Virtune Launches Avalanche, Staked Cardano ETPs on Nasdaq Helsinki

Virtune, a Swedish asset management firm, has launched new crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) focused on Avalanche and Cardano, catering to the growing demand for digital assets among Finnish investors. The introduction of the Virtune Avalanche ETP and the Virtune Staked Cardano ETP provides investors with direct exposure to these leading cryptocurrencies, with the latter offering an additional 2% annual return through staking rewards.

The new ETPs began trading on Nasdaq Helsinki on February 5, 2025, highlighting Virtune's commitment to providing innovative investment products to Finnish investors. The assets are securely managed in cold storage through Coinbase, ensuring safety for both institutional and retail clients. The timing of the launch aligns with the market standings of Avalanche and Cardano, which are currently ranked 12th and 9th, respectively, by market capitalization, according to CoinMarketCap.

Cardano's recent performance has attracted significant attention, with a notable surge of 88.8% between mid-November and early December 2023. Despite a recent downturn of 21.36% in the past week, analysts such as veteran trader Peter Brand have expressed optimism, suggesting that the asset is poised for a potential bull market following its recovery from a low on January 16. As a volatile asset, Cardano underlines the dynamic nature of crypto investments and their capacity for rapid price fluctuations.

This recent launch adds to Virtune's growing portfolio, which now includes five other crypto ETPs introduced just weeks earlier. These include the Virtune Bitcoin ETP and the Virtune Staked Ethereum ETP, among others. The Crypto Altcoin Index ETP, which is rebalanced monthly, diversifies holdings across various altcoins, maintaining 14.29% weightings for prominent cryptocurrencies like XRP, Litecoin (LTC), and Solana (SOL). This mix indicates Virtune's evolving strategy to cater to diverse investment preferences.

In a broader context, the increasing availability of Bitcoin ETPs in Europe is underscored by news from BlackRock, which is in the process of launching a Bitcoin ETP domiciled in Switzerland. This move is expected to expand opportunities for European investors and could significantly influence market dynamics. As major asset managers enter the crypto space, competition will likely lead to enhanced