Bitcoin ETF Launches in Australia by Way of Canada

ETF maker pursues rising international interest in cryptocurrencies

In an interview with the Investing News Network (INN), Vlad Tasevski, chief operating officer and head of product at Purpose Investments, said the firm has been actively pursuing ways to offer its crypto funds internationally.

The executive said there has been widespread interest in BTCC since its launch back in February of last year.

As the firm began evaluating how to approach this demand, the company considered setting up shop in the Australian market, Tasevski said. However, eventually the Canadian fund provider went with the partnership route.

Tasevski called Australia “the next logical jurisdiction" for the firm as it expands with its crypto funds.

When asked what makes Australia so attractive for the expansion of BTCC, the executive said it has a similar market structure to Canada, and credited securities regulators in the nation for being more comfortable with cryptocurrency listings than other jurisdictions.

Purpose has strong long-term outlook for digital assets

Although crypto assets are facing a serious ongoing downturn in value that has created significant losses, Tasevski told INN that Purpose Investments is undeterred in its long-term crypto outlook.

“The amount of capital and the amount of people involved in the space has never been higher,” Tasevski said.

The executive said he views his company's offerings as very flexible for investors. “We'll be here for (investors) to actually give them the ability to very easily access it whenever they feel it is appropriate for them,” he said.

Tasevski added that he views the current downturn for bitcoin as “one of the best entry opportunities in the last year and a half.”

​As bitcoin struggles, ETF firm celebrates structural victory

Purpose Investments has suggested to investors that accessing the bitcoin market through its funds is a safer route than going it alone, especially given the current period of remarkable losses.

According to Tasevski, the firm's products offer liquidity to investors and provide a measured approach for people who want exposure in this segment.

“We have been very clear that this is a volatile asset class,” he told INN. “And investors should kind of understand the level of volatility that they will be taking on.”

The investment executive said the infrastructure security provided by the rules ETFs must follow has been a boon as the crypto space faces major volatility.

Even so, BTCC has been rocked in 2022 based on the performance of bitcoin. Over a year-to-date period, the fund had gone down in value by over 35 percent as of the closing bell in Canada on May 11. In the past month alone, BTCC has dropped in value by over 20 percent.

Som Seif, founder and CEO of Purpose Investments, recently said crypto is a “core component” for the firm “when solving problems for (its) customers.”

​Investor takeaway

Digital assets have never been more easily available as tools for all types of investors.

While many experts remain confident in the long-term outlook for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the considerable volatility prevailing in the market can make the space difficult for newcomers to stomach.

So far in 2022, bitcoin losses have highlighted the lack of stability in digital coins — but of course, as some have argued, these big moves can also provide entry points and opportunities for savvy investors.