On October 19 Bethesda-based ProShares made history by launching the first bitcoin linked Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) in the United States. Called BITO (NYSE Ticker: BITO), the ETF enables bitcoin to be traded like a stock and is linked to bitcoin futures including fund holdings from CME Bitcoin Futures (BTCV1) and CME Micro Bitcoin Futures (BMRV1).

ProShares is making history once again by being one of the few companies that has launched a Metaverse-based ETF. The company calls it VERS and is giving investors access to a group of leading companies that are focused on the metaverse.

ProShares said its VERS ETF tracks the Solactive Metaverse Theme Index. The index relies on state-of-the-art algorithms designed to capture the metaverse investment opportunity as they evolve. 40 companies that exist in a broad range of industries are part of the group. The range includes device makers to data processors, as well as social media, gaming, and other platforms that facilitate digital interaction including Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, NVIDIA Corp and Meta Platforms Inc.

"The metaverse may be as impactful on society as the arrival of the internet or the mobile phone, and the investment opportunity has the potential to be just as compelling," said Michael L. Sapir, ProShares Founder and CEO.

"VERS provides investors with a diversified basket of innovative companies that are positioned to potentially benefit from the metaverse’s rapid rise."

On October 19 Bethesda-based ProShares made history by launching the first bitcoin linked ETF in the United States. Called BITO (NYSE Ticker: BITO), the ETF enables bitcoin to be traded like a stock and is linked to bitcoin futures including fund holdings from CME Bitcoin Futures (BTCV1) and CME Micro Bitcoin Futures (BMRV1).

ProShares started in 1997 at the cusp of the ETF market, it now manages more than $68 billion in assets according to Bloomberg. The company has its headquarters at 7272 Wisconsin Ave in the brand-new office building developed by Carr Properties and built by Bethesda-based Clark Construction called The Wilson.