PGIM Is Latest to Add Active Bond ETF: Portfolio Products

"The growing interest in digital assets presents a compelling opportunity to allow investors to explore cryptocurrency and we are proud to work with First Trust to bring their new Bitcoin ETF to market," said Alan Flanagan, global head of fund services, asset servicing, BNY Mellon, in a statement.

The Canadian asset servicing subsidiary of BNY Mellon is the fund administrator for the Purpose Bitcoin ETF from Toronto-based Purpose Investments, the world's first Bitcoin ETF, which began trading in Toronto Stock Exchange in mid-February.

Three Bitcoin ETFs are trading on the Toronto Exchange and an ETF based on Ethereum, another cryptocurrency, is set to launch Tuesday. Its sponsor, CI Global Asset Management, already has a Bitcoin ETF trading on the Toronto exchange.

In February, BNY Mellon announced that it's developing a multi-asset digital custody and administration platform that will accommodate both digital and traditional assets, led by Mike Demissie, head of Advanced Solutions.

Coming Soon: An ETF of LBGTQ-Friendly Companies

LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings Inc. plans to launch an ETF that invests in the top 100 corporations that align with the LGBTQ community across the country.

The LGBTQ+ ESG100 ETF will track the LGBTQ100 ESG Index (LGBTQ100). It is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq on May 18.

The underlying index represents the top 100 U.S. companies that nurture and promote equality in the workplace for employees of all gender and sexual orientation and have a strong track record of loyalty and brand awareness among the US-based LGBTQ community as well as a  history of consistently strong financial performance. The index attempts to capture market outperformance of these companies as compared to their competition. Since its inception in October 2019 through March 26, 2021, the index has outperformed the S&P by 5.42%, according to LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings.

"Investing in a well-constructed ETF that advances important values is a chance to do well while doing good," said former Rep. Barney Frank, who is a member of the board of LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings.

The firm had announced in October its plans to launch the ETF in the first quarter of this year or sooner but ran into obstacles due the coronavirus pandemic, according to Billy Bean, the former Oakland Athletics general manager who is also a board member, along with tennis legend Martina Navratilova.

Currently technology, health care and financial stocks account for about 55% of the assets in the underlying index. The top five holdings are Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Marriott International and Estee Lauder.

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