21shares Says Active Crypto ETFs Are the Next Phase for ETPs

21shares president Duncan Moir says the next phase of crypto ETFs and ETPs is moving beyond passive price tracking toward more actively managed strategies. Moir argues crypto’s early-stage nature makes it suitable for active risk management, combining bottom-up research with quantitative and discretionary top-down portfolio decisions. To support this shift, 21shares has been expanding portfolio management and trading teams. Moir also points to product-building acceleration after 21shares was acquired by FalconX in October, which he says should speed development—especially for more complex offerings. He cites regional demand differences: in the US, interest remains concentrated in larger coins, while in Europe institutions increasingly look to newer assets and the application layer beyond layer-1s. In Europe, 21shares recently launched an ETP linked to Strategy’s preferred stock (STRC), offering exposure to a high-yield instrument tied to a Bitcoin-focused capital strategy. Moir said early demand has been strong across regions, reflecting investor appetite for yield that’s accessible via traditional brokerages. As crypto ETPs evolve, staking is highlighted as a key trend. Grayscale added staking across its ETPs in October, and BlackRock launched a Nasdaq-listed Ethereum product with staking, recording $15.5 million in first-day trading volume. Moir says 21shares evaluates new crypto ETFs using internal research, client demand, and market-trend signals, which can lead to niche single-asset products or broader thematic structures. Overall, the message for traders: crypto ETFs are broadening in structure (active management, yield, staking), which may affect flow expectations and volatility around product launches.