Key Takeaways:
Amplify ETFs has introduced the first actively managed bitcoin strategy ETF that uses technical analysis to dynamically adjust exposure between 70% and 150% of net assets.
CHICAGO — Amplify ETFs on Wednesday launched the Amplify Fairlead Tactical Bitcoin ETF (BNAV) on the Cboe exchange, marking a shift from passive bitcoin exposure toward momentum-driven allocation strategies in the two-year-old US spot bitcoin ETF market.
The fund is sub-advised by Fairlead Asset Management LLC and managed by founder Katie Stockton, a CNBC contributor with decades of experience applying rules-based technical methodologies across asset classes. BNAV toggles bitcoin exposure between 70% and 150% of net assets based on trend-driven technical signals, accessing bitcoin primarily through bitcoin ETP options and derivatives.
"By combining Katie's technical expertise with Amplify's ETF platform, BNAV is designed to provide investors with a distinctive approach to navigating bitcoin market trends," Christian Magoon, chief executive officer of Amplify ETFs, said in a statement.
The fund represents what Amplify calls "Bitcoin ETF 2.0" — a departure from the passive, 100% allocation model that defined the first wave of spot bitcoin ETFs approved in early 2024. Where those funds ride every drawdown, BNAV is designed to reduce exposure when technical indicators weaken and increase conviction when market conditions strengthen, with the ability to use leverage for exposure above 100% of net assets.
Amplify ETFs, which oversees more than $20 billion in assets as of June 30, positions BNAV as a response to investors seeking strategies that actively adapt to bitcoin's volatility rather than maintaining a constant allocation. The fund does not invest directly in bitcoin but gains exposure through bitcoin ETP options and derivatives including bitcoin futures contracts.
"Amplify ETFs has a strong track record of delivering innovative investment solutions, making them the right partner to bring our disciplined, technically driven approach to the rapidly evolving digital asset space," Stockton said.
The launch comes more than two years after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first US spot bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, a watershed moment that opened the asset class to mainstream investors through regulated vehicles. Since then, the market has seen over $50 billion in cumulative inflows across issuers including BlackRock's IBIT and Fidelity's FBTC, according to data from The Block.
BNAV's dynamic exposure model introduces a new category of bitcoin investment vehicle — one that blends technical analysis with active management in an ETF wrapper. The fund's ability to scale exposure up to 150% through derivatives means it can amplify participation in upward trends while potentially cushioning downside during corrections, though the use of leverage also introduces additional risk of magnified losses.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
