UNITED STATES
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FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
(b) and (c)
On March 1, 2025, the following changes occurred to the leadership structure of ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (the “Trust”)’s sponsor, 21Shares US LLC (the “Sponsor”), as part of a larger reorganization of the Sponsor’s parent company, 21co Holdings Limited (“21co”):
● | Mr. Harry Rashwan, who was serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Sponsor, stepped down from such role to take on a new leadership role within 21co and was succeeded by Mr. Russell Barlow as Chief Executive Officer of the Sponsor; |
● | Ms. Ophelia Snyder, who was serving as President and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor, stepped down from such roles to take on a new leadership role within 21co and was succeeded in her role as President of the Sponsor by Mr. Duncan Moir; and |
● | Ms. Edel Bashir assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Sponsor. |
Mr. Russell Barlow, 51, has more than 25 years of expertise in regulated asset management. Previously, Mr. Barlow was the Global Head of Multi Asset and Alternative Investment Solutions and Global Head of Alternative Investment Solutions at abrdn plc, a global investment company (“abrdn”). Additionally, Mr. Barlow has held a position as a Non-Executive Director at Archax, the UK’s first FCA-regulated digital asset exchange.
Mr. Duncan Moir, 39, has deep expertise in crypto and blockchain strategy. Previously, Mr. Moir was a Senior Investment Manager at abrdn. He is an independent board member of Hedera Hashgraph LLC and an advisor to Web3 companies. A University of Strathclyde graduate with a BA (Hons) in Economics, he is also a CFA and CAIA charterholder.
Ms. Edel Bashir, 45, has over 20 years of experience in asset management. Previously, Ms. Bashir was the COO of Multi Asset and Alternative Investment Solutions, COO of Alternatives and a Senior Investment Manager at abdrn. A graduate of University College Cork, Ireland with a BSc in Finance, she has held senior roles across Bermuda, Dublin and Boston.
There are no arrangements or understandings between any of Mr. Barlow, Mr. Moir or Ms. Bashir and any other persons pursuant to which any of them was selected as an officer. There are also no family relationships between any of Mr. Barlow, Mr. Moir or Ms. Bashir and any executive officer of the Sponsor, and none of them has any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 6, 2025
ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | ||
By: | 21Shares US LLC, as Sponsor to ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | |
By: | /s/ Duncan Moir | |
Name: | Duncan Moir | |
Title: | President |
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