Item 1. Business
Item 1. Business
The Trust and the Funds
Amplify Commodity Trust (formerly, ETF Managers Group Commodity Trust
I) (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 23, 2014. Effective after the close of trading on February
14, 2024, ETF Managers Capital LLC, as the prior sponsor and commodity pool operator (the “Former Sponsor”) of the Trust,
entered into an agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) to resign as Sponsor to the Trust and transfer its role as the Trust’s
sponsor to Amplify Investments LLC (“the Sponsor”). Under the terms of the Transfer Agreement, the Former Sponsor no longer
has any involvement in the operations, management or marketing of the Fund. In connection with this change of Sponsor, Trust changed its
name from the ETF Managers Group Commodity Trust I to the Amplify Commodity Trust. 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 3333
Warrenville Road, Suite 350, Lisle, IL 60532. The telephone number is (855) 267-3837.
The Sponsor
The Funds are each managed and controlled by Amplify Investments LLC
(the “Sponsor”), a single member limited liability company that was formed in the state of Delaware on October 6, 2014. Each
Fund pays the Sponsor a management fee. The Sponsor maintains its main business office at 3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 350, Lisle, IL
60532. The Sponsor’s telephone number is (855) 267-3837.
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”).
1
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.
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.
2
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 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 BDRY Benchmark Component Instruments currently
constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio as of June 30, 2025 include:
Name
Ticker
Market
Value USD
Capesize 5TC 180kt FFA Timecharter Average M Jul 25
C5TCM N25 INDEX
$ 10,116,540
Capesize 5TC FFA 180kt Timecharter Average M Aug 25
C5TCM Q25 INDEX
$ 10,442,040
Capesize 5TC FFA 180kt Timecharter Average M Sep 25
C5TCM U25 INDEX
$ 11,890,980
Panamax 4TC FFA 74kt Timecharter Average M Jul 25
P4TCM N25 INDEX
$ 9,051,420
Panamax 4TC FFA 74kt Timecharter Average M Aug 25
P4TCM Q25 INDEX
$ 8,625,575
Panamax 4TC FFA 74kt Timecharter Average M Sep 25
P4TCM U25 INDEX
$ 8,642,480
Supramax 58 TC FFA 58kt Timecharter Average M Jul 25
S58FM N25 INDEX
$ 2,245,000
Supramax 58 TC FFA 58kt Timecharter Average M Aug 25
S58FM Q25 INDEX
$ 2,277,600
Supramax 58 TC FFA 58kt Timecharter Average M Sep 25
S58FM U25 INDEX
$ 2,310,000
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.
3
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 andTD20 Oil Freight Futures. More specifically, the BWET
Benchmark Portfolio will include 90% exposure in TD3C Oil Freight Futures contracts and 10% exposure inTD20 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.
4
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 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, 2025 include:
Name
Ticker
Market
Value USD
TD20 FFA 130kt West Africa to Continent USD/MT M Jul 25
DD20M N25 INDEX
$ 70,680
TD20 FFA 130kt West Africa to Continent USD/MT M Aug 25
DD20M Q25 INDEX
$ 63,255
TD3C FFA 270kt Middle East Gulf to China USD/MT M Sep 25
DD3CM U25 INDEX
$ 379,680
TD3C FFA 270kt Middle East Gulf to China USD/MT M Jul 25
DD3CM N25 INDEX
$ 385,980
TD3C FFA 270kt Middle East Gulf to China USD/MT M Aug 25
DD3CM Q25 INDEX
$ 418,600
The value of the TD3C Index and the TD20 Index
are each 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.
5
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.
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.
6
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 maybe
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.
7
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
Through August 13, 2023, each Fund paid ETFMG Financial LLC (the “former
Distributor”), an affiliate of the Sponsor, 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 respective
Marketing Agent Agreements between the Sponsor, each Fund and the former Distributor, the former Distributor 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. The Distributor also assisted with the processing
of creation and redemption orders.
Effective August 14, 2023, the Sponsor entered into a Marketing Agent
Agreement (the “Marketing 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, with a minimum of approximately $10,000 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 office is located
in Portland, ME.
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.
8
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.
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
Chapman and Cutler 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 an annual Sponsor Fee, monthly in arrears, in
an amount calculated as the greater of 0.15% of its average daily net assets, or $125,000. BDRY also pays an annual fee to Breakwave,
monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.45% of BDRY’s average daily net assets. Breakwave has agreed to waive its CTA fee to
the extent necessary, and the Sponsor has voluntarily agreed to correspondingly assume the remaining expenses of BDRY such that Fund expenses
do not exceed an annual rate of 3.50%, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses, if any, of the value
of BDRY’s average daily net assets through December 31, 2025 (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 December 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 expenses reimbursed of $242,025 and $- for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as disclosed
in the Combined Statements of Operations. The waiver of Breakwave’s CTA Fee, pursuant to the contractual waiver, amounted to $217,687
and $23,879 for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, 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 $1,851,697 and $2,442,633
for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
9
BWET pays the Sponsor an annual Sponsor Fee, monthly in arrears, in
an amount calculated as the greater of 0.30% of its average daily net assets, or $50,000. BWET also pays an annual CTA license and service
fee to Breakwave, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.45% of BDRY’s average daily net assets. Breakwave has agreed to waive
its CTA fee to the extent necessary, and the Sponsor has voluntarily agreed to correspondingly assume the remaining expenses of BWET such
that Fund expenses do not exceed an annual rate of 3.50%, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses,
if any, of the value of BWET’s average daily net assets through December 31, 2025 (the “BWET Expense Cap”). The assumption
of expenses by the Sponsor and waiver of BWET’s CTA fee are contractual on the part of the Sponsor and Breakwave, respectively.
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 expenses absorbed of $361,863 and $277,458 for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as
disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. The waiver of Breakwave’s CTA fees, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to
$27,481 and $52,076 for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, 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 $485,999 and
$577,056 for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent
Fees
Each Fund has agreed to pay U.S. Bank 0.05% of average assets under
management (AUM), with a $45,000 minimum annual fee 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 $63,163 and $56,653 for the years ended June 30, 2025
and 2024, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET paid U.S. Bank $63,276 and $52,250 for the years ended
June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Distribution Fees
Each Fund pays an annual fee for such distribution services and related
administrative services equal to approximately 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, with a minimum of approximately $10,000
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. BDRY incurred $6,145 and $15,193 in distribution and related administrative services for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024,
respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $513 and $11,339 in distribution and related administrative
services for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
10
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 $73,621 and $93,035 in wholesale support
fees for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, 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 $17,808 and $20,391 in wholesale support
fees for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
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 1.35% 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
$457,339 and $584,320 in brokerage commissions and fees for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as disclosed in the
Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $30,320 and $121,822 in brokerage commissions for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024,
respectively.
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.
11
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.
12
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.
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. The information may include
costs of funding, to the extent costs of funding are not and would not be a component of the other information being utilized. Third parties
supplying quotations or market data may include, without limitation, dealers in the relevant market, end-users of the relevant product,
information vendors, brokers and other sources of market information.
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 and ICE’s immediately preceding trading session. In addition,
other investments and U.S. Treasuries 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.
13
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.
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 the1933 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.
14
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.
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.
15
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.
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.
16
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. 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.
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.
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.
17
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.
18
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.
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.
19
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.
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.
20
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.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
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.