ARK Invest has tokenized its Venture Fund (ARKVX) on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing investors to subscribe and redeem holdings using the stablecoin USDC via Securitize’s platform. This development integrates a traditional investment vehicle with blockchain technology, facilitating onchain transactions while preserving the fund’s established structure.
The tokenized ARKVX, representing a Class D share, processed its initial onchain subscriptions on September 24, 2026. The process leverages a subscription flow based on the ERC-7540 standard for asynchronous vault requests. All transactions are recorded on the Ethereum blockchain, with settlements occurring after the end-of-day Net Asset Value (NAV) is determined. Prior to the token launch on September 23, 2026, the NAV stood at $60.49 per share. A 2% subscription fee is applied before the NAV is calculated.
Each tokenized interest provides a 1:1 claim on shares of the underlying ARK Venture Fund. BNY Mellon serves as the custodian for the actual fund shares, maintaining the legal and regulatory framework expected by investors in a traditional interval fund. The fund focuses on disruptive innovation, with concentrated exposure to sectors such as artificial intelligence and aerospace, holding stakes in private companies including SpaceX and OpenAI. The minimum investment for the tokenized fund is set at $500, a considerably lower threshold compared to the typical minimums for accredited investors in alternative investment vehicles.
While the tokenization introduces onchain transparency for subscription and redemption requests, it does not alter the fund’s inherent liquidity structure. No secondary market is planned for the tokenized assets. Liquidity is managed through quarterly repurchase offers, capped at 5% of outstanding shares. If redemption demand exceeds this cap in any quarter, redemptions may be prorated. Although running redemption requests onchain makes the queue visible on the blockchain, it does not enhance liquidity. investors may encounter the same constraints as with a traditional interval fund, albeit with a more transparent digital record.
As of June 30, 2026, the ARK Venture Fund managed approximately $1.3 billion in assets. The fund reported a 20.35% return in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing the S&P 500’s 15.20% gain during the same period. Year-to-date performance through mid-2026 reached 26.71%. The fund’s annual expenses are approximately 3.49%.
ARK Invest’s strategic investment in Securitize in October 2025 highlights the firm’s commitment to the evolution of capital markets. Carlos Domingo, CEO of Securitize, emphasized the significance of integrating established financial products onto blockchain rails, rather than solely focusing on new crypto-native offerings. Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, views the launch as evidence of ARK’s dedication to this ongoing evolution.
Potential uncertainties persist regarding the precise timing and impact of end-of-day NAV calculations on share allocation, as well as the possibility of proration in redemptions if demand exceeds the quarterly cap.
Broader Context
Source materials place the factual news in this context: ARKVX’s portfolio targets disruptive innovation, with concentrated exposure to sectors like artificial intelligence and aerospace.
