Bitcoin-Linked Income ETF Strategy Without Direct Holdings
Rising demand for income tied to bitcoin-linked corporate exposure is shaping new ETF strategies, including a March 30, 2026, filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the proposed T-Strive Digital Credit ETF, trading under ticker DGCR. The fund is structured with Strive Asset Management LLC as sub-adviser, targeting yield through securities linked to companies holding bitcoin on their balance sheets.
Unlike spot products, the fund allocates to preferred securities issued by bitcoin treasury companies, which deploy corporate capital into BTC or related instruments. These include perpetual preferred shares and other income-generating equity-linked securities issued by such companies, as well as derivatives such as total return swaps used to gain exposure. The filing states:
“The fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks current income. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests in preferred securities issued by bitcoin treasury companies … and engages in derivatives transactions.”
Strive Asset Management LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Strive Inc., serves as sub-adviser. The fund defines bitcoin treasury companies using thresholds tied to asset exposure, revenue sources, regulatory classification, or mining operations.
Preferred Securities Strategy and Concentrated Portfolio Risk
The operational and legal framework of the fund involves several specialized entities. The ETF is a series of the ETF Opportunities Trust, with Tuttle Capital Management, LLC serving as the primary investment adviser responsible for fund expenses and regulatory oversight. To facilitate trading and custody, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. acts as the administrator, while U.S. Bank, N.A. serves as the fund’s custodian.
Oversight responsibilities are divided, with a primary adviser responsible for all fund expenses, while Strive Asset Management LLC handles portfolio strategy as sub-adviser. Shares will be issued in large creation units and listed on a national exchange, where secondary market pricing will reflect supply and demand dynamics and may diverge from net asset value depending on liquidity conditions.
“The fund is classified as ‘non-diversified’ under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ‘1940 Act’) and may hold a concentrated portfolio,” the filing explains, adding:
“The fund will not invest directly in bitcoin.”
This structure allows the ETF to maintain focused exposure to a limited number of issuers tied to bitcoin treasury strategies.
The T-Strive Digital Credit ETF is expected to focus on digital credit preferred securities issued by Strategy Inc., the largest bitcoin treasury company that allocates corporate funds to BTC as a core balance sheet holding. “The fund expects to focus its investments principally on the digital credit preferred securities known as Strategy Inc. Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) and Strive Inc. Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (SATA),” the filing details. These instruments, combined with derivatives, are designed to generate income while maintaining indirect exposure to bitcoin-linked corporate performance.
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FAQ 🧭
What is the DGCR ETF’s core investment strategy?It seeks income through preferred securities issued by bitcoin treasury companies. How does Strategy Inc. factor into the ETF portfolio?It is a primary focus due to its role as a leading bitcoin treasury company. Does the fund provide direct bitcoin exposure?No, exposure is indirect through corporate securities and derivatives. Why are bitcoin treasury companies important for investors?They offer a way to gain bitcoin-linked returns through traditional financial instruments.
