Grayscale Expands Crypto ETF Push With First U.S. Worldcoin Fund

Crypto asset manager Grayscale has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch what would become the first U.S. exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking Worldcoin (WLD).

According to the filing submitted on Monday, the proposed Grayscale Worldcoin ETF is expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GWLD, offering investors regulated exposure to the Worldcoin token without requiring them to hold the digital asset directly.

Custody and Administration Partners Named

The preliminary prospectus identifies BitGo Bank & Trust as the custodian responsible for safeguarding the fund's Worldcoin holdings, while BNY Mellon will act as administrator and transfer agent. CSC Delaware Trust Company has been appointed as trustee.

Key operational details, including the ETF's management fee, seed capital, authorized participants, and liquidity providers, have not yet been disclosed.

Expanding Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum

The proposed ETF marks another step in Grayscale's strategy to broaden its suite of crypto investment products beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

If approved, the Worldcoin ETF would join Grayscale's growing lineup of exchange-traded products tied to digital assets, which already includes funds linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, and Chainlink.

The filing comes as asset managers continue to seek regulated investment vehicles covering a wider range of cryptocurrencies amid increasing institutional interest in digital assets.

Worldcoin's Focus on Digital Identity

Worldcoin's native token, WLD, is an ERC-20 token built on the Ethereum blockchain and powers the World ecosystem, a project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The initiative aims to establish a global digital identity network using biometric verification to distinguish humans from automated bots and AI systems.

Since its launch, the project has attracted both significant investor interest and regulatory scrutiny due to its collection of biometric data in several jurisdictions.

ETF Race Continues to Broaden

Grayscale's latest filing reflects the continued expansion of the U.S. crypto ETF market beyond its initial focus on Bitcoin and Ethereum. As regulators review a growing number of applications tied to alternative digital assets, issuers are increasingly competing to offer investors diversified exposure through regulated investment products.

Should the SEC approve the application, the Grayscale Worldcoin ETF would become the first U.S.-listed ETF providing direct exposure to Worldcoin.