Are CF Benchmarks and FTSE affiliated with the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF sponsor?

Both CF Benchmarks and FTSE are described as unaffiliated with the sponsor, 21Shares US LLC. CF Benchmarks currently provides the Pricing Benchmark, while FTSE is a separate company incorporated in England that is experienced in calculating and administering digital asset indices.

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF to Change Benchmark

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF reported that its sponsor, 21Shares US LLC, has elected to terminate its licensing agreement with CF Benchmarks for use of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant.

Filing Impact

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Filing Sentiment

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Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF reported that its sponsor, 21Shares US LLC, has elected to terminate its licensing agreement with CF Benchmarks for use of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant. The termination is effective August 31, 2026.

The sponsor intends to enter a new licensing agreement with FTSE International Limited on or about August 24, 2026, under which FTSE will provide index data used to support and value the Trust. Both the existing CF Benchmarks license and the planned FTSE license are non-exclusive, non-transferable, perpetual arrangements that renew annually unless terminated.

Insights

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF is planning a benchmark switch from CF Benchmarks to FTSE, altering how its Bitcoin exposure is indexed.

The ETF currently relies on the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant, licensed from CF Benchmarks, to value its shares and calculate net asset value. The sponsor has given notice to terminate this agreement effective August 31, 2026, within the contract’s permitted terms.

The sponsor intends to sign a new licensing agreement with FTSE International Limited on or about August 24, 2026, under which FTSE will supply digital asset index data. Both the CF Benchmarks and FTSE licenses are described as non-exclusive, non-transferable, perpetual and renewing annually, suggesting a structural, rather than temporary, change in index provider.

8-K Event Classification

Item 1.02 — Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

1 item

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement Business

A significant contract was terminated, which may affect business operations or revenue.

Key Figures

Termination notice date: June 30, 2026 CF Benchmarks agreement end date: August 31, 2026 Planned FTSE agreement start timing: On or about August 24, 2026 +2 more

5 metrics

Termination notice date June 30, 2026 Date sponsor notified CF Benchmarks of termination

CF Benchmarks agreement end date August 31, 2026 Effective date of Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement termination

Planned FTSE agreement start timing On or about August 24, 2026 Intended signing date for FTSE licensing agreement

Initial term of FTSE license One-year initial term FTSE index data license before automatic annual renewals

Initial term of CF Benchmarks license One-year initial term Existing Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement structure

Key Terms

Material Definitive Agreement, Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement, CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant, net asset value, +1 more

5 terms

Material Definitive Agreement regulatory

"Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement."

A material definitive agreement is a legally binding contract that creates major, long‑term obligations or rights for a company, such as loans, asset sales, mergers, or supplier deals. Think of it like a mortgage or lease for a business: it can change future cash flow, risk and control, so investors watch these agreements closely because they can materially affect a company’s value, financial health and stock price.

Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement financial

"termination ... of the licensing agreement (the “Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement”) between the Sponsor and CF Benchmarks"

CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant financial

"relating to the use of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant (the “Pricing Benchmark”)"

net asset value financial

"used to value the Trust’s shares on a daily basis and to calculate the Trust’s net asset value."

Net asset value is the total value of an investment fund's assets minus any liabilities, divided by the number of shares or units outstanding. It represents the per-share worth of the fund, similar to how the value of a house is determined by its total worth after debts are subtracted. Investors use it to gauge the true value of their holdings and to compare different investment options.

digital asset indices financial

"FTSE is experienced in calculating and administering digital asset indices."

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What benchmark agreement is ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) terminating?

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF is terminating its Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement with CF Benchmarks. That agreement covers use of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant to value the Trust’s shares and calculate its net asset value on a daily basis.

When does the CF Benchmarks licensing agreement for ARKB end?

The sponsor provided termination notice on June 30, 2026, and the CF Benchmarks licensing agreement will end effective August 31, 2026. Until that effective date, the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant continues to be used to value the Trust’s shares.

Which new index provider will ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) use?

The sponsor intends to enter a new licensing agreement with FTSE International Limited. FTSE will provide index data used by the sponsor, the Trust, and their affiliates to develop, support, and market the ETF, including valuation and related calculations for the product.

When is the new FTSE licensing agreement for ARKB expected to start?

The sponsor intends to enter the FTSE licensing agreement on or about August 24, 2026. The agreement is expected to have a one-year initial term and automatically renew for successive one-year periods, unless it is terminated under the terms of the contract.

How is the current pricing benchmark used by ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB)?

The CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant, provided by CF Benchmarks, is used to value the ETF’s shares each day and to calculate the Trust’s net asset value. This benchmark is calculated and administered by CF Benchmarks under the existing licensing agreement.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 07/07/2026 - 04:32 PM EDT

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 30, 2026

ARK 21SHARES BITCOIN ETF

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-41910		87-6497023
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

158 W. 27^th Street
New York, New York		10001
(Address of principal executive offices)		(zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 370-6016

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Shares of Beneficial Interest of ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF		ARKB		Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

Benchmark Licensing Agreements

On June 30, 2026, 21Shares US LLC (the “Sponsor”) provided notice to CF Benchmarks Ltd. (“CF Benchmarks”) of the termination, effective August 31, 2026, of the licensing agreement (the “Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement”) between the Sponsor and CF Benchmarks relating to the use of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate—New York Variant (the “Pricing Benchmark”) by the Sponsor, ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (the “Trust”), and their affiliates. Pursuant to the Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement, CF Benchmarks provides each of the Sponsor, the Trust, and their affiliates a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sub-licensable, perpetual, worldwide license to access, view and use the Pricing Benchmark to develop, create, calculate, settle, maintain or support and market the Trust, with the Trust using the Pricing Benchmark pursuant to a sub-licensing arrangement with the Sponsor. The Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement has a one-year initial term and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless terminated pursuant to its terms. The Pricing Benchmark is calculated and administered by CF Benchmarks and is used to value the Trust’s shares on a daily basis and to calculate the Trust’s net asset value. CF Benchmarks is unaffiliated with the Sponsor. The Sponsor has elected to terminate the Pricing Benchmark Licensing Agreement pursuant to its terms in connection with its broader transition to a new benchmark provider, as further described below.

The Sponsor intends to enter into a licensing agreement with FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) on or about August 24, 2026 whereby FTSE will provide each of the Sponsor, the Trust, and their affiliates a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sub-licensable, perpetual, worldwide license to access, view and use FTSE index data to develop, create, calculate, settle, maintain or support and market the Trust. Such license is expected to have a one-year initial term and will automatically be renewed for successive one-year periods, unless terminated pursuant to its terms.

FTSE is a company incorporated and registered in England, and its principal offices are located at 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LS, United Kingdom. FTSE is experienced in calculating and administering digital asset indices. FTSE is unaffiliated with the Sponsor.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: July 7, 2026	ARK 21SHARES BITCOIN ETF

	21Shares US LLC, as Sponsor of ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF

	By:	/s/ Duncan Moir
	Name:	Duncan Moir
	Title:	President

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF to Change Benchmark

Rhea-AI Filing Summary