Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The duly
authorized officers of the Sponsor performing functions equivalent to those a principal executive officer and principal financial
officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure
controls and procedures, and have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report
to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Trust files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms,
and that it is accumulated and communicated to the duly authorized officers of the Sponsor performing functions equivalent to those
a principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers, as appropriate
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management ’ s Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting
The Sponsor’s management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined under Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).
The Trust’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Trust’s assets, (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance GAAP, and that
the Trust’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Trust’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial
reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject
to the risk that controls may become ineffective because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.
The Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer of the Sponsor assessed the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting as of December
31, 2025. In making this assessment, they used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Their assessment included an evaluation of the design
of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control
over financial reporting. Based on their assessment and those criteria, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer of the Sponsor concluded that the Trust maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2025.
78
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the Trust’s fourth fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Not applicable.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent
Inspections.
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The Trust does not have any directors, officers or employees.
The creation and operation of the Trust has been arranged by the Sponsor. The Sponsor is not governed by a board of directors.
The following persons, in their respective capacities as executive officers of the Sponsor perform certain functions with respect
to the Trust that, if the Trust had directors or executive officers, would typically be performed by them. The principals and executive
officers of the Sponsor are as follows:
Jan F. van Eck
Mr. van Eck, (born 1963), serves as the Chief Executive Officer
and President of the Sponsor and VanEck. Mr. van Eck joined VanEck in 1992 and its Executive Management Team in 1998. Additionally,
he is the President and CEO of Van Eck Securities Corporation. Furthermore, Mr. van Eck is a Trustee, the President and Chief Executive
Officer of VanEck Vectors ETF Trust, VanEck Funds and VanEck VIP Trust. Furthering VanEck’s mission to anticipate asset classes
and trends, Mr. van Eck has created strategic beta, tactical allocation, emerging markets, and commodity-related investment strategies
in mutual fund, ETF, and institutional formats. Mr. van Eck founded the VanEck’s ETF business in 2006. One of the world’s
largest ETF sponsors, the Van Eck offers ETFs, branded VanEck Vectors®, globally across equity and fixed income asset classes.
Mr. van Eck holds a JD from Stanford University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Williams College with a major in Economics. He
has registrations with the National Futures Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Mr. van Eck is a Director
of the National Committee on United States-China Relations. He routinely appears on CNBC and Bloomberg Television, and was a 2013
Finalist for Institutional Investor’s Fund Leader of the Year and a 2019 finalist for ETF.com’s Lifetime Achievement
Award.
John J. Crimmins
Mr. Crimmins (born 1957) serves as Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor. Mr. Crimmins joined VanEck in 2009 as Vice President of Portfolio Administration. He
is primarily responsible for overseeing portfolio accounting and administration. He also serves as Chief Financial Officer to the
VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and VanEck ETF Trust. Prior to joining VanEck, Mr. Crimmins was the Chief Financial, Operating and
Compliance Officer for Kern Capital Management LLC from 1997 to 2009 and the Vice President and Director of Mutual Fund Administration
for Evergreen Investment Services from 1987 to 1997. Previously, Mr. Crimmins acted as Vice President and Controller for Pilgrim
Group for three years and was in public accounting for six years. Mr. Crimmins is a Certified Public Accountant and received a
BS in Accounting from St. John’s University.
Insider Trading Policy
VanEck has adopted an insider trading policy which applies to
its employees. VanEck believes that the insider trading policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading
laws, rules and regulations with respect to the purchase, sale and/or other dispositions of securities, including Shares of the
Trust, as well as the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange. A copy of VanEck’s insider trading policy is filed
as Exhibit 19.1 to this Report.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The Trust has no employees, officers or directors. The Trust
is managed by the Sponsor and pays the Sponsor the Sponsor Fee.
79
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation
Plans
Not applicable.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Not applicable.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and
Director Independence.
See Item 11 above.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The table below summarizes the fees for services performed by
Cohen & Company, Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
2025
2024
Audit fees
$
111,250
$76,250
Audit-related Fees
$
0
$0
Tax fees
$
0
$0
All other fees
$
0
$0
Total
$
111,250
$76,250
Audit fees for the year ended December 31, 2025, consist of contractual
fees payable to Cohen & Company Ltd. for quarterly financial statement information included on Form 10-Q and the audit of the
Trust’s annual financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2025.
Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Services and Fees
The Trust has no board of directors, and as a result, has no
audit committee or pre-approval policy with respect to fees paid to its principal accounting firm. Such determinations
are made by the Sponsor.
80
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statements
See Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1 for a list of the financial
statements being filed as part of this Report.
Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not
applicable or the information has otherwise been included.
Exhibits
The following documents are filed herewith or incorporated herein
and made a part of this Report:
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1 Certificate of Trust incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on December 30, 2020
3.2 Certificate
of Amendment to Certificate of Trust incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant
on August 20, 2024
4.1 Third Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust and Trust Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant
on March 1, 2024
4.2 Description of the Registrant’s
Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on March 28, 2024
4.3 Amendment No.
1 to the Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on August 20, 2024
10.1 Form
of Authorized Participant Agreement by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant
on November 20, 2025
10.2 Form of Marketing Agent Agreement
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on October 27, 2023
10.3 Form of Custodial Services Agreement
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on October 27, 2023
10.4 Trust Administration and Accounting
Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on December
29, 2023
10.5 Transfer Agency Agreement incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on December 29, 2023
10.6 Form of Index Sub-Licensing
Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on October
27, 2023
10.7 Cash Custody Agreement incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on December 29, 2023
10.8 Subscription Agreement incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on December 29, 2023
81
10.9 Clearing Agreement incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by the Registrant on January 8, 2024
10.10 Additional Bitcoin Custodian
Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on June 26, 2024.
19.1 Insider
Trading Policy incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on March 26, 2025
31.1* Certification by Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2* Certification by Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1* Certification by Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2* Certification by Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97.1 Executive Officer Incentive-Based
Compensation Clawback Policy incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Registrant
on March 28, 2024
101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are
embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104* Cover Page Interactive Data File included as Exhibit 101 (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
*
Filed herewith.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
82
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 925)
F-2
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
F-3
Statement of Operations
F-4
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
F-5
Notes to Financial Statements
F-7
F- 1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Sponsor and Shareholders of
VanEck Bitcoin ETF
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements
of assets and liabilities of VanEck Bitcoin ETF (the “Trust”), including the schedules of investment, as of December
31, 2025 and 2024, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion,
the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust as of December 31, 2025
and 2024, and the results of its operations and changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December
31, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Trust’s financial statements based on
our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with
the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor
were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to
obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness
of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures
to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of cash and digital assets owned as of December 31, 2025 and
2024, by correspondence with the custodians; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Trust’s auditor
since 2023.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Towson, Maryland
March 12, 2026
F- 2
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Assets
Investment in bitcoin, at fair value (cost $ 1,276,429,195 and $ 895,843,577 , respectively)
$ 1,382,273,990
$ 1,280,450,332
Receivable for investment in bitcoin sold
6,790,405
—
Total assets
1,389,064,395
1,280,450,332
Liabilities
Payable for shares redeemed
6,790,405
—
Total liabilities
6,790,405
—
Net assets
$ 1,382,273,990
$ 1,280,450,332
Shares issued and outstanding ( no par value, unlimited amount authorized)
55,900,000
48,500,000
Net Asset Value per Share
$ 24.73
$ 26.40
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 3
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Statements of Operations
Year
Ended
December
31, 2025
Year
Ended
December
31, 2024
Expenses
Sponsor fee, related party
$ 3,253,581
$ 1,323,357
Total expenses
3,253,581
1,323,357
Sponsor fee waiver, related party
( 3,253,581 )
( 1,259,786 )
Net expenses
—
63,571
Net investment loss
—
( 63,571 )
Net
realized gain and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
Net realized gain on:
Bitcoin sold for redemption of shares
84,758,748
34,414,287
Bitcoin distributed for Sponsor fee, related party
—
10,977
Net realized gain on investment in bitcoin
84,758,748
34,425,264
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investment in bitcoin
( 278,761,960 )
384,606,755
Net realized gain and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
( 194,003,212 )
419,032,019
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ ( 194,003,212 )
$ 418,968,448
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 4
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended
December
31, 2025
Year Ended
December
31, 2024
Net
increase from operations
Net investment loss
$ —
$ ( 63,571 )
Net realized gain from investment in bitcoin
84,758,748
34,425,264
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investment in bitcoin
( 278,761,960 )
384,606,755
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
( 194,003,212 )
418,968,448
Capital Share transactions
Contributions for shares issued
776,285,157
1,145,143,775
Withdrawals for shares redeemed
( 480,458,287 )
( 283,761,891 )
Net increase in capital share transactions
295,826,870
861,381,884
Net increase in net assets
101,823,658
1,280,350,332
Net
assets:
Beginning of year
1,280,450,332
100,000
End of year
$ 1,382,273,990
$ 1,280,450,332
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 5
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Schedules of Investment
December 31, 2025
Description
Quantity
Cost
Fair Value
Bitcoin
15,809.70
$ 1,276,429,195
$ 1,382,273,990
Total Investment in Bitcoin – 100.00 %
1,382,273,990
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – 0.00 %
—
Net Assets – 100.00 %
$ 1,382,273,990
December 31, 2024
Description
Quantity
Cost
Fair Value
Bitcoin
13,716.83
$ 895,843,577
$ 1,280,450,332
Total Investment in Bitcoin – 100.00 %
1,280,450,332
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – 0.00 %
—
Net Assets – 100.00 %
$ 1,280,450,332
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F- 6
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2025
Note 1. Organization:
VanEck Bitcoin ETF (the “Trust”),
a Delaware statutory trust, is an exchange-traded fund that issues common shares of beneficial interest in an ownership of the
Trust (the “Shares”). The Shares are traded on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange”). The Trust’s
investment objective is to reflect the performance of the price of bitcoin less the net operating expenses of the Trust. The Trust
is managed and controlled by VanEck Digital Assets, LLC (the “Sponsor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates
Corporation (“VanEck”). The CSC Delaware Trust Company is the “Trustee” of the Trust.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies:
A. Basis of Preparation and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from
those estimates .
The Trust qualifies as an
investment company solely for accounting purposes and not for any other purpose and follows accounting and reporting requirements
of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services—Investment Companies (“ASC
Topic 946”) , but is not registered, and is not required to be registered, as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended .
B. Cash
Cash, if any, represents cash
deposits held at a major financial institution and is subject to credit risk to the extent its balance exceeds the federally insured
limits. As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the Trust did not hold cash .
C. Investment Valuation
The Trust values its investment
in bitcoin and other assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid
to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date .
The Trust identifies and determines
the bitcoin principal market (or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market) for GAAP financial statement
purposes consistent with the application of fair value measurement framework in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
ASC 820 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Under ASC 820, a principal market is the market with the greatest volume and activity level for the
asset or liability. The Sponsor on behalf of the Trust will determine in its sole discretion the valuation sources and policies
used to prepare the Trust’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP .
Various inputs are used in
determining the fair value of assets and liabilities. Inputs may be based on independent market data or they may be internally
developed. These inputs are categorized into a disclosure hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows :
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities ;
Level 2 – Inputs other
than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including
quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities
in markets that are not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability,
and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means; and
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs where there are little or no market activity
for the asset or liability, including the Trust’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments.
F- 7
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
December 31, 2025
The following is a summary of the fair
value hierarchy as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024 :
December 31, 2025
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets
Investment in bitcoin
$ 1,382,273,990
$ —
$ —
$ 1,382,273,990
December 31, 2024
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets
Investment in bitcoin
$ 1,280,450,332
$ —
$ —
$ 1,280,450,332
The following represents the changes
in quantity of bitcoin and the respective fair value :
Bitcoin
Fair Value
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2025
13,716.83
$ 1,280,450,332
Bitcoin purchased
7,247.29
776,285,158
Bitcoin sold
( 5,154.42 )
( 480,458,288 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investment in bitcoin
—
( 278,761,960 )
Net realized gain on investment in bitcoin
—
84,758,748
Ending balance as of December 31, 2025
15,809.70
$ 1,382,273,990
Bitcoin
Fair Value
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2024 (a)
—
$ —
Bitcoin purchased
17,847.12
1,145,131,271
Bitcoin sold
( 4,130.29 )
( 283,712,958 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investment in bitcoin
—
384,606,755
Net realized gain on investment in bitcoin
—
34,425,264
Ending balance as of December 31, 2024
13,716.83
$ 1,280,450,332
(a) The Trust did not hold any bitcoin as of January 1, 2024.
D. Bitcoin
Bitcoin transactions are accounted
for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on the sale of bitcoin are determined based on the average cost method. Under ASC
Topic 946, the average cost method is an accepted method to determine realized gains and losses on the sale of bitcoin. Proceeds
received by the Trust from the issuance of baskets consist of bitcoin. Deposits of bitcoin are held by Gemini Trust Company, LLC
(the “Bitcoin Custodian”) and at Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC (the “Additional Bitcoin Custodian”,
and collectively the “Bitcoin Custodians”), on behalf of the Trust until (i) delivered out in connection with redemptions
of baskets or cash or (ii) sold by the Sponsor, which may be facilitated by the Bitcoin Custodians, to pay fees due to the Sponsor
and Trust expenses and liabilities not assumed by the Sponsor .
E. Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Trust’s net asset value (“NAV”) is
calculated based on the Trust’s net asset holdings, as reconciled to the Bitcoin Custodians’ accounts, on a market
approach determined on a daily basis using the MarketVector TM Bitcoin Benchmark Rate price at 4:00 pm EST. The Trust’s
NAV per Share is calculated by taking the current market value of its total assets, subtracting any liabilities, and then dividing
that total by the total number of outstanding Shares. The Trust Agreement gives the Sponsor the exclusive authority to determine
the Trust’s NAV and the Trust’s NAV per Share, which it has delegated to the Administrator.
F- 8
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
December 31, 2025
F. Federal Income Taxes
The Trust is treated as a
grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. Any interest,
expenses, gains and losses are passed through to the holders of Shares of the Trust. The Sponsor has reviewed the tax positions
for the periods presented and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Trust’s financial statements .
G. Segment Reporting
The Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer of the Sponsor acts as the Trust’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), assessing performance
and making decisions about resource allocation. The CODM has determined that the Trust has a single operating segment based on
the fact that the Trust’s long-term strategic asset allocation is pre-determined in accordance with the terms of its prospectus,
with a defined investment strategy which is executed by the Sponsor. The financial information
provided to and reviewed by the CODM is presented within the Trust's financial statements.
Note 3. Trust Expenses and Other Agreements
The Trust pays the Sponsor a unified
fee (the “Sponsor Fee”) of 0.20 % of average daily net assets that accrues daily and pays monthly. Prior to February
21, 2024, the Sponsor Fee was 0.25 % of average daily net assets. Effective for the period from March 12, 2024, through November
24, 2024, the Sponsor agreed to waive the entire Sponsor Fee for the first $ 1.5 billion of the Trust’s net assets. Effective
for the period from November 25, 2024 through July 31, 2026, the Sponsor will waive the entire Sponsor Fee for the first $ 2.5 billion
of the Trust’s assets. If the Trust’s assets exceed $ 2.5 billion prior to July 31, 2026, the Sponsor Fee charged on
assets over $ 2.5 billion will be 0.20 % of average daily net assets. After July 31, 2026, the Sponsor Fee will be 0.20 % of average
daily net assets. The Sponsor has agreed to pay all operating expenses (except for litigation expenses and other extraordinary
expenses) out of the Sponsor Fee. The Sponsor from time to time will sell bitcoin, which may be facilitated by one or more liquidity
providers and/or the Bitcoin Custodians, in such quantity as is necessary to permit payment of the Sponsor Fee and Trust expenses
and liabilities not assumed by the Sponsor .
The Trustee fee is paid by the Sponsor and is not an expense
of the Trust .
The Trust holds its bitcoin at the Bitcoin Custodian and at the
Additional Bitcoin Custodian, both of which are regulated third-party custodians that carry insurance (in the case of the Additional
Bitcoin Custodian, such insurance is carried by its parent, Coinbase Inc., and is intended to cover the loss of client assets held
by Coinbase Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Additional Bitcoin Custodian) and are responsible for safekeeping of bitcoin
owned by the Trust and holding private keys that provide access to the bitcoin in the Trust’s bitcoin account.
State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Trust’s
administrator, transfer agent and cash custodian .
Note 4. Related Parties (a)
The Sponsor is considered to be a related party to the Trust .
MarketVector Indexes GmbH is the index sponsor and index
administrator for the MarketVector Bitcoin Benchmark Rate, which is used by the Trust to determine its NAV. MarketVector Indexes
GmbH is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of VanEck .
Van Eck Securities Corporation, a marketing agent to the
Trust, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of VanEck.
VanEck was the initial seed investor (“Seed Capital Investor”)
on December 21, 2023. On January 4, 2024, the 8,000 Shares held by the Seed Capital Investor were redeemed for cash and the Seed
Capital Investor purchased the “Seed Creation Baskets,” comprising of 5,800,000 Shares at a per-Share price of $ 12.50 .
Total proceeds to the Trust from the sale of the Seed Creation Baskets were $ 72,500,000 , which resulted in the Trust receiving
1,640.92 bitcoin. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Seed Capital Investor’s ownership in the Trust represents
approximately 6 % and 9 %, respectively, of net assets.
F- 9
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
December 31, 2025
VanEck is a minority interest holder in the parent company of the
Bitcoin Custodian, representing less than 1 % of its equity.
(a) Share amounts in Note 4 have been adjusted to reflect the 4 for 1 share split that occurred on February 14, 2025.
Note 5. Capital Share Transactions
Investors can buy and sell Shares of
the Trust in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares trade on the Exchange under the ticker symbol HODL. Shares are
bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded securities .
The Trust continuously offers the Shares
in baskets consisting of 25,000 Shares to authorized participants. Prior to March 4, 2024, the Trust offered baskets consisting
of 50,000 Shares to authorized participants. Authorized participants pay a transaction fee for each order they place to create
or redeem one or more baskets. The Administrator calculates the cost to purchase (or sell in the case of a redemption order) the
amount of bitcoin represented by the baskets being created (or redeemed); the amount of bitcoin represented is equal to the combined
NAV of the number of Shares included in the baskets being created (or redeemed) .
The Trust creates and redeems Shares,
but only in one or more baskets. Baskets are only made in exchange for delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of
the amount of bitcoin represented by the baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is equal to the combined NAV of
the number of Shares included in the baskets being created or redeemed determined as of 4:00 p.m. EST on the day the order to create
or redeem baskets is properly received. The authorized participants deliver cash or bitcoin to create baskets and receive cash
or bitcoin when redeeming Shares. For a subscription in cash, an authorized participant will deliver cash to the Trust’s
account at the cash custodian, which the Sponsor will then use to purchase bitcoin from a liquidity provider chosen by the Sponsor.
For a redemption in cash, the Sponsor will arrange for the bitcoin represented by the basket to be sold to a liquidity provider
chosen by the Sponsor and the cash proceeds distributed from the Trust’s account at the cash custodian to the authorized
participant. For an “in-kind” subscription, authorized participants will deliver, or arrange for the delivery by the
authorized participant’s designee of, bitcoin to the Trust’s account with the Bitcoin Custodian or Additional Bitcoin
Custodian in exchange for Shares when they purchase Shares. For an “in-kind” redemption transaction with the Trust,
when authorized participants redeem Shares, the Trust through the Bitcoin Custodian or the Additional Bitcoin Custodian, will deliver
bitcoin to such authorized participants, or a designee thereof, in exchange for their Shares. Only authorized participants may
place orders to create and redeem baskets through the transfer agent. The transfer agent will coordinate with the Trust’s
Bitcoin Custodians to facilitate settlement of the Shares and bitcoin .
Share and capital activity is as follows :
Year Ended
December 31,
2025 (a)
2024 (a)
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Beginning of year
48,500,000
$ 861,481,884
8,000
$ 100,000
Shares issued
25,625,000
776,285,157
63,100,000
1,145,143,775
Shares redeemed
( 18,225,000 )
( 480,458,287 )
( 14,608,000 )
( 283,761,891 )
End of year
55,900,000
$ 1,157,308,754
48,500,000
$ 861,481,884
(a) Shares amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 4 for 1 share split that occurred on February 14, 2025.
Note 6. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
In the normal course of business, the
Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these
agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However,
the Sponsor believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote .
F- 10
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
December 31, 2025
Note 7. Concentration Risk
Substantially all of the Trust’s assets are holdings of bitcoin,
which creates a concentration risk associated with fluctuations in the value of bitcoin due to a number of factors. Accordingly,
a decline in the value of bitcoin will have an adverse effect on the value of the Shares of the Trust. Factors that may have the
effect of causing a decline in the value of bitcoin include high volatility, which could have a negative impact on the performance
of the Trust. Bitcoin platforms are relatively new and may be unregulated or may be subject to regulation in a relevant jurisdiction,
but may not be complying, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges
for other financial assets or instruments, which could have a negative impact on the performance of the Trust. The value of the
Shares depends on the development and acceptance of the bitcoin network. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance
of the bitcoin network may adversely affect an investment in the Trust. The price of bitcoin on the bitcoin market has exhibited
periods of extreme volatility. Digital assets such as bitcoin were only introduced within the past decade, and the medium-to-long
term value of the Shares is subject to a number of factors relating to the capabilities and development of block-chain technologies
and to the fundamental investment characteristics of digital assets that are uncertain and difficult to evaluate. The Trust is
subject to risks due to its concentration of investments in a single asset class. Possible illiquid markets may exacerbate losses
or increase the variability between the Trust’s NAV and its market price. The amount of bitcoin represented by the Shares
may decline over time. Bitcoin with a fair value of $ 1,382,273,990 and $ 1,280,450,332 were held by the Bitcoin Custodians at December
31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Future and current regulations by a United States or foreign government
or quasi-governmental agency could have an adverse effect on an investment in the Trust. Shareholders do not have the protections
associated with ownership of Shares in an investment company registered under the 1940 Act or the protections afforded by the Commodity
Exchange Act. Future legal or regulatory developments may negatively affect the value of bitcoin or require the Trust or the Sponsor
to become registered with the SEC or CFTC, which may cause the Trust to liquidate.
The Exchange on which the Shares are
listed may halt trading in the Trust’s Shares, which would adversely impact a Shareholder’s ability to sell Shares.
The market infrastructure of the bitcoin spot market could result in the absence of active authorized participants able to support
the trading activity of the Trust .
F- 11
VANECK BITCOIN ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
December 31, 2025
Note 8. Financial Highlights (a)
The financial highlights summarize
certain per share operating information and financial ratios of net investment loss and expenses, to daily average net assets for
the years below. An individual investor's return and ratios may vary based on the timing of capital transactions :
Year Ended December 31,
2025
2024
Net asset value per share, beginning of period
$ 26.40
$ 12.50
From investment operations:
Net investment loss (b)
0.00
0.00 (c)
Net realized gain and change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) from investments in
bitcoin (d)
( 1.67 )
13.90
Net increase (decrease) resulting from operations
( 1.67 )
13.90
Net asset value per share, end of period
$ 24.73
$ 26.40
Total return (e)
( 6.33 )%
111.20 %
Ratios to average net assets
Expenses before fee waiver
0.20 %
0.20 % (f)(g)
Expenses after fee waiver
0.00 %
0.01 % (f)(g)
Net investment loss
0.00 %
( 0.01 )% (f)(g)
(a) On February 14, 2025 the Trust effected a 4 for 1 share split. Per share data prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect the share split.
(b) Net investment loss per share has been calculated based upon an average of daily shares outstanding.
(c) Amount rounds to less than $ 0.005 .
(d) The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the year may not agree with the change in the aggregate gains and losses for the year because of the timing of sales and repurchases of the Trust’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Trust.
(e) Returns are not annualized and include adjustments required by GAAP. Returns for financial statements purposes may differ from net asset values and performance reported elsewhere by the Trust.
(f) Annualized.
(g) Calculated based upon daily average net assets from January 10, 2024 (Date of Effectiveness) to December 31, 2024.
Note 9. Subsequent Event Review
The Trust has evaluated subsequent
events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined
that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the financial statements .
F- 12
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned in the capacities* indicated thereunto duly authorized.
VanEck Bitcoin ETF
By:
VanEck Digital Assets, LLC, as Sponsor of the Trust (registrant)
By:
/s/ Jonathan R. Simon
Name: Jonathan R. Simon
Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Date:
March 12, 2026
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1933, this Report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities* and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
Jan F. van Eck
/s/ Jan F. van Eck
President and Chief Executive Officer
March 12, 2026
(Principal Executive Officer)
John J. Crimmins
/s/ John J. Crimmins
Vice President, Chief Financial
March 12, 2026
Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
____________
*
The registrant is a trust and the persons are signing in their capacities as officers of VanEck Digital Assets, LLC, the Sponsor
of the registrant.
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.