T. Rowe Price Plans First Cryptocurrency ETF

Core Viewpoint - T. Rowe Price Group Inc. is set to launch its first cryptocurrency fund, marking a significant shift for the firm, which primarily focuses on traditional stocks and bonds [1] Company Developments - The new actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) will invest in a diversified basket of commodity crypto assets, aiming to outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, which includes the top ten crypto assets by market capitalization [1] - T. Rowe Price has developed end-to-end capabilities to trade digital assets and is currently awaiting regulatory approval for the new fund [3] - The firm oversees $1.8 trillion in assets and is seeking to attract more investments following challenges with client redemptions from its actively managed stock and bond funds [3] Industry Context - Digital assets have generated significant revenue for major fund managers, with BlackRock's spot-Bitcoin ETF amassing approximately $90 billion in client assets and Fidelity's Bitcoin ETF holding about $23 billion [2] - The support for cryptocurrencies from influential figures, such as former President Donald Trump, has encouraged more financial firms to enter the cryptocurrency market [2] - CME Group Inc. announced plans to enable round-the-clock trading of cryptocurrency futures and options starting early next year, indicating a growing acceptance of digital assets in traditional finance [2] Strategic Moves - T. Rowe Price has been expanding into other asset classes, including the acquisition of private credit firm Oak Hill Advisors in 2021 and a partnership with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to offer private-market products to retail investors [4]