WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 14, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 14, 2024
Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.
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Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Financial Condition
March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
| March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS: | ||
| Investment in Bitcoin, at cost | $63,518,740 | $– |
| Investment in Bitcoin, at fair value (Note 2) | 80,980,787 | – |
| Cash | 3,372 | 50,000 |
| Total Assets | 80,984,159 | 50,000 |
| LIABILITIES: | ||
| Sponsor fee payable, net (Note 3) | – | – |
| Total Liabilities | – | – |
| NET ASSETS | 80,984,159 | 50,000 |
| Net Assets consist of: | ||
| Capital Stock | 62,520,262 | 50,000 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 18,463,897 | – |
| NET ASSETS | 80,984,159 | 50,000 |
| Outstanding beneficial interest shares of $0.0001 par value (unlimited number of shares authorized) | 1,080,000 | 1,000 |
| Net Asset Value Per Share | $74.99 | $50.00 |
Schedule of Investment (Unaudited)
March 31, 2024
| Investment | Quantity | Value |
|---|---|---|
| DIGITAL ASSETS – 100.0% | ||
| Bitcoin(a) | 1,147 | $80,980,787 |
| TOTAL INVESTMENT IN BITCOIN (Cost: $63,518,740) | 80,980,787 | |
| Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.0% | 3,372 | |
| NET ASSETS - 100.0% | $80,984,159 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing. |
FAIR VALUATION SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the fair valuations according to the inputs used in valuing the Trust's investments (See Note 2 - Fair Value Measurement):
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets: | ||||
| Investment in Bitcoin | ||||
| Digital Assets | $80,980,787 | $— | $— | $80,980,787 |
| Total Investment in Bitcoin | $80,980,787 | $— | $— | $80,980,787 |
December 31, 2023*
| * | As of December 31, 2023, the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund did not hold any investments in Bitcoin. |
|---|
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)†
| † | |
|---|---|
| INVESTMENT INCOME: | |
| Total investment income | $– |
| EXPENSES: | |
| Sponsor fee (Note 3) | 20,085 |
| Total expenses | 20,085 |
| Expense waiver (Note 3) | (20,085) |
| Net expenses | – |
| Net investment income | – |
| NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENT: | |
| Net realized gain from investment in Bitcoin | 1,001,850 |
| Net increase in unrealized appreciation on investment in Bitcoin | 17,462,047 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investment in Bitcoin | 18,463,897 |
| NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | $18,463,897 |
| † | No comparative Statement of Operations is shown as of March of the prior year since the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund commenced investment operations after that period. |
|---|---|
| ‡ | Commencement of operations date January 11, 2024. The commencement of operations date is considered to be the date the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund began trading in the secondary market. |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)†
| † | |
|---|---|
| INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS: | |
| Net investment income | $– |
| Net realized gain on investment in Bitcoin | 1,001,850 |
| Net increase in unrealized appreciation on investment in Bitcoin | 17,462,047 |
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 18,463,897 |
| CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | |
| Net proceeds from sale of shares | 69,901,679 |
| Cost of shares redeemed | (7,431,417) |
| Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | 62,470,262 |
| Net Increase in Net Assets | 80,934,159 |
| NET ASSETS: | |
| Beginning of period | $50,000 |
| End of period | $80,984,159 |
| SHARES CREATED AND REDEEMED: | |
| Shares outstanding, beginning of period | 1,000 |
| Shares created | 1,189,000 |
| Shares redeemed | (110,000) |
| Shares outstanding, end of period | 1,080,000 |
| † | No comparative Statement of Changes in Net Assets is shown as of March of the prior year since the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund commenced investment operations after that period. |
|---|
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)†
| † | |
|---|---|
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $18,463,897 |
| ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| Purchases of investment in Bitcoin | (66,105,117) |
| Proceeds from sales of investment in Bitcoin | 3,588,227 |
| Net realized gain on investment in Bitcoin | (1,001,850) |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation from investment in Bitcoin | (17,462,047) |
| Net cash used for operating activities | (62,516,890) |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| Net proceeds from the sale of shares | 69,901,679 |
| Cost of shares redeemed | (7,431,417) |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 62,470,262 |
| Net decrease in cash | (46,628) |
| Cash at beginning of period | 50,000 |
| Cash at end of period | $3,372 |
| † | No comparative Statement of Cash Flows is shown as of March of the prior year since the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund commenced investment operations after that period. |
|---|
Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements
March 31, 2024
1. ORGANIZATION
WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 8, 2021 under Delaware law pursuant to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the “DTSA”) and Fund Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust’s investment objective is to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin, less expenses and liabilities of the Trust’s operations. The Trust is an exchange-traded fund that issues common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) that are listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange”) and trade under the ticker symbol “BTCW.”
WisdomTree Digital Commodity Services, LLC (the “Sponsor”) serves as sponsor of the Trust. The Sponsor arranged for the creation of the Trust and is responsible for the ongoing registration of the Shares for public offering in the United States and the listing of Shares on the Exchange. The Sponsor will develop and administer a marketing plan for the Trust and prepare marketing materials regarding the Shares, in each case in conjunction with Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Marketing Agent”). The Sponsor will select the service providers, negotiate the applicable agreements and fees and monitors the performance of the Trust.
Delaware Trust Company (the “Trustee”) acts as the trustee of the Trust for the purpose of creating a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the DSTA. The Trustee is appointed to serve as the trustee of the Trust in the State of Delaware for the sole purpose of satisfying the requirement of Section 3807(a) of the DSTA that the Trust have at least one trustee with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware.
Prior to December 31, 2023, the Trust had no operations other than matters relating to its organization and registration under Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). WisdomTree, Inc., the parent of the Sponsor, purchased(i) $50,000 in Shares at a price per Share of $50 on December 22, 2023, and (ii) $2,450,000 in Shares at a price per Share of $50 on January 8, 2024, for a total of $2,500,000, resulting in total ownership of 50,000 Shares. Proceeds from the issuance of these shares were held in cash as presented on the Trust’s Statement of Financial Condition. Effective January 10, 2024, the Trust’s registration statement relating to the continuous public offering of its Shares was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Trust commenced trading on the Exchange on January 11, 2024.
In the ordinary course of operation, the Trust will sell or redeem its Shares, in blocks of 5,000 Shares (a “Basket”) based on the quantity of bitcoin attributable to each Share of the Trust (net of accrued but unpaid expenses and liabilities). For a subscription of Shares, the subscription shall be in the amount of cash needed to purchase the amount of bitcoin represented by the Basket being created, in each case as calculated by State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator (the “Trust Administrator” or the “Cash Custodian”). For a redemption of Shares, the Sponsor shall arrange for the bitcoin represented by the Basket to be sold and the cash proceeds distributed. Financial firms that are authorized to purchase or redeem Shares with the Trust (known as “Authorized Participants”) will deliver cash to the Trust’s account with the Cash Custodian in exchange for Shares when they purchase Shares and will receive cash (from the Cash Custodian), when they redeem Shares with the Trust. Shares initially comprising the same Basket but offered by the Authorized Participants to the public at different times may have different offering prices, which depend on various factors, including the supply and demand for Shares, the value of the Trust’s assets, and market conditions at the time of a transaction.
In the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations or that provide indemnification for certain liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believes such exposure to be remote.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements. The Trust is an investment company for GAAP purposes and follows the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”) Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.
Indemnifications — The Trust Agreement provides that the Sponsor and its shareholders, members, directors, officers, employees, affiliates and subsidiaries (each a “Sponsor Indemnified Party”) will be indemnified by the Trust and held harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred under the Trust Agreement without fraud, bad faith, or willful misconduct on the part of such Sponsor Indemnified Party arising out of or in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder or any actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements cannot be known; however, the Trust expects any risk of loss to be remote.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in the net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Investment Valuation — The Trust’s investment in bitcoin is recorded on the financial statements at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset for liability. ASC 820 defines “principal market” as the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability. The determination of the principal market (and, as a result, the market participants in the principal market) is made from the perspective of the reporting entity. ASC 820 defines “most advantageous market” as the market that maximizes the amount that would be eived to sell the asset or minimizes the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability, after taking into account transaction costs and transportation costs. Based on the foregoing, the Trust has determined its principal market for GAAP reporting for its bitcoin investment to be the cryptocurrency exchange platform operated by Coinbase, Inc. and utilizes an exchange-traded price from that principal market as of 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the financial statement measurement date.
ASC 820 has established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to be used when determining fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk — for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value (such as a pricing model) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Trust’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuation are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
The summary of fair valuations according to the inputs used in valuing the Trust’s assets as of the measurement date is included in a “Fair Valuation Summary” supplementary table in the Schedule of Investment.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the period ended December 31, 2023, there were no significant transfers into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Income Taxes — The Trust is classified as a “grantor trust” for United States federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust itself will not be subject to United States federal income tax. Instead, the Trust’s income and expenses will “flow through” to the shareholders. Consequently, each sale of bitcoin by the Trust would constitute a taxable event to shareholders.
**3. EXPENSES, ORGANIZATION AND OFFERING COSTS **
The Trust pays the Sponsor a fee (the “Sponsor Fee”) in accordance with the Trust agreement and as set forth in the Prospectus. The Sponsor Fee is 0.25% per annum of the Trust’s daily net asset value. The Sponsor Fee will accrue daily and be payable monthly in U.S. dollars. The Trust’s only ordinary recurring expense is expected to be the Sponsor Fee. In exchange for the Sponsor’s Fee, the Sponsor has agreed to assume the marketing and the following administrative expenses of the Trust: the fees of the Trustee, the Trust Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, the Marketing Agent, the Cash Custodians’ Fee, Exchange listing fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, tax reporting fees, audit fees, license fees and ordinary legal fees and expenses. The Sponsor will also pay the costs of the Trust’s organization and the initial sale of the Shares. There is no cap on the amount of these Sponsor paid expenses.
For a six-month period that commenced on January 11, 2024, the Sponsor will waive the entire Sponsor Fee for the first $1.0 billion of the Trust’s assets. For the period ended March 31, 2024, the Sponsor waived $20,085 of its fee. Prior to January 11, 2024 and for the period ended December 31, 2023, the Trust did not incur a Sponsor fee.
The Trust may incur certain non-recurring expenses that are not assumed by the Sponsor, including but not limited to, taxes and governmental charges, any applicable brokerage commissions, financing charges or fees, Bitcoin network fees and similar transaction fees, expenses and costs of any extraordinary services performed by the Sponsor (or any other service provider) on behalf of the Trust to protect the Trust or the interests of Shareholders (including, for example, in connection with any fork of the Bitcoin Blockchain), any indemnification of the Cash Custodian, Bitcoin Custodian, Trust Administrator or other agents, service providers or counterparties of the Trust and extraordinary legal fees and expenses, including any legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with litigation, regulatory enforcement or investigation matters.
Because the Trust does not have any income, it will need to sell bitcoin to cover the Sponsor’s Fee and expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, if any. The Trust may also be subject to other liabilities (for example, as a result of litigation) that have also not been assumed by the Sponsor. The only source of funds to cover those liabilities will be sales of bitcoin held by the Trust. Even if there are no expenses other than those assumed by the Sponsor, and there are no other liabilities of the Trust, the Trust will still need to sell bitcoin to pay the Sponsor’s Fee. The result of these sales is a decrease in the amount of bitcoin represented by each Share.
To cover the Sponsor’s Fee and expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, the Sponsor or its delegate will cause the Trust (or its delegate) to convert bitcoin into U.S. dollars at the price available through the Prime Execution Agent. The number of bitcoins represented by a Share will decline each time the Trust pays the Sponsor Fee or any Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor by transferring or selling bitcoins. The Trust is responsible for paying any costs associated with the transfer of bitcoin to the Sponsor or the sale of bitcoin. However, under the terms of each Authorized Participant Agreement, the Authorized Participants will be responsible for any brokerage or transaction costs associated with the sale or transfer of Bitcoin incurred in connection with the fulfillment of a creation or redemption order.
4. RELATED PARTIES
As of December 31, 2023, WisdomTree, Inc. owned 1,000 shares or 100% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust. As of March 31, 2024, WisdomTree, Inc. owned 50,000 shares or approximately 5% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust.
**5. CREATIONS AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES **
The Sponsor has the power and authority, without action or approval by the shareholders, to cause the Trust to issue Shares from time to time as it deems necessary or desirable, but only in one or more baskets (“Baskets”) of 5,000 shares based on the quantity of bitcoin attributable to each Share of the Trust. The number of Shares authorized is unlimited. From time to time, the Sponsor may cause the Trust to divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust, or in any way affecting the rights, of the shareholders, without action or approval by the shareholders. The ownership of Shares are recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent for the Trust. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares are issued except as the Sponsor may otherwise determine from time to time. The Sponsor may make such rules as it considers appropriate for the issuance of share certificates, transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust, or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be, are conclusive as to the identity of the shareholders and as to the number of Shares held from time to time by each.
“Authorized Participants” are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem Baskets. Each Authorized Participant must (i) be a registered broker-dealer or other securities market participant, such as a bank or other financial institution that is not required to register as a broker-dealer to engage in securities transactions, and (ii) be a participant in The Depository Trust Company, and (iii) have entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement.
The total deposit of cash required to create each Basket includes the cash equivalent of an amount of bitcoin that is in the same proportion to the total assets of the Trust. In order to calculate the amount of cash necessary for a creation Basket, the Trust administrator multiplies the NAV per share by the number of Shares in a creation Basket (5,000). Each night, the Sponsor or Trust administrator publish the amount of cash that will be required in exchange for each creation Basket the next business day.
NAV per Share for purposes of facilitating creations and redemptions of the Trust is computed each business day using the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate – New York Variant (the “Reference Rate”) as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time to value the Trust’s investment in bitcoin. The methodology of the Reference Rate used to value bitcoin for purposes of calculating NAV per Share may not be deemed consistent with GAAP.
Creation and redemption transactions of Shares of the Trust are shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
6. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS1
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period is presented below:
| Schedule of financial highlights | |
|---|---|
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period^ | $50.00 |
| Investment operations: | |
| Net income | — |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | 24.99 |
| Total from investment operations | 24.99 |
| Net asset value, end of period | 74.99 |
| TOTAL RETURN2 | 49.98% |
| RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | |
| Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | $80,984 |
| Ratios to average net assets of: | |
| Expenses, net of expense waivers3 | 0.00% |
| Expenses, prior to expense waivers3 | 0.25% |
| Net investment income3 | 0.00% |
| 1 | No comparative Financial Highlights information is shown as of March of the prior year since the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund commenced investment operations after that period. |
| 2 | Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. For the period in which the Sponsor waived its fee, the total return would have been lower if such fee had not been waived (Note 3). |
| 3 | Annualized. |
| ^ | As of December 31, 2023. |
**7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS **
The Sponsor has evaluated all subsequent transactions and events through the date on which these financial statements were issued and has determined that no additional items require disclosure in these financial statements.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.