Canary Capital Files a Prospectus with the SEC for a Staked SEI ETF

Canary Capital has submitted a registration statement on Form S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) named the Canary Staked SEI ETF. The fund aims to provide direct exposure to the price of SEI, the native token of the Sei Network, while earning additional SEI through staking.

Canary Capital has filed for an SEI exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will directly hold the token and provide exposure to its price movements. The fund is designed to track the SEI price as calculated by CoinDesk Indices, Inc., and will serve as the official pricing benchmark for the ETF.

The ETF’s net asset value (NAV) will be determined daily by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time based on the midpoint of the best bid and best offer prices aggregated from digital asset trading platforms. The ETF will not rely on derivatives and intends to hold actual SEI tokens in the fund’s portfolio.

The filing names BitGo Trust Company, Inc., and Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC as the fund’s designated custodians, who will be responsible for holding the SEI tokens. Both custodians maintain insurance policies through private providers, although the fund itself will not be FDIC-backed.

The ETF structure provides investors with the opportunity to access SEI through their standard brokerage accounts without the need to manage private keys or navigate the complexities of blockchain-based ownership. The fund’s design is focused on providing efficient and broad-based access to SEI with minimal management fees.

The Canary Staked SEI ETF staking mechanism aims to validate transactions on the SEI Network through proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus, thereby generating additional SEI as staking rewards. This dual-purpose strategy positions the ETF to deliver exposure to SEI price movements along with the potential for extra yield.

The staking process will be carried out in accordance with applicable federal securities laws and regulations. The trust will work with established validators selected based on technical expertise, industry reputation, and alignment with the fund’s investment objectives to engage in staking.

All staking activities will be conducted under the supervision of the fund’s custodians, who will ensure the secure handling and movement of the fund’s assets. The fund’s investment manager, Core Innovation Technologies, Inc., will oversee the overall operation and investment strategy of the fund.

Canary Capital has submitted an S-1 registration statement for the launch of the Canary Staked SEI ETF, an exchange-traded product designed to track the price of SEI and earn additional SEI through participation in the network’s PoS mechanism. Custody services will be provided by BitGo Trust Company, Inc., and Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC, while Core Innovation Technologies, Inc., will serve as the investment manager. The fund’s primary focus is to provide efficient and broad-based access to SEI with minimal management fees.

The ETF aims to deliver lower-entry barriers for traditional investors seeking exposure to SEI. It will also integrate a staking feature to generate additional SEI for investors. The fund’s design combines direct token holding with staking, aligning with the SEC’s evolving stance on crypto products.

The ETF is applying for registration with the U.S. SEC, and approval is still pending. The fund’s investment strategy will be guided by Core Innovation Technologies, while administrative and accounting services will be provided by BNY Mellon.

This ETF marks Canary Capital’s first product offering centered on SEI, and it adds to the firm’s growing list of crypto-based investment products. Previously, Canary Capital filed for a similar TRX-focused staked ETF, showcasing a broader initiative to offer crypto ETFs with integrated staking capabilities.

Earlier this year, the SEC chairman expressed openness to approving a Bitcoin ETF, and several firms, including BlackRock, submitted applications for such products. These developments highlight the increasing interest in and acceptance of crypto-based investment products within the traditional financial markets.

In other news, a report by the Bank of Canada and the University of Toronto on the potential of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Canada highlighted both the opportunities and challenges that such a currency could bring to the country's financial landscape. The report, titled "Central Bank Digital Currency: Opportunities and Challenges for Canada," examined the technical feasibility, economic impact, and legal and regulatory considerations of a CBDC in the Canadian context.

The report found that a CBDC could offer several benefits, such as increased efficiency and resilience in payments, improved financial inclusion, and new opportunities for innovation in financial products and services. However, it also noted that the introduction of a CBDC would raise significant challenges, including the need to maintain the stability of the monetary system, the potential for displacement of commercial bank money, and the integration of a CBDC with existing financial infrastructure.

The researchers concluded that the decision of whether or not to introduce a CBDC in Canada is ultimately a political one, to be made by the Canadian government in consultation with stakeholders. However, their analysis provides valuable insights into the potential and pitfalls of this emerging technology.

Both reports provide a glimpse into the ongoing conversation about the future of money and the role of digital currencies in the global financial system. As this conversation continues, we can expect to see more proposals, analysis, and ultimately, decisions that