Ben Strack

Previously @Blockworks_. I write journalism and fiction (not at the same time). Ben_Strack on telegram. Sports are fun.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Ah, Vanguard finally caves.

Now allows the trading of third-party crypto ETFs/mutual funds via its brokerage accounts.

Still no plans to offer its own crypto funds.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Truly delighted and grateful for those who took a moment these last couple days to share kind words about the Blockworks news team and our work.

More importantly, the support people are vocalizing for journalism more broadly is encouraging. Thanks all 🙏.

[Casey Wagner @caseywagnerr]

Sad to report that I was impacted by Blockworks’s decision to shut down its news division.

I joined the team as a founding reporter in 2021 & I’m proud of what we accomplished over the past few years.

Media is an undeniably challenging business, but journalism is indispensable, especially when it comes to an emerging industry like crypto. I’m hoping to continue to work in this space, my DMs are open for any leads on new opportunities.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Was a great pleasure, sir. We can all say the same for you

[Michael McSweeney @mpmcsweeney]

Hire Casey. Hire Ben. Hire Katherine. Hire Kate. Hire Jack. Hire Donovan. Hire Molly Jane. Hire Jeff.

Incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with this team, to see them grow and push themselves. I'm damn proud of them all. Hire them.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

You may have heard about Blockworks shutting down its newsroom. I was among those affected.

I’m really proud of what my colleagues and I built: a newsroom that cared deeply about high-quality journalism (and each other) as we navigated a fast-paced, complex space.

I also loved writing the Forward Guidance newsletter and appreciate those who took the time to read it.

Saddened to see it end this way, but it was a cool 4+ years. Looking forward to what’s next; open to opportunities. I have a feeling you’ll hear plenty more from the talented members of this team soon, within crypto or otherwise.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

https://t.co/hEvTOSojMN

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

For certain institutions/advisers, solana will be a bet on stablecoin and tokenization growth, @bitwise CIO @Matt_Hougan told me.

"Adjusted for size, I think it may be the most successful ETP launch of all time,” he added.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Bitwise's US SOL ETP is live.

Chatting with @Matt_Hougan for today's @ForwardGuidance newsletter. 3pm drop.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Full story: https://t.co/QkmS44vrgI

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

BREAKING: More US crypto ETFs are set to go live tomorrow.

Bitwise plans to launch its Solana Staking ETF on the NYSE Arca.

Canary Capital set to debut HBAR and LTC products on the Nasdaq.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

And there we have it.

US bitcoin ETF launch: Jan. 2024

US ether ETF launch: July 2024

US SOL ETF launch: Oct. 2025

[Bitwise @Bitwise]

Introducing $BSOL — the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF. Starts trading tomorrow.

- First U.S. ETP to have 100% direct exposure to spot SOL
- Maximizing Solana’s 7%+ average staking reward rate*
- Targeting 100% of assets staked
- Staking through Bitwise Onchain Solutions, powered by @heliuslabs
- 0% fees, with waiver for a limited time**

We believe Solana is a key platform for enabling capital markets to come onchain and is perfectly positioned for this moment.

Now, investors can get exposure to its growth potential and 7% average staking rewards with BSOL.

Solana is headed into the mainstream—and we think it’s just getting started.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Proposed Canary Capital ETFs that hold hedera (HBAR) and litecoin (LTC) “went effective” Monday, Canary CEO Steven McClurg told me in an email.

The plan is for those to begin trading on the Nasdaq tomorrow morning, he added.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Fed rate decision, possible ETF launches, Coinbase earnings.

And will BTC finish a seventh straight October in the green?

[Blockworks @Blockworks]

What to watch on the crypto/macro front in the final days of “Uptober”

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Letter from NYSE seems to signal the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF is ready to go live.

No launch date mentioned. Bitwise declining to comment for now.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

On FalconX acquiring 21Shares, CEO Raghu Yarlagadda told me both firms can collaborate on "more sophisticated vehicles with non-linear structured payouts — such as overwrite and covered-call strategies."

He added that FalconX is "preparing to be IPO-ready."

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

But this T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF proposal shows another level of conviction in the space.

Or at least the financial giant realizes the investor demand for such a product.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

Wow, T. Rowe (~$1.8 trillion AUM) with a crypto ETF filing.

Seeks to outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, which comprises the top 10 crypto assets by market cap that are eligible under the SEC's generic listing standards.

[Ben Strack @strack_ben]

And Rizzo had called stablecoins “the most obvious use case for crypto” ... https://t.co/6rmzPHXncd