CoinShares Secures Strategic Option to Acquire Valkyrie Funds

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CoinShares International Limited (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF) has secured an exclusive option to acquire Valkyrie Funds LLC, the U.S. digital asset manager's investment advisory business specializing in actively managed cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds. CoinShares' U.S. expansion continues with this latest step, following the launch of Hedge Fund Solutions in September 2023. The company has also entered into a brand licensing agreement for Valkyrie's products, including its pending Bitcoin spot ETF. Valkyrie will operate independently until CoinShares decides to exercise its option, which remains open until the end of Q1 2024.

• This option to acquire is the latest step in CoinShares' U.S. expansion, following the launch of Hedge Fund Solutions in September 2023.
• CoinShares has also entered into a brand licensing agreement for Valkyrie's products notably its pending Bitcoin spot ETF.
• Valkyrie will continue to operate as an independent entity until CoinShares decides to exercise its option which remains open until the end of Q1 2024.

SAINT HELIER, Jersey, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CoinShares International Limited ("CoinShares'' or "the Company") (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), the leading European investment company specialising in digital assets, today announced it has secured an exclusive option to acquire Valkyrie Funds LLC ("Valkyrie Funds"), the U.S. digital asset manager's investment advisory business specialising in actively managed cryptocurrency exchange traded funds, from Valkyrie Investments Inc. ("Valkyrie Investments").

CoinShares' option to acquire Valkyrie Funds from Valkyrie Investments, is active from now until its expiry on 31 March 2024.

CEO of CoinShares, Jean-Marie Mognetti, commented on today's news: "The global ETF market is fragmented. The establishment of crypto spot ETPs in Europe since 2015, a development about to be mirrored in the U.S., is the perfect illustration. This disparity in market evolution presents both challenges and significant opportunities. The option to acquire Valkyrie is accelerating our expansion into the U.S. market and the deployment of our digital asset management expertise globally.

Valkyrie Fund's deep understanding of the U.S. market and track record of developing investment products for crypto exposure aligns perfectly with our vision and operational ethos. CoinShares is looking forward to exploring this acquisition option and bringing, with the know-how of Valkyrie's founders, premier digital asset products to American investors."

For the last 10 years, CoinShares has established itself as the leading player within the European crypto exchange traded product market, where it currently commands the largest market share and oversees more than $3.2B in AUM, at the date of this communication. The strategic acquisition option is the next step in CoinShares' expansion into the U.S. market, following the launch of CoinShares Hedge Fund Solutions in September of 2023.

As part of the acquisition option deal, the two companies have finalised a brand licensing agreement. Throughout the option period, Valkyrie Investments is granted a limited, revocable global licence to use the "CoinShares" name for its S-1 filings with the SEC. Should the SEC approve the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund, Valkyrie Investments plans to incorporate the CoinShares name, signifying CoinShares' first venture into offering a mainstream crypto passive product in the U.S. market.

"At the heart of our mission is to expand high-quality digital asset investment opportunities, joining CoinShares through this move underscores this shared ambition and vision", stated Leah Wald, CEO of Valkyrie. "CoinShares is a recognised, global leader and first-mover in the digital asset investment landscape with exceptional market expertise and an innovative spirit. Together, with Valkyrie's established U.S. presence and existing offerings, alongside CoinShares global reach and infrastructure, we're poised to deliver groundbreaking products aimed at solving investors' needs."

The option grants CoinShares the exclusive right to purchase 100% of Valkyrie Funds from Valkyrie Investments, as well as all of Valkyrie Investments' associated rights with the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund and any other unlaunched ETFs currently held by Valkyrie Investments. CoinShares' exercise of the acquisition option is contingent on regulatory approvals and consents, satisfactory due diligence and the completion of requisite legal agreements. Valkyrie Funds will continue to operate as an independent entity until any potential acquisition by CoinShares is finalised and the transaction is executed.

ABOUT COINSHARES
CoinShares is the European leading investment company specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Focusing on crypto since 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, in the US by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

ABOUT VALKYRIE
Valkyrie is a specialised alternative financial services firm at the intersection of traditional finance and the emerging cryptocurrency sector whose affiliates aim to offer asset management, research and other services. Headquartered in Nashville, Valkyrie aims to provide exposure to the emerging digital asset class through traditional financial vehicles. Valkyrie is led by seasoned asset managers who have previously launched multiple ETFs, publicly traded funds and Exchange Traded Products, including digital asset funds with backgrounds across Guggenheim Partners, MUFG Investor Services (US), Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and the World Bank.

For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
Company  | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
Investor Relations  | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com

PRESS CONTACT

CoinShares
Benoît Pellevoizin
bpellevoizin@coinshares.com
+33 6 72 44 07 17

M Group Strategic Communications
Peter Padovano
press@coinshares.com

This information is information that CoinShares International Limited is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). The information in this press release has been published through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 4PM CET on Thursday 16th November 2023.

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SOURCE CoinShares Group

FAQ

What is CoinShares International Limited's latest announcement?

CoinShares has secured an exclusive option to acquire Valkyrie Funds LLC, a U.S. digital asset manager's investment advisory business specializing in actively managed cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds.

What is the significance of CoinShares' U.S. expansion?

CoinShares' U.S. expansion includes the launch of Hedge Fund Solutions in September 2023 and a brand licensing agreement for Valkyrie's products, such as its pending Bitcoin spot ETF.

Until when is CoinShares' option to acquire Valkyrie Funds active?

CoinShares' option to acquire Valkyrie Funds from Valkyrie Investments is active until its expiry on 31 March 2024.