related to blockchain and digital asset technology, including
smart contracts.
4.Blockchain
& Digital Asset Hardware:
Companies that manufacture and distribute infrastructure and/or hardware used in
blockchain and digital asset activities.
5.Blockchain
& Digital Asset Integration:
Companies that provide engineering and consulting services specifically tied to
the adoption and utilization of blockchain and digital asset
technology.
Blockchain
Companies also include U.S.-listed operating companies that directly own a
material amount of digital assets.
As
of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund intends to gain exposure to Blockchain
Companies indirectly through investing in underlying ETFs holding Blockchain
Companies, including the passively-managed affiliated Global X Blockchain
ETF.
The
Fund may concentrate (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in investments
that provide exposure to bitcoin and Bitcoin Futures. The Fund concentrates its
investments (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in securities of
Blockchain Companies, including through its investment in underlying ETFs
holding Blockchain Companies, which will include the passively-managed
affiliated Global X Blockchain ETF.
Bitcoin
is recorded or reflected on a digital transaction ledger commonly known as a
“blockchain.” A blockchain is a type of shared and continually reconciled
database, retained in a decentralized manner on the computers of certain users
of the digital asset. A blockchain is a record of every digital asset: the
blockchain records every “coin” or “token,” balances of digital assets, every
transaction and every address associated with a quantity of a particular digital
asset. Bitcoin utilizes the blockchain to record transactions into and out of
different addresses, facilitating a determination of how much bitcoin is in each
address.
Bitcoin
is created by “mining.” Mining involves miners using a sophisticated computer
program to repeatedly solve complex mathematical problems on specialized
computer hardware. The mathematical problem involves a computation involving all
or some bitcoin transactions that have been proposed by the Bitcoin network’s
participants. When this problem is solved, the computer creates a “block”
consisting of these transactions. As each newly solved block refers back to and
“connects” with the immediately prior solved block, the addition of a new block
adds to the blockchain in a manner similar to a new link being added to a chain.
A miner’s proposed block is added to the blockchain once a majority of the nodes
on the network confirm the miner’s work. A miner that is successful in adding a
block to the blockchain is automatically awarded a fixed amount of bitcoin for
its efforts plus any transaction fees paid by transferors whose transactions are
recorded in the block. This reward system is the means by which new bitcoin
enter circulation. This reward system, called proof of work, also ensures that
the local copies of the Bitcoin blockchain maintained by participants in the
Bitcoin network are kept in consensus with one another.
Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF
This
Prospectus contains information about investing in the Fund. Please read this
Prospectus carefully before you make any investment decisions. Shares of the
Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange. The market price
for a Share of the Fund may be different from the Fund’s most recent NAV. ETFs
are funds that trade like other publicly-traded securities. Each Share of the
Fund represents an ownership interest in an underlying portfolio of securities.
Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the
issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, Shares of the Fund may
be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund at NAV solely by Authorized
Participants and only in Creation Unit increments. Also unlike shares of a
mutual fund, Shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange and
trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.
The Fund is designed to be used as part of broader asset allocation strategies.
Accordingly, an investment in the Fund should not constitute a complete
investment program.
The
Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide investment results that
correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the
Underlying Index. The Fund invests least 80% of its total assets, plus
borrowings for investment purposes (if any), in the constituents of the CoinDesk
Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index (the "Underlying Index"), and in other
securities the Adviser determines have economic characteristics that are
substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the constituents that
comprise the Underlying Index, such as U.S. listed Bitcoin Futures ETFs. In
addition, in seeking to track the Underlying Index, the Fund may invest in debt
securities that are not included in the Underlying Index, cash and cash
equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money
market funds. The Fund's 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires
60 days prior written notice to shareholders before it can be
changed.
The
Underlying Index systematically and dynamically allocates between (i) U.S.
exchange-traded bitcoin futures contracts (“Bitcoin Futures”), and (ii) the
Global X 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (the “U.S. Treasury ETF”), a passively managed
exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) and affiliate of the Fund. The Underlying Index
allocates between these two exposures based on the value of the Bitcoin Trend
Indicator (the “Signal”), a dynamic quantitative signal developed and
administrated by CoinDesk Indices, Inc. (the “Index Provider”) which aims to
detect the presence, direction, and strength of the price trend in bitcoin. The
Signal seeks to achieve this using a combination of four exponential moving
average calculations, which compute the average price of bitcoin over explicit
periods and are then combined into a single value. Based on the average of the
four exponential moving average calculations, the Signal will have one of five
possible values:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Trend
Indicator Value |
Indication |
Description |
Bitcoin
Futures Exposure |
| 1 |
Significant
Uptrend |
All
four inputs have a value of +1 |
100% |
| 0.5 |
Uptrend |
Three
of four inputs have a value of +1, and one input has a value of
-1 |
75% |
| 0 |
No
Trend |
Two
of four inputs have a value of +1, and two inputs have a value of
-1 |
50% |
| -0.5 |
Downtrend |
Three
of four inputs have a value of -1, and one input has a value of
+1 |
25% |
| -1 |
Significant
Downtrend |
All
four inputs have a value of -1 |
0% |
As
described in the chart above, at each scheduled rebalance date, the Underlying
Index increases its allocation to Bitcoin Futures when the value of the Signal
is higher, and decreases its allocation to Bitcoin Futures when the value of the
Signal is lower. The Signal relies on a comparison of recent bitcoin prices to
older bitcoin prices to gauge the presence, strength and direction of the
bitcoin price trend. This approach can present several risks, including but not
limited to: (1) a lag in trend identification, (2) frequent reversal of the
trend, (3) sensitivity to specific data periods which determine the Signal, (4)
market volatility that contributes to more erratic trends and/or (5) a change in
the trends that deviates materially from the historical observations used to
develop the Signal. Generally speaking, these risks could reduce the
effectiveness of the Signal at identifying bitcoin price trends, and may
contribute to higher turnover in certain circumstances.
The
Underlying Index allocates to Bitcoin Futures in accordance with the methodology
of the CoinDesk Bitcoin Futures Excess Return Index (“Bitcoin Futures
Sub-Index”). The Bitcoin Futures Sub-Index seeks to measure the performance of
the nearest maturing, monthly CME-listed Bitcoin Futures contract, including the
“roll yield” that is generated as the Bitcoin Futures Sub-Index transitions
(rolls) from the current futures contract to the next. The Bitcoin Futures
Sub-Index is a “rolling index” — the roll occurs over a four-day roll period
every month, effective prior to the close of trading one week preceding the last
trading date of the futures contract. The last trading date of Bitcoin Futures
contracts is generally the last Friday of the contract month. The Bitcoin
Futures Sub-Index rolls monthly and distributes the weights in equal 25%
increments each day over the four-day roll period.
The
Fund seeks to allocate to Bitcoin Futures and/or the U.S. Treasury ETF in
proportion to the Underlying Index.
Investment
in an underlying ETF holding U.S. Government securities, cash and cash
alternatives may be used to provide most, or even all, of the Fund’s exposure to
such instruments, and it is possible that the Fund may or may not invest
directly in any U.S. Government securities and cash and cash alternatives.
Bitcoin Futures contracts will be standardized, cash-settled Bitcoin Futures
contracts traded on commodity exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Currently, such contracts are only traded on, or
subject to the rules of, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”).
The
Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in “long” positions in listed
Bitcoin Futures contracts and in U.S. Government securities, cash and cash
equivalents, including indirectly by investment in underlying ETFs holding U.S.
Government securities, including the U.S. Treasury ETF. To be “long” means to
hold or be exposed to a security or instrument with the expectation that its
value will increase over time.
The
Fund will benefit if it has a long position in a security or instrument that
increases in value. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to Bitcoin Futures, in whole
or in part, through investments in a subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands,
namely the Global X Bitcoin Strategy Subsidiary Limited (the “Global X
Subsidiary”).
The
Global X Subsidiary is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Fund’s
investment in the Global X Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total
assets at each quarter-end of the Fund’s fiscal year. However, there are cure
periods for certain violations of the asset diversification requirements that
apply to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal
Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The
Fund’s investment in the Global X Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund
with exposure to Bitcoin Futures while enabling the Fund to satisfy
source-of-income requirements that apply to RICs under the Code. The Fund will
allocate to Bitcoin Futures in proportion to the value of the Signal and
rebalance dynamically in alignment with the Underlying Index. Except as noted,
references to the investment strategies and risks of the Fund include the
investment strategies and risks of the Global X Subsidiary.
The
Fund is classified as "non-diversified," which means it may invest a larger
percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.
The Fund concentrates its investments (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total
assets) in Bitcoin Futures and/or the U.S. Treasury ETF in approximately the
same extent as the Underlying Index is concentrated. As of December 31,
2025, the Underlying Index has significant exposure to Bitcoin
Futures.
Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF
The
Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to provide
current income while also providing exposure to the price return of one or more
U.S.-listed exchange-traded products ("ETPs") that seek exposure to bitcoin
(each a “Bitcoin ETP” and collectively, the “Bitcoin ETPs”), subject to a cap on
potential investment gains. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective
by utilizing a synthetic covered call strategy that is designed to provide
current income and exposure to the share price returns of one or more Bitcoin
ETPs. The Fund seeks to provide exposure through options contracts that
reference one or more Bitcoin ETPs that invest principally in bitcoin futures
contracts (each, a “Bitcoin Futures ETF”) or invests directly in bitcoin (each,
a “Spot Bitcoin ETP”). The Fund may also gain exposure through investment in
options on indexes that are designed to track the performance of a basket of
Spot Bitcoin ETFs listed on U.S. exchanges, such as the Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF
Index (“Bitcoin ETF Index”). The Fund expects to achieve its investment
objective by purchasing and selling a combination of call and put option
contracts that utilize a Bitcoin ETP as the reference asset. The Fund will
invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for
investment purposes, in assets providing direct or indirect exposure to bitcoin
(“Bitcoin”). Bitcoin includes options on Bitcoin ETF Indexes, options on Bitcoin
ETPs, Bitcoin ETPs, and U.S. exchange-traded bitcoin futures contracts. For
purposes of compliance with this investment policy, derivative contracts will be
valued at their notional value. The notional value of a derivative contract
represents the total dollar value of exposure the derivative has to the
underlying asset. The Fund’s sale of call options on the Bitcoin ETP to generate
income is expected to limit the degree to which the Fund will participate in any
gains experienced by the Bitcoin ETP.
The
Fund does not invest directly in bitcoin. The Fund does not invest in, or seek
direct exposure to, the current “spot” or cash price of bitcoin. Investors
seeking direct exposure to the price of bitcoin should consider an investment
other than the Fund.
Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF, Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF and
Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF
Bitcoin
Bitcoin
is a digital asset the ownership and behavior of which are determined by
participants in an online, peer-to-peer network that connects computers that run
publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows an agreed upon set
of rules and procedures. This network is referred to as the "Bitcoin network,"
and the rules and procedures governing the Bitcoin network are commonly referred
to as the "Bitcoin protocol." The value of bitcoin, like the value of other
digital assets, is not backed by any government, corporation or other identified
body. Ownership and the ability to transfer or take other actions with respect
to bitcoin is protected through the Bitcoin protocol, which
allows bitcoin to be sent to a publicly available address that is generated from
a private numerical key, but which prevents anyone other than the holder of such
private numerical key from accessing the bitcoin associated with the publicly
available address. The
supply of bitcoin is constrained or formulated by its protocol instead of being
explicitly delegated to an identified body (e.g., a central bank or corporate
treasury) to control. Bitcoin and certain other types of digital assets are
sometimes referred to as digital currencies or cryptocurrencies. No single
entity owns or operates the Bitcoin network, the infrastructure of which is
collectively maintained by (1) a decentralized group of participants who run
computer software that results in the recording and validation of transactions
(commonly referred to as “miners”), (2) developers who propose improvements to
the Bitcoin protocol and the software that enforces the protocol and (3) users
who choose what Bitcoin software to run. Bitcoin was released in 2009 and, as a
result, there is little data on its long-term investment potential. Bitcoin is
not backed by a government-issued legal tender. Bitcoin is “stored” or reflected
on a blockchain. A blockchain is a distributed, digital ledger that records and
stores transaction data of digital assets in units called “blocks.”
The
Funds will not invest in bitcoin directly.
Global
X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
The
Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to provide
current income while also providing exposure to the price return of one or more
U.S.-listed exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) that seek exposure to ether (each
an “Ether ETP” and collectively, the “Ether ETPs”), subject to a cap on
potential investment gains. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets,
plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes, in assets providing
direct or indirect exposure to ether (“Ether”). Ether is a digital asset that is
created and transmitted through the operations of the peer-to-peer Ethereum
network (“Ethereum Network”). For purposes of the Fund’s investments, Ether may
include Ether ETPs, options on an Ether ETP Index (as defined below), and
options on Ether ETPs. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
utilizing a synthetic covered call strategy that is designed to provide current
income and exposure to the share price returns of one or more Ether ETPs by
purchasing and selling a combination of call and put option contracts that
utilize an Ether ETP as the reference asset. The options contracts will
reference one or more Ether ETPs that invest principally in ether futures
contracts (each, an “Ether Futures ETF”) or invest directly in ether (each, a
“Spot Ether ETP”). The Fund will invest in Ether ETPs primarily through a
subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands, namely the Global X Ethereum Covered
Call Subsidiary Limited (the “Global X Subsidiary”) and, in some cases, may also
invest in Ether ETPs directly. The Fund may also, to the extent available, gain
exposure through investment in options on indexes that are designed to track the
performance of a basket of Spot Ether ETPs listed on U.S. exchanges (“Ether ETP
Index”). For purposes of compliance with the Fund’s investment policy,
derivative contracts will be valued at their notional value. The notional value
of a derivative contract represents the total dollar value of exposure the
derivative has to the underlying asset. The Fund’s sale of call options on the
Ether ETP to generate income is expected to limit the degree to which the Fund
will participate in any gains experienced by the Ether ETP.
The
Fund does not invest directly in ether. The Fund does not invest in, or seek
direct exposure to, the current “spot” or cash price of ether. Investors seeking
direct exposure to the price of ether should consider an investment other than
the Fund.
Ether
Ether
is a digital asset. The ownership and operation of ether is determined by
participants in an online, peer-to-peer network sometimes referred to as the
“Ethereum Network.” The Ethereum Network allows people to exchange tokens of
value, called ether (or “ETH”), which are recorded on a public transaction
ledger known as a blockchain. Ether can be used to pay for goods and services,
or it can be converted to fiat currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, at rates
determined on digital asset trading platforms or in individual end-user to
end-user transactions under a barter system. The Ethereum Network connects
computers that run publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows
the rules and procedures governing the Ethereum Network. This is commonly
referred to as the Ethereum Protocol. The value of ether is not backed by any
government, corporation, or other identified body. Instead, its value is
determined in part by the supply and demand in markets created to facilitate the
trading of ether. Ownership and transaction records for ether are protected
through public-key cryptography. The supply of ether is determined by the
Ethereum Protocol. Following the initial distribution of ether, ether is
created, burned and allocated by the Ethereum Protocol through a process that is
currently subject to an issuance and burn rate. “Burning” refers to the process
through which tokens are permanently removed from the circulating supply. No
single entity owns or operates the Ethereum Network. The Ethereum Network is
collectively maintained by (1) a decentralized group of participants who run
computer software that results in the recording and validation of transactions
(commonly referred to as “validators”), (2) developers who propose improvements
to the Ethereum Protocol and the software that enforces the Protocol and (3)
users who choose which version of the Ethereum software to run. From time to
time, the developers suggest changes to the Ethereum software. If a sufficient
number of users and validators elect not to adopt the changes, a new digital
asset, operating on the earlier version of the Ethereum software, may be
created. This is often referred to as a “fork.” The price of the Ether futures
contracts in which the Fund invests may reflect the impact of these forks.
Further,
the Ethereum Network allows users to write and implement “smart contracts,”
which are cryptographic operations that verify and secure Ether transactions. A
smart contract operates by a pre-defined set of rules that allows it to automate
transactions on the blockchain through code that self-executes on every computer
in the Ethereum Network. Using smart contracts, users can create markets, store
registries of debts or promises, represent the ownership of property, move funds
in accordance with conditional instructions and create digital assets other than
ether on the Ethereum Network. Smart contract operations are executed on the
Ethereum Network in exchange for payment of ether. The Ethereum Network is one
of a number of projects intended to expand blockchain use beyond a peer-to-peer
money system. Unlike other digital assets, such as ether, which are solely
created through a progressive mining process, 72.0 million ether were created in
connection with the launch of the Ethereum network.
The
Fund will not invest in ether directly.
Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
Synthetic
Covered Call Strategies
The
implications of the options utilized in implementing the synthetic covered call
strategy are described in more detail here:
–Purchased
Call Option – When the Fund purchases a call option, the Fund pays an amount
(“premium”) to acquire the right (but not the obligation) to buy shares of a
reference asset at a specified exercise (“strike”) price on the expiration date.
If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the expiration date
and the Fund exercises the call option, the Fund will be entitled to receive the
difference between the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the
reference asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date, the
call option may end up worthless and the Fund’s loss is limited to the amount of
premium it paid. In the case of deep in-the-money call options, the price of the
reference asset is far greater than the strike price. Deep in-the-money call
options have higher intrinsic value and are considered to be more stable as the
value of the option is closely tied to the reference asset’s price. Because deep
in-the-money call options typically require a higher premium, the return on the
investment may be limited.
–Purchased
Put Option – When the Fund purchases a put option, the Fund pays an amount
(“premium”) to acquire the right (but not the obligation) to sell shares of a
reference asset at a specified exercise (“strike”) price on or before the
expiration date. If the reference asset closes below the strike price as of the
expiration date and the Fund exercises the put option, the Fund will be entitled
to receive the difference between the strike price and the value of the
reference asset. If the reference asset closes above the strike price as of the
expiration date, the put option may expire worthless, and the Fund’s loss is
limited to the amount of the premium it paid.
–Sold
Put Option – When the Fund sells a put option, the Fund receives a premium in
exchange for an obligation to buy shares of a reference asset at a strike price
on the expiration date if the buyer of the put option exercises it. If the
reference asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date and the
buyer exercises the put option, the Fund will have to pay the difference between
the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the reference asset
closes above the strike price as of the expiration date, the put option may end
up worthless and the Fund retains the premium.
–Sold
Call Options – When the Fund sells a call option, the Fund receives a premium in
exchange for an obligation to sell shares of a reference asset at a strike price
on the expiration date if the buyer of the call option exercises it. If the
reference asset closes above the strike price as of the expiration date and the
buyer exercises the call option, the Fund will have to pay the difference
between the value of the reference asset and the strike price. If the reference
asset closes below the strike price as of the expiration date, the call option
may end up worthless and the Fund retains the premium.
A
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
Each
Fund is subject to various risks, including the principal risks noted below, any
of which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV, trading price, yield, total return
and ability to meet its investment objective. You could lose all or part of your
investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments.
The
Funds may not be suitable for all investors and investors should carefully
consider and fully understand the risks involved in a Fund’s investment
strategy. The Funds' indirect exposure to cryptocurrencies may make the Funds a
more volatile investment than other funds.
The value of an investment in the Funds could decline significantly and without
warning, including to zero. An investor should be in a position to bear the
potential loss of their entire investment in the Fund.
Active
Management Risk
Active
Management Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF,
the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and the Global X Ethereum Covered Call
ETF
The
Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes.
There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes will be successful
or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The
performance of the Fund will reflect, in part, the ability of the Adviser to
select investments and to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving
the Fund’s investment objective. The Adviser’s assessment of a particular
investment, company, sector or country and/or assessment of broader economic,
financial or other macro views, may prove incorrect,
including
because of factors that were not adequately foreseen, and the selection of
investments may not perform as well as expected when those investments were
purchased or as well as the markets generally, resulting in Fund losses or
underperformance. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes
will produce the intended results and no guarantee that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective or outperform other investment strategies over the
short- or long-term market cycles. This risk is exacerbated when an investment
or multiple investments made as a result of such decisions are significant
relative to the Fund’s net assets.
Asset
Class Risk
Asset
Class Risk applies to each Fund
The
returns from the types of securities and/or assets in which the Fund invests may
under-perform returns from the various general securities markets or different
asset classes. The assets may under-perform investments that track other
markets, segments, sectors or assets. Different types of assets tend to go
through cycles of out-performance and under-performance in comparison to the
general securities markets.
Bitcoin
ETP Risk
Bitcoin
ETP Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF
Bitcoin
ETPs are exchange-traded investment products not registered under the 1940 Act
that seek to generally match the performance of the price of bitcoin, and trade
intra-day on a national securities exchange. Shares of Bitcoin ETPs are not
traded at net asset value, but may trade at prices above or below the value of
their underlying portfolios. The level of risk involved in the purchase or sale
of a Bitcoin ETP is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of an
exchange-traded fund, and generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying
bitcoin and cash that a Bitcoin ETP holds. Bitcoin ETPs are subject to
management fees and other fees that may increase their costs versus the costs of
owning bitcoin directly. Bitcoin ETPs generally determine the price of bitcoin
by reference to a benchmark rate or index, and therefore may not reflect the
global price of bitcoin, or the price of bitcoin on any one digital asset
trading platform. In the event the price used by a Bitcoin ETP deviates from the
global price of bitcoin, the Fund’s returns may be adversely
affected.
Bitcoin
Futures Risk
Bitcoin
Futures Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF,
Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF and Global X Bitcoin Covered Call
ETF
Trading
in the cash bitcoin market remains difficult as compared to more traditional
cash markets, and in particular short selling bitcoin remains challenging and
costly. As a result of these features of the bitcoin cash market, market makers
and arbitrageurs may not be as willing to participate in the Bitcoin Futures
market as they are in other futures markets. Each of these factors may increase
the likelihood that the price of Bitcoin Futures will be volatile and/or will
deviate from the price of bitcoin. Bitcoin Futures may experience significant
price volatility. Exchange-specified collateral for Bitcoin Futures is
substantially higher than for most other futures contracts, and collateral may
be set as a percentage of the value of the contract, which means that collateral
requirements for long positions can increase if the price of the contract rises.
In addition, futures commission merchants (FCMs) may require collateral beyond
the exchange’s minimum requirement. FCMs may also restrict trading activity in
Bitcoin Futures by imposing position limits, prohibiting selling short the
future or prohibiting trades where the executing broker places a trade on behalf
of another broker (so-called “give-up transactions”). Although the Fund will
only take long positions in Bitcoin Futures, restrictions on the ability of
certain market participants to take short Bitcoin Futures positions may
ultimately constrain the Fund’s ability to take long positions in Bitcoin
Futures or may impact the price at which the Fund is able to take such
positions. Bitcoin Futures are subject to daily limits that may impede a market
participant’s ability to exit a position during a period of high volatility. See
“Derivatives Risk.”
Exchanges
where bitcoin is traded (which are the source of the price(s) used to determine
the cash settlement amount for the Fund’s Bitcoin Futures) have experienced
technical and operational issues, making bitcoin prices unavailable at times.
During periods of high volatility for bitcoin prices, the prices at which
bitcoin traded on various exchanges have diverged, and some bitcoin exchanges
have experienced issues relating to account access and trade execution during
such periods. The cash market in bitcoin has been the target of fraud and
manipulation, which could affect the pricing, volatility and liquidity of the
futures contracts. In addition, if settlement prices for Bitcoin Futures are
unavailable (which may occur following a trading suspension imposed by the
exchange due to large price movements or following
a
fork of Bitcoin, or for other reasons) or the Adviser Valuation Committee
determines such settlement prices are unreliable, the fair value of the Fund’s
Bitcoin Futures may be determined by reference, in whole or in part, to the cash
market in bitcoin. See “Valuation Risk”. These circumstances may be more likely
to occur with respect to Bitcoin Futures than with respect to futures on more
traditional assets.
Additionally,
because the Fund does not intend to invest in bitcoin directly, it intends to
only invest in cash-settled Bitcoin Futures. This means that if the market for
Bitcoin Futures grows towards favoring physically-settled instruments (meaning
futures contracts that are settled by the actual delivery of bitcoin in exchange
for payment by the purchaser of the futures price agreed to at the outset of the
contract), the Fund will likely not benefit from this market growth. There is no
way to predict whether additional new offerings of Bitcoin Futures will be
cash-settled or physically-settled.
The
price for Bitcoin Futures is based on a number of factors, including the supply
of and the demand for Bitcoin Futures. Market conditions and expectations,
position limits, collateral requirements, and other factors each can impact the
supply of and demand for Bitcoin Futures. Recently, increased demand paired with
supply constraints and other factors have caused Bitcoin Futures to trade at a
significant premium to the “spot” price of bitcoin. Additional demand, including
demand resulting from the purchase, or anticipated purchase, of futures
contracts by the Fund or other entities may increase that premium, perhaps
significantly. It is not possible to predict whether or how long such conditions
will continue. To the extent the Fund purchases Bitcoin Futures at a premium and
the premium declines, the value of an investment in the Fund also should be
expected to decline.
Futures
contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced higher than futures
contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship called “contango.”
Conversely, futures contracts with a longer term to expiration may be priced
lower than futures contracts with a shorter term to expiration, a relationship
called “backwardation.” When rolling futures contracts that are in contango, the
Fund may sell the expiring Bitcoin Futures at a lower price and buy a
longer-dated Bitcoin Futures at a higher price. The price difference between the
expiring contract and longer-dated contract associated with rolling Bitcoin
Futures is typically substantially higher than the price difference associated
with rolling other futures contracts. Bitcoin Futures have historically
experienced extended periods of contango. Contango in the Bitcoin Futures market
may have a significant adverse impact on the performance of the Fund and may
cause Bitcoin Futures to underperform spot bitcoin. Additionally, because of the
frequency with which the Fund may roll futures contracts, the impact of contango
or backwardation on Fund performance may be greater than it would have been if
the Fund rolled Bitcoin Futures less frequently.
China
A-Shares Risk
China
A-Shares Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
A-Shares
are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China and are traded on Chinese
exchanges. Foreign investors can access investments in A-Shares by obtaining a
QFII or a RQFII license, as well as through the Stock Connect Programs. The Fund
currently intends to gain exposure to A-Shares through the Stock Connect
Programs. Trading suspensions in certain stocks could lead to greater market
execution risk, valuation risks, liquidity risks and costs for the Fund, as well
as for Authorized Participants that create and redeem Creation Units of the
Fund. The SSE and SZSE currently apply a daily limit of the amount of
fluctuation permitted in the prices of A-shares during a single trading day. The
daily limit refers to price movements only and does not restrict trading within
the relevant limit. In addition, investors from outside mainland China may face
difficulties or prohibitions accessing certain A-Shares that are part of a
restricted list in countries such as the U.S. A-Shares may also be subject to
frequent and widespread trading halts, which can increase pricing volatility and
cause the A-Shares to become illiquid. There can be no assurance that a liquid
market on an exchange will exist for any particular A-share or for any
particular time. Additionally, during instances where aggregate limits on
foreign ownership are exceeded. the Fund may be unable to purchase additional
equity securities of a particular company. This could increase the Fund’s
tracking error and/or cause the Fund to trade in the market at greater bid-ask
spreads or greater premiums or discounts to the Fund’s NAV. Given that the
A-share market is considered volatile and unstable (with the risk of widespread
trading suspensions or government intervention), the creation and redemption of
Creation Units (as defined below) may also be disrupted. These risks, among
others, could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Investments in China A-shares may not be covered by the
securities investor protection programs of the exchanges and, without the
protection of such programs, are subject to the risk of default. In the event of
a default on the Stock Connect Program, the Fund may not be able to recover its
losses.
Depositary
Receipts Risk
Depositary
Receipts Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
The
Fund may invest in depositary receipts, such as ADRs and GDRs. Depositary
receipts, such as ADRs and GDRs, are receipts listed on U.S. or foreign
exchanges issued by banks or trust companies that entitle the holder to all
dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares.
ADRs are certificates that evidence ownership of shares of a foreign issuer and
are alternatives to purchasing the underlying foreign securities directly in
their national markets and currencies. GDRs are certificates issued by an
international bank that generally are traded and denominated in the currencies
of countries other than the home country of the issuer of the underlying shares.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks associated with
direct investments in the securities of foreign companies. In addition, the
underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts are under no obligation to
distribute shareholder communications or pass through any voting rights with
respect to the deposited securities to the holders of such receipts. A holder of
a depositary receipt may therefore receive less timely information or have less
control than if it invested directly in the foreign issuer. Certain countries
may limit the ability to convert depositary receipts into the underlying foreign
securities and vice versa, which may cause the securities of the foreign company
to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the related depositary
receipts. A holder of depositary receipts may also be subject to fees and the
credit risk of the financial institution acting as depositary. Unsponsored
depositary receipts may involve higher expenses, fewer shareholder rights, and
may be less liquid. Additionally, the issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts
are not obligated to disclose information that would be considered material in
the U.S. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these
issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the
market value of the depositary receipts.
Derivatives
Risk
Derivatives
Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund will gain exposure to digital assets indirectly by investing in derivative
instruments. Derivatives (e.g., options, futures contracts, forwards, swaps) are
instruments the value of which is derived from that of other assets, rates, or
indices. Derivative instruments that use digital asset-related products as the
reference asset may face heightened risks as a result of their exposure to the
underlying digital assets (e.g., volatility, speculative investment interest,
regulatory uncertainty). Adverse price movements in a derivatives instrument can
result in a loss substantially greater than the Fund’s initial investment in
that instrument (in some cases, the potential loss is unlimited). Investments in
derivatives expose the Fund to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative
counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations), including credit
risk of the derivative counterparty, and settlement risk (the risk faced when
one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but
has not yet received value from its counterparty).
Some derivatives are
more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other
securities. Further, the market for certain derivatives investments may become
illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific
adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. The possible lack of a
liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of a Fund to
sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose a Fund to losses and
could make derivatives more difficult for a Fund to value accurately. If the
Fund needed to sell a large block of illiquid securities to meet shareholder
redemption request or to raise cash, these sales could further reduce the
securities’ prices and adversely affect performance of the Fund. Derivatives are
usually traded on margin, which may subject the Fund to margin calls. Margin
calls may force the Fund to liquidate assets.
The Fund’s investments in
derivatives may have uncertain tax implications for the Fund and the Fund may be
unable to close out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences.
The use of derivatives exposes a Fund to operational risks, such as
documentation and settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and
human error.
Equity
Securities Risk
Equity
Securities Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
The
Fund may invest in equity securities, which are subject to changes in value that
may be attributable to market perception of a particular issuer, general stock
market fluctuations, or as a result of such factors as a company’s business
performance, investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic
conditions. For example, the value of a company’s common stock may fall solely
because of factors that negatively impact other companies in the
same
region, industry or sector of the market. A company’s common stock also may
decline significantly in price over a short period of time due to factors
specific to that company, including decisions made by its management or lower
demand for the company’s products or services. Investments in equity securities
may be more volatile than investments in other asset classes.
ETF
Investment Risk
ETF
Investment Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund may hold ETFs to gain exposure to certain asset classes. As a result, the
Fund may be subject to the same risks as the underlying ETFs.
An
underlying ETFs that seeks to track an underlying index may experience tracking
error in relation to the index, or a lack of liquidity may result in an
underlying ETF’s value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio
securities. Because the value of an underlying ETF's shares depends on the
demand in the market, the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s
holdings in those shares at the most optimal time, thereby adversely affecting
the Fund’s performance. Further, an underlying ETF's shares may trade at a
premium or discount to NAV.
Underlying
ETFs in which the Fund invests may be non-diversified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). This means that there is no restriction under
the 1940 Act on how much an underlying ETF may invest in the securities of a
single issuer. Therefore, the value of an underlying ETF’s shares may be
volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a
broader range of securities. In addition, the Fund or underlying ETFs may hold
common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits of the
underlying ETFs.
Investments
in the securities of an underlying ETF may also involve the duplication of
advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage
commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of underlying
ETFs, which could result in greater expenses to the Fund.
A
complete list of each underlying ETF held by the Fund can be found daily on the
Trust’s website.
Ether
ETP Risk
Ether
ETP Risk applies to Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
Ether
ETPs are exchange-traded investment products not registered under the 1940 Act
that seek to generally match the performance of the price of ether, and trade
intra-day on a national securities exchange. Shares of Ether ETPs are not traded
at net asset value, but may trade at prices above or below the value of their
underlying portfolios. The level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of an
Ether ETP is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of an
exchange-traded fund, and generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying
ether and cash that an Ether ETP holds. Ether ETPs are subject to management
fees and other fees that may increase their costs versus the costs of owning
ether directly. Ether ETPs generally determine the price of ether by reference
to a benchmark rate or index, and therefore may not reflect the global price of
ether, or the price of ether on any one digital asset trading platform. In the
event the price used by an Ether ETP deviates from the global price of ether,
the Fund’s returns may be adversely affected.
Ether
Futures ETF Risk
Ether
Futures ETF Risk applies to Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
Ether
Futures ETFs do not invest directly in Ether. Instead, Ether Futures ETFs obtain
indirect exposure to ether by investing in ether futures contracts. The market
for ether futures contracts may be less developed, and potentially less liquid
and more volatile, than more established futures markets. While the market for
ether futures contracts has grown substantially since ether futures contracts
commenced trading, there can be no assurance that this growth will continue. The
price for ether futures contracts is based on a number of factors, including the
supply of and the demand for ether futures contracts. Market conditions and
expectations, position limits, accountability levels, collateral requirements,
availability of counterparties, and other factors each can impact the supply of
and demand for ether futures contracts. Additionally, due to the high margin
requirements that are unique to ether futures contracts, an Ether Futures ETF
may experience difficulty maintaining the desired level of exposure to ether
futures contracts. If an Ether Futures ETF is unable to achieve such exposure it
may not be able to meet its investment objective and the fund’s returns may be
different or lower than expected. Additionally, collateral requirements may
require an Ether Futures ETF to liquidate its positions, potentially incurring
losses and expenses, when it otherwise would not do so. Investing in derivatives
like
ether
futures contracts may be considered aggressive and may expose an Ether Futures
ETF to significant risks. These risks include counterparty risk and liquidity
risk.
U.S.
Treasury Obligations Risk
U.S.
Treasury Obligations Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF,
Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and Global X Ethereum Covered Call
ETF
A
security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United
States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal
when held to maturity. Investments in debt securities are generally affected by
changes in prevailing interest rates and the creditworthiness of the issuer.
Prices of U.S. Treasury securities fall when prevailing interest rates rise.
Price fluctuations of longer-term U.S. Treasury securities are greater than
price fluctuations of shorter-term U.S. Treasury securities and may be as great
as price fluctuations of common stock. The Fund’s yield on investments in U.S.
Treasury securities will fluctuate as the Fund is invested in U.S. Treasury
securities with different interest rates. Notwithstanding that U.S. Treasury
obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,
circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or
principal, such as reaching the legislative "debt ceiling”. A high national debt
level could increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which
may drive debt higher. In addition, a high national debt level raises concerns
that the U.S. government will not be able to make principal or interest payments
when they are due. Similar to other issuers, changes to the financial condition
or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund's
investments in U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. In addition, uncertainty in
regard to the U.S. debt ceiling may increase the volatility in U.S. Treasury
obligations and can heighten the potential for a credit rating downgrade, which
could have an adverse effect on the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury
obligations.
Associated
Risks Related to Investing in Blockchain Companies
Associated
Risks Related to Investing in Blockchain Companies applies to the Global X
Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
Blockchain
companies may be adversely impacted by government regulations, limited operating
histories, or economic conditions. Blockchain technology is new, and its uses
are in many cases untested or unclear. These companies may also have significant
exposure to fluctuations in the spot prices of digital assets, particularly to
the extent that demand for a company’s hardware or services may increase as the
spot price of digital assets increase. Blockchain companies typically face
intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. In addition,
many Blockchain companies store sensitive consumer information and could be the
target of cybersecurity attacks and other types of theft, which could have a
negative impact on these companies. Access to a given blockchain may require a
specific cryptographic key (in effect, a string of characters granting unique
access to initiate transactions related to specific digital assets) or set of
keys, the theft, loss, or destruction of which, either by accident or as a
result of the efforts of a third party, could irrevocably impair a claim to the
digital assets stored on that blockchain.
Many Blockchain companies
currently operate under less regulatory scrutiny than traditional financial
services companies and banks, but there is significant risk that regulatory
oversight could increase in the future. For example, companies that operate
trading platforms and/or exchanges may face heightened regulatory risks
associated with their operations. The SEC has made several public statements
indicating that some cryptocurrency exchanges may be operating unregistered
securities exchanges in violation of applicable regulations. In August 2021, the
SEC settled charges with Poloniex for selling digital asset securities between
2017 and 2019 without registering as a national securities exchange. In November
2022, the collapse and subsequent Chapter 11 bankruptcy of major cryptocurrency
trading platforms FTX and BlockFi severely impacted investor confidence in
cryptocurrencies and prompted calls for more regulatory action. Higher levels of
regulation could increase costs and adversely impact the current business models
of some Blockchain companies and could even result in the outright prohibition
of certain business activities. For example, on September 24, 2021, multiple
Chinese regulators issued prohibitions on all cryptocurrency transactions and
mining. Any further restrictions imposed by governments, including China or the
United States of America, on crypto-currency related activities may adversely
impact Blockchain Companies and, in turn, the Fund. These companies could be
negatively impacted by disruptions in service caused by hardware or software
failure, or by interruptions or delays in service by third-party data center
hosting facilities and maintenance providers. Blockchain companies involved in
digital assets may face slow adoption rates and be subject to higher levels of
regulatory scrutiny in the future, which could severely impact the viability of
these companies. Blockchain companies, especially smaller companies, tend to be
more volatile than companies that do not rely heavily on technology. The
customers and/or suppliers of Blockchain companies may be concentrated in a
particular country, region or industry. Any adverse event affecting one of these
countries, regions or industries could have a negative impact on Blockchain
companies. Many Blockchain companies have limited operating histories and may
lack the necessary safeguards to ensure their long-term viability. On July 6,
2022, Voyager Digital, a U.S. crypto brokerage, filed for
Chapter
11 bankruptcy protection. Voyager Digital suffered significant losses due to its
lending practices in which it issued under-collateralized loans to companies
within the digital asset ecosystem. Shares of Voyager Digital were subsequently
delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Bitcoin
Risk
Bitcoin
Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF, the Global X
Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF and the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call
ETF
Bitcoin
is a relatively new asset with a limited history. It is subject to unique and
substantial risks, and historically has been a highly speculative asset and has
experienced significant price volatility. While the Fund will not invest
directly in bitcoin, the value of the Fund’s investments in Bitcoin Futures and
other bitcoin-linked derivatives and bitcoin funds is subject to fluctuations in
the value of the bitcoin, which may be highly volatile.
The
value of bitcoin is determined by supply and demand in the global market, which
consists primarily of transactions of bitcoin on electronic exchanges (“Bitcoin
Exchanges”). Pricing on Bitcoin Exchanges and/or other venues could drop
precipitously for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to,
regulatory changes, a crisis of confidence, a flaw or operational issue in the
bitcoin network, or users preferring competing digital assets and
cryptocurrencies. The further development of bitcoin as an asset and the growing
acceptance and use of bitcoin in the marketplace are subject to a variety of
factors that are difficult to evaluate. Bitcoin faces significant scaling
obstacles that can lead to high fees or slow transaction settlement times.
Bitcoin is dependent upon the internet. A significant disruption in internet
connectivity could disrupt the Bitcoin network’s operations until the disruption
is resolved and have an adverse effect on the price of bitcoin. Currently, there
is relatively limited use of bitcoin in the retail and commercial marketplace,
which contributes to price volatility. A lack of expansion, or a contraction in
the use of bitcoin, may result in increased volatility in its value. The use of
bitcoin to, among other things, buy and sell goods and services is part of a new
and rapidly evolving industry that employs digital assets based upon
computer-generated mathematical and/or cryptographic protocols. Bitcoin is a
prominent, but not unique, part of this industry. The growth of this industry is
subject to a high degree of uncertainty. Some of the factors affecting the
further development of this industry, include, but are not limited
to:
• continued
worldwide growth or possible cessation or reversal in the adoption and use of
bitcoin and other digital assets;
• government
and quasi-government regulation of bitcoin and other digital assets and their
use, including taxation of bitcoin transactions, or restrictions on or
regulation of access to and operation of the Bitcoin network and other digital
asset networks;
• changes
in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences, including the
possibility that market participants may come to prefer other digital assets to
bitcoin for a variety of reasons, including that such other digital currencies
may have features (like different consensus mechanisms) or uses (like the
ability to facilitate smart contracts) that bitcoin lacks;
• the
maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the Bitcoin
network;
• the
availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling
goods and services, including new means of using government-issued
currencies;
• the
use of the networks supporting digital assets for developing smart contracts and
distributed applications;
• general
economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to digital assets;
and
• negative
consumer or public perception of bitcoin specifically and other digital assets
generally.
Legal
or regulatory changes may negatively impact the operation of bitcoin’s network
or protocols or restrict the ability to use bitcoin. Additionally, bitcoin
transactions are irrevocable and stolen or incorrectly transferred bitcoin may
be irretrievable. The realization of any of these risks could result in a
decline in the acceptance of bitcoin and consequently a reduction in the value
of bitcoin, Bitcoin Futures, and the Fund.
Bitcoin
also is subject to the risk of fraud, theft and manipulation, as well as
security failures and operational or other problems that impact bitcoin trading
venues. Unlike the exchanges utilized by traditional assets, such as equity and
bond securities, Bitcoin Exchanges are largely unregulated. Fraudulent trading
practices, such as the intentional dissemination of false or misleading
information, can lead to a disruption of the orderly functioning of markets,
significant market volatility, and cause the value of Bitcoin Futures to
fluctuate quickly and without warning. Crypto Asset Exchanges are largely
unregulated and, therefore, are more exposed to fraud and failure than
established, regulated exchanges for securities, derivatives and other
currencies. As a result, individuals or groups may engage in insider trading,
fraud or market manipulation with respect to crypto assets thus impacting the
value of bitcoin and bitcoin futures. Such manipulation could cause investors in
bitcoin to lose money. As a result, individuals or groups may engage in fraud
and investors in bitcoin may be more exposed to the risk of theft and market
manipulation than when investing in more traditional asset classes. Investors in
bitcoin may have little or no recourse
should
such theft, fraud or manipulation occur and could suffer significant losses,
which could ultimately impact bitcoin utilization, the price of bitcoin and the
value of Fund investments with indirect exposure to bitcoin. Additionally, if
one or a coordinated group of miners were to gain control of 51% of the Bitcoin
Network, they would have the ability to manipulate transactions, halt payments
and fraudulently obtain bitcoin. A significant portion of bitcoin is held by a
small number of holders, who may have the ability to manipulate the price of
bitcoin. In addition, Bitcoin Exchanges are subject to the risk of cybersecurity
threats and in the past have been breached, resulting in the theft and/or loss
of digital assets, including bitcoin. A risk also exists with respect to
malicious actors or previously unknown vulnerabilities in the network or its
protocols, which may adversely affect the value of bitcoin. The value of the
Fund’s indirect bitcoin investments through futures could decline rapidly,
including to zero.
Capitalization
Risk
Capitalization
Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
Investing
in issuers within the same market capitalization category carries the risk that
the category may be out of favor due to current market conditions or investor
sentiment.
Mid-Capitalization
Companies Risk
Mid-Capitalization
Companies Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
Mid-capitalization
companies may have greater price volatility, lower trading volume and less
liquidity than large-capitalization companies. In addition, mid-capitalization
companies may have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management
depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer
financial resources and less competitive strength than large-capitalization
companies. These securities may have returns that vary, sometimes significantly,
from the overall securities market.
Small-Capitalization
Companies Risk
Small-Capitalization
Companies Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
Small-capitalization
companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume and less
liquidity than larger, more established companies. In addition, these companies
are often subject to less analyst coverage and may be in early and less
predictable periods of their corporate existences. These companies tend to have
smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience,
smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources
and less competitive strength than larger companies. These securities may have
returns that vary, sometimes significantly, from the overall securities market.
Cash
Transaction Risk
Cash
Transaction Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and Global X
Ethereum Covered Call ETF
Unlike
most ETFs, the Fund intends to effect a significant portion of creations and
redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As a result, an investment
in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a more conventional
ETF. Because the Fund currently intends to effect redemptions for cash, rather
than in-kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in
order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. If the Fund
recognizes gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize
gain it might not otherwise have recognized, or to recognize such gain sooner
than would otherwise be required if it were to distribute portfolio securities
in-kind. The Fund generally intends to distribute these gains to shareholders to
avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the
special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be
subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier
date than, if they had made an investment in a different ETF. Moreover, cash
transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities
market is relatively illiquid and may involve the Fund recognizing a capital
gain and/or incurring considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These factors may
result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s
Shares than for more conventional ETFs. To the extent that the maximum
additional variable charge for cash creation or cash redemption transactions is
insufficient to cover the transaction costs of purchasing or selling portfolio
securities, the Fund’s performance could be negatively impacted. Additionally,
to the extent that brokerage or other costs are costs or taxable gains or losses
that the Fund might not offset by transaction fees, such costs may be borne by
the Fund and result in a decrease in the value of the Fund.
Commodities
Regulatory Risk
Commodities
Regulatory Risk applies to each Fund
Under
amended regulations promulgated by the CFTC, the Fund and the Global X
Subsidiary are considered commodity pools, and therefore each is subject to
regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC rules. Global X has
registered as a commodity pool operator and manages the Fund and the Global X
Subsidiary in accordance with CFTC rules, as well as the rules that apply to
registered investment companies. Commodity pools are subject to additional laws,
regulations and enforcement policies, all of which may potentially increase
compliance costs and may affect the operations and financial performance of the
Fund and the Global X Subsidiary. Additionally, positions in futures and other
contracts may have to be liquidated at disadvantageous times or prices to
prevent the Fund from exceeding any applicable position limits established by
the CFTC. Such actions may subject the Fund to substantial losses.
Covered
Call Option Writing Risk:
Covered
Call Option Writing Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and
Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
By
writing covered call options in return for the receipt of premiums, the Fund
will give up the opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of
a cryptocurrency ETP above the exercise prices of such options, but will
continue to bear the risk of declines in the value of a cryptocurrency ETP. The
premiums received from the options may not be sufficient to offset any losses
sustained from the volatility of the underlying stocks over time. As a result,
the risks associated with writing covered call options may be similar to the
risks associated with writing put options. In addition, the Fund’s ability to
sell the assets underlying the options will be limited while the options are in
effect unless the Fund cancels out the option positions through the purchase of
offsetting identical options prior to the expiration of the written options.
Exchanges may suspend the trading of options in volatile markets. If trading is
suspended, the Fund may be unable to write options at times that may be
desirable or advantageous to do so, which may impact the Fund's ability to
generate income.
Cryptocurrency
Risk
Cryptocurrency
Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund is exposed to the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin or
ether. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new and highly speculative investment.
Because the Fund may, at times, focus its investments in cryptocurrencies, it
may be susceptible to increased risk of loss, including losses due to events
that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the market as a whole.
Cryptocurrency, often referred to as “virtual currency” or “digital
currency,” operates as a decentralized, peer-to-peer financial exchange and
value storage that is used like money. The Fund will have exposure to
cryptocurrencies indirectly through investments in derivative instruments and
may have exposure to cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin or ether.
Cryptocurrencies operate without central authority or banks and are not backed
by any government. Cryptocurrencies may experience very high volatility, and
related investment vehicles that invest in cryptocurrencies may be affected by
such volatility. Cryptocurrency is not legal tender. Federal, state or foreign
governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrency, and regulation
in the U.S. is still developing. Cryptocurrency exchanges have stopped operating
and have permanently shut down due to fraud, technical glitches, hackers or
malware. Cryptocurrency exchanges are new, largely unregulated, and may be more
exposed to fraud. The risks associated with cryptocurrencies are set forth
below.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Counterparty Risk
Transactions
in some types of derivatives, such as options on cryptocurrency futures ETFs or
spot cryptocurrency ETPs, are required to be centrally cleared. In transactions
involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty will be a clearing house.
As only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate
directly in the clearing house, the Fund must hold cleared derivatives through
accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will
make payments to and from a clearing house (including margin payments) through
their accounts at clearing members. Customer funds held at a clearing house in
connection with any options contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account
and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual
customers. As a result, assets deposited by the Fund with any clearing member as
margin for options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy other
clients’ losses. Also, in the event of a clearing member’s bankruptcy, although
clearing members
guarantee
performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house, there is a risk
that the assets of the Fund might not be fully protected, as the Fund would be
limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on
behalf of the clearing member’s customers for the relevant account class. The
Fund is also subject to the risk that a limited number of clearing members are
willing to transact on the Fund’s behalf, which increases the risks associated
with a clearing member’s default. If a clearing member defaults the Fund could
lose some or all of the benefits of a transaction entered into by the Fund with
the clearing member. If the Fund cannot find a clearing member to transact with
on the Fund’s behalf, the Fund may be unable to effectively implement its
investment strategy.
Cryptocurrency
Derivatives Liquidity Risk
The
market for options on cryptocurrency-related instruments is still developing and
may be subject to periods of illiquidity which may lead to difficulty in buying
or selling a position at a desired price. Additionally, periods of increased
volatility and market disruptions can make it difficult to find a counterparty
willing to transact at a reasonable price and size. Illiquid markets may cause
significant losses. Also, the large size of the positions which the Fund may
engage in increases the difficulty of liquidation and potentially increases the
risk of losses. These larger positions may also impact the price of options on
cryptocurrency-related instruments.
Market conditions and expectations,
margin requirements, position limits, accountability levels, collateral
requirements, availability of counterparties, and other factors may also limit
the Fund’s ability to achieve its desired exposure to options contracts on
cryptocurrency-related instruments. If the Fund is unable to achieve such
exposure, it may not be able to meet its investment objectives and the Fund’s
returns may be different or lower than expected. Additionally, collateral
requirements may require the Fund to liquidate its positions, potentially
incurring losses and expenses, when it otherwise would not do
so.
Cryptocurrency
Futures Capacity Risk
Disruptions
to the ether futures markets, such as illiquidity, position limits,
accountability levels, or other limitations imposed by the cryptocurrency
futures ETF’s futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) as a result of margin
requirements, set by the listing exchange, or the CFTC, may hamper the
cryptocurrency futures ETF’s ability to gain exposure to ether futures
contracts, which may result in the cryptocurrency futures ETF’s inability to
achieve its investment objective and may experience significant losses. Any
disruption to the cryptocurrency futures ETF’s exposure to ether futures
contracts will also cause the Fund’s performance to deviate from the performance
of ether. Additionally, the ability of the cryptocurrency futures ETFs to obtain
exposure to ether futures contracts is limited by the tax rules that limit the
amount the cryptocurrency futures ETFs can invest in their wholly owned
subsidiary at the end of each tax quarter.
Cryptocurrency
Tax Risk
By
investing in cryptocurrency-related instruments indirectly through the Global X
Subsidiary, the Fund will obtain exposure to cryptocurrency within the federal
tax requirements that apply to the Fund. However, because the Global X
Subsidiary is a controlled foreign corporation, any income received by the Fund
from its investments in the Global X Subsidiary will be passed through to the
Fund as ordinary income, which may be taxed at less favorable rates than capital
gains.
Cryptocurrency
Custody Risk
Security
breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent
concern in relation to digital assets. The cryptocurrencies held by a
cryptocurrency ETPs’ custodian may be an appealing target to hackers or malware
distributors seeking to destroy, damage or steal a cryptocurrency ETPs’
cryptocurrency. To the extent that the cryptocurrency ETPs and their service
providers are unable to identify and mitigate or stop new security threats or
otherwise adapt to technological changes in the digital asset industry, a
cryptocurrency ETP’s cryptocurrencies may be subject to theft, loss, destruction
or other attack.
Cryptocurrency ETPs have put security procedures in
place to prevent such theft, loss or destruction, including but not limited to,
offline storage, or cold storage, multiple encrypted private key “shards”, and
other measures. Nevertheless, the security procedures cannot guarantee the
prevention of any loss due to a security breach, software defect or act of God
that may be borne by the cryptocurrency ETPs and the security procedures may not
protect against all errors, software flaws or other vulnerabilities in an
cryptocurrency ETP’s technical infrastructure, which could result in theft, loss
or damage of its assets. Assets not held in cold storage, such as assets held in
a trading account, may be more
vulnerable
to security breach, hacking or loss than assets held in cold storage.
Furthermore, assets held in a trading account are held on an omnibus, rather
than segregated basis, which creates greater risk of loss.
The security
procedures and operational infrastructure may be breached due to the actions of
outside parties, error or malfeasance of an employee of an cryptocurrency ETP’s
service providers, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to
the cryptocurrency ETP’s account at the custodian where its ether is held, the
relevant private keys (and therefore ether) or other data or property of a
cryptocurrency ETP. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently
induce employees of a cryptocurrency ETP or its service providers to disclose
sensitive information in order to gain access to a cryptocurrency ETP’s
infrastructure. As the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or
degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently, or may be designed to
remain dormant until a predetermined event and often are not recognized until
launched against a target, a cryptocurrency ETP and its service providers may be
unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative
measures.
Digital
Asset Regulatory Risk
Digital
asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and
adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the
value of the Fund’s investments in cryptocurrency ETPs, options on
cryptocurrency futures ETFs, options on cryptocurrency ETPs or options on a
cryptocurrency ETP Index, and cryptocurrency futures ETFs, such as by banning,
restricting or imposing onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of Ether,
staking, digital wallets, the provision of services related to trading and
custodying digital assets, the operation of the digital ledger that securely
records cryptocurrency transactions, or the digital asset markets generally.
Such occurrences could also impair the ability of a cryptocurrency futures ETF
or cryptocurrency ETP to meet its investment objective pursuant to its
investment strategy.
Fork
and Air Drop Risk
When
cryptocurrencies experience a fork or an air drop, a holder of the
cryptocurrency typically will receive an additional cryptocurrency or will be
entitled to claim an additional cryptocurrency. These additional
cryptocurrencies may have significant value, and the value of cryptocurrency may
decline significantly following a fork or air drop. Because the Fund and the
cryptocurrency futures ETFs do not hold ether directly, they will not be
entitled to participate in any fork or air drop, but they will be adversely
impacted by any resulting decline in the price of ether due to the
cryptocurrency futures ETF’s holdings of cryptocurrency futures. Some futures
exchanges may in the future publish mechanisms intended to compensate holders of
cryptocurrency futures for the loss in value following certain forks that meet
specified criteria, there can be no assurance that these mechanisms will
adequately compensate the Fund or the cryptocurrency futures ETFs for the full
loss of value or that any particular fork will meet the criteria for an
adjustment. In particular, there is substantial uncertainty as to how these
adjustment mechanisms will be implemented by the exchanges in practice, both in
terms of what forks and air drops will trigger an adjustment, and whether a
holder of cryptocurrency futures will receive a cash adjustment or an additional
futures contract linked to the new digital asset. Because of the uncertainty
around these adjustment mechanisms, it is also possible that a significant fork
of ether could lead to extended trading halts for the ether futures held by the
cryptocurrency futures ETF, which could lead to significant liquidity and
valuation risks for the cryptocurrency futures ETFs and its relative derivatives
as well as the Fund. It is possible that a fork of ether could substantially
reduce the value of the cryptocurrency futures held by the cryptocurrency
futures ETFs.
Spot cryptocurrency ETPs, which hold cryptocurrencies such
as bitcoin and/or ether, may be eligible to receive an additional digital asset
or will be entitled to claim an additional asset due to a fork or an air drop.
This right to receive any such benefit as an “Incidental Right” and any such
virtual currency (other than ether) acquired through an Incidental Right is
referred to as an “IR Virtual Currency”. However, the ability for Spot
cryptocurrency ETP shareholders to receive these claims is subject to each
fund’s IR Virtual Currency policy. If the Spot Ether ETP’s policy is to abandon
the claims associated with such events, shareholders will not receive the
benefits of any Incidental Rights and any IR Virtual Currency. Any inability to
recognize the economic benefit of a hard fork or airdrop could adversely affect
the value of the Spot cryptocurrency ETPs and the Fund due to the use of options
on Spot cryptocurrency ETPs. The creation of a fork may result in significant
and unexpected declines in the value of the underlying cryptocurrency,
cryptocurrency futures, and the Fund.
Irrevocability
of Transactions Risk
Cryptocurrency
transactions are typically not reversible without the consent and active
participation of the recipient of the transaction. Once a transaction has been
verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an
incorrect
transfer or theft of ether generally will not be reversible, and a
cryptocurrency ETP may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such
transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or
through theft or other criminal action, a cryptocurrency ETP’s ether could be
transferred from a cryptocurrency ETP’s custodian in incorrect amounts or to
unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled accounts.
Currency
Risk
Currency
Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
The
Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign
currencies are subject to risks, which include changes in the debt level and
trade deficit of the country issuing the foreign currency; inflation rates
and/or interest rates of the United States and the country issuing the foreign
currency; government involvement in and influence over currency markets; and
global or regional political, economic or financial events.
Foreign
exchange rates may also be influenced by: changing supply and demand for a
particular currency; monetary policies of governments (including exchange
control programs, restrictions on local exchanges or markets and limitations on
foreign investment in a country or on investment by residents of a country in
other countries); changes in balances of payments and trade; trade restrictions;
and currency devaluations and revaluations. The resulting volatility in the
USD/foreign currency exchange rate could materially and adversely affect the
performance of the Fund.
Generally,
an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar against a foreign currency will
reduce the value of a security denominated in that foreign currency, thereby
decreasing the Fund's NAV.
Custody
Risk
Custody
Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
Custody
risk refers to risks in the process of clearing and settling trades and in the
holding of securities by local banks, agents and depositories. These risks are
heightened in jurisdictions with less developed markets or less robust
settlement and custody infrastructure and processes, and they may result in
losses or delays in payments, delivery or recovery of money or other assets. Low
trading volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets make trades harder
to complete and settle. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to
hold securities in designated depositories that are subject to independent
evaluation. Local agents are held only to the standards of care of their local
markets, and may be subject to limited or no government oversight. Generally,
the less developed a country’s securities market, the greater the likelihood of
custody problems occurring.
Cybersecurity
Risk
Cybersecurity
Risk applies to each Fund
With
the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the
Fund, like all companies, may be susceptible to operational, information
security and related risks. Cybersecurity incidents involving the Fund,
Authorized Participants, or service providers (including, without limitation,
the Adviser, fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and financial
intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business
operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, impediments to trading,
the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance
costs.
Cybersecurity
incidents can result from deliberate cyberattacks or unintentional events and
may arise from external or internal sources. Cyber attacks may include infection
by malicious software or gaining unauthorized access to digital systems,
networks or devices that are used to service the Fund’s operations (e.g., by
“hacking” or “phishing”). Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that
does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service
attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to
intended users). In addition, cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets
and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund Shares, and other data integral
to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete.
Substantial costs may be incurred by the Fund in order to resolve or prevent
cyber incidents in the future. While the Fund has established business
continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such
cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems,
including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified and that
prevention and remediation efforts will not be successful. Furthermore, the Fund
cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service
providers to the Fund, issuers in which the Fund invests, market makers or
Authorized Participants.
Similar
adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers
of securities in which the Fund invests, counterparties with which the Fund
engages, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges and other
financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, other
financial institutions and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be
incurred in order to prevent any cybersecurity incidents in the future. Although
the Fund’s service providers may have established business continuity plans and
risk management systems to mitigate cybersecurity risks, there can be no
guarantee or assurance that such plans or systems will be effective, or that all
risks that exist, or may develop in the future, have been completely anticipated
and identified or can be protected against. The Fund and its shareholders could
be negatively impacted as a result.
The
rapid development and increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence
technologies could increase the effectiveness of cyber attacks and exacerbate
the risks.
Ether
Risk
Ether
Risk applies to the Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
The
Fund’s investments in Ether are subject to fluctuations in the value of ether.
Ether is a relatively new innovation and the market for ether is subject to
rapid price swings, changes and uncertainty. The further development of the
Ethereum Network and the acceptance and use of ether are subject to a variety of
factors that are difficult to evaluate. The value of ether has been, and may
continue to be, substantially dependent on speculation, such that trading and
investing in these assets generally may not be based on fundamental analysis.
The slowing, stopping or reversing of the development of the Ethereum Network or
the acceptance of ether may adversely affect the price of ether. Ether is
subject to the risk of fraud, theft, manipulation or security failures,
operational or other problems that impact ether trading venues. Additionally, if
one or a coordinated group of validators were to gain control of 33% or more of
staked ether, they would have the ability to execute extensive attacks,
manipulate transactions and fraudulently obtain ether. If such a validator or
group of validators were to gain control of one-third of staked ether, they
could halt payments. A significant portion of ether is held by a small number of
holders sometimes referred to as “whales”. Transactions by these holders may
influence the price of ether and these holders may have the ability to
manipulate the price of ether.
Unlike the exchanges for more traditional
assets, such as equity securities and futures contracts, Ether and the digital
asset trading venues on which it trades are largely unregulated and highly
fragmented and digital asset trading venues may be operating out of compliance
with regulations. As a result of the lack of regulation, individuals or groups
may engage in fraud or market manipulation (including using social media to
promote Ether in a way that artificially increases the price of ether).
Investors may be more exposed to the risk of theft, fraud and market
manipulation than when investing in more traditional asset classes. Over the
past several years, a number of digital asset trading venues have been closed
due to fraud, failure or security breaches. Investors in ether may have little
or no recourse should such theft, fraud or manipulation occur and could suffer
significant losses.
Legal or regulatory changes may negatively impact the
operation of the Ethereum Network or restrict the use of ether. The digital
asset trading venues upon which ether trades have been subject to enforcement
actions by regulatory authorities, and the Fund’s investments in Ether may be
negatively impacted by such regulatory enforcement actions. Any such actions
could significantly reduce the number of venues upon which ether trades and
could negatively impact Ether ETPs, options on Ether ETPs, options on an Ether
ETP Index, the ether futures contracts held by the Ether Futures ETFs, or the
ether held by the Spot Ether ETPs.
In addition, digital asset trading
venues, ether validators, and other participants may have significant exposure
to other digital assets. Instability in the price, availability or legal or
regulatory status of those assets and/or instruments may adversely impact the
operation of the digital asset trading venues and the Ethereum Network. The
realization of any of these risks could result in a decline in the acceptance of
ether and consequently a reduction in the value of the Fund’s investments. Such
occurrences could also impair the ether-related instruments’ ability to meet
their investment objective pursuant to their respective investment
strategy.
Lastly, the creation of a “fork” (as described above) or a
substantial giveaway of ether (sometimes referred to as an “air drop”) may
result in significant and unexpected declines in the value of ether,
ether-related instruments, and the Fund. A fork may be intentional, such as the
‘Merge.’ The ‘Merge’ refers to protocol changes altering the method by which
transactions are validated.
FLEX
Options Risk
FLEX
Options Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and Global X
Ethereum Covered Call ETF
The
Fund may utilize FLEX options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the OCC.
The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable to, or unwilling to, perform
their obligations under the contracts. In the unlikely event that the OCC cannot
meet their obligations, the Fund could suffer significant losses. Additionally,
FLEX options may be more illiquid than other securities, including traditional
options. To the extent that the FLEX options may not be expected to experience
regular trading, the FLEX options held by the Fund may be valued based on a
price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by a pricing
service, rather than based on a price last traded on an exchange. In less liquid
markets for FLEX options, the Fund may have difficulty entering into or closing
out certain positions at designated times and/or prices, including in connection
with the options roll process. With the creation and redemption of Shares, to
the extent market participants are not willing or able to enter into FLEX option
transactions with the Fund at prices that reflect the market price of the
Shares, the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and, in turn the share price of the
Fund, could suffer significant losses. The Fund may experience substantial
downside from specific FLEX option positions, and some may expire worthless. As
a FLEX option approaches the predetermined expiration date, its value typically
moves in parallel with the value of a cryptocurrency ETP. However, prior to such
date, the value of the FLEX options may not increase or decrease at the same
rate as a cryptocurrency ETP’s share price on a day-to-day basis. The value of
the underlying FLEX options will be affected by many market factors, such as
changes in a cryptocurrency ETP’s share price, interest rates, the volatility of
a cryptocurrency ETP, and the remaining time to until the FLEX options
expire.
Focus
Risk
Focus
Risk applies to each Fund
Because
the Fund at times may focus on investments that provide exposure to digital
assets, the Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including
losses due to events that adversely affect the Fund’s investments more than the
market as a whole. As a result, the value of the Fund’s investments may rise and
fall more than the value of shares of a fund that invests in a broader range of
assets.
Foreign
Securities Risk
Foreign
Securities Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
Investments
in foreign securities can be riskier than U.S. securities investments.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers (including investments in
American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”))
are subject to additional risks, including, but not limited to: lower levels of
liquidity and market efficiency; greater securities price volatility; exchange
rate fluctuations and exchange controls; less availability of public information
about issuers; limitations on foreign ownership of securities; imposition of
withholding or other taxes; imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of
the assets of the Fund; restrictions placed on U.S. investors by U.S.
regulations governing foreign investments; higher transaction and custody costs
and delays in settlement procedures; difficulties in enforcing contractual
obligations; lower levels of regulation of the securities market; weaker
accounting, disclosure and reporting requirements; and legal principles relating
to corporate governance and directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities. The
countries in which the Fund invests may also be subject to structural risks,
including economic, political and social instability. Additionally, certain
securities held by the Fund, while traded on U.S. exchanges, may be issued by
foreign financial institutions and as such, may be subject to the risks of
investing in securities issued by foreign companies, which may not be subject to
the same regulations as companies domiciled in the U.S. Shareholder rights under
the laws of some foreign countries may not be as favorable as U.S. laws. Thus, a
shareholder may have more difficulty in asserting its rights or enforcing a
judgment against a foreign company than a shareholder of a comparable U.S.
company. Where all or a portion of the Fund's underlying securities trade in a
market that is closed when the market in which the Fund's Shares are listed and
trading is open, there may be differences between the last quote from the
security’s closed foreign market and the value of the security during the Fund’s
domestic trading day. This in turn could lead to differences between the market
price of the Fund’s Shares and the underlying value of those shares.
Foreign
issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards and there may be less reliable and publicly available
financial and other information about such issuers, as compared to U.S. issuers.
Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less
developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. The Fund may have
greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing
dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely
basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign
investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S.
courts. Countries in which the Fund may invest have experienced security
concerns, such as war and other types of conflict, terrorism, strained
international relations and
territorial
disputes. Incidents involving a country's or region's security may cause
uncertainty in the markets, including short term market volatility, and may
adversely affect the economy and the Fund's investments.
Geographic
Risk
Geographic
Risk applies to each Fund
Geographic
risk is the risk that the Fund’s assets may be focused in countries located in
the same geographic region. This investment focus will subject the Fund to risks
associated with that particular region, or a region economically tied to that
particular region, such as a natural, biological, or other disasters and the
spread of infectious diseases. The Fund may invest in countries or regions with
economies that are heavily dependent upon trading with key partners. Any
reduction in this trading may cause an adverse impact on the economy in which
the Fund invests and on the Fund’s investments. The countries in which the Fund
invests may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social
instability. Additionally, countries in which the Fund may invest have
experienced security concerns, which may cause uncertainty in the markets and
may adversely affect the economy and the Fund’s investments. As a result, an
economic downturn, social or political unrest, or government restrictions on
international trade, among other things, in one or more of these regions may
impact the performance of the constituents in which the Fund invests, even if
the Fund does not invest directly in companies located in such region.
The
securities in which the Fund invests and, consequently, the Fund are also
subject to specific risks as a result of their business operations a particular
country or region, including, but not limited to:
Risk
of Investing in Developed Markets
Risk
of Investing in Developed Markets applies to each Fund
Investments
in a developed country’s issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory,
political, currency, security, and economic risk specific to developed
countries. Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g.,
the financial services sector) as the primary means of economic growth. A
prolonged slowdown in one or more services sectors is likely to have a negative
impact on economies of certain developed countries, although economies of
individual developed countries can be impacted by slowdowns in other sectors. In
the past, certain developed countries have been targets of terrorism, and some
geographic areas in which the Fund invests have experienced strained
international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities,
defense concerns and other security concerns. These situations may cause
uncertainty in the financial markets in these countries or geographic areas and
may adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has
exposure. Heavy regulation of certain markets, including labor and product
markets, may have an adverse effect on certain issuers. Such regulations may
negatively affect economic growth or cause prolonged periods of recession. Many
developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and
retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and
regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed
country economies. Developed countries may also be impacted by changes to the
economic conditions of certain key trading partners or the imposition of tariffs
by or on trading partners.
Risk
of Investing in the United States
Risk
of Investing in the United States applies to each Fund
Investments
in United States issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political,
currency, security, and economic risks specific to the United States. A decrease
in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, including the imposition of
tariffs on trading partners, inflation and/or an economic recession in the U.S.
may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed
on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the
U.S. are changing many aspects of financial, commercial, public health,
environmental, and other regulation and may have a significant effect on U.S.
markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental
agencies project that the U.S. will continue to maintain elevated public debt
levels for the foreseeable future. Although elevated debt levels do not
necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, elevated public debt service
costs may constrain future economic growth. The U.S. has developed increasingly
strained relations with a number of foreign countries. If relations with certain
countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect U.S. issuers as well as
non-U.S. issuers that rely on the U.S. for trade. The U.S. has also experienced
increased internal political discord. If this trend were to continue, it may
have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Fund
invests.
Income
Risk
Income
Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF, Global X Bitcoin
Covered Call ETF and Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
The
Fund’s income may decline when interest rates fall. This decline can occur
because the Fund may invest in or have exposure to lower-yielding bonds as bonds
in its portfolio mature or the Fund otherwise needs to purchase additional
bonds. If the Fund’s income declines, distributions by the Fund to shareholders
may be less.
Indexing
Strategy Risk
Indexing
Strategy Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF
The
Fund is generally not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline
in market segments relating to the Underlying Index. The Fund invests in
securities included in, or representative of, the Underlying Index regardless of
their investment merits, and the Adviser does not otherwise attempt to take
defensive positions in declining markets. Unlike many investment companies, the
Fund does not seek to outperform its Underlying Index. Therefore, the Fund would
not necessarily buy or sell a security unless that security is added or removed,
respectively, from the Underlying Index, even if that security generally is
underperforming. Additionally, if a constituent of the Underlying Index were
removed, even outside of a regular rebalance of the Underlying Index, the
Adviser anticipates that the Fund would make similar changes to its portfolio.
Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the
performance of individual securities could cause the Fund’s return to be lower
than if the Fund employed an active strategy.
Index-Related
Risk
There
is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation to the
Underlying Index and therefore achieve its investment objective. Market
disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on the
Fund’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track
the Underlying Index. There is no assurance that the Index Provider will compile
the Underlying Index accurately, or that the Underlying Index will be
determined, comprised or calculated accurately. Errors in index data, index
computations and/or the construction of the Underlying Index in accordance with
its methodology may occur from time to time and may not be identified and
corrected by the Index Provider for a period of time or at all, which may have
an adverse impact on the Fund and its shareholders. The Index Provider may be
exposed to operational risks, including the failure of its systems or
technology, which may impact the Fund and its ability to track the Underlying
Index.
Management
Risk
The
Fund may not fully replicate its Underlying Index and may hold securities not
included in its Underlying Index. Therefore, the Fund is subject to the risk
that the Adviser’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject
to a number of constraints, may cause the Fund to underperform the market or its
relevant benchmark or adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its
investment objective. While the Fund uses an indexing approach, implementation
of the Fund’s principal investment strategy may result in tracking error risk,
which is described below. There is no guarantee that a Fund’s investment results
will have a high degree of correlation to those of its Underlying Index or that
a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Representative
Sampling Risk
Representative
sampling is a method of indexing that involves investing in a representative
sample of securities that collectively have a similar investment profile to the
Underlying Index and resemble the Underlying Index in terms of risk factors and
other key characteristics. When the Fund utilizes a representative sampling
strategy, the Fund is subject to an increased risk of tracking error, in that
the securities selected in the aggregate for the Fund may not have an investment
profile similar to those of the Underlying Index.
Tracking
Error Risk
Tracking
error is the divergence of the Fund's performance from that of the Underlying
Index. Tracking error may occur because of differences between the securities
and other instruments held in the Fund's portfolio and those included in the
Underlying Index, pricing differences (including differences between a
security's price at the local
market
close and the Fund's valuation of a security at the time of calculation of the
Fund's NAV), transaction costs incurred by the Fund, the Fund's holding of
uninvested cash, differences in timing of the accrual of or the valuation of
dividends or interest, tax gains or losses, changes to the Underlying Index, or
the costs to the Fund of complying with various new or existing regulatory
requirements. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market
volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result
because the Fund incurs fees and expenses, while the Underlying Index does not.
Interest
Rate Risk
Interest
Rate Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF, Global X Bitcoin
Covered Call ETF and Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF
Interest
rate risk is the risk that prices of fixed income securities generally increase
in value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates
increase. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise
sharply. Interest rates may rise, with potentially sudden and unpredictable
effects on the markets and the Fund's investments. Interest rates are measured
by the US 10-Year Treasury Yield for long-term yields and the Federal Funds rate
(continuous series) for short-term rates. Duration is a measure used to
determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates.
Securities of lower credit quality or with longer durations tend to be more
sensitive to changes in interest rates, often making them more volatile in
response to interest rate changes than securities of higher credit quality or
with shorter durations. Interest rate fluctuations may also negatively impact
the values of equity and other non-fixed income securities. Inflation-indexed
bonds, including Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, decline in value when
real interest rates rise (the real interest rate is the rate of interest an
investor expects to receive after allowing for inflation). In certain interest
rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than
nominal interest rates, inflation-indexed bonds may experience greater losses
than other fixed income securities with similar durations.
Variable and
floating rate securities generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes
but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as
quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will
not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Inverse floating rate
securities may decrease in value if interest rates increase. Inverse floating
rate securities may also exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate
obligation with similar credit quality. When the Fund holds variable or floating
rate securities, a decrease (or, in the case of inverse floating rate
securities, an increase) in market interest rates will adversely affect the
income received from such securities, which may also impact the net asset value
of the Fund’s Shares.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (“Federal Reserve”) has periodically cut interest rates in response to
cooling inflation, however, the Federal Reserve has indicated it will take a
measured approach to future rate cuts in light of persistent inflationary
pressures. There is a risk that interest rates across the U.S. financial system
will remain elevated. Such policies may expose fixed-income and related markets
to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments,
which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments and the NAV of the Fund’s
Shares to decline. To the extent the Fund experiences high redemptions of its
Shares in connection with these developments or otherwise, the Fund may
experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the
Fund incurs and may lower the Fund’s performance. The liquidity levels of the
Fund’s investments may also be affected by increased portfolio turnover or by a
substantial increase in interest rates. Further, fixed income markets have
consistently grown over the past three decades while the capacity for
traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed income trading has not kept
pace and in some cases has decreased. As a result, dealer inventories of
corporate bonds, which provide a core indication of the ability of financial
intermediaries to “make markets,” are at or near historic lows in relation to
market size. This reduction in dealer inventories could potentially lead to
decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. If
sudden or large-scale rises in interest rates were to occur, the Fund could also
face above-average redemption requests, which could cause the Fund to lose value
due to downward pricing forces and reduced market liquidity.
International
Closed Market Trading Risk
International
Closed Market Trading Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin
Strategy ETF
To
the extent that the underlying investments held by the Fund trade on foreign
exchanges that may be closed when the securities exchange on which the Fund’s
Shares trade is open, there are likely to be deviations between the current
price of such an underlying security and the last quoted price for the
underlying security (i.e., the Fund’s quote from the closed foreign market).
These deviations could result in premiums or discounts to the Fund’s NAV that
may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Investable
Universe of Companies Risk
Investable
Universe of Companies Risk applies to each Fund
The
investable universe of companies in which the Fund may invest may be
limited. The Fund may hold a large concentration of its net assets in a
single security or issuer. Holding a large concentration in a single security or
issues may expose the Fund to the market volatility of that specific security or
issuer if the security performs worse than the market as a whole, which could
adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Issuer
Risk
Issuer
Risk applies to the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF
Issuer
risk is the risk that any of the individual companies that the Fund invests in
may perform badly, causing the value of its securities to decline. Poor
performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures,
changes in technology, disruptions in supply, labor problems or shortages,
corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures or other factors. Issuers may,
in times of distress or on their own discretion, decide to reduce or eliminate
dividends, which would also cause their stock prices to decline.
Market
Risk
Market
Risk applies to each Fund
Market
risk is the risk that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may
go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and/or general
economic conditions. Turbulence in the financial markets and reduced liquidity
may negatively affect issuers, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund
and its investments. The Fund’s NAV could decline over short periods due to
short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.
Policy changes by central governments and governmental agencies, including the
Federal Reserve or the European Central Bank, could cause increased volatility
in financial markets and lead to higher levels of Fund redemptions from
Authorized Participants, which could have a negative impact on the Fund. Trade
policy, including the imposition of tariffs, may dampen consumer spending and
result in decreased confidence in the markets. Additionally, political
uncertainty regarding U.S. policy, including the U.S. government’s approach to
trade, may also impact the markets. Furthermore, local, regional or global
events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases,
inflation and recessions, changes in interest or exchange rates, or other events
could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and trading of
its Shares. Market risk factors may result in increased volatility and/or
decreased liquidity in the securities markets.
Model
Risk
Model
Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF
If
the models and information and data used in developing the Bitcoin Trend
Indicator (“BTI”) prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any investment decisions
made in reliance on the data may not produce the desired results and the Fund
may realize losses. Models used to calculate the BTI may also be impacted by
volatility in bitcoin prices. Furthermore, the success of models that are
predictive in nature is dependent largely on the accuracy and reliability of the
supplied historical data. All models are susceptible to input errors which may
cause the resulting information to be incorrect.
New
Fund Risk
New
Fund Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and Global X Ethereum
Covered Call ETF
The
Fund is a new fund, with limited or no operating history, which may result in
additional risks for investors in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the
Board of Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. While shareholder
interests will be the paramount consideration, the timing of any liquidation may
not be favorable to certain individual shareholders. From time to time an
Authorized Participant, a third-party investor, the Adviser or another affiliate
of the Adviser or the Fund may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a
specific period of time in order to facilitate commencement of the Fund’s
operations or for the Fund to achieve size or scale. There can be no assurance
that any such entity would not redeem its investment or that the size of the
Fund would be maintained at such levels which could negatively impact the
Fund.
Non-Diversification
Risk
Non-Diversification
Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act.
This means that the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in
securities of individual issuers as compared to a diversified fund. As a result,
the Fund may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular
issuers, or to a single economic, business, political, regulatory, or other
occurrence affecting these issuers, which may negatively impact the Fund’s
performance and result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s shares.
Operational
Risk
Operational
Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including
but not limited to human error, processing and communication errors, errors of
the Fund's service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or
inadequate processes, cybersecurity incidents, and technology or systems
failures. Disruptions of the systems of the Adviser and the Fund’s distributor
and other service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants,
custodians, transfer agents and administrators), market makers, Authorized
Participants, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, have the
ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially
resulting in: financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to
calculate its NAV, disclosure of confidential trading information, impediments
to trading, submission of erroneous trades or erroneous creation or redemption
orders, the inability of the Fund or its service providers to transact business,
violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties,
reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional
compliance costs. While the Fund has established business continuity plans in
the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, technological or other
disruptions to the Fund’s operations, there are inherent limitations in such
plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been
identified and that prevention and remediation efforts will not be successful.
Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in
place by service providers to the Fund, issuers in which the Fund invests,
market makers or Authorized Participants. The Fund and its shareholders could be
negatively impacted as a result. The Fund and the Adviser seek to reduce these
operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do
not address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that they
are intended to address.
The
Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including
but not limited to human error, processing and communication errors, errors of
the Fund's service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or
inadequate processes, cybersecurity incidents, and technology or systems
failures. Disruptions of the systems of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, and the
Fund’s distributor and other service providers (including, but not limited to,
the Sub-Adviser, fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents and
administrators), market makers, Authorized Participants, or the issuers of
securities in which the Fund invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and
impact business operations, potentially resulting in: financial losses,
interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, disclosure of
confidential trading information, impediments to trading, submission of
erroneous trades or erroneous creation or redemption orders, the inability of
the Fund or its service providers to transact business, violations of applicable
privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage,
reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. While
the Fund has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk
management systems to prevent technological or other disruptions to the Fund’s
operations, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including
the possibility that certain risks have not been identified and that prevention
and remediation efforts will not be successful. Furthermore, the Fund cannot
control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers
to the Fund, issuers in which the Fund invests, the Sub-Adviser, market makers
or Authorized Participants. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively
impacted as a result. The Fund, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser seek to reduce
these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures
do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that
they are intended to address.
The
Fund and the Adviser seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and
procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may
be inadequate for those risks that they are intended to address.
Options
Premium Tax Risk
Options
Premium Tax Risk applies to the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and Global X
Ethereum Covered Call ETF
An
option premium is not subject to taxation upon receipt but rather when such
option is exercised, is sold or lapses. If the Fund distributes the cash
attributable to an option premium in the year of receipt this may result in some
of such distribution being considered a return of capital which is tax-free to
the extent of your tax basis in your shares of the Fund. In later years, when
the option is sold, is exercised or lapses, the Fund will need to distribute
such income, but the corresponding cash has been previously distributed. Thus,
the Fund may need to borrow or sell other investments to obtain the necessary
cash. The Fund’s investment strategy may limit its ability to distribute
dividends eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income, which for
non-corporate shareholders are subject to federal income tax at rates of up to
20% plus the 3.8% Medicare tax. The Fund’s investment strategy may also limit
its ability to distribute dividends eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders. For these reasons, a significant portion
of distributions received by Fund shareholders may be subject to tax at
effective tax rates that are higher than the rates that would apply if the Fund
were to engage in a different investment strategy. You should consult your tax
advisor as to the tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of Shares
in the Fund.
Risks
Associated with Exchange-Traded Funds
Risks
Associated with Exchange-Traded Funds applies to each Fund
As
an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:
Authorized
Participants Concentration Risk
The
Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized
Participants. Only Authorized Participants who have entered into agreements with
the Fund's distributor may engage in creation or redemption transactions
directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated
to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent that those
Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to process creation
and/or redemption orders, such as in times of market stress, and no other
Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create and redeem in either of
those cases, Shares may trade like closed-end fund shares at a discount to NAV
and/or at wider intraday bid-ask spreads, and may possibly face trading halts
and/or delisting from the Fund's exchange.
Large
Shareholder Risk
Certain
shareholders, including an Authorized Participant, the Adviser, an affiliate of
the Adviser, or funds managed by the Adviser, may own a substantial amount of
the Fund’s Shares. Additionally, from time to time an Authorized Participant, a
third-party investor, the Adviser, or an affiliate of the Adviser may invest in
the Fund and hold its investment for a specific period of time in order to
facilitate commencement of the Fund’s operations or to allow the Fund to achieve
size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not
redeem its investment. These large redemptions may force the Fund to sell
portfolio securities or other assets when it might not otherwise do so, which
may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV, increase the Fund’s brokerage costs and/or
have a material effect on the market price of Fund. Redemptions by large
shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Fund. If a large
shareholder were to redeem all, or a large portion, of its Shares, there is no
guarantee that the Fund will be able to maintain sufficient assets to continue
operations in which case the Board of Trustees may determine to liquidate the
Fund. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large
percentage of the trading volume on the Fund's exchange and may, therefore, have
a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the Shares.
Listing
Standards Risk
The
Fund is required to comply with listing requirements adopted by the listing
exchange. Non-compliance with such requirements may result in the Fund's Shares
being delisted by the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation of the Fund
could cause the Fund to incur elevated transaction costs and could result in
negative tax consequences for its shareholders.
Market
Trading Risks and Premium/Discount Risks
Absence
of Active Market
Although
Shares of the Fund are or will be listed for trading on a U.S. exchange and may
be listed on certain foreign exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active
trading market for the Shares will develop or be maintained.
Risks
of Secondary Listings
The
Fund's Shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges other than
the U.S. exchange where the Fund’s primary listing is maintained. There can be
no assurance that the Fund’s Shares will continue to trade on any such exchange
or in any market or that the Fund's Shares will continue to meet the
requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Fund's
Shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than others, and investors
are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the
market where they or their brokers direct their trades for execution. Certain
information available to investors who trade Shares on a U.S. exchange during
regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other
markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less
efficient.
Secondary
Market Trading Risk
Only
Authorized Participants who have entered into agreements with the Fund's
distributor may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the
Fund. Shares of the Fund may trade in the secondary market on days when the Fund
does not accept orders to purchase or redeem Shares from Authorized
Participants. On such days, Shares may trade in the secondary market with more
significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced on days when the
Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders. Secondary market trading in Fund
Shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other
reasons. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on a stock exchange or in any
market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility
pursuant to "circuit breaker" rules on the stock exchange or market. During a
“flash crash,” the market prices of the Fund’s shares may decline suddenly and
significantly. Such a decline may not reflect the performance of the portfolio
securities held by the Fund. Flash crashes may cause Authorized Participants and
other market makers to limit or cease trading in the Fund’s shares for temporary
or longer periods. Shareholders could suffer significant losses to the extent
that they sell shares at these temporarily low market prices. There can be no
assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing or trading of
Fund Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Shares
of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
Shares
of the Fund may trade at, above or below NAV. The per share NAV of the Fund will
fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The trading
prices of Shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund's NAV as
well as market supply and demand. The trading prices of the Fund's Shares may
deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility or when the
Fund has relatively few assets or experiences a lower trading volume. In
stressed market conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in
response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. Any of these
factors may lead to the Fund's Shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV.
While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares
normally will trade close to the Fund’s NAV, market prices are not expected to
correlate exactly with the Fund's NAV due to timing reasons as well as market
supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions
or the existence of extreme market volatility may result in trading prices that
differ significantly from NAV. If a shareholder purchases at a time when the
market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells at a time when the market price
is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses. Since foreign
exchanges may be open on days when the Fund does not price Shares, the value of
the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will
not be able to purchase or sell Shares.
Costs
of Buying or Selling Fund Shares
Buying
or selling Fund Shares involves two types of costs that apply to all securities
transactions. When buying or selling Shares of the Fund through a broker, you
will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges imposed by brokers as
determined by that broker. In addition, you may incur the cost of the "spread" -
that is, the difference between what professional investors are willing to pay
for Fund Shares (the "bid" price) and the market price at which they are willing
to sell Fund Shares (the "ask" price). Because of the costs inherent in buying
or selling Fund Shares, frequent trading may detract significantly from
investment results and an investment in Fund Shares may not be
advisable
for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
Risks
Related to Stock Connect Programs
Risks
Related to Stock Connect Programs applies to the Global X Blockchain &
Bitcoin Strategy ETF
Investing
in securities in mainland China through Stock Connect Programs is subject to
trading, clearance, settlement and other procedures, which could pose risks to
the Fund. Trading through the Stock Connect Programs is subject to a number of
restrictions, including daily and aggregate quota limitations, which limit the
maximum daily net purchases on any particular day by Hong Kong investors (and
foreign investors trading through Hong Kong) trading mainland Chinese listed
securities and mainland Chinese investors trading Hong Kong listed securities
trading through the relevant Stock Connect Programs. The daily quota is not
specific to the Fund and is utilized on a first-come-first-serve basis. As such,
buy orders via the Stock Connect Programs could be rejected once the daily quota
is exceeded. The daily quota may thereby restrict the Fund’s ability to invest
through Stock Connect Programs on a timely basis, which could affect the Fund’s
ability to effectively pursue its investment strategy. The daily quota is also
subject to change. It is possible for securities eligible to be purchased via
the Stock Connect Programs to lose such designation, which could impact the
Fund's ability to pursue its investment strategy. In order to comply with
applicable local market rules and to facilitate orderly operations of the Fund,
including the timely settlement of Stock Connect Programs trades placed by or on
behalf of the Fund, the Fund utilizes an operating model that may reduce the
risks of trade failures; however, it will also allow Stock Connect Programs
trades to be settled without the prior verification by the Fund. Accordingly,
this operating model may subject the Fund to additional risks, including an
increased risk of inadvertently exceeding certain trade or other restrictions or
limits placed on the Fund and/or its affiliates, and a heightened risk of
erroneous trades, which may negatively impact the Fund.
The Stock
Connect Programs operate only on days when both the Chinese and Hong Kong
markets are open for trading. Additionally, the Shenzhen and Shanghai markets
may operate when the Stock Connect Programs are not active. Consequently the
prices of shares held via Stock Connect Programs may fluctuate at times when the
Fund is unable to add to or exit its positions.
The Fund's investments
in A-Shares though the Stock Connect Programs are held by its custodian in
accounts in Central Clearing and Settlement System ("CCASS") maintained by the
Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited ("HKSCC"), which in turn holds the
A-Shares, as the nominee holder, through an omnibus securities account in its
name registered with the CSDCC. The precise nature and rights of the Fund as the
beneficial owner of the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities through HKSCC as
nominee is not well defined under Chinese law. There is no guarantee that the
Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges will continue to support the
Stock Connect Programs in the future. The securities regimes and legal systems
of China and Hong Kong differ significantly, and issues may arise based on these
differences that could have a detrimental effect on the Fund’s investments and
returns. Different fees, costs and taxes are imposed on foreign investors
acquiring securities through Stock Connect Programs, and these fees, costs and
taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of
other Chinese securities providing similar investment exposure.
The Stock
Connect Programs are relatively new trading platforms, and the effect of the
introduction of large numbers of foreign investors on the market for trading
Chinese-listed securities is not yet well understood. Further developments are
likely and there can be no assurance as to whether or how such developments may
restrict or affect the Fund’s investments or returns. Chinese regulations, such
as limitations on redemptions or suspension of trading, may also adversely
impact the value of the Fund’s investments.
Securities
Lending Risk
As
of the date of the prospectus, Securities Lending Risk applies to the Global X
Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF. However, the Board of Trustees of the Trust reserves
the right to add or remove a Fund to the Funds’ securities lending program from
time to time, and as a consequence, this risk could apply to Funds other than
those listed above.
The
Fund may engage in lending its portfolio securities. Securities lending involves
a risk of loss because the borrower may fail to return the securities in a
timely manner or at all. If the Fund is not able to recover the securities
loaned, it may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement security in the
market. In connection with such loans, the Fund generally receives liquid
collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of domestic equity securities and
ADRs and 105% of the value of the foreign equity securities (other than ADRs)
being lent. This collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis. Although the
Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities
holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default
on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities
may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In
addition, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it
invests.
These
events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. Also, as
securities on loan may not be voted by the Fund, there is a risk that the Fund
may not be able to recall the securities in sufficient time to vote on material
proxy matters.
Subsidiary
Investment Risk
Subsidiary
Investment Risk applies to each Fund
By
investing in the Global X Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the
risks associated with the Global X Subsidiary’s investments and operations. The
derivative instruments and other investments held by the Global X Subsidiary are
similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund, and thus, present
the same risks whether they are held by the Fund or the Global X Subsidiary.
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Global X
Subsidiary will be achieved. The Global X Subsidiary is not registered under the
1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all
the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and
controls the Global X Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary are
both managed by the Adviser, making it unlikely that the Global X Subsidiary
will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment
activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Global X Subsidiary, and
the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Global X Subsidiary. In adhering to
the Fund’s investment restrictions and limitations, the Adviser will treat the
assets of the Global X Subsidiary generally in the same manner as assets that
are held directly by the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or
the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Global X Subsidiary,
respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or
the Global X Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders.
The
Fund may also invest in exchange-traded products that invest in their own
wholly-owned Cayman subsidiaries. Changes in the laws of the United States
and/or the Cayman Island, under which such subsidiaries are organized, could
result in the inability of the Fund and the funds that it invests in to operate
as intended, which could negatively affect the Fund and its
shareholders.
Tax
Risk
Tax
Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund intends to qualify as a “regulated investment company” or “RIC.” The Fund
expects to obtain exposure to cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin or ether,
indirectly because the Global X Subsidiary will purchase listed futures
contracts and other cryptocurrency-related derivative instruments through the
Global X Subsidiary. The Fund intends to invest in such futures contracts or
other derivative instruments, in whole or in part, indirectly through the Global
X Subsidiary. In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, amongst
other requirements detailed in the SAI, derive at least 90% of its gross income
each taxable year from qualifying income. Income from listed cryptocurrency
futures contracts other cryptocurrency-related instrument in which the Fund
might otherwise invest directly might not be considered qualifying income. The
Fund will seek to limit such income through the Global X Subsidiary so as to
qualify as a RIC. If a fund experiences difficulty in satisfying RIC
source-of-income requirements, or other RIC qualification requirements, existing
laws generally permit the fund to take certain actions to bring itself back into
compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements for qualification as a RIC
would have significant negative tax consequences to Fund shareholders. See
“Taxes – Fund Taxation” section of the Statement of Additional Information for
further discussion.
Trading
Halt Risk
Trading
Halt Risk applies to each Fund
An
exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities, or
the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be
restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell certain
securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be
unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its
investments and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
Turnover
Risk
Turnover
Risk applies to each Fund
The
Fund may engage in frequent and active trading, which may significantly increase
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. At times, the Fund may have a portfolio
turnover rate substantially greater than 100%. For example, a portfolio turnover
rate of 300% is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of its securities
three times during the course of a year. A high portfolio turnover rate would
result in high brokerage costs for the Fund, may result in higher taxes when
Shares are held in a taxable account and lower Fund performance.
Valuation
Risk
Valuation
Risk applies to each Fund
The
sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may
differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities
or other investments, such as digital asset-related investments, that trade in
thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology.
Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors
and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote
prices for them. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may be impacted by
technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party
service providers. Investments in digital asset-related products are intended to
reflect the price of digital assets, less fees and expenses, and the shares may
trade at a substantial premium to the net asset value of such assets. As such,
the price of digital asset-related products may go down even if the price of the
underlying digital asset remains unchanged. Additionally, shares that trade at a
premium mean that an investor who purchases $1 of a portfolio will actually own
less than $1 in assets.
A
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF OTHER RISKS
Each
Fund may also be subject to certain other risks associated with its investments
and investment strategies.
Leverage
Risk
Under
the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to borrow from a bank up to 33 1/3% of its
net assets for short term or emergency purposes. The Fund may borrow money at
fiscal quarter end to maintain the required level of diversification to qualify
as a regulated investment company ("RIC") for purposes of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As a result, the Fund may be exposed to
the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment
technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and loss on amounts
invested and therefore increases the risks associated with investing in the
Fund. If the value of the Fund's assets increases, then leveraging would cause
the Fund's NAV to increase more sharply than it would have had the Fund not
leveraged. Conversely, if the value of the Fund's assets decreases, leveraging
would cause the Fund's NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have
had the Fund not leveraged. The Fund may incur additional expenses in connection
with borrowings.
Qualification
as a Regulated Investment Company Risk
The
Fund must meet a number of diversification requirements to qualify as a RIC
under Section 851 of the Code and, if qualified, to continue to qualify. If the
Fund experiences difficulty in meeting those requirements for any fiscal
quarter, it might enter into borrowings in order to increase the portion of the
Fund’s total assets represented by cash, cash items, and U.S. government
securities shortly thereafter and, as of the close of the following fiscal
quarter, to attempt to meet the requirements. However, the Fund may incur
additional expenses in connection with any such borrowings, and increased
investments by the Fund in cash, cash items, and U.S. government securities
(whether the Fund makes such investments from borrowings) are likely to reduce
the Fund’s return to investors. A fund is not treated as failing RIC asset
diversification requirements because of market fluctuations in the value of its
securities unless the discrepancy is caused by the acquisition of a security or
other property. Nevertheless, if the Fund experiences difficulty in meeting the
RIC asset diversification requirements, existing laws generally permit the fund
to take certain actions to bring itself back into compliance. See “Taxes – Fund
Taxation” section of the Statement of Additional Information for further
discussion.
Tax
Treaty Reclaims Uncertainty
When
the Fund receives dividend and interest income (if any) from issuers in certain
countries, such distributions may be subject to partial withholding by local tax
authorities in order to satisfy potential local tax obligations. The Fund may
file claims to recover such withholding tax in jurisdictions where withholding
tax reclaim is possible, which may be the case as a result of bilateral treaties
between the United States and local governments. Whether or when the Fund will
receive a withholding tax refund in the future is within the control of the tax
authorities in such countries. The receipt of a refund of withholding tax would
preclude claiming a foreign tax credit, to the extent available or applicable,
with respect to such
withholding
tax. Where the Fund expects to recover withholding tax based on a continuous
assessment of probability of recovery, the NAV of the Fund generally includes
accruals for such tax refunds. The Fund continues to evaluate tax developments
for potential impact to the probability of recovery. If the likelihood of
receiving refunds materially decreases, for example due to a change in tax
regulation or approach, accruals in the Fund’s NAV for such refunds may need to
be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect that Fund’s
NAV. Investors in the Fund at the time an accrual is written down will bear the
impact of any resulting reduction in NAV regardless of whether they were
investors during the accrual period. Conversely, if a Fund receives a tax refund
that has not been previously accrued, investors in the Fund at the time the
claim is successful will benefit from any resulting increase in the Fund’s NAV.
Investors who sold their shares prior to such time will not benefit from such
NAV increase.
PORTFOLIO
HOLDINGS INFORMATION
A
description of the policies and procedures of Global X Funds®
(the “Trust”) with respect to the disclosure of the Funds' portfolio securities
is available in the Funds' Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The top
holdings of each Fund and Fund Fact Sheets providing information regarding each
Fund’s top holdings can be found at www.globalxetfs.com/explore/ (click on the
name of your Fund) and may be requested by calling 1-888-493-8631.
FUND
MANAGEMENT
Investment
Adviser
Global
X Management Company LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser and
the administrator for the Funds. Subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board
of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the investment activities
of the Funds and the Funds' business affairs and other administrative matters.
The Adviser has been a registered investment adviser since 2008. The Adviser is
a Delaware limited liability company with its principal offices located at 605
Third Avenue, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10158. As of February 1, 2026,
the Adviser provided investment advisory services for assets of approximately
$91.4 billion.
Pursuant
to a Supervision and Administration Agreement and subject to the general
supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser provides, or causes to be
furnished, all supervisory, administrative and other services reasonably
necessary for the operation of the Funds and also bears the costs of various
third-party services required by the Funds, including audit, certain custody,
portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs. The Supervision
and Administration Agreement for the Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy
ETF, Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF and the Global X Bitcoin Covered Call
ETF provides that the Adviser also bears the costs for acquired fund fees and
expenses generated by investments by the Funds in affiliated investment
companies. The Supervision and Administration Agreement also requires the
Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an
Investment Advisory Agreement.
Each
Fund pays the Adviser a fee (“Management Fee”) in return for providing
investment advisory, supervisory and administrative services under an all-in fee
structure. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, the Funds paid a
monthly Management Fee to the Adviser at the following annual rate (stated as a
percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund taken
separately):
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Fund |
Management
Fee |
| Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF |
0.65% |
| Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF |
0.95% |
| Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF |
0.75% |
During
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, the Fund listed below was not
operational. The Management Fee for the Fund is set at an annual rate (stated as
a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund) as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Fund |
Management
Fee |
| Global
X Ethereum Covered Call ETF |
0.75% |
In
addition, the Fund bears other fees and expenses that are not covered by the
Supervision and Administration Agreement, which may vary and will affect the
total expense ratio of the Fund, such as taxes, brokerage fees, commissions and
other transaction expenses, interest and extraordinary expenses (such as
litigation and indemnification expenses). The Adviser may
earn
a profit on the Management Fee paid by the Fund. Also, the Adviser, and not the
shareholders of the Fund, would benefit from any price decreases in third-party
services, including decreases resulting from an increase in net assets.
The
Adviser or its affiliates may pay compensation out of profits derived from the
Adviser's Management Fee or other resources and not as an additional charge to
the Fund, to certain financial institutions (which may include banks, securities
dealers and other industry professionals) for the sale and/or distribution of
Fund Shares or the retention and/or servicing of Fund investors and Fund Shares
("revenue sharing"). These payments are in addition to any other fees described
in the fee table or elsewhere in the Prospectus or SAI. Examples of "revenue
sharing" payments include, but are not limited to, payments to financial
institutions for "shelf space" or access to a third party platform or fund
offering list or other marketing programs, including, but not limited to,
inclusion of the Fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund
"supermarket" platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Adviser
access to the financial institution's sales force; granting the Adviser access
to the financial institution's conferences and meetings; assistance in training
and educating the financial institution's personnel; and obtaining other forms
of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial
institutions may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following
factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the Fund
attributable to the financial institution, or other factors as agreed to by the
Adviser and the financial institution or any combination thereof. The amount of
these revenue sharing payments is determined at the discretion of the Adviser,
from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different
financial institutions depending upon the services provided by the financial
institution. Such payments may provide an incentive for the financial
institution to make Shares of the Fund available to its customers and may allow
the Fund greater access to the financial institution's customers.
Approval
of Advisory Agreement
Discussions
regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the Supervision and
Administration Agreement and the related Investment Advisory Agreement for each
Fund are (or will be) available in the Funds' report filed on Form N-CSRS or
Form N-CSR for the period ended April 30 or October 31,
respectively.
Portfolio
Management
The
Portfolio Managers who are currently responsible for the day-to-day management
of each Fund's portfolio are Nam To and Sandy Lu.
Nam
To:
Nam To, CFA, Portfolio Manager, joined the Adviser in July 2017. Prior to that,
Mr. To was a Global Economics Research Analyst at Bunge Limited. Mr. To received
his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics from Cornell University and is
a CFA charterholder.
Sandy
Lu:
Sandy Lu, CFA, Portfolio Manager, joined the Adviser in September 2021.
Previously, Mr. Lu was a Portfolio Analyst and Junior Portfolio Manager at PGIM
Fixed Income from 2014 to 2021. Mr. Lu received his Bachelor of Science in
Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a CFA
charterholder.
The
SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation
structure, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio
Managers' ownership of Shares of the Funds.
DISTRIBUTOR
SEI
Investments Distribution Co. (“Distributor”) distributes Creation Units for the
Funds on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market
in Shares. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of each Fund
or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Funds. The Distributor’s
principal address is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456. The Distributor
is not affiliated with the Adviser.
BUYING
AND SELLING FUND SHARES
Shares
of the Funds trade on a national securities exchange and in the secondary market
during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day
like other shares of publicly-traded securities. There is no minimum investment
for purchases made on a national securities exchange. When buying or selling
Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and
charges. In addition, you will also incur the cost of the “spread,” which is the
difference between what professional investors are willing to pay for Shares
(the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Shares (the
“ask” price). The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a
significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts
of Shares. The spread with respect to Shares varies over time based on a Fund‘s
trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if a Fund has
significant trading volume and market liquidity and higher if a Fund
has
little trading volume and market liquidity. Because of the costs of buying and
selling Shares, frequent trading may reduce investment return.
Shares
of a Fund may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Fund only by Authorized
Participants (as defined in the SAI) and only in Creation Units or multiples
thereof, as discussed in the “Creations and Redemptions” section in the SAI.
Shares
generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of the Funds trade under the trading symbol listed for each Fund in the
Fund Summary section of this Prospectus.
The
Funds are listed on a national securities exchange, which is open for trading
Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as
observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Book
Entry
Shares
of the Funds are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates
are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record
owner of all outstanding Shares and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for
all purposes. Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the
records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for
all Shares. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or
indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of
Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates
or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a
registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any rights as an owner of
Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These
procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in
book entry or “street name” form.
FREQUENT
TRADING
Unlike
frequent trading of shares of a traditional open-end mutual fund (i.e., not
exchange-traded shares), frequent trading of Shares on the secondary market does
not disrupt portfolio management, increase a Fund‘s trading costs, lead to
realization of capital gains, or otherwise harm Fund shareholders because these
trades do not involve a Fund directly. A few institutional investors are
authorized to purchase and redeem the Funds' Shares directly with the Funds.
When these trades are effected in-kind (i.e., for securities, and not for cash),
they do not cause any of the harmful effects (noted above) that may result from
frequent cash trades. Moreover, each Fund imposes transaction fees on in-kind
purchases and redemptions of the Fund intended to cover the custodial and other
costs incurred by the Fund in effecting in-kind trades. These fees increase if
an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the
fact that the Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances, although
transaction fees are subject to certain limits and therefore may not cover all
related costs incurred by a Fund. For these reasons, the Board of Trustees has
determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect
and deter frequent trading and market-timing in Shares of the
Funds.
DISTRIBUTION
AND SERVICE PLAN
The
Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a Distribution and Services Plan
(“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, each Fund is
authorized to pay distribution fees in connection with the sale and distribution
of its Shares and pay service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing
services to shareholders of each class and the maintenance of shareholder
accounts in an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each
year.
No
Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by a Fund, and there are no current plans to
impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the
future, because these fees are paid out of each Fund‘s assets on an ongoing
basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in a Fund. By
purchasing Shares subject to distribution fees and service fees, you may pay
more over time than you would by purchasing Shares with other types of sales
charge arrangements. Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic
equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the rules of
FINRA. The net income attributable to Shares will be reduced by the amount of
distribution fees and service fees and other expenses of a Fund.
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends
from net investment income, including any net foreign currency gains, generally
are declared and paid at least annually and any net realized capital gains are
distributed at least annually. In order to comply with the distribution
requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), dividends may be
declared and paid more frequently than annually for a Fund.
Dividends
and other distributions on Shares are distributed on a pro rata basis to
beneficial owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC
participants to beneficial owners then of record with proceeds received from a
Fund. Dividends and security gain distributions are distributed in U.S. dollars
and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional Shares.
No
dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make
available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial
owners of a Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial
owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of
the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require
beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this
service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and
realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares
purchased in the secondary market.
INVESTMENTS
BY INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Section
12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the
securities of other investment companies, including shares of the Fund.
Registered investment companies and unit investment trusts that enter into a
fund-of-funds investment agreement with the Trust ("Investing Funds") may be
permitted to invest in certain Global X Funds beyond the limits set forth in
Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, subject to certain conditions set forth in
Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act.
TAXES
The
following is a summary of certain tax considerations that may be relevant to an
investor in a Fund. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to
investors who are individual United States citizens or residents and is based on
current tax law. You should consult your tax advisor for further information
regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your
specific situation.
Fund
Taxation.
Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of
Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As a RIC, each Fund generally will be exempt
from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains
that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes an amount
equal to at least the sum of 90% of its tax-exempt income and 90% of its
investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net
short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss), if any, for the year
(the “Distribution Requirement”) and satisfies certain other requirements of the
Code. In addition to satisfaction of the Distribution Requirement, a Fund must
derive with respect to a taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from
dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans and gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies,
or from other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such
stock, securities, or currencies or net income derived from an interest in a
qualified publicly traded partnership (the “Income Requirement”). Also, at the
close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s
assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities,
securities of other regulated investment companies and securities of other
issuers (as to which the Fund does not hold more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities (including securities of a
“qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) of such issuer), and no more
than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the
securities of (i) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and
securities of other regulated investment companies), (ii) two or more issuers
which such Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or
businesses or (iii) one or more QPTPs (the “Asset Diversification Requirement”).
Each Fund intends to comply with these requirements.
If
for any period a Fund were to fail to meet the distribution, income or asset
diversification requirements described above, existing laws generally permit the
fund to take certain actions to bring itself back into compliance. If a Fund
were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such a failure, or otherwise failed
to qualify as a RIC, all of the Fund’s taxable income would be subject to
federal income tax at regular corporate rates at the Fund level (without any
deduction for distributions to its shareholders). In addition, all distributions
to shareholders from earnings and profits would be taxed as dividend income,
even if the distributions were attributable to long-term capital gains or exempt
interest income earned by the Fund. Some portions of such distributions may be
eligible for the dividends- received deduction in the case of corporate
shareholders or to be treated as qualified dividend income to non-corporate
shareholders, provided, in both cases, that the shareholder meets certain
holding period and other requirements in respect of the fund shares.
Furthermore, in order to re-qualify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be
required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and
make substantial distributions. See “Taxes – Fund Taxation” section of the
Statement of Additional Information for further discussion.
Distributions.
Each Fund receives income and gains on its investments. The income, less
expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes the Fund’s net
investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. Each Fund intends to
qualify as a RIC under the Code for federal tax purposes and to distribute to
shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gain
each year. Except as otherwise noted below, you will generally be subject to
federal income tax on a Fund‘s distributions to you. For federal income tax
purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net
investment income are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions
attributable to net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains
over net short-term capital losses) of a Fund generally are taxable to you as
long-term capital gains. This is true no matter how long you own your Shares or
whether you take distributions in cash or additional Shares. The maximum
long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals is 20%.
Distributions
of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term
capital gain rates as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95%
or more of the gross income of a Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of
dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign
corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions received by
individual shareholders of a Fund will be treated as qualifying dividends. But
if less than 95% of the gross income of a Fund (other than net capital gain)
consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions received by individual
shareholders of a Fund will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are
derived from qualifying dividends earned by such Fund. For the lower rates to
apply, you must have owned your Shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day
period beginning on the date that is 60 days before such Fund’s ex-dividend date
(and such Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with
respect to the Shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The
amount of a Fund‘s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may
be reduced as a result of such Fund‘s securities lending activities (if any), a
high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or
“non-qualified” foreign corporations. In addition, whether distributions
received from foreign corporations are qualifying dividends will depend on
several factors including the country of residence of the corporation making the
distribution. Accordingly, distributions from many of the Funds' holdings may
not be qualifying dividends.
A
portion of distributions paid to shareholders that are corporations may also
qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to
certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations. The amount
of the dividends qualifying for this deduction may, however, be reduced as a
result of such Fund‘s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio
turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or foreign corporations.
Distributions
from a Fund will generally be taxable to you in the year in which they are paid,
with one exception. Dividends and distributions declared by a Fund in October,
November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as
though they were paid on December 31.
You
should note that if you buy Shares of a Fund shortly before it makes a
distribution, the distribution will be fully taxable to you even though, as an
economic matter, it simply represents a return of a portion of your investment.
This adverse tax result is known as “buying into a dividend.”
You
will be informed of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualifying
dividend income, and capital gain distributions at the time they are paid, and
you will be advised of the tax status for federal income tax purposes shortly
after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Shares for a full
year, a Fund may designate and distribute to you, as ordinary income or capital
gain, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such
income earned during the period of your investment in such Fund.
Tax
Structure of ETFs.
In a conventional mutual fund and exchange-traded funds that do not effect
transactions principally in-kind, like the Fund, redemptions can have an adverse
tax impact on taxable shareholders because the fund may need to sell portfolio
securities to obtain cash to meet such redemptions. These sales may generate
taxable gains that must be distributed to the shareholders of the mutual fund,
whereas an in-kind redemption mechanism may reduce the effect of a tax event for
the Fund (to the extent it uses in-kind redemptions) or its shareholders.
However, the tax advantages of investing in Shares may be less pronounced than
passive ETFs because the Funds are actively managed and, therefore, may have
greater turnover in their portfolio securities, which could result in less tax
efficiency than an investment in a fund that is not actively
managed.
Excise
Tax Distribution Requirements.
Under the Code, a nondeductible excise tax of 4% is imposed on the excess of a
RIC’s “required distribution” for the calendar year ending within the RIC’s
taxable year over the “distributed amount” for such calendar year. The term
“required distribution” means the sum of (a) 98% of ordinary income (generally
net investment income) for the calendar year, (b) 98.2% of capital gain (both
long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending on October 31 (or
December 31, if a Fund so elects), and (c) the sum of any untaxed, undistributed
net investment income and net capital gains of the RIC for prior periods. The
term “distributed amount” generally means the sum of (a) amounts actually
distributed by a Fund from its current year’s ordinary income and capital gain
net income and (b) any amount on which a Fund pays income tax for the taxable
year ending in the calendar year. Although each Fund intends to distribute its
net investment income and net capital gains so as to avoid excise tax liability,
a Fund may determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute a
lesser amount. The Funds intend to declare and pay these amounts in December (or
in January, which must be treated by you as received in December) to avoid these
excise taxes, but can give no assurances that their distributions will be
sufficient to eliminate all such taxes.
Foreign
Currencies.
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates
which occur between the time a Fund accrues interest or other receivables or
accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency, and the
time such Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities, are
treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, gains or losses from the
disposition of foreign currencies, from the disposition of debt securities
denominated in a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a forward foreign
currency contract which are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the
foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the asset and the date of
disposition also are treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses,
referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains or losses, increase or
decrease the amount of a Fund‘s investment company taxable income available to
be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or
decreasing the amount of such Fund‘s net capital gain.
Foreign
Taxes.
Each Fund will be subject to foreign withholding taxes with respect to certain
payments received from sources in foreign countries. If at the close of the
taxable year more than 50% in value of a Fund’s assets consists of stock in
foreign corporations, such Fund will be eligible to make an election to treat a
proportionate amount of those taxes as constituting a distribution to each
shareholder, which would allow you either (subject to certain limitations) (1)
to credit that proportionate amount of taxes against your U.S. Federal income
tax liability as a foreign tax credit or (2) to take that amount as an itemized
deduction. If a Fund is not eligible or chooses not to make this election, it
will be entitled to deduct such taxes in computing the amounts it is required to
distribute.
Sales
and Exchanges.
The sale of Shares is a taxable event on which a gain or loss is recognized. The
amount of gain or loss is based on the difference between your tax basis in
Shares and the amount you receive for them upon disposition. Generally, you will
recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Shares for over
one year at the time you sell or exchange them. Gains and losses on Shares held
for one year or less will generally constitute short-term capital gains, except
that a loss on Shares held six months or less will be re-characterized as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions
that you have received on the Shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of
Shares may be disallowed under the so-called “wash sale” rules to the extent the
Shares disposed of are replaced with other Shares of that same Fund within a
period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the Shares
are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in Shares of a
Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of
the Shares acquired.
Taxes
on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.
An Authorized Participant who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units
generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the
difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of
purchase (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the
issue) and the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the securities
surrendered (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the
issue). An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for equity
securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference
between the Authorized Participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash
paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate
market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the
Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). The Internal Revenue Service
(the “IRS”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of
securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules
governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant
change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their
own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a
loss might be deductible.
IRAs
and Other Tax-Qualified Plans.
The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions
on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, Shares held in an IRA or other
tax-qualified plan are not currently taxable but may be taxable when funds are
withdrawn from the tax qualified plan unless the Shares were purchased with
borrowed funds.
Medicare
Tax. An
additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income
(including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a
Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund
Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s
“modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted
gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your
federal income tax return.
Backup
Withholding.
Each Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S.
Treasury backup withholding at the applicable rate on dividends and gross sales
proceeds paid to any shareholder (i) who has either provided an incorrect tax
identification number or no number at all, (ii) who is subject to backup
withholding by the IRS, or (iii) who has failed to certify to a Fund, when
required to do so, that he or she is not subject to backup withholding or is an
“exempt recipient.”
Cost
Basis Reporting. Federal
law requires that shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period be
reported to the IRS and to shareholders on the Consolidated Form 1099s when
“covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any RIC and/or dividend
reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.
For
those securities defined as “covered” under current IRS cost basis tax reporting
regulations, accurate cost basis and tax lot information must be maintained for
tax reporting purposes. This information is not required for Shares that are not
“covered.” The Funds and their service providers do not provide tax advice. You
should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with
respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot
identification method. Shareholders should contact their financial
intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections
for their accounts.
State
and Local Taxes.
You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income and gain attributable
to your ownership of Shares. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the
tax status of distributions in your state and locality.
U.S.
Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders.
A non-U.S. shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax on
gain from the redemption of Shares or on capital gain dividends (i.e., dividends
attributable to long-term capital gains of a Fund) unless, in the case of a
shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual, the shareholder is present
in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain
other conditions are met. Non-U.S. shareholders generally will be subject to
U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate, if applicable) on
distributions by a Fund of net investment income, other ordinary income, and the
excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss
for the year, unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S.
trade or business of the shareholder. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are
provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Fund from net long-term
capital gains, if any, interest-related dividends paid by the Fund from its
qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain
dividends if such amounts are reported by the Fund. Non-U.S. shareholders are
subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup
withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult
their tax advisors regarding the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of investing
in a Fund.
Other
Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Under
the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax is
imposed on income dividends paid by a Fund to certain foreign entities, referred
to as foreign financial institutions or nonfinancial foreign entities, that fail
to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding
requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of
U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA
withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions,
return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund
Shares, however based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which may be
relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final
regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). Information about a
shareholder in a Fund may be disclosed to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities
or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be
required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide
the appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status
under FATCA.
Consult
Your Tax Professional.
Your investment in a Fund could have additional tax consequences. You should
consult your tax professional for information regarding all tax consequences
applicable to your investments in a Fund. More tax information relating to the
Funds is also provided in the SAI. This short summary is not intended as a
substitute for careful tax planning.
DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE
Each
Fund calculates its NAV as of the regularly scheduled close of business of the
NYSE Arca Inc. (“NYSE Arca”), The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ") or Cboe BZX
Exchange, Inc. ("Cboe BZX") (each referred to herein as the "Exchange")
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the Exchange is open for
business, based on prices at the time
of
closing, provided that any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other
than the U.S. dollar shall be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more major banks or
dealers that make a two-way market in such currencies (or a data service
provider based on quotations received from such banks or dealers). The NAV of
each Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of such Fund
(i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number
of outstanding Shares, generally rounded to the nearest cent. The price of Fund
Shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices
rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or
less than NAV (a discount).
In
calculating a Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s investments are generally valued using
market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained
from an exchange or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price
quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a
pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), or (iii) based on
amortized cost, provided the amortized cost is approximately the value on
current sale of the security. In the case of shares of funds that are not traded
on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund’s published NAV per share. A
Fund may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing
service.
In
the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such
valuations do not reflect current market values (including, in the case of
Bitcoin Futures, as a result of volatility-based trading halts), the affected
investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing
policy and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. A price obtained from a
pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be used to
fair value a security. The frequency with which a Fund’s investments are valued
using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and
other assets in which the Fund invests pursuant to its investment objective,
strategies and limitations.
Investments
that may be valued using fair value pricing include, but are not limited to: (i)
an unlisted security related to corporate actions; (ii) a restricted security
(i.e., one that may not be publicly sold without registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)); (iii) a security
whose trading has been suspended or which has been de-listed from its primary
trading exchange; (iv) a security that is thinly traded; (v) a security in
default or bankruptcy proceedings for which there is no current market
quotation; (vi) a security affected by currency controls or restrictions; and
(vii) a security affected by a significant event (i.e., an event that occurs
after the close of the markets on which the security is traded but before the
time as of which the Fund’s NAV is computed and that may materially affect the
value of the Fund’s investments). Examples of events that may be “significant
events” are government actions, natural disasters, armed conflict, acts of
terrorism, and significant market fluctuations.
Valuing
a Fund‘s investments using fair value pricing will result in using prices for
those investments that may differ from current market valuations.
Because
foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which a
shareholder may purchase Shares, the value of a Fund’s investments may change on
days when shareholders are not able to purchase Shares. Additionally, due to
varying holiday schedules, redemption requests made on certain dates may result
in a settlement period exceeding seven calendar days.
The
value of assets denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars
using exchange rates deemed appropriate by the Adviser.
The
right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with
respect to a Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other
than customary weekend and holiday closings), (2) for any period during which
trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted, (3) for any period during
which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of a Fund’s portfolio
securities or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable, or (4) in
such other circumstances as the SEC permits.
Subject
to oversight by the Board of Trustees, the Adviser, as “valuation designee”
pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, performs fair value determinations of
Fund investments. In addition, the Adviser, as the valuation designee, is
responsible for periodically assessing any material risks associated with the
determination of the fair value of the Fund's investments; establishing and
applying fair value methodologies; testing the appropriateness of fair value
methodologies; and overseeing and evaluating third-party pricing services. The
Adviser has established a fair value committee to assist with its designated
responsibilities as valuation designee.
PREMIUM/DISCOUNT
AND SHARE INFORMATION
Once
available, information regarding how often the Shares of each Fund traded on a
national securities exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium to) or below
(i.e., at a discount to) the NAV of the Fund, the Fund’s per share NAV, and the
median bid-ask spread of Shares can be found at
www.globalxetfs.com.
TOTAL
RETURN INFORMATION
Each
Fund except for the Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF had commenced operation
as of the most recent fiscal year end. The tables that follow present
information about the total returns of each Fund. The information presented for
each Fund is as of the most recent fiscal year end.
“Annualized
Total Returns” or "Cumulative Total Returns" represent the total change in value
of an investment over the periods indicated.
Each
Fund’s per share NAV is the value of one share of the Fund as calculated in
accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund Shares. The NAV
return is based on the NAV of each Fund and the market return is based on the
market prices of the Fund. The price used to calculate market prices is
determined by using the midpoint between the bid and the ask on the primary
stock exchange on which Shares of the Fund are listed for trading, as of the
time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that
dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at
market prices and NAV, respectively.
An
index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or
sector. Unlike a Fund, an Underlying Index does not actually hold a portfolio of
securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by the Fund. These
expenses negatively impact the performance of a Fund. Also, market returns do
not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market
transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be
lower. The returns shown in the tables below do not reflect the deduction of
taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or
sale of Fund Shares. The investment return and principal value of Shares of a
Fund will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares of a Fund may be worth
more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the
market. A Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of future
results.
Annualized
Total Returns
Inception
to 10/31/25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
NAV |
MARKET |
UNDERLYING
INDEX |
|
Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF 1 |
8.11% |
8.00% |
N/A |
|
Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF2 |
7.86% |
7.20% |
8.85% |
|
Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF3 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Global
X Ethereum Covered Call ETF4 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1 For
the period since inception on 11/15/21 to 10/31/25
2
For
the period since inception on 03/20/24 to 10/31/25
3
Did
not have multiple years of performance as of 10/31/25
4 Did
not have multiple years of performance as of 10/31/25
Cumulative
Total Returns
Inception
to 10/31/25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| NAV |
MARKET |
UNDERLYING
INDEX |
|
Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF 1 |
36.19% |
35.63% |
N/A |
|
Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF2 |
13.02% |
11.89% |
14.70% |
|
Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF3 |
3.60% |
3.87% |
N/A |
|
Global
X Ethereum Covered Call ETF4 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1 For
the period since inception on 11/15/21 to 10/31/25
2
For
the period since inception on 03/20/24 to 10/31/25
3
For
the period since inception on 06/03/25 to 10/31/25
4 Not
incepted as of 10/31/25
INFORMATION
REGARDING THE INDEX AND THE INDEX PROVIDER
CoinDesk
Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index
The
CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index systematically and dynamically
allocates between (i) U.S. exchange-traded Bitcoin futures contracts (“Bitcoin
Futures”), and (ii) the passively managed affiliated Global X 1-3 Month T-Bill
ETF (the “U.S. Treasury ETF”). Allocations are based on the value of the Bitcoin
Trend Indicator (the “Signal”), a dynamic quantitative signal developed and
administrated by CoinDesk Indices, Inc. (the “Index Provider”) which aims to
detect the presence, direction, and strength of the price trend in Bitcoin. The
CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index increases its allocation to
Bitcoin Futures when the Signal increases and decreases its allocation to
Bitcoin Futures when the Signal decreases. The CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator
Futures Index aims to maximize exposure to Bitcoin Futures when significant
uptrends are indicated and reduce the volatility of the strategy by
proportionally increasing the allocation to the U.S. Treasury ETF when the
Signal indicates a weaker uptrend, no trend, a downtrend, or a significant
downtrend.
Disclaimers
CoinDesk®,
the CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator Futures Index (the “ Underlying Index”),
and the CoinDesk Bitcoin Trend Indicator (the “Signal” and, with the Underlying
Index, the “Data”) are trade or service marks of CoinDesk Indices, Inc. (“CDI”),
the publisher of the Data, and/or its licensors. CDI or CDI's licensors own all
proprietary rights in the Data.
CDI
is not the issuer or producer of Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF and has no
responsibilities, obligations, or duties to investors in or holders of Global X
Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF. The Data is licensed for use by Global X Management
Company, LLC (“GXMC”) as the issuer of Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF. The
only relationship that CDI has with GXMC in respect of Global X Bitcoin Trend
Strategy ETF is the licensing of the Data, which is administered and published
by CDI, or any successor thereto, without regard to the issuer of the Global X
Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF or the owners or holders of the Global X Bitcoin
Trend Strategy ETF.
Investors
or holders acquire Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF from GXMC and investors
and holders neither acquire any interest in the Data nor enter into any
relationship of any kind whatsoever with CDI upon making an investment in or
acquisition of Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF. The Global X Bitcoin Trend
Strategy ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by CDI. CDI makes no
representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the advisability of
investing in or otherwise acquiring the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF or
the advisability of investing in securities or digital assets generally or the
ability of the Data to track corresponding or relative market performance. CDI
has not passed on the legality or suitability of the Global X Bitcoin Trend
Strategy ETF with respect to any person or entity. CDI is not responsible for,
nor has participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices at, or
quantities of the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF to be issued. CDI has no
obligation to take the needs of the issuer or the owners or holders of the
Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF or any other third party into consideration
in administering, composing, calculating, or publishing the Data. CDI has no
obligation or liability in connection with administration, marketing, or trading
of the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF.
The
licensing agreement between GXMC and CDI is solely for the benefit of GXMC and
CDI and not for the benefit of the owners or holders of the Global X Bitcoin
Trend Strategy ETF or any other third parties.
CDI
SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY TO THE ISSUER, INVESTORS, HOLDERS OR OTHER THIRD PARTIES
FOR THE QUALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR COMPLETENESS OF THE DATA OR ANY DATA INCLUDED
THEREIN OR FOR INTERRUPTIONS IN THE DELIVERY OF THE DATA. CDI HEREBY EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA OR ANY OTHER DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. CDI RESERVES
THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE METHODS OF CALCULATION OR PUBLICATION, OR TO CEASE THE
CALCULATION OR PUBLICATION OF THE DATA AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
MISCALCULATION OF OR ANY INCORRECT, DELAYED, OR INTERRUPTED PUBLICATION WITH
RESPECT TO THE DATA. CDI SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY LOST PROFITS,
EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH, RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE DATA
OR ANY other DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR WITH RESPECT TO THE GLOBAL X BITCOIN TREND
STRATEGY ETF.
CME
GROUP MARKET DATA IS USED UNDER LICENSE AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR CERTAIN
INDICES OF CDI, WHICH ARE UTILIZED BY GXMC IN THE GLOBAL X BITCOIN TREND
STRATEGY ETF HEREUNDER (PRODUCTS). CME GROUP HAS NO OTHER CONNECTION TO CDI OR
GLOBAL X'S PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND DOES NOT SPONSOR, ENDORSE, RECOMMEND OR
PROMOTE ANY CDI OR GLOBAL X PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. CME GROUP HAS NO OBLIGATION OR
LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH CDI OR THE GLOBAL X PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. CME
GROUP DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MARKET DATA
LICENSED TO CDI OR GLOBAL X AND SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS,
OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THERE ARE NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF
ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN CME GROUP AND CDI.
Errors
made by an Index Provider may occur from time to time and may not be identified
by the Index Provider for a period of time or at all. The Adviser does not
provide any warranty or guarantee against such errors. Therefore, the gains,
losses, or costs associated with the Index Provider’s errors will generally be
borne by the Fund and its shareholders.
Errors
made by an Index Provider may occur from time to time and may not be identified
by the Index Provider for a period of time or at all. The Adviser does not
provide any warranty or guarantee against such errors. Therefore, the gains,
losses, or costs associated with the Index Provider’s errors will generally be
borne by the Fund and its shareholders.
OTHER
SERVICE PROVIDERS
SEI
Investments Global Funds Services is the sub-administrator for each
Fund.
The
Bank of New York Mellon is the custodian and transfer agent for the Global X
Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF, Global X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF and
Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. serves as
custodian and transfer agent to the Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy
ETF.
Stradley
Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP serves as counsel for the Trust and the Trust’s
Independent Trustees.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP serves as the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm and
audited the financial statements for the Funds for the fiscal years ended
October 31, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, as applicable.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The
Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including among
others, the Funds' Adviser, custodian, and transfer agent who provide services
to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements
and are not intended beneficiaries of those contractual arrangements, and those
contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right
to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them
against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the
Trust.
This
Prospectus provides information concerning the Funds that investors should
consider in determining whether to purchase Fund Shares. Neither this Prospectus
nor the SAI is intended, or should be read, to be or give rise to an agreement
or contract between the Trust or the Funds and any investor, or to give rise to
any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under
federal or state law that may not be waived.
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Each
Fund, except for the Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF, had commenced
operations and has financial highlights for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2025. The financial highlights tables are intended to help
investors understand a Fund's financial performance since the Fund's inception.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single Share of a Fund. The
total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have
earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP serves as the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm and has
audited the financial statements of the Funds for the fiscal years ended October
31, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, as applicable. The Funds' financial statements
are available without charge upon request.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
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Selected
Per Share Data & Ratios
For
a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
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Net
Asset Value, Beginning of Period ($) |
Net
Investment Income ($)* |
Net
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments ($) |
Total
from Operations ($) |
Distribution
from Net Investment Income ($) |
Distribution
from Capital Gains ($) |
Return
of Capital ($) |
Total
from Distributions ($) |
Net Asset
Value, End of Period ($) |
Total
Return (%)** |
Net
Assets, End of Period ($)(000) |
Ratio
of Expenses to Average Net Assets (%) |
Ratio
of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets (%) |
Portfolio
Turnover (%)†† |
| Global
X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF |
| 2025 |
71.47
|
3.23
|
52.98
|
56.21 |
(19.59) |
— |
— |
(19.59) |
108.09 |
95.05 |
49,408 |
0.65
(1) |
4.26
(2) |
18.03 |
| 2024 |
38.09
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1.58
|
39.23
|
40.81 |
(7.43) |
— |
— |
(7.43) |
71.47 |
111.98 |
26,953 |
0.65
(1) |
2.57
(2) |
37.45 |
|
2023(3) |
27.56
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0.62
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10.21
|
10.83 |
(0.30) |
— |
— |
(0.30) |
38.09 |
39.54 |
13,603 |
0.65
(1) |
1.96
(2) |
24.20 |
|
2022(3)(4) |
119.00
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0.80
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(90.72) |
(89.92) |
(1.52) |
— |
— |
(1.52) |
27.56 |
(76.40) |
8,061 |
0.65
†(1) |
1.96
†(2) |
0.00 |
| Global
X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF |
| 2025 |
26.09
|
1.23
|
9.78
|
11.01 |
(0.89) |
— |
— |
(0.89) |
36.21 |
42.33 |
5,432 |
0.95
(1) |
3.29
(2) |
75.95 |
|
2024(5) |
33.10
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0.61
|
(7.42) |
(6.81) |
(0.20) |
— |
— |
(0.20) |
26.09 |
(20.60) |
1,826 |
0.95
†(1) |
3.59
†(2) |
42.49 |
| Global
X Bitcoin Covered Call ETF |
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2025(6) |
25.30
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(0.07) |
1.11
^ |
1.04 |
(0.00)
# |
— |
(3.83) |
(3.83) |
22.51 |
3.60 |
14,629 |
0.75
†(1) |
(0.65)
†(2) |
14.61 |
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| * |
Per
share data calculated using average shares method. |
| ** |
Total
Return is for the period indicated and has not been annualized. The return
shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay
on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. |
| † |
Annualized. |
| †† |
Portfolio
turnover rate is for the period indicated and periods of less than one
year have not been annualized. Excludes effect of in-kind
transfers. |
| (1) |
Excludes
fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in
underlying funds. |
| (2) |
Net
investment income ratios do not reflect the proportionate share of income
and expenses of the underlying funds in which the fund
invests. |
| (3) |
Per
share amounts have been adjusted for a 1 for 4 reverse share split on
December 19, 2022. (See Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.) |
| (4) |
The
Fund commenced operations on November 15, 2021. |
| (5) |
The
Fund commenced operations on March 20, 2024. |
| (6) |
The
Fund commenced operations on June 3, 2025. |
| ^ |
The
amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord
with the aggregate net gains on investments for the period because of the
sales and repurchases of fund shares in relation to fluctuating market
value of the investments of the Fund. |
| # |
Amount
is less than ($0.005). |
Amounts
designated as "—" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.
OTHER
INFORMATION
The
Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by any national securities
exchange. No national securities exchange makes any representation or warranty,
express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public
regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds
particularly or the ability of the Funds to achieve their objectives. No
national securities exchange has any obligation or liability in connection with
the administration, marketing or trading of the Funds.
For
purposes of the 1940 Act, shares that are issued by a registered investment
company and purchases of such shares by investment companies and companies
relying on Sections 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act are subject to the
restrictions set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
The
method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues
under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold
by the Funds on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the
Securities Act, may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are
cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the
circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a
manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the
prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For
example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory
underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the
Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares
directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of
new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary
market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for
purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and
circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in
the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a
complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization
as an underwriter.
Broker-dealers
who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as
contrasted with ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with
Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section
4(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the
prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act.
This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the
Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of
Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that
dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as
contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with
the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section
4(a)(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the
prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act.
Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are
reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery
obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange
member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that
the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus
delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to
transactions on an exchange.
For
more information visit our website at
www.globalxetfs.com
or
call 1-888-493-8631
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Investment
Adviser and Administrator
Global
X Management Company LLC
605
Third Avenue, 43rd Floor
New
York, NY 10158
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Distributor
SEI
Investments Distribution Co.
One
Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks,
PA 19456
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Custodians
and Transfer Agents
Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co.
50
Post Office Square
Boston,
MA 02110
The
Bank of New York Mellon
240
Greenwich Street
New
York, New York 10286
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Sub-Administrator
SEI
Investments Global Funds Services
One
Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks,
PA 19456
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Legal
Counsel to the Global X Funds®
and Independent Trustees
Stradley
Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2000
K Street N.W., Suite 700
Washington,
DC 20006
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Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Two
Commerce Square, Suite 1800
2001
Market Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19103 |
A
Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2026, which contains
more details about the Funds, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into
this Prospectus, which means that it is legally part of this Prospectus.
Additional
information about each Fund that has commenced operations and its investments is
available in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in Form
N-CSR. The annual report explains the market conditions and investment
strategies affecting each Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. In
Form N-CSR you will find each Fund’s annual and semi-annual financial
statements.
You
can ask questions or obtain a free copy of each such Fund’s semi-annual and
annual report, the Statement of Additional Information, or other information,
such as Fund financial statements, by calling 1-888-493-8631. Free copies of a
Fund’s semi-annual and annual report and the Statement of Additional Information
are available from our website at www.globalxetfs.com.
Information
about each Fund, including its semi-annual and annual reports and the Statement
of Additional Information, has been filed with the SEC. It can be reviewed and
copied on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov).
You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address ([email protected]).
PROSPECTUS
Distributor
SEI
Investments Distribution Co.
One
Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks,
PA 19456
March 1,
2026
Investment
Company Act File No.: 811-22209