21Shares Launches Physically Backed Zcash ETP on Euronext Europe
21Shares, Europe’s asset manager, has rolled out what it describes as the region’s first exchange-traded product tied to Zcash. This gives stakeholders governed exposure to the privacy-focused cryptocurrency without requiring them to hold ZEC directly.
The physically backed Zcash ETP began trading on Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam. This allows investors to acquire the asset through conventional brokerage accounts. The release extends Zcash’s presence in governed investment markets following the cryptocurrency’s strong performance over the past year.
21Shares also introduced a physically backed ETP tracking Ether.fi’s, ETHFI governance, and utility token alongside the Zcash product, with both the mechanism carrying an annual management fee of 2.5%.
21Shares Brings Physically Backed Zcash ETP to European Markets
The new 21Shares Zcash ETP, identified as $ZCASH, is listed on both Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam. The product provides exchange-traded exposure to ZEC without needing the investors to manage cryptocurrency wallets or seed phrases themselves. The product is physically backed, meaning the ETP is created to offer exposure to the underlying Zcash asset rather than simply tracking its price through a derivative structure.
The roll out gives European stakeholders a way to acquire Zcash exposure through existing brokerage accounts. Stakeholders do not need to directly buy, store or manage ZEC to gain exposure through the ETP. Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that uses cryptographic shielded transactions to offer users control over the transparency of their transactions. It also references Bitcoin’s fixed 21-million-coin supply as part of the monetary architecture underlying the wider comparison, while emphasizing Zcash’s extra privacy mechanisms.
The European launch also expands the number of regulated investment tools available for investors interested in Zcash. Rather than necessitating direct cryptocurrency ownership, the ETP places ZEC exposure within an exchange-traded product that can be acquired through established brokerage infrastructure.
The European product follows the arrival of a Grayscale Zcash ETF in the United States, which trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker ZCSH. The addition of regulated Zcash products in both the United States and Europe comes as institutional interest in the privacy- focused cryptocurrency grows.
21Shares Also Launches Physically Backed ETHFi ETP
Alongside the Zcash product, 21Shares has launched an exchange-traded product tracking ETHFi, the regulation and utility token of Ether.fi.
Ether.fi is a decentralized finance protocol offering staking and other crypto-based financial services. The ETHFI product is also physically backed and trades on Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam. Like the Zcash ETP, it provides exposure through a conventional exchange-traded structure rather than needing stakeholders to directly hold the underlying cryptocurrency.
Both products hold an annual management fee of 2.5%. This is higher than the fees charged by many Bitcoin and Ether investment products in Europe. For Zcash, the European ETP launch adds another governed route for stakeholders seeking exposure to ZEC. The product’s availability on Euronext also positions the privacy-focused cryptocurrency within established European exchange infrastructure.
For investors, the two launches provide exposure to two different segments of the crypto market. The Zcash product focuses on privacy-oriented cryptocurrency, while the ETHSI product tracks a token associated with decentralized finance and staking services.
The launch comes as regulators and financial institutions continue to develop ways for conventional investments markets to offer exposure to digital assets. For investors, the Zcash ETP removes the need to manage wallets and private keys directly, while retaining exchange-traded access to the cryptocurrency.
With 21Shares’ Zcash product now trading in Amsterdam and Paris, European stakeholders have a new tool for accessing ZEC through traditional brokerage accounts. The product also adds to the growing number of governed investment products built around cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based assets.
