Item 1. Business
Item 1. Business
The Trust and the Funds
ETF Managers Group Commodity Trust I (the “Trust”)
was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 23, 2014. The Trust is a series trust formed pursuant to the Delaware Statutory Trust
Act and currently includes two separate series: (i) Breakwave Dry Bulk Shipping ETF (“BDRY”), which is a commodity pool that
continuously issues shares of beneficial interest that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. stock exchange (“NYSE Arca”),
and (ii) Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (“BWET,” and together with BDRY, each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”),
which is also a commodity pool that continuously issues shares of beneficial interest that may be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca.
BDRY commenced investment operations on March
22, 2018. BDRY commenced trading on NYSE Arca on March 22, 2018 and trades under the symbol “BDRY.” BWET commenced investment
operations on May 3, 2023. BWET commenced trading on the NYSE Arca on May 3, 2023 and trades under the symbol “BWET.”
The principal office of the Trust and the Funds
is located at 30 Maple Street, Suite 2, Summit, NJ 07901. The telephone number is (844) 383-6477.
The Sponsor
The Funds are each managed and controlled by ETF
Managers Capital LLC (the “Sponsor”), a single member limited liability company that was formed in the state of Delaware on
June 12, 2014. Each Fund pays the Sponsor a management fee. The Sponsor maintains its main business office at 30 Maple Street, Suite 2,
Summit, NJ 07901. The Sponsor’s telephone number is (844) 383-6477.
The Funds are each a “commodity pool”
as defined by the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). Consequently, the Sponsor has registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”)
with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
The Sponsor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exchange
Traded Managers Group LLC (“ETFMG”), a limited liability company domiciled and headquartered in New Jersey.
Breakwave Dry Bulk Shipping ETF
BDRY Investment Objective
BDRY’s investment objective is to provide
investors with exposure to the daily change in the price of dry bulk freight futures by tracking the performance of a portfolio (the “BDRY
Benchmark Portfolio” ) consisting of exchange-cleared futures contracts on the cost of shipping dry bulk freight (“Dry Freight
Futures”). BDRY seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in the Dry Freight Futures
currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio.
The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by
Breakwave Advisors LLC (“Breakwave”), which also serves as BDRY’s Commodity Trading Advisor (“CTA”). The
BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually.
BDRY Commodity Trading Advisor
Breakwave serves as BDRY’s CTA. Breakwave
is a Delaware limited liability company.
Breakwave is registered as a CTA with the CFTC
and is a member of the NFA.
Breakwave provides its services to BDRY under
a Services Agreement with the Sponsor. Under this agreement, Breakwave has agreed to compose and maintain the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio
and license to the Sponsor the use of the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio.
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BDRY Investing Strategy
BDRY seeks to achieve its investment objective
by investing substantially all of its assets in the Dry Freight Futures currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio. The BDRY
Benchmark Portfolio will include all existing positions to maturity and settle them in cash. During any given calendar quarter, the BDRY
Benchmark Portfolio will progressively increase its position to the next calendar quarter three-month strip, thus maintaining constant
exposure to the Dry Freight Futures market as positions mature.
The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will maintain long-only
positions in Dry Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will include a combination of Capesize, Panamax and Supramax Dry Freight
Futures. More specifically, the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will include 50% exposure in Capesize Dry Freight Futures contracts, 40% exposure
in Panamax Dry Freight Futures contracts and 10% exposure in Supramax Dry Freight Futures contracts. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will
not include and BDRY will not invest in swaps, non-cleared dry bulk freight forwards or other over-the-counter derivative instruments
that are not cleared through exchanges or clearing houses. BDRY may hold exchange-traded options on Dry Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark
Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually. The Dry Freight Futures currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark
Portfolio, as well as the daily holdings of BDRY will be available on BDRY’s website at www.drybulketf.com.
When establishing positions in Dry Freight Futures,
BDRY will be required to deposit initial margin with a value of approximately 10% to 40% of the notional value of each Dry Freight Futures
position at the time it is established. These margin requirements are established and subject to change from time to time by the relevant
exchanges, clearing houses or BDRY’s futures commission merchant (“FCM”). On a daily basis, BDRY will be obligated to
pay, or entitled to receive, variation margin in an amount equal to the change in the daily settlement level of its Dry Freight Futures
positions. Any assets not required to be posted as margin with BDRY’s FCM will generally be held at BDRY’s custodian in cash
or cash equivalents, as discussed below.
BDRY will hold cash or cash equivalents such as
U.S. Treasuries or other high credit quality, short-term fixed-income or similar securities for direct investment and for other liquidity
purposes and to meet redemptions that may be necessary on an ongoing basis. BDRY may also realize interest income from its holdings in
U.S. Treasuries or other market rate instruments.
BDRY Benchmark Portfolio
The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by
Breakwave, which also serves as BDRY’s CTA. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio consists of the Dry Freight Futures, which are a three-month
strip of the nearest calendar quarter of futures contracts on specified indexes (each a “Reference Index”) that measure rates
for shipping dry bulk freight. Each Reference Index is published each United Kingdom business day by the London-based Baltic Exchange
Ltd. (the “Baltic Exchange”) and measures the charter rate for shipping dry bulk freight in a specific size category of cargo
ship - Capesize, Panamax or Supramax. The three Reference Indexes are as follows:
●
Capesize : the Capesize 5TC Index;
● Panamax : the Panamax
4TC Index; and
● Supramax : the Supramax
10TC Index.
The Dry Freight Futures currently constituting
the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio as of June 30, 2023 include:
Name
Ticker
Market
Value USD
BALTIC CAPESIZE TIME CHARTER - JUL 23
BFFATC N23 Index
$ 9,552,340
BALTIC CAPESIZE TIME CHARTER - AUG 23
BFFATC Q23 Index
10,172,340
BALTIC CAPESIZE TIME CHARTER - SEP 23
BFFATC U23 Index
10,781,180
BALTIC EXCHANGE PANAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - JUL 23
BFFAP N23 Index
7,122,330
BALTIC EXCHANGE PANAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - AUG 23
BFFAP Q23 Index
8,311,410
BALTIC EXCHANGE PANAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - SEP 23
BFFAP U23 Index
9,218,610
BALTIC EXCHANGE SUPRAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - JUL 23
S58FM N23 Index
1,752,750
BALTIC EXCHANGE SUPRAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - AUG 23
S58FM Q23 Index
1,938,000
BALTIC EXCHANGE SUPRAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - SEP 23
S58FM U23 Index
2,120,000
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The value of the Capesize 5TC Index is disseminated
at 11:00 a.m., London Time and the value of the Panamax 4TC Index and the Supramax 10TC Index are each disseminated at 1:00 p.m., London
Time. The Reference Index information disseminated by the Baltic Exchange also includes the components and value of each component in
each Reference Index. Such Reference Index information also is widely disseminated by Reuters and/or other major market data vendors.
Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF
BWET Investment Objective
BWET’s investment objective is to provide
investors with exposure to the daily change in the price of crude oil tanker freight futures by tracking the performance of a portfolio
(the “BWET Benchmark Portfolio” and, collectively with the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio, the “Benchmark Portfolios”)
consisting of exchange-cleared futures contracts on the cost of shipping crude oil (“Oil Freight Futures” and, collectively
with Dry Freight Futures, the “Freight Futures”). BWET seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially
all of its assets in the Oil Freight Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio.
The BWET Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by
Breakwave, which also serves as BWET’s CTA. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually.
BWET Commodity Trading Advisor
Breakwave serves as BWET’s CTA. Breakwave
is a Delaware limited liability company.
Breakwave is registered as a CTA with the CFTC
and is a member of the NFA.
Breakwave provides its services to BWET under
a Services Agreement with the Sponsor. Under this agreement, Breakwave has agreed to compose and maintain the BWET Benchmark Portfolio
and license to the Sponsor the use of the BWET Benchmark Portfolio.
BWET Investing Strategy
BWET seeks to achieve its investment objective
by investing substantially all of its assets in the Oil Freight Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio. The BWET
Benchmark Portfolio will include all existing positions to maturity and settle them in cash. During any given calendar quarter, the BWET
Benchmark Portfolio will progressively increase its position to the next calendar quarter three-month strip, thus maintaining constant
exposure to the Oil Freight Futures market as positions mature.
The BWET Benchmark Portfolio will maintain long-only
positions in Oil Freight Futures. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio will include a combination of TD3C and TD20 Oil Freight Futures. More specifically,
the BWET Benchmark Portfolio will include 90% exposure in TD3C Oil Freight Futures contracts and 10% exposure in TD20 Oil Freight Futures
contracts. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio will not include and BWET will not invest in swaps, non-cleared crude oil freight forwards or
other over-the-counter derivative instruments that are not cleared through exchanges or clearing houses. BWET may hold exchange-traded
options on Oil Freight Futures. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually. The Oil Freight
Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio, as well as the daily holdings of BWET will be available on BWETS’s
website at www.tankeretf.com.
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When establishing positions in Oil Freight Futures,
BWET will be required to deposit initial margin with a value of approximately 10% to 40% of the notional value of each Oil Freight Futures
position at the time it is established. These margin requirements are established and subject to change from time to time by the relevant
exchanges, clearing houses or BWET’s futures commission merchant (“FCM”). On a daily basis, BWET will be obligated to
pay, or entitled to receive, variation margin in an amount equal to the change in the daily settlement level of its Oil Freight Futures
positions. Any assets not required to be posted as margin with BWET’s FCM will generally be held at BWET’s custodian in cash
or cash equivalents, as discussed below.
BWET will hold cash or cash equivalents such as
U.S. Treasuries or other high credit quality, short-term fixed-income or similar securities for direct investment and for other liquidity
purposes and to meet redemptions that may be necessary on an ongoing basis. BWET may also realize interest income from its holdings in
U.S. Treasuries or other market rate instruments.
BWET Benchmark Portfolio
The BWET Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by
Breakwave, which also serves as BWET’s CTA. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio consists of the Oil Freight Futures, which are a three-month
strip of the nearest calendar quarter of futures contracts on specified indexes (each a “Reference Index”) that measure rates
for shipping crude oil. Each Reference Index is published each United Kingdom business day by the Baltic Exchange and measures the charter
rate for shipping crude oil in a specific size category of cargo ship and for a specific route – TD3C or TD20. The two Reference
Indexes are as follows:
● TD3C : the TD3C Index;
and
● TD20 : the TD20 Index.
The Oil Freight Futures currently constituting
the BWET Benchmark Portfolio as of June 30, 2023 include:
Name
Ticker
Market
Value USD
BALTIC TD3C TIME CHARTER - JUL 23
BFFA3D N23 Index
$ 1,296,000
BALTIC TD3C TIME CHARTER - AUG 23
BFFA3D Q23 Index
1,229,400
BALTIC TD3C TIME CHARTER - SEP 23
BFFA3D U23 Index
1,234,800
BALTIC TD20 TIME CHARTER - JUL 23
BFFD20 N23 Index
95,450
BALTIC TD20 TIME CHARTER - AUG 23
BFFD20 Q23 Index
179,400
BALTIC TD20 TIME CHARTER - SEP 23
BFFD20 U23 Index
89,150
The value of the TD3C Index and the TD20 Index
is disseminated daily at 4:00 p.m. London Time by the Baltic Exchange The Reference Index information disseminated by the Baltic Exchange
also includes the components and value of each component in each Reference Index. Such Reference Index information also is widely disseminated
by Reuters and/or other major market data vendors.
Fund Trading Policies
Liquidity
Each Fund invests principally in exchange
cleared futures that, in the opinion of the Sponsor, are traded in sufficient volume to permit the ready taking of orders in these
financial instruments.
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Leverage
The Sponsor endeavors to have the value of each
Fund’s Treasury Securities, cash and cash equivalents, whether held by the Fund or posted as margin or collateral, at all times
approximate the aggregate market value of its obligations under the Fund’s Freight Futures interests, adjusted for the proportion
of the current month’s Freight Futures contracts whose value has already been assessed.
Borrowings
Each Fund does not intend to, or foresees the
need to, borrow money or establish lines of credit.
Pyramiding
Each Fund does not and will not employ the technique,
commonly known as pyramiding, in which the speculator uses unrealized profits on existing positions as variation margin for the purchase
of additional positions in the same commodity interest.
No Distributions
The Sponsor has discretionary authority over all
distributions made by the Funds. In view of each Fund’s objective of seeking significant capital appreciation, the Sponsor currently
does not intend to cause a Fund to make any distributions, but, has the sole discretion to do so from time to time.
Margin Requirements and Marking-to-Market Futures Positions
“Initial margin” is an amount of funds
that must be deposited by a commodity trader with the trader’s broker to initiate an open position in futures contracts. A margin
deposit is like a cash performance bond. It helps assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts that he or she purchases
or sells. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a small percentage of the aggregate purchase
or sales price of the contract. The amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set by the exchange
on which the contract is traded. Brokerage firms, such as the Funds’ clearing broker, carrying accounts for traders in commodity
interest contracts may require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves.
Futures contracts are marked to market at the
end of each trading day and the margin required with respect to such contracts is adjusted accordingly. This process of marking-to-market
is designed to prevent losses from accumulating in any futures account. Therefore, if a Fund’s futures positions have declined in
value, the Fund may be required to post “variation margin” to cover this decline. Alternatively, if a Fund’s futures
positions have increased in value, this increase will be credited to the Fund’s account.
Futures Contracts
The Funds enter into futures contracts to gain
exposure to changes in the value of the Benchmark Portfolios. A futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to
accept) the future cash settlement of a specified quantity and type of a treasury futures contract at a specified time and place. The
contractual obligations of a buyer or seller of a treasury futures contract may generally be satisfied by making an offsetting sale or
purchase of an identical futures contract on the same or linked exchange before the designated date of delivery.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the
Funds are each required to deposit and maintain as collateral at least such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the
transaction is affected. The initial margin is segregated as cash held by broker, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Assets
and Liabilities, and is restricted as to its use. Pursuant to the futures contract, the Funds each agree to receive from or pay to
the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the futures contract. Such receipts or payments are known as
variation margin and are recorded by the Funds as unrealized gains or losses. The Funds will realize a gain or loss upon closing a
futures transaction.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees,
elements of market risk (specifically treasury price risk) and exposure to loss in excess of the amount of variation margin. The face
or contract amounts reflect the extent of the total exposure the Funds have in the particular classes of instruments. Additional risks
associated with the use of futures contracts include imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and
the market value of the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid market for a futures contract. With futures contracts,
there is minimal counterparty risk to the Funds since futures contracts are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as
counterparty to all exchange-traded futures contracts, guarantees the futures contracts against default.
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The Funds’ Service Providers
Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent
The Funds have each appointed U.S. Bank, a national
banking association, with its principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the custodian (the “Custodian”). Its affiliate,
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, is the Fund accountant (the “Fund Accountant”) of the Funds, transfer agent (the “Transfer
Agent”) for the Funds’ shares and administrator for the Funds (the “Administrator”). It performs certain administrative
and accounting services for the Funds and prepares certain SEC, NFA and CFTC reports on behalf of the Funds. (U.S. Bank and U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services are referred to collectively hereinafter as “U.S. Bank”).
Distributor
ETFMG Financial LLC (“ETFMG Financial”),
a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETFMG, provided statutory and wholesaling distribution services to each Fund since it commenced trading on
the NYSE Arca through August 14, 2023. Each Fund paid ETFMG Financial an annual fee for statutory and wholesaling distribution services
and related administrative services equal to the greater of $15,000 or 0.02% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, payable monthly.
Pursuant to the Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, each Fund and ETFMG Financial, ETFMG Financial assisted the Sponsor and
the applicable Fund with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the applicable Fund, including
reviewing and approving marketing materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. ETFMG Financial also assisted with the processing
of creation and redemption orders.
Effective August 14, 2023, the Sponsor
entered into a Marketing Agent Agreement (the “Marketing Agent Agreement”) on behalf of the Trust and the Funds with
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”), pursuant to which Foreside provides certain marketing services to the Funds.
Each Fund pays an annual fee for such distribution services and related administrative services equal to approximately
0.00006 % of the Fund’s average daily net assets, with a minimum of approximately $7,150 payable annually. Pursuant to
the Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, the Funds and Foreside, Foreside assists the Sponsor and the Funds with certain
functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the Funds, including reviewing and approving marketing
materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. Foreside also assists with the processing of creation and redemption orders.
Foreside’s principal business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. Foreside is a broker-dealer
registered with FINRA.
Trustee
Under the respective Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust and Trust Agreement (each, a “Trust Agreement”) for each Fund, Wilmington Trust Company, the Trustee of each of the
Funds (the “Trustee”) serves as the sole trustee of each Fund in the State of Delaware. The Trustee will accept service of
legal process on the Funds in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. Under the Trust
Agreement for each Fund, the Sponsor has the exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Funds. The Trustee
does not owe any other duties to the Funds, the Sponsor or the Shareholders of the Fund. The Trustee has no duty or liability to supervise
or monitor the performance of the Sponsor, nor does the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of the Sponsor.
Futures Commission Merchant
Marex Financial (“Marex”), registered
in England, serves as the Funds’ clearing broker (the “Commodity Broker”). In its capacity as clearing broker, the Commodity
Broker executes and clears the Funds’ futures transactions and performs certain administrative services for the Funds. ED&F
Man Capital Markets Limited served as BDRY’s clearing broker from June 3, 2022 until being acquired by Marex on October 3, 2023.
Marex is exempt, pursuant to CFTC Regulation 30.10, from registration with the CFTC as a futures commission merchant. The Funds pay Marex
commissions for executing and clearing trades on their behalf.
6
There have been no material administrative, civil
or criminal actions brought, pending or concluded against Marex or its principals in the past five years.
Marex is not affiliated with the Funds or the
Sponsor. Therefore, the Sponsor and the Funds do not believe that the Funds have any conflicts of interest with Marex or its trading principals
arising from their acting as the Funds’ FCM.
Legal Counsel
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust
and the Funds.
Fees of the Funds
Management and CTA Fees
BDRY and BWET each pay the Sponsor a management
fee (the “Sponsor Fee”) in consideration of the Sponsor’s advisory services to the Funds. Additionally, BDRY and BWET
each pay Breakwave a license and service fee (the “CTA Fee”).
BDRY pays the Sponsor Fee, monthly in arrears,
in an amount equal to the greater of 0.15% per year of BDRY’s average daily net assets, or $125,000. BDRY’s Sponsor Fee is
paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s management services to BDRY. BDRY also pays Breakwave the CTA Fee monthly in arrears, for
the use of BDRY’s Benchmark Portfolio in an amount equal to 1.45% per annum of BDRY’s average daily net assets.
Breakwave has agreed to waive its CTA Fee and
the Sponsor has agreed to correspondingly assume the remaining expenses of BDRY so that BDRY’s expenses do not exceed an annual
rate of 3.50%, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses, of the value of BDRY’s average daily
net assets (the “BDRY Expense Cap”). The assumption of expenses and waiver of BDRY’s CTA Fee are contractual on the
part of the Sponsor and Breakwave, respectively, through March 31, 2025. If after that date, the Sponsor and/or Breakwave no longer assumed
expenses or waived the CTA Fee, respectively, BDRY could be adversely impacted, including in its ability to achieve its investment objective.
The assumption of expenses by the Sponsor for
BDRY, pursuant to the BDRY Expense Cap, amounted to $ -0- and $-0- for the years ended June
30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. The waiver of Breakwave’s CTA Fee, pursuant
to the contractual waiver, amounted to $22,434 and $-0- for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the
Combined Statements of Operations. BDRY currently accrues its daily expenses based upon established individual expense category amounts
or the BDRY Expense Cap, whichever aggregate amount is less. At the end of each month, the accrued amount is remitted to the Sponsor
as the Sponsor is responsible for the payment of the routine operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Fund. BDRY’s
total expenses amounted to $ 2,420,639 and $3,280,229 for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022,
respectively.
BWET pays the Sponsor Fee, monthly in arrears,
in an amount equal to the greater of 0.30% per year of BWET’s average daily net assets, or $50,000. BWET’s Sponsor Fee is
paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s management services to BWET. BWET also pays Breakwave the CTA Fee monthly in arrears, for
the use of BWET’s Benchmark Portfolio in an amount equal to 1.45% per annum of BWET’s average daily net assets.
Breakwave has agreed to waive its CTA Fee and
the Sponsor has agreed to correspondingly assume the remaining expenses of BWET so that BWET’s expenses do not exceed an annual
rate of 3.50%, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses, of the value of BWET’s average daily
net assets (the “BWET Expense Cap”). The assumption of expenses and waiver of BWET’s CTA Fee are contractual on the
part of the Sponsor and Breakwave, respectively, through March 31, 2025. If after that date, the Sponsor and/or Breakwave no longer assumed
expenses or waived the CTA Fee, respectively, BWET could be adversely impacted, including in its ability to achieve its investment objective.
The assumption of expenses by the Sponsor
for BWET, pursuant to the BWET Expense Cap, amounted to $ 77,450 for the period from May
3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. The waiver of
Breakwave’s CTA fees, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $ 7,574 for the
period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET currently accrues
its daily expenses based upon established individual expense category amounts or the BWET Expense Cap, whichever aggregate amount is
less. At the end of each month, the accrued amount is remitted to the Sponsor as the Sponsor is responsible for the payment of the
routine operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Fund. BWET’s total expenses amounted to $ 123,053
for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023.
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Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent
Fees
The Funds have agreed to pay U.S. Bank 0.05%
of AUM, with a $50,000 and $45,000 minimum annual fee for BDRY and BWET, respectively, payable for its administrative, accounting and
transfer agent services and 0.01% of AUM, with an annual minimum of $4,800 for custody services. BDRY paid U.S. Bank $66,005 and $64,618
for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET paid U.S. Bank
$ 9,666 for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023, as
disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.
Distribution Fees
Each Fund paid ETFMG Financial an annual fee
for statutory and wholesaling distribution services and related administrative services equal to the greater of $15,000 or 0.02% of
each Funds’ average daily net assets, payable monthly. Pursuant to the Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, each
Fund and ETFMG Financial, ETFMG Financial assisted the Sponsor and each Fund with certain functions and duties relating to
distribution and marketing services to each Fund, including reviewing and approving marketing materials and certain regulatory
compliance matters. ETFMG Financial also assisted with the processing of creation and redemption orders. BDRY incurred $15,707 and
$15,707 in distribution and related administrative services for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed
in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $2,539 in distribution and related administrative services for the period from
May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.
BDRY pays the Sponsor for wholesale support
services at an annual rate of $25,000 plus 0.12% of BDRY’s average daily net assets, payable monthly. BDRY incurred $87,902 and
$112,393 in wholesale support fees for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements
of Operations.
BWET pays the Sponsor for wholesale support
services at an annual rate of $15,000 plus 0.15% of BWET’s average daily net assets, payable monthly. BWET incurred $3,209 in
wholesale support fees for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023, as disclosed in the
Combined Statements of Operations.
Futures Commission Merchant Fees
Each Fund pays brokerage commissions, including
applicable exchange fees, NFA fees, give-up fees, pit brokerage fees and other transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection
with trading activities in CFTC regulated investments. Brokerage commissions on futures contracts are recognized on a half-turn basis.
The Sponsor does not expect brokerage
commissions and fees, on an annual basis, to exceed 0.40% for BDRY and 1.30% for BWET (excluding the impact on the Funds of creation
and/or redemption activity) of the NAV of the respective Funds and for execution and clearing services to exceed $12 per lot on
behalf of BDRY and $7 per lot on behalf of BWET, although the actual amount of brokerage commissions and fees in any year or any
part of any year may be greater. The effects of trading spreads, financing costs associated with financial instruments, and costs
relating to the purchase of freight futures, Treasury Instruments or similar high credit quality short-term fixed-income or similar
securities are not included in the foregoing analysis. BDRY incurred $684,169 and $665,810 in brokerage commissions and fees for the
years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $19,746 in
brokerage commissions for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023, as disclosed in the
Combined Statements of Operations.
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Other Fees
Each Fund is responsible for certain other
expenses, including professional services (e.g., outside auditor’s fees and legal fees and expenses), shareholder Form
K-1’s, tax return preparation, regulatory compliance, and other services provided by affiliated and non-affiliated service
providers. The fees for Principal Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and regulatory reporting services provided to the
Funds by the Sponsor each amount to $25,000 per annum.
Extraordinary fees
Each Fund pays all of its extraordinary fees and
expenses, if any. Extraordinary fees and expenses are fees and expenses which are non-recurring and unusual in nature, such as legal claims
and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other unanticipated expenses. Such extraordinary fees and expenses, by their nature,
are unpredictable in terms of timing and amount.
Form of Shares
Registered Form
Shares of the Funds are issued in registered form
in accordance with the Trust Agreement for each Fund. U.S. Bank has been appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of transferring
shares in certificated form. U.S. Bank keeps a record of all limited partners and holders of the shares in certificated form in the registry
(the “Register”). The Sponsor recognizes transfers of shares in certificated form only if done in accordance with the respective
Trust Agreement for each Fund. The beneficial interests in such shares are held in book-entry form through participants and/or accountholders
in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).
Book Entry
Individual certificates are not issued for the
shares. Instead, shares are represented by one or more global certificates, which are deposited by the Administrator with, or on behalf
of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The global certificates evidence all of the shares outstanding
at any time. Shareholders are limited to (1) participants in DTC such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (“DTC Participants”),
(2) banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies who maintain, either directly or indirectly, a custodial relationship with, or clear through,
a DTC Participant (“Indirect Participants”), and (3) persons holding interests in the shares through DTC Participants or Indirect
Participants, in each case who satisfy the requirements for transfers of shares.
Shareholders will be shown on, and the transfer
of Shares will be effected only through, in the case of DTC Participants, the records maintained by the Depository and, in the case of
Indirect Participants and Shareholders holding through a DTC Participant or an Indirect participant, through those records or the records
of the relevant DTC Participants or Indirect participants. Shareholders are expected to receive, from or through which the Shareholder
has purchased Shares, a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.
DTC
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized
under the laws of the State of New York and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A
of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities for DTC Participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of transactions between DTC
Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of DTC Participants.
Calculating NAV
Each Fund’s NAV is calculated by:
● Taking the current market value
of its total assets;
● Subtracting any liabilities;
and
● Dividing that total by the
total number of outstanding shares.
9
The Administrator calculates the NAV of the Funds
once each NYSE Arca trading day. The NAV for a particular trading day is released after 4:00 p.m. E.T. Regular trading on the NYSE Arca
typically closes at 4:00 p.m. E.T. The Administrator uses the Baltic Exchange settlement price for the Freight Futures and option contracts.
The Administrator calculates or determines the value of all other BDRY and BWET investments using market quotations, if available, or
other information customarily used to determine the fair value of such investments as of the close of the NYSE Arca (normally 4:00 p.m.
E.T.), in accordance with the current Administrative Agency Agreement among U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, the Fund and the Sponsor.
In addition, in order to provide updated information
relating to the Funds for use by investors and market professionals, an updated indicative fund value (“IFV”) is made available
through on-line information services throughout the core trading hours of 9:30 a.m. E.T. to 4:00 p.m. E.T. on each trading day. The IFV
is calculated by using the prior day’s closing NAV per share of each Fund as a base and updating that value throughout the trading
day to reflect changes in the most recently reported trade price for the futures and/or options held by each Fund. Certain Freight Futures
brokers provide real time pricing information to the general public either through their websites or through data vendors such as Bloomberg
or Reuters. The IFV disseminated during NYSE Arca core trading hours should not be viewed as an actual real time update of the NAV, because
the NAV is calculated only once at the end of each trading day based upon the relevant end of day values of each of the Funds’ investments.
The IFV is disseminated on a per share basis every
15 seconds during regular NYSE Arca core trading session hours. The customary trading hours of the Freight Futures trading are 3:00 a.m.
E.T. to 12:00 p.m. E.T. This means that there is a gap in time at the beginning and/or the end of each day during which the Funds’
shares are traded on the NYSE Arca, but real-time trading prices for contracts are not available. During such gaps in time the IFV will
be calculated based on the end of day price of such contracts from the Baltic Exchange’s immediately preceding trading session.
In addition, other investments held by the Funds will be valued by the Administrator, using rates and points received from client-approved
third party vendors (such as Reuters and WM Company) and advisor or broker-dealer quotes. These investments will not be included in the
IFV.
The NYSE Arca disseminates the IFV through the
facilities of CTA/CQ High Speed Lines. In addition, the IFV is published on the NYSE Arca’s website and is available through on-line
information services such as Bloomberg and Reuters.
Dissemination of the IFV provides additional information
that is not otherwise available to the public and is useful to investors and market professionals in connection with the trading of the
Funds’ shares on the NYSE Arca. Investors and market professionals are able throughout the trading day to compare the market price
of the Funds’ shares and the IFV. If the market price of the Funds’ shares diverges significantly from the IFV, market professionals
will have an incentive to execute arbitrage trades. For example, if the Funds’ shares appear to be trading at a discount compared
to the IFV, a market professional could purchase the Funds’ shares on the NYSE Arca and take the opposite position in Freight Futures.
Such arbitrage trades can tighten the tracking between the market price of the Funds’ shares and the IFV and thus can be beneficial
to all market participants.
Creation and Redemption of Shares
The Funds create and redeem shares from time to
time, but only in one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The creation and redemption of baskets are only made in exchange
for delivery to the Funds or the distribution by the Funds of the amount of cash represented by the baskets being created or redeemed,
the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number of shares included in the baskets being created or redeemed determined
as of 4:00 p.m. E.T. on the day the order to create or redeem baskets is properly received.
Authorized Participants are the only persons that
may place orders to create and redeem baskets. Authorized Participants must be (1) registered broker-dealers or other securities market
participants, such as banks and other financial institutions, that are not required to register as broker-dealers to engage in securities
transactions described below, and (2) DTC Participants. To become an Authorized Participant, a person must enter into an Authorized Participant
Agreement with the Sponsor. The Authorized Participant Agreement provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of baskets and
for the delivery of the U.S. Treasuries and any cash required for such creation and redemptions. The Authorized Participant Agreement
and the related procedures attached thereto may be amended by the Funds, without the consent of any limited partner or shareholder or
Authorized Participant. Authorized Participants will pay a transaction fee of $300 to the Custodian for each order they place to create
or redeem one or more baskets. Authorized Participants who make deposits with the Funds in exchange for baskets receive no fees, commissions
or other form of compensation or inducement of any kind from either of the Funds or the Sponsor, and no such person will have any obligation
or responsibility to the Sponsor or the Funds to effect any sale or resale of shares.
10
Each Authorized Participant is required to be
registered as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act and be a member in good standing with FINRA, or exempt from being or otherwise not
required to be registered as a broker-dealer or a member of FINRA, and qualified to act as a broker or dealer in the states or other jurisdictions
where the nature of its business so requires. Certain Authorized Participants may also be regulated under federal and state banking laws
and regulations. Each Authorized Participant has its own set of rules and procedures, internal controls and information barriers as it
determines is appropriate in light of its own regulatory regime.
Under the Authorized Participant Agreements, the
Sponsor has agreed to indemnify the Authorized Participants against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, and
to contribute to the payments the Authorized Participants may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Creation Procedures
On any business day, an Authorized Participant
may place an order with the Transfer Agent, and accepted by the Distributor, to create one or more baskets. For purposes of processing
purchase and redemption orders, a “business day” means any day other than a day when any of the NYSE Arca, the New York Stock
Exchange or the Baltic Exchange is closed for regular trading. Purchase orders must be placed by 12:00 p.m. E.T. or the close of the NYSE
Arca core trading session, whichever is earlier. The day on which a valid purchase order is received in accordance with the terms of the
“Authorized Participant Agreement” is referred to as the purchase order date. Purchase orders are irrevocable. Prior to the
delivery of baskets for a purchase order, the Authorized Participant will be charged a non-refundable transaction fee due for the purchase
order.
The manner by which creations are made is dictated
by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement.
Determination of Required Payment
The Creation Basket Deposit for each Fund is the
NAV of 25,000 shares on the purchase order date, but only if the required payment is timely received. To calculate the NAV, the Administrator
will use the Baltic Exchange settlement price (typically determined after 12:00 p.m. E.T. and 2:00 p.m. E.T. for BWET and BDRY Freight
Futures respectively) for the Freight Futures.
Because orders to purchase Creation Baskets must
be placed no later than 12:00 p.m. E.T., but the total payment required to create a Creation Basket typically will not be determined until
after 12:00 p.m. E.T. or 2:00 p.m. E.T. for BWET and BDRY respectively, on the date the purchase order is received, Authorized Participants
will not know the total amount of the payment required to create a Creation Basket at the time they submit an irrevocable purchase order.
The NAV and the total amount of the payment required to create a Creation Basket could rise or fall substantially between the time an
irrevocable purchase order is submitted and the time the amount of the purchase price in respect thereof is determined.
Delivery of Required Payment
An Authorized Participant who places a purchase
order shall transfer to the Administrator the required amount of cash, by the end of the next business day following the purchase order
date. Upon receipt of the deposit amount, the Administrator will direct DTC to credit the number of Creation Baskets ordered to the Authorized
Participant’s DTC account on the next business day following the purchase order date.
11
Suspension of Purchase Orders
The Sponsor acting by itself or through the Administrator
or the Distributor may suspend the right of purchase, or postpone the purchase settlement date, for any period during which the NYSE Arca
or other exchange on which the shares are listed is closed, other than for customary holidays or weekends, or when trading is restricted
or suspended. None of the Sponsor, the Marketing Agent or the Administrator will be liable to any person or in any way for any loss or
damages that may result from any such suspension or postponement.
Rejection of Purchase Orders
The Sponsor acting by itself or through the Distributor
shall have the absolute right but no obligation to reject a purchase order or a Creation Basket Deposit if:
● it determines that the purchase
order or the Creation Basket Deposit is not in proper form;
● the acceptance or receipt of
the purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Sponsor, be unlawful; or
● circumstances outside the control
of the Sponsor, Distributor or Custodian make it, for all practical purposes, not feasible to process creations of baskets.
None of the Sponsor, Distributor or Custodian
will be liable for the rejection of any purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit.
Redemption Procedures
The procedures by which an Authorized Participant
can redeem one or more baskets mirror the procedures for the creation of baskets. On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place
an order with the Distributor to redeem one or more baskets. Redemption orders must be placed by 12:00 p.m. E.T. or the close of the core
trading session on the NYSE Arca, whichever is earlier. A redemption order so received will be effective on the date it is received in
satisfactory form by the Distributor. The redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem baskets and do not entitle an
individual shareholder to redeem any shares in an amount less than a Redemption Basket, or to redeem baskets other than through an Authorized
Participant. Redemption orders are irrevocable.
The manner by which redemptions are made is dictated
by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement. By placing an order for Redemption Baskets of BDRY or BWET, an Authorized Participant
agrees to deliver the Redemption Baskets to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system to the respective Fund not later than 12:00
p.m. E.T., on the next business day immediately following the redemption order date. Prior to the delivery of redemption distribution
or proceeds, the Authorized Participant will be charged a non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order.
Determination of Redemption Proceeds
The redemption proceeds from the Funds consist
of a cash redemption amount equal to the NAV of the number of Baskets requested in the Authorized Participant’s redemption order
on the redemption order date. To calculate the NAV, the Administrator will use the Baltic Exchange settlement price (typically determined
after 12:00 p.m. E.T. and 2:00 p.m. E.T. for the BWET and BDRY Freight Futures respectively) for the Freight Futures.
Because orders to redeem baskets must be placed
no later than 12:00 p.m. E.T., but the total amount of redemption proceeds typically will not be determined until after 12:00 p.m. E.T
or 2:00 p.m. E.T. for BWET and BDRY respectively, on the date the redemption order is received, Authorized Participants will not know
the total amount of the redemption proceeds at the time they submit an irrevocable redemption order. The NAV and the total amount of redemption
proceeds could rise or fall substantially between the time an irrevocable redemption order is submitted and the time the amount of redemption
proceeds in respect thereof is determined.
12
Delivery of Redemption Proceeds
The redemption proceeds due from the Fund will
be delivered to the Authorized Participant at 1:00 p.m. E.T., on the next business day immediately following the redemption order date
if, by such time, the Funds’ DTC account has been credited with the baskets to be redeemed. If the Funds’ DTC account has
not been credited with all of the baskets to be redeemed by such time, the redemption distribution is delivered to the extent of whole
baskets received. Any remainder of the redemption distribution is delivered on the next business day to the extent of remaining whole
baskets received if the Funds receive the fee applicable to the extension of the redemption distribution date which the Sponsor may, from
time to time, determine and the remaining baskets to be redeemed are credited to the Funds’ DTC accounts by 1:00 p.m. E.T., on such
next business day. Any further outstanding amount of the redemption order shall be cancelled. The Sponsor may cause the redemption distribution
to be delivered notwithstanding that the baskets to be redeemed are not credited to the Fund’s DTC account by 12:00 p.m. E.T., on
the next business day immediately following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized its obligation
to deliver the Baskets through DTC’s book entry system on such terms as the Sponsor may from time to time determine.
Suspension or Rejection of Redemption Orders
The Sponsor may, in its discretion, suspend the
right of redemption, or postpone the redemption settlement date, (1) for any period during which the NYSE Arca, or the Baltic Exchange
is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings, or trading on the NYSE Arca, or the Baltic Exchange, is suspended or restricted,
(2) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which delivery, disposal or evaluation of the redemption distribution
or redemption proceeds, as applicable, is not reasonably practicable, or (3) for such other period as the Sponsor determines to be necessary
for the protection of the limited partners or shareholders. For example, the Sponsor may determine that it is necessary to suspend redemptions
to allow for the orderly liquidation of the Funds’ assets at an appropriate value to fund a redemption. If the Sponsor has difficulty
liquidating its positions, e.g., because of a market disruption event in the futures markets or a suspension of trading by the exchange
where the futures contracts are listed, it may be appropriate to suspend redemptions until such time as such circumstances are rectified.
None of the Sponsor, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, the Administrator, or the Custodian will be liable to any person or in any way
for any loss or damages that may result from any such suspension or postponement.
Redemption orders must be made in whole baskets.
The Sponsor will reject a redemption order if the order is not in proper form as described in the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement
or if the fulfillment of the order, in the opinion of its counsel, might be unlawful. The Sponsor may also reject a redemption order if
the number of shares being redeemed would reduce the remaining outstanding shares to 50,000 shares (minimum NYSE Arca maintenance listing
requirement) or less, unless the Sponsor has reason to believe that the placer of the redemption order does in fact possess all the outstanding
shares and can deliver them.
Creation and Redemption Transaction Fee
To compensate the Funds for their expenses in
connection with the creation and redemption of baskets, an Authorized Participant is required to pay a transaction fee to the Custodian
of $300 per order to create or redeem baskets, regardless of the number of baskets in such order. An order may include multiple baskets.
The transaction fee may be reduced, increased or otherwise changed by the Sponsor. The Sponsor will notify DTC of any change in the transaction
fee and will not implement any increase in the fee for the redemption of baskets until 30 days after the date of the notice.
Tax Responsibility
Authorized Participants are responsible for any
transfer tax, sales or use tax, stamp tax, recording tax, value added tax or similar tax or governmental charge applicable to the creation
or redemption of baskets, regardless of whether or not such tax or charge is imposed directly on the Authorized Participant, and agree
to indemnify the Sponsor and the Funds if they are required by law to pay any such tax, together with any applicable penalties, additions
to tax and interest thereon.
13
Secondary Market Transactions
As noted, the Funds create and redeem shares from
time to time, but only in one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The creation and redemption of baskets are only made in
exchange for delivery to the Funds or the distribution by the Funds of the amount of cash, represented by the baskets being created or
redeemed, the amount of which will be based on the aggregate NAV of the number of shares included in the baskets being created or redeemed
determined on the day the order to create or redeem baskets is properly received.
As discussed above, Authorized Participants are
the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem baskets. Authorized Participants must be registered broker-dealers or other
securities market participants, such as banks and other financial institutions that are not required to register as broker-dealers to
engage in securities transactions. An Authorized Participant is under no obligation to create or redeem baskets, and an Authorized Participant
is under no obligation to offer to the public shares of any baskets it does create. Authorized Participants that do offer to the public
shares from the baskets they create will do so at per share offering prices that are expected to reflect, among other factors, the trading
price of the shares on the NYSE Arca, the NAV of the Funds at the time the Authorized Participant purchased the Creation Baskets and the
NAV of the shares at the time of the offer of the shares to the public, the supply of and demand for shares at the time of sale, and the
liquidity of the futures contract market. The prices of shares offered by Authorized Participants are expected to fall between the Funds’
NAVs and the trading price of the shares on the NYSE Arca at the time of sale.
Shares initially comprising the same basket but
offered by Authorized Participants to the public at different times may have different offering prices. An order for one or more baskets
may be placed by an Authorized Participant on behalf of multiple clients. Authorized Participants that make deposits with the Funds in
exchange for baskets receive no fees, commissions or other form of compensation or inducement of any kind from either of the Funds or
the Sponsor, and no such person has any obligation or responsibility to the Sponsor or the Funds to effect any sale or resale of shares.
Shares trade in the secondary market on the NYSE
Arca. Shares may trade in the secondary market at prices that are lower or higher relative to their NAV per share. The amount of the discount
or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per share may be influenced by various factors, including the number of investors
who seek to purchase or sell shares in the secondary market and the liquidity of the futures contracts market. While the shares trade
during regular trading hours on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. E.T., liquidity in the market for Freight Futures, may be reduced after
the close of the Freight Futures market at approximately 12:00 p.m. E.T. As a result, during this time, trading spreads, and the resulting
premium or discount, on the shares may widen.
There are a minimum number of specified baskets
and associated shares. Once the minimum number of baskets is reached, there can be no more basket redemptions until there has been a Creation
Basket. In such case, market makers may be less willing to purchase shares from investors in the secondary market, which may in turn limit
the ability of shareholders of the Funds to sell their shares in the secondary market. As of the date of this annual report the minimum
level for both BDRY and BWET is 50,000 shares, representing two baskets.
All proceeds from the sale of Creation Baskets
will be invested as quickly as practicable in the investments described in the prospectus. The Funds’ cash and investments are held
through their Custodian, in accounts with their commodity futures brokers or in demand deposits with highly-rated financial institutions.
There is no stated maximum time period for either of the Funds’ operations and the Funds may continue their operations until all
shares are redeemed or the Funds are liquidated pursuant to the terms of the Funds’ Trust Agreement.
Regulatory Environment
The regulation of futures markets, futures contracts,
and futures exchanges has historically been comprehensive. The CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in
the event of a market emergency including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits, increased margin
requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.
The regulation of commodity interest transactions
in the United States is an evolving area of law and is subject to ongoing modification by governmental and judicial action. Considerable
regulatory attention has been focused on non-traditional investment pools that are publicly distributed in the United States. There is
a possibility of future regulatory changes within the United States altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment
in the Funds or the ability of the Funds to continue to implement their investment strategies. In addition, various national governments outside
of the United States have expressed concern regarding the disruptive effects of speculative trading in the commodities markets and the
need to regulate the derivatives markets in general. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Funds is impossible to predict but
could be substantial and adverse.
14
The CFTC possesses exclusive jurisdiction to regulate
the activities of commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors with respect to “commodity interests,” such as futures,
swaps and options, and has adopted regulations with respect to the activities of those persons and/or entities. Under the CEA, a registered
CPO, such as the Sponsor, is required to make annual filings with the CFTC and NFA describing its organization, capital structure, management
and controlling persons. In addition, the CEA authorizes the CFTC to require and review books and records of, and documents prepared by,
registered CPOs. Pursuant to this authority, the CFTC requires CPOs to keep accurate, current and orderly records for each pool that they
operate. The CFTC may suspend the registration of a commodity pool operator (1) if the CFTC finds that the operator’s trading practices
tend to disrupt orderly market conditions, (2) if any controlling person of the operator is subject to an order of the CFTC denying such
person trading privileges on any exchange, and (3) in certain other circumstances. Suspension, restriction or termination of the Sponsor’s
registration as a commodity pool operator would prevent it, until that registration were to be reinstated, from managing the Funds, and
might result in the termination of the Funds if a successor sponsor is not elected pursuant to the Trust Agreement.
The Funds’ investors are afforded prescribed
rights for reparations under the CEA. Investors may also be able to maintain a private right of action for violations of the CEA. The
CFTC has adopted rules implementing the reparation provisions of the CEA, which provide that any person may file a complaint for a reparations
award with the CFTC for violation of the CEA against a floor broker or an FCM, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, CPO, and
their respective associated persons.
Pursuant to authority in the CEA, the NFA has
been formed and registered with the CFTC as a registered futures association. At the present time, the NFA is the only self-regulatory
organization for commodity interest professionals, other than futures exchanges. The CFTC has delegated to the NFA responsibility for
the registration of CPOs and FCMs and their respective associated persons. The Sponsor is a member of the NFA and, as such, it will be
subject to NFA standards relating to fair trade practices, financial condition and consumer protection. The NFA also arbitrates disputes
between members and their customers and conducts registration and fitness screening of applicants for membership and audits of its existing
members. Neither the Trust nor the Funds are required to become a member of the NFA.
The regulations of the CFTC and the NFA prohibit
any representation by a person registered with the CFTC or by any member of the NFA, that registration with the CFTC, or membership in
the NFA, in any respect indicates that the CFTC or the NFA has approved or endorsed that person or that person’s trading program
or objectives. The registrations and memberships of the parties described in this summary must not be considered as constituting any such
approval or endorsement. Likewise, no futures exchange has given or will give any similar approval or endorsement.
Futures exchanges in the United States are subject
to varying degrees of regulation under the CEA depending on whether such exchange is a designated contract market, exempt board of trade
or electronic trading facility. Clearing organizations are also subject to the CEA and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder as
administered by the CFTC. The CFTC’s function is to implement the CEA’s objectives of preventing price manipulation and excessive
speculation and promoting orderly and efficient commodity interest markets. In addition, the various exchanges and clearing organizations
themselves exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over their member firms.
15
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted in response to the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 and it significantly
altered the regulatory regime to which the securities and commodities markets are subject. To date, the CFTC has issued proposed or final
versions of almost all of the rules it is required to promulgate under the Dodd-Frank Act. The provisions of the law include the requirement
that position limits be established on a wide range of commodity interests, including agricultural, energy, and metal-based commodity
futures contracts, options on such futures contracts and cleared and uncleared swaps that are economically equivalent to such futures
contracts and options; new registration and recordkeeping requirements for swap market participants; capital and margin requirements for
“swap dealers” and “major swap participants,” as determined by the new law and applicable regulations; reporting
of all swap transactions to swap data repositories; and the mandatory use of clearinghouse mechanisms for sufficiently standardized swap
transactions that were historically entered into in the over-the-counter market, but are now designated as subject to the clearing requirement;
and margin requirements for over-the-counter swaps that are not subject to the clearing requirements.
The Dodd-Frank Act was intended to reduce systemic
risks that may have contributed to the 2008/2009 financial crisis. Since the first draft of what became the Dodd-Frank Act, supporters
and opponents have debated the scope of the legislation. As the administrations of the U.S. change, the interpretation and implementation
will change along with them. Nevertheless, regulatory reform of any kind may have a significant impact on U.S. regulated entities.
Current rules and regulations under the Dodd-Frank
Act require enhanced customer protections, risk management programs, internal monitoring and controls, capital and liquidity standards,
customer disclosures and auditing and examination programs for FCMs. The rules are intended to afford greater assurances to market participants
that customer segregated funds and secured amounts are protected, customers are provided with appropriate notice of the risks of futures
trading and of the FCMs with which they may choose to do business, FCMs are monitoring and managing risks in a robust manner, the capital
and liquidity of FCMs are strengthened to safeguard the continued operations and the auditing and examination programs of the CFTC and
the self-regulatory organizations are monitoring the activities of FCMs in a thorough manner.
Regulatory bodies outside the U.S. have also passed
or proposed, or may propose in the future, legislation similar to that proposed by the Dodd-Frank Act or other legislation containing
other restrictions that could adversely impact the liquidity of and increase costs of participating in the commodities markets. For example,
the European Union Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Directive 2014/65/EU) and Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (Regulation
(EU) No 600/2014) (together “MiFID II”), which has applied since January 3, 2018, governs the provision of investment services
and activities in relation to, as well as the organized trading of, financial instruments such as shares, bonds, units in collective investment
schemes and derivatives. In particular, MiFID II requires EU Member States to apply position limits to the size of a net position which
a person can hold at any time in commodity derivatives traded on EU trading venues and in “economically equivalent” over-the-counter
(“OTC”) contracts. By way of further example, the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 648/2012,
as amended) (“EMIR”) introduced certain requirements in respect of OTC derivatives including: (i) the mandatory clearing of
OTC derivative contracts declared subject to the clearing obligation; (ii) risk mitigation techniques in respect of un-cleared OTC derivative
contracts, including the mandatory margining of un-cleared OTC derivative contracts; and (iii) reporting and recordkeeping requirements
in respect of all derivatives contracts. In the event that the requirements under EMIR and MiFID II apply, these are expected to increase
the cost of transacting derivatives.
In addition, considerable regulatory attention
has been focused on non-traditional publicly distributed investment pools such as the Funds. Furthermore, various national governments
have expressed concern regarding the disruptive effects of speculative trading in certain commodity markets and the need to regulate the
derivatives markets in general. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Funds is impossible to predict but could be substantial
and adverse.
SEC Reports
Each Fund makes available, free of charge, on
its website (www.drybulketf.com for BDRY and www.tankeretf.com for BWET), its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form
10-Q, its current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act as soon as reasonably practicable after these forms are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. These reports are also available from
the SEC though its website at: www.sec.gov.
CFTC Reports
The Trust also makes available, on its website,
its monthly reports and its annual reports required to be prepared and filed with the NFA under the CFTC regulations.
16
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties.
Not applicable.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.