21Shares Bets on Active ETFs as Crypto Investing Enters Its Next Phase

21Shares is expanding its focus on actively managed exchange-traded products, signalling a shift in crypto investing as the market becomes more developed and competitive. The firm maintains that passive strategies alone are no longer sufficient to differentiate offerings in an increasingly crowded landscape.

Active ETFs allow for ongoing portfolio adjustments, enabling managers to respond to shifting market conditions rather than simply tracking the price movements of assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This approach is designed to improve risk management while seeking to capture new growth opportunities within the digital asset space.

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Why Active ETFs Are Gaining Traction

To support this strategy, 21Shares has strengthened its operational capabilities by growing its trading and portfolio management teams, aiming to deliver more complex and tailored investment products. The firm’s methodology combines detailed asset research with macro-level analysis to guide decision-making.

Across global markets, active ETFs accounted for approximately US$1.8 trillion (AU$2.54 trillion) in assets by 2025, reflecting a broader move toward more hands-on investment approaches. Within crypto, this shift is accompanied by the introduction of products featuring staking and other yield-generating mechanisms.

Investor behaviour also differs geographically, with US demand centred on established cryptocurrencies, while European institutions are exploring a wider range of assets and use cases. These trends reinforce 21Shares’ view that active management will define the next phase of crypto investment strategies.

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