Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive
officer and principal financial officer of the Trust, Trust management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust’s and the Funds’
disclosure controls and procedures, and the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the disclosure
controls and procedures of the Trust and the Funds (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) were effective, as of December 31, 2022, to provide reasonable assurance that
information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Trust files or submits under the 1934 Act on behalf of the Trust and the
Funds is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that
such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer,
of the Trust as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
The Trust’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting of the Trust and the Funds, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under
the 1934 Act. The Trust’s and the Funds’ 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 generally accepted accounting principles. 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 assets of the Trust and the Funds; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Trust’s and the Funds’
receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management of the Trust on behalf of the
Trust and the Funds; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use
or disposition of the Trust’s or the Funds’ assets that could have a material effect on the Trust’s or the Funds’
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 inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate.
Management, including the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer of the Trust, assessed the effectiveness of the Trust’s and the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2022. Their assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Trust’s and the Funds’ internal
control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of their internal control over financial reporting. In making
its assessment, the Trust’s management has utilized the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in its report entitled Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) . Based on their assessment and
those criteria, management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust, concluded that the
Trust’s and the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2022.
25
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Trust’s or the Funds’ internal
control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, the Trust’s or the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.
Certifications
The certifications by the Principal Executive Officer and Principal
Financial Officer of the Trust required by Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which are filed or
furnished as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, apply both to the Trust taken as a whole and each Fund, and the Principal
Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Trust are certifying both as to the Trust taken as a whole and each Fund.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Not applicable.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Jurisdictions that Prevent
Inspections.
Not applicable.
Part III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The Sponsor
Volatility Shares LLC, is the Sponsor of the Trust
and the Funds. As noted above, the Sponsor has exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Funds. The Trustee
has no duty or liability to supervise the performance of the Sponsor, nor will the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions
of the Sponsor.
As of December 31, 2022, the Sponsor serves as the
Trust’s commodity pool operator.
Specifically, with respect to the Trust, the Sponsor:
● Manages and directs the Funds’ portfolio of Financial
Instruments and other assets, including cash and cash equivalents;
● selects the Funds’ service providers;
● negotiates various agreements and fees;
● performs such other services as the Sponsor believes that
the Trust may require from time to time;
● selects the FCM and Financial Instrument counterparties, if
any; and
● Oversees the Commodity Sub-Adviser’s management of the
Funds’ portfolio of Financial Instruments and other assets, including cash equivalents.
The Shares are not deposits or other obligations
of the Sponsor, the Trustee or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any other bank, are not guaranteed by the Sponsor,
the Trustee or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any other bank and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other governmental agency. An investment in the Shares of the Fund offered hereby is speculative
and involves a high degree of risk.
The principal office of the Sponsor is located at
2000 PGA Boulevard, Suite 4440, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408. The telephone number of the Sponsor and the Trust is (866) 261-0273.
26
Background and Principals
As of December 31, 2022, Volatility Shares
LLC, the Sponsor, is a limited liability company formed in Delaware on July 25, 2019. The Sponsor was formed for the purpose of sponsoring
volatility-linked exchange-traded funds, of which the Funds are the first. Prior to its engagement as Sponsor of the Funds, the Sponsor
had no operating history.
The Sponsor currently serves as the commodity pool
operator of the Trust and the Funds. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC and is a member in good standing
of the NFA. The Sponsor’s membership with the NFA was originally approved on October 14, 2019. Its membership with the
NFA is currently effective. The Sponsor’s registration as a commodity pool operator was originally approved on October 14,
2019. Its registration as a commodity pool operator is currently effective. As a registered commodity pool operator, with respect to the
Trust, the Sponsor must comply with various regulatory requirements under the CEA, and the rules and regulations of the CFTC and the NFA,
including investor protection requirements, antifraud prohibitions, disclosure requirements, and reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
The NFA approved the Sponsor as a Swaps Firm on October 14, 2019. The Sponsor is also subject to periodic examinations by the CFTC
and NFA staff. Its principal place of business is 2000 PGA Boulevard, Suite 4440, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408. The telephone number
of the Sponsor and the Trust is (866) 261-0273. The registration of the Sponsor with the CFTC and its membership in the NFA must
not be taken as an indication that either the CFTC or the NFA has recommended or approved the Sponsor, the Trust and the Funds.
Executive Officers of the Trust and Principals and Significant
Employees of the Sponsor
Name
Position
Justin Young*
Principal of the Sponsor (since 10/4/2019)
Associated Person of the Sponsor (since 12/12/2019)
Principal Executive Officer (since 4/8/2021)
Principal Financial Officer (since 4/8/2021)
Principal Accounting Officer of the Trust (since 4/8/2021)
Stuart Barton*
Principal of the Sponsor (since 10/2/2019)
Associated Person of the Sponsor (since 10/14/2019)
Chief Investment Officer (since 4/8/21)
Chang Kim*
Principal of the Sponsor (since 1/26/2022)
Chief Compliance Officer (since 1/26/2022)
Manzone LLC
Principal of the Sponsor (since 2/11/2021)
* Denotes principal of the Sponsor who participates in making
trading decisions for the Funds.
The following is a biographical summary of the business
experience of the executive officers of the Trust and the principals and significant employees of the Sponsor. Of the Principals listed
below, only Justin Young, Stuart Barton and Chang Kim participate in making trading or operational decisions for the Funds or supervise
persons engaged in making trading or operational decisions for the Funds.
Justin Young holds a BA in American Studies
from Georgetown University. Since April 2017, he has served as Managing Partner of Invest In Vol LLC (overseeing operations at an
investment adviser); from August 2015 to April 2017, he was Vice President of Rex Shares LLC (overseeing product development
at an ETF sponsor); from April 2011 to August 2015 he was Head of Capital Markets for Global X Management Company LLC (overseeing
capital markets operations for an ETF sponsor); and from July 2009 to April 2011 he was an Associate of NYSE Euronext (working
on a number of listing matters for a national securities exchange).
Stuart Barton holds a PhD in Economic History
from the University of Cambridge, an MBA from the University of Surrey, and a B.Sc in engineering from the University of Cape Town. Since
March 2017, he has served as Managing Partner of Invest In Vol LLC (overseeing operations at an investment adviser); from September 2016
to March 2017 he was Chief Investment Officer of Rex Shares (overseeing investments at an ETF sponsor); from September 2014
to September 2017 he was Managing Partner at Corpus Capital Partners LLC (overseeing operations at a commodity pool operator); from
October 2010 to September 2014 he was a Ph.D. Candidate (completed Ph.D.) at the University of Cambridge, UK; from January 2008
to October 2010 he was unemployed and engaged in travel; from June 2007 to January 2008 he was Senior Equity Derivatives
Trader at HSBC’s Hong Kong office (traded derivatives at an investment bank); from September 2004 to June 2007 he
was Senior Equity Derivatives Trader at Barclays Capital PLC in New York (traded derivatives at a broker-dealer); and from August 2001
to September 2004 he was Equity Derivatives Trader at Barclays Capital PLC in London.
Chang Kim holds a BA in Film Studies from
Yale University. From January 2021 to December 2021, he served as the CEO of The Library Shop, Inc. (overseeing operations at an e-commerce
business); from September 2009 to December 2020, he served as a Portfolio Manager and the COO at Global X Management Company LLC (overseeing
operations at an ETF sponsor).
Manzone LLC became a Principal of the Sponsor
on February 11, 2021. Manzone LLC has a passive ownership interest in the Sponsor and exercises no management authority over the
Funds.
27
Duties of the Sponsor and Indemnification
The general fiduciary duties which would otherwise
be imposed on the Sponsor (which would make its operation of the Trust as described herein impracticable due to the strict prohibition
imposed by such duties on, for example, conflicts of interest on behalf of a fiduciary in its dealings with its beneficiaries), are replaced
by the terms of the Trust Agreement (to which terms all shareholders, by subscribing to the Shares, are deemed to consent).
The Trust Agreement provides that the Sponsor and
its affiliates shall have no liability to the Trust or to any shareholder for any loss suffered by the Trust arising out of any action
or inaction of the Sponsor or its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, managers or employees
(the “Sponsor Related Parties”), if the Sponsor Related Parties, in good faith, determined that such course of conduct was
in the best interests of the Funds and such course of conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Sponsor
Related Parties. The Trust has agreed to indemnify the Sponsor Related Parties against claims, losses or liabilities based on their conduct
relating to the Trust, provided that the conduct resulting in the claims, losses or liabilities for which indemnity is sought did
not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct and was done in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best
interests of the Funds.
Under Delaware law, a beneficial owner of a statutory
trust (such as a shareholder of the Funds) may, under certain circumstances, institute legal action on behalf of himself and all other
similarly situated beneficial owners (a “class action”) to recover damages for violations of fiduciary duties, or on behalf
of a statutory trust (a “derivative action”) to recover damages from a third party where there has been a failure or refusal
to institute proceedings to recover such damages. In addition, beneficial owners may have the right, subject to certain legal requirements,
to bring class actions in federal court to enforce their rights under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder by the SEC. Beneficial owners who have suffered losses in connection with the purchase or sale of their beneficial interests
may be able to recover such losses from the Sponsor where the losses result from a violation by the Sponsor of the anti-fraud provisions
of the federal securities laws.
Under certain circumstances, shareholders also have
the right to institute a reparations proceeding before the CFTC against the Sponsor (a registered commodity pool operator), an FCM, as
well as those of their respective employees who are required to be registered under the CEA, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder. Private rights of action are conferred by the CEA. Investors in futures and in commodity pools may, therefore, invoke
the protections provided thereunder.
The foregoing summary describing in general terms
the remedies available to shareholders under federal law is based on statutes, rules and decisions as of the date of this Prospectus.
As this is a rapidly developing and changing area of the law, shareholders who believe that they may have a legal cause of action against
any of the foregoing parties should consult their own counsel as to their evaluation of the status of the applicable law at such time.
Code of Ethics
The Trust has adopted a code of ethics (“Code
of Ethics”) that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. A copy of the Code of Ethics can be
obtained, without charge, upon written request to the Sponsor at the following address: VolatilityShares LLC, Attn: Chief Compliance Officer,
2000 PGA Boulevard, Suite 4440, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408.
28
The Commodity Sub-Adviser
Penserra Capital (the “Commodity Sub-Adviser”),
with its principal office at 4 Orinda Way, suite 100-a, Orinda, CA. 94563, serves as the Funds’ Commodity Sub-Adviser pursuant to
a commodity sub-advisory agreement (the “Commodity Sub-Advisory Agreement”). Prior to November 1, 2022, Milliman FRM served
as the Funds’ commodity sub-adviser.
The Commodity Sub-Adviser formed in July 2009. It
provides investment advisory services, specializing in ETF sub-advisory serves. The Commodity Sub-Adviser became an NFA member on September
20, 2022 and a registered commodity trading adviser on September 20, 2022. Previously, it was an NFA member from March 29, 2017 through
May 19, 2018, when its membership was withdrawn, and was a commodity trading advisor from April 13, 2017 through May 19, 2018, when its
registration was withdrawn.
The Commodity Sub-Adviser also provides services
as an investment adviser or sub-adviser or CTA, to mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts (“UITs”),
funds offered through bank collective investment trusts (“CITs”), and other exchange-traded products (“ETPs”).
The strategy exercised for each product is designed to meet a particular investment goal. In the case of sub-advisory services, the primary
adviser to the fund is usually responsible for the selection of underlying investments for the fund, and the Commodity Sub-Adviser manages
strategies for the various funds’ assets based on the investment goals and objectives as outlined in each of the funds’ offering
documents.
As of December 31, 2022, the Commodity Sub-Adviser
manages 100% of the Funds’ assets. The Commodity Sub-Adviser will be paid by the Sponsor an annual sub-advisory fee of 0.20% based
on each Fund’s average daily net assets (total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities). The Funds do not directly
pay the Commodity Sub-Adviser.
The following is a biographical summary of the business
experience of the principals of the Commodity Sub-Adviser. Each of the principals listed below participate in making trading or operational
decisions for the Funds or supervise persons engaged in making trading or operational decisions for the Funds.
Anthony Castelli joined the Commodity Sub-Adviser
in August 2011 and has served as Chief Compliance Officer since August 2011. In that role, he oversees compliance and risk operations
for Commodity Sub-Adviser. Mr. Kelkar was approved as a principal on September 9, 2022.
Dustin Allen Lewellyn joined the Commodity
Sub-Adviser in September 2014 as a Managing Director. In that role he oversees equity and commodity interest trading. Mr. Lewellyn
was approved as a principal on September 9, 2022.
George Madrigal joined the Commodity Sub-Adviser
in August 2009 as President and Chief Operating Officer. In that role, he manages and oversees the operations of the Commodity Sub-Adviser.
He also has served as President of Penserra Securities LLC since December 2007. Mr. Madrigal was approved as a principal on September
9, 2022.
Lee Wilson Geiger joined the Commodity Sub-Adviser
in September 2014 as a Managing Director. In that role, he oversees equity and commodity interest trading. Mr. Lewellyn was approved as
a principal on August 29, 2022, became registered as an associated person on September 20, 2022, and was approved as an NFA associate
member on September 20, 2022.
29
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The Funds have no employees or directors and are
managed by the Sponsor. None of the officers of the Trust, or the members or officers of the Sponsor receive compensation from the Funds.
SVIX pays the Sponsor a management fee (the “Management
Fee”), monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.35% per annum of its average daily net assets. UVIX pays the Sponsor a Management
Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.65% per annum of its average daily net assets. “Average daily net assets”
is calculated by dividing the month-end net assets of each Fund by the number of calendar days in such month.
No other Management Fee is paid by the Funds. The
Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s trading advisory services and the other services provided to the Fund that
the Sponsor pays directly.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the following
represents Management Fees earned by the Sponsor:
Fund
Amount
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ 489,398
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
1,004,754
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Not applicable.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,
and Director Independence.
Not applicable.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
(1) to (4). Fees for services performed by Tait, Weller &
Baker, LLP (“Tait Weller”) and PricewaterCoopers (PwC) for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
SVIX
Audit Fees
$ 17,962
Audit-Related Fees
-
Tax Fees
91,905
All Other Fees
-
$ 109,867
UVIX
Audit Fees
$ 17,962
Audit-Related Fees
-
Tax Fees
169,470
All Other Fees
-
$ 187,432
Combined Trust:
$ 297,299
Audit fees for the year ended December 31, 2022 consist of fees
paid to Tait Weller for the audit of the Funds’ December 31, 2022 annual financial statements included in the Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for the review of the financial statements included in each Form 10-Q,
and for the audits of financial statements included with registration statements. Tax fees include certain
tax compliance and reporting services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”) to the Trust, including processing beneficial
ownership information as it relates to the preparation of tax reporting packages and the subsequent delivery of related information to
the IRS. Services also include assistance with tax reporting and related information using a web-based tax package product developed by
PwC and a toll-free tax package support help line.
(5) The Sponsor approved all of the services provided by Tait Weller and PwC described above. The
Sponsor pre-approves all audit and allowed non-audit services of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm,
including all engagement fees and terms.
30
Part IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statement Schedules
See the Index to Financial Statements for a list of the financial statements
being filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Schedules may have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable,
or the information has otherwise been included.
Exhibit
No.
Description of Document
3.1*
Restated Certificate of Trust
4.1**
Trust Agreement
4.2**
Form of Authorized Participant Agreement
4.3****
Description of Shares
10.1**
Form of Sponsor Agreement
10.2**
Form of Transfer Agency Services Agreement
10.3**
Form of Custodian Agreement
10.4**
Form of Marketing Agent Agreement
10.5**
Form of Futures Account Agreement
10.6**
Form of Administration Servicing Agreement
10.7* *
Form of Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement
10.8* *
Form of Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement
10.9* **
Commodity Sub-Advisory Agreement
31.1****
Certification by Principal Executive Officer of the Trust Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2****
Certification by Principal Financial Officer of the Trust Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1****
Certification by Principal Executive Officer of the Trust 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 of the Trust Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS****
Inline XBRL Instance 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 (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
* Incorporated by reference to the Trust’s Registration Statement,
filed on January 6, 2022.
** Incorporated by reference to the Trust’s Registration Statement,
filed on August 26, 2020
*** Incorporated by reference to the Trust’s Registration Statement,
filed on September, 26, 2022.
**** Included herewith.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
31
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
VS TRUST
/s/ Justin Young
By:
Justin Young
Principal Executive Officer
Date:
March 28, 2023
/s/ Justin Young
By:
Justin Young
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
Date:
March 28, 2023
32
VS
TRUST
Financial
Statements as of December 31, 2022
Index
Documents Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB number: 238 ) F-2
Statements of Financial Condition, Schedule of Investments, Statements of Operations, Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Statements of Cash Flows:
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF F-3
2x Long VIX Futures ETF F-8
Notes to Financial Statements F-17
F- 1
taitweller.com
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
To Management of the Trust’s Sponsor of
VS Trust
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined statement
of financial condition of VS Trust as of December 31, 2022, and the related combined statements of operations, changes in net assets,
and cash flows for the period March 28, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022 and the related notes (collectively
referred to as the “combined financial statements”). In our opinion, the combined financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the combined financial position of the Trust as of December 31, 2022, and the results of their combined operations,
combined changes in net assets, and combined cash flows for the period March 28, 2022 through December 31 2022, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America
We have also audited the accompanying statements
of financial condition of -1x Short VIX Futures ETF and 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (the “Funds”), each a series of VS Trust,
including the schedules of investments as of December 31, 2022, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, cash
flows and the financial highlights for the period March 28, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022 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 Funds as of December 31, 2022, and the results of their operations, changes in net
assets, cash flows and financial highlights for the period March 28, 2022 through December 31 2022, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These combined financial statements and financial
statements are the responsibility of the management of the Trust’s sponsor. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Trust’s
combined financial statements and the Funds’ 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 and the Funds 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 have served as the auditor of the Trust and the Funds since 2022.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined
financial statements and financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust and the Funds
are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their 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 and Funds’ 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 combined financial statements and 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 combined financial statements and financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined financial statements and financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 27, 2023
F- 2
-1x
SHORT VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
DECEMBER 31,
2022
ASSETS
Cash
$ 504,600
Interest receivable
12,909
Prepaid expenses and other assets
10,295
Deposit at Broker for Futures
48,144,554
Other receivable
571
Total Assets
$ 48,672,929
LIABILITIES
Variation margin payable
$ 187,030
Fund shares redeemed
1,903,018
Management fees payable
54,374
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
15,869
Professional fees payable
125,274
Licensing and registration fees payable
8,761
Total Liabilities
2,294,326
Net Assets
$ 46,378,603
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital
$ 29,386,125
Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)
16,992,478
Net Assets
$ 46,378,603
NET ASSET VALUE:
Class I (unlimited shares authorized):
Net Assets
$ 46,378,603
Shares Outstanding^
3,170,000
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share
$ 14.63
Market Value per Share (Note 2)
$ 14.66
^ No
par value
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 3
-1x
SHORT VIX FUTURES ETF
SCHEDULE
OF INVESTMENTS
DECEMBER 31,
2022
Cash - 1.1 % (a)
$ 504,600
Other assets in excess of liabilities - 98.9 % (a)
45,874,003
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 %
$ 46,378,603
(a) $48,144,554 of cash is pledged as
collateral for futures contracts.
-1x SHORT VIX FUTURES ETF
SHORT FUTURES CONTRACTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Contract
Expiration Date
Number of Contracts
Notional Amount at Value
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
CBOE VIX FUTURE Jan23
January 18, 2023
( 1,150 )
$ ( 26,634,000 )
$ 1,058,571
CBOE VIX FUTURE Feb23
February 15, 2023
( 804 )
( 19,754,280 )
97,536
( 1,954 )
$ ( 46,388,280 )
$ 1,156,106
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 4
-1x
SHORT VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Dividends
$ 2
Interest income
134,714
Other income
61
Total Income
134,777
Expenses:
Management fees
489,398
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees
40,782
Professional fees
240,079
Licensing and registration fees
60,805
Broker interest expense
41,169
Total Expenses
872,233
Net Investment loss
( 737,456 )
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS
Net realized gain on:
Short Term Investments
12
Futures
16,573,816
Net change in unrealized appreciation of:
Short Term Investments
-
Futures
1,156,106
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and futures contracts
17,729,934
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$ 16,992,478
(1) The
Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 5
-1x
SHORT VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss
$ ( 737,456 )
Net realized gain on investments and futures contracts
16,573,828
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and futures contracts
1,156,106
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
16,992,478
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold
189,786,132
Shares redeemed
( 160,400,007 )
Net increase in net assets
from capital share transactions
29,386,125
Total increase in net assets
46,378,603
NET ASSETS
Beginning of Period
-
End of Period #
$ 46,378,603
(1) The
Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 6
- 1x
SHORT VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS
PERIOD
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ 16,992,478
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Purchase of investments
( 224,609,285 )
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments held
224,609,285
Decrease (Increase) in Deposits at broker for futures contracts
( 48,144,554 )
Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid expenses and other assets
( 10,295 )
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable
( 12,909 )
Decrease (Increase) in other receivables
( 571 )
Increase (Decrease) in Variation margin payable
187,030
Increase (Decrease) in Payable to Sponsor
54,374
Increase (Decrease) in Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
15,869
Increase (Decrease) in Professional fees payable
125,274
Increase (Decrease) in Licensing and registration fees payable
8,761
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 30,784,543 )
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from shares sold, net of cost from shares purchased
189,786,132
Cost of shares redeemed
( 158,496,989 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
31,289,143
NET INCREASE IN CASH
504,600
Beginning of Period
-
End of Period #
$ 504,600
(1) The
Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 7
2x
LONG VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
DECEMBER 31,
2022
ASSETS
Cash
$ -
Investments in securities, at value *
8,250,285
Interest receivable
50,483
Prepaid expenses and other assets
15,666
Receivable for shares sold
1,931,028
Deposit at Broker for Futures
114,821,272
Variation margin receivable
830,840
Other receivable
579
Total Assets
$ 125,900,153
LIABILITIES
Management fees payable
$ 176,838
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
19,957
Professional fees payable
203,411
Licensing and registration fees payable
11,181
Total Liabilities
411,387
Net Assets
$ 125,488,766
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital
$ 203,182,472
Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)
( 77,693,706 )
Net Assets
$ 125,488,766
NET ASSET VALUE:
Class I (unlimited shares authorized):
Net Assets
$ 125,488,766
Shares Outstanding^
21,450,000
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share
$ 5.85
Market Value per Share (Note 2)
$ 5.82
*Investments in securities, at cost
$ 8,250,285
^ No par value
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 8
2x
LONG VIX FUTURES ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
SHORT
TERM INVESTMENT - 6.6%
Money
Market Fund - 6.6%
8,250,285
First American Government Obligations Fund, 4.11% (a)
$ 8,250,285
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENT (Cost $ 8,250,285 )
8,250,285
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $8,250,285) - 6.6 %
8,250,285
Other assets in excess of liabilities - 93.4 % (b)
117,238,481
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 %
$ 125,488,766
Percentages
are stated as a percent of net assets.
(a) Represents
annualized seven-day yield at December 31, 2022.
(b) $114,821,272
of cash is pledged as collateral for futures contracts.
2x LONG VIX FUTURES ETF
LONG FUTURES CONTRACTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Contract
Expiration Date
Number of
Contracts
Notional
Amount at
Value
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CBOE VIX FUTURES Jan23
January 18, 2023
6,221
$ 144,078,360
$ ( 8,416,975 )
CBOE VIX FUTURES Feb23
February 15, 2023
4,355
107,002,350
( 786,547 )
10,576
$ 251,080,710
$ ( 9,203,522 )
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 9
2x
LONG VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Dividends
$ 7
Interest income
306,021
Other income
159
Total Income
306,187
Expenses:
Management fees
1,004,754
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees
55,759
Professional fees
318,741
Licensing and registration fees
74,647
Broker interest expense
43,638
Total Expenses
1,497,539
Net Investment loss
( 1,191,352 )
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Short Term Investments
38
Futures
( 67,298,870 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Short Term Investments
-
Futures
( 9,203,522 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 76,502,354 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$ ( 77,693,706 )
(1) The
Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 10
2x LONG VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss
$ ( 1,191,352 )
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 67,298,832 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and futures contracts
( 9,203,522 )
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
( 77,693,706 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold
399,696,269
Shares redeemed
( 196,513,797 )
Net
increase in net assets from capital share transactions
203,182,472
Total increase in net assets
125,488,766
NET ASSETS
Beginning of Period
-
End of Period #
$ 125,488,766
(1) The
Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 11
2x
LONG VIX FUTURES ETF
STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS
PERIOD
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ ( 77,693,706 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Purchase of investments
( 358,531,359 )
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments held
350,281,074
Decrease (Increase) in Deposits at broker for futures contracts
( 114,821,272 )
Decrease (Increase) in Variation margin receivable
( 830,840 )
Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid expenses and other assets
( 15,666 )
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable
( 50,483 )
Decrease (Increase) in other receivables
( 579 )
Increase (Decrease) in Payable to Sponsor
176,838
Increase (Decrease) in Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
19,957
Increase (Decrease) in Professional fees payable
203,411
Increase (Decrease) in Licensing and registration fees payable
11,181
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 201,251,444 )
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from shares sold, net of cost from shares purchased
397,765,241
Cost of shares redeemed
( 196,513,797 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
201,251,444
NET INCREASE IN CASH
-
Beginning of Period
-
End of Period
$ -
(1) The Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 12
VS
TRUST
COMBINED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (1)
DECEMBER 31,
2022
ASSETS
Cash
$ 504,600
Investments in securities, at value *
8,250,285
Interest receivable
63,392
Prepaid expenses and other assets
25,961
Receivable for shares sold
1,931,028
Deposit at Broker for Futures
162,965,826
Variation margin receivable
830,840
Other receivable
1,150
Total Assets
$ 174,573,082
LIABILITIES
Variation margin payable
$ 187,030
Fund shares redeemed
1,903,018
Management fees payable
231,212
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
35,826
Professional fees payable
328,685
Licensing and registration fees payable
19,942
Total Liabilities
2,705,713
Net Assets
$ 171,867,369
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital
$ 232,568,597
Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)
( 60,701,228 )
Net Assets #
$ 171,867,369
NET ASSET VALUE:
Class I (unlimited shares authorized):
Net Assets
$ 171,867,369
Shares Outstanding^
24,620,000
*Investments in securities, at cost
$ 8,250,285
(1) The fund commenced operations
on March 28, 2022
^ No par value
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 13
VS
TRUST
COMBINED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Dividends
$ 9
Interest income
440,735
Other income
220
Total Income
440,964
Expenses:
Management fees
1,494,152
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees
96,541
Professional fees
558,820
Licensing and registration fees
135,452
Broker interest expense
84,807
Total Expenses
2,369,772
Net
Investment loss
( 1,928,808 )
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Short Term Investments
50
Futures
( 50,725,054 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Short Term Investments
-
Futures
( 8,047,416 )
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 58,772,420 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$ ( 60,701,228 )
(1) The Funds commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 14
VS
TRUST
COMBINED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss
$ ( 1,928,808 )
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 50,725,004 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and futures contracts
( 8,047,416 )
Net decrease
in net assets resulting from operations
( 60,701,228 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold
589,482,401
Shares redeemed
( 356,913,804 )
Net
increase in net assets from capital share transactions
232,568,597
Total
increase in net assets
171,867,369
NET ASSETS
Beginning of Period
-
End of Period
$ 171,867,369
(1) The Funds commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 15
VS
TRUST
COMBINED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 (1)
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ ( 60,701,228 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Purchase of investments
( 583,140,644 )
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments held
574,890,359
Decrease (Increase) in Deposits at broker for futures contracts
( 162,965,826 )
Decrease (Increase) in Variation margin receivable
( 830,840 )
Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid expenses and other assets
( 25,961 )
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable
( 63,392 )
Decrease (Increase) in other receivables
( 1,150 )
Increase (Decrease) in Variation margin payable
187,030
Increase (Decrease) in Payable to Sponsor
231,212
Increase (Decrease) in Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
35,826
Increase (Decrease) in Professional fees payable
328,685
Increase (Decrease) in Licensing and registration fees payable
19,942
Net cash used in operating activities
( 232,035,987 )
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from shares sold, net of cost from shares purchased
587,551,373
Cost of shares redeemed
( 355,010,786 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
232,540,587
NET INCREASE IN CASH
504,600
Beginning of Period
-
End of Period
$ 504,600
(1) The Funds commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 16
VS Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
VS Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware
statutory trust formed on October 24, 2019 and is currently organized into separate series (each, a “Fund” and collectively,
the “Funds”). As of December 31, 2022, the following two series of the Trust have commenced investment operations: -1x Short
VIX Futures ETF (“SVIX”) and 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (“UVIX”). Each of the Funds listed above issues common units
of beneficial interest (“Shares”), which represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of only
that Fund. The Shares of each Fund are listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange (“Cboe BZX”).
The Funds’ inception of operation was March
28, 2022. Neither the Trust nor the Funds had any operations prior to March 28, 2022, other than matters relating to its organization
and the registration of each series under the Securities Act of 1933.
Each Fund’s investment exposure to VIX
futures contracts will cause each to be deemed a commodity pool, thereby subjecting each Fund to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1934
(“CEA”) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) rules. The Sponsor is registered as a Commodity Pool
Operator (“CPO”) and the Fund will be operated in accordance with applicable CFTC rules. Registration as a CPO imposes additional
compliance obligations on the Sponsor and the Funds related to additional laws, regulations and enforcement policies, which could increase
compliance costs and may affect the operations and financial performance of the Funds.
Volatility Shares LLC (the “Sponsor”)
is the sponsor of the Trust and the Funds. The Sponsor also will serve as the Trust’s commodity pool operator. The Funds are commodity
pools, as defined under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and the applicable regulations of the CFTC and are operated
by the Sponsor, which is registered as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC. The Trust is not an investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Each Fund is an investment company, as defined
by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 “Financial
Services — Investment Companies.” As such, the Funds follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance. The
following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by each Fund, as applicable, in preparation of its financial statements.
These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The accompanying unaudited financial statements
were prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-K and the rules and regulations
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all material adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement of the interim period financial statements have been made.
Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full-year period.
Emerging growth company
The Trust is an “emerging growth company,”
as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. It will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of
(1) the beginning of the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of its initial public offering, (2) the beginning
of the first fiscal year after annual gross revenue is $ 1.07 billion (subject to adjustment for inflation) or more, (3) the
date on which the Fund has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $ 1.0 billion in non-convertible debt
securities and (4) as of the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of common equity held by non-affiliates exceeded
$ 700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.
For as long as the Trust remains an “emerging
growth company,” it may take advantage of certain exemptions from the various reporting requirements that are applicable to public
companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor
attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation
and financial statements in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory
vote to approve executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. The Trust will
take advantage of these reporting exemptions until it is no longer an “emerging growth company.”
F- 17
Use of Estimates & Indemnifications
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the normal course of business, the Trust enters
into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under
these arrangements cannot be known; however, the Trust expects any risk of loss to be remote.
Basis of Presentation
Pursuant to rules and regulations of the SEC, these
financial statements are presented for the Trust as a whole, as the SEC registrant, and for each Fund individually. The debts, liabilities,
obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Fund shall be enforceable only against
the assets of such Fund and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other Fund. Accordingly, the assets of each Fund of the
Trust include only those funds and other assets that are paid to, held by or distributed to the Trust for the purchase of Shares in that
Fund.
Statements of Cash Flows
The cash amount shown in the Statements of Cash
Flows is the amount reported as cash in the Statements of Financial Condition dated December 31, 2022, and represents cash but does not include short-term investments.
Final Net Asset Value for Fiscal Period
The cut-off times and the times of the calculation
of the Funds’ final net asset value for creation and redemption of fund Shares for the three months ended December 31, 2022 were
typically as follows. All times are Eastern Standard Time:
Create/Redeem
NAV Calculation
NAV
Fund
Cut-off*(EST)
Time (EST)
Calculation Date
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF and
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
December 31, 2022
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
December 31, 2022
* Although the Funds’ shares may continue to trade on secondary markets subsequent to the calculation of the final NAV, these times represent the final opportunity to transact in creation or redemption units for the three months ended December 31, 2022.
Market value per Share is determined at the close
of Cboe BZX and may be later than when the Funds’ NAV per Share is calculated.
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds value
transactions based upon the final closing price in their primary markets. Accordingly, the investment valuations in these financial statements
may differ from those used in the calculation of certain of the Funds’ final creation/redemption NAV for the three months ended
December 31, 2022.
Investment Valuation
Short-term investments are valued at amortized
cost which approximates fair value for daily NAV purposes. For financial reporting purposes, short-term investments are valued at their
market price using information provided by a third-party pricing service or market quotations. In each of these situations, valuations
are typically categorized as Level I in the fair value hierarchy.
VIX futures contracts are valued using the
Time Weighted Average Price (TWAP) of the futures during the last 15 minutes of NYSE’s regular trading session, rather than
solely from the VIX futures’ settlement price. The value of a Fund’s non-exchange-traded Financial Instruments typically
is determined by applying the then-current disseminated levels for the Index to the terms of the Fund’s non-exchange-traded
Financial Instruments.
In certain circumstances (e.g., if the Sponsor believes market quotations do not accurately reflect the fair
value of a Fund’s investment, or a trading halt closes an exchange or market early), the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion,
choose to determine a fair value price as the basis for determining the market value of such investment for such day. Such fair
value prices would generally be determined based on available inputs about the current value of the underlying VIX futures contract
and would be based on principles that the Sponsor deems fair and equitable.
The Funds may use a variety of money market instruments.
Money market instruments generally will be valued using market prices or at amortized cost.
F- 18
Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations
about the value of an investment. While the Funds’ policies are intended to result in a calculation of its respective Fund’s
NAV that fairly reflects investment values as of the time of pricing, such Fund cannot ensure that fair values determined by the Sponsor
or persons acting at their direction would accurately reflect the price that a Fund could obtain for an investment if it were to dispose
of that investment as of the time of pricing (for instance, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by such Fund may differ from
the value that would be realized if the investments were sold and the differences could be material to the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Funds disclose the fair value of their investments
in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The disclosure requirements establish a
fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between: (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources
independent of the Funds (observable inputs); and (2) the Funds’ own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed
based on the best information available under the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels defined by the disclosure requirements
hierarchy are as follows:
Level I – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets
for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level II – Inputs other than quoted prices included
within Level I that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level II assets include the following: quoted
prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that
are not 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 (market-corroborated inputs).
Level III – Unobservable pricing input at the measurement
date for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not
available.
In some instances, the inputs used to measure fair
value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement
in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest input level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
Fair value measurements also require additional
disclosure when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, as well as when circumstances
indicate that a transaction is not orderly.
The following table summarizes the valuation of
investments at December 31, 2022 using the fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 -
Quoted
Prices
Level 2 -
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Fund
Money
Market Fund
Futures
Contracts*
Total
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ -
$ 1,156,106
$ 1,156,106
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
8,250,285
( 9,203,522 )
( 953,237 )
Total Trust
$ 8,250,285
$ ( 8,047,416 )
$ 202,869
* Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Financial Condition in receivable/payable on open futures.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments
are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Investment Transactions and Related Income
Investment transactions are recorded on the trade
date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on open contracts are reflected in the Statements of Financial Condition and changes in the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) between
periods are reflected in the Statements of Operations.
Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis
and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premium or discount, and is reflected as Interest Income in the Statement of Operations.
Brokerage Commissions and Futures Account Fees
Each Fund pays its respective brokerage commissions,
including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees, give-up fees, pit brokerage fees and other
transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities for each Fund’s investment in U.S. Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulated investments. The effects of trading spreads, financing costs/fees associated
with Financial Instruments, and costs relating to the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities or similar high credit quality short-term
fixed-income would also be borne by the Funds. Brokerage commissions on futures contracts are recognized on a half-turn basis (e.g.,
the first half is recognized when the contract is purchased (opened) and the second half is recognized when the transaction is closed).
The Sponsor is currently paying brokerage commissions on VIX futures contracts for the Funds that exceed variable create/redeem fees
collected by more than 0.04 % and 0.09 %, for SVIX and UVIX, respectively, of each Fund’s average net assets annually.
F- 19
Federal Income Tax
Each Fund is registered as a series of a Delaware
statutory trust and is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no Fund expects to incur U.S. federal
income tax liability; rather, each beneficial owner of a Fund’s Shares is required to take into account its allocable share of its
Fund’s income, gain, loss, deductions and other items for its Fund’s taxable year ending with or within the beneficial owner’s
taxable year.
Management of the Funds has reviewed all open tax
years and major jurisdictions (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable) and concluded that
there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be
taken in future tax returns. The Funds are also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts
of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. On an ongoing basis, management monitors its tax positions
taken under the interpretation to determine if adjustments to conclusions are necessary based on factors including, but not limited to,
on-going analysis of tax law, regulation, and interpretations thereof.
NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS
Short-Term Investments
The Funds may purchase U.S. Treasury Bills, agency
securities, and other high-credit quality short-term fixed income or similar securities with original maturities of one year or less.
A portion of these investments may be posted as collateral in connection with swap agreements, futures, and/or forward contracts.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments
In seeking to achieve each Fund’s investment
objective, the Sponsor uses a mathematical approach to investing. Using this approach, the Sponsor determines the type, quantity and mix
of investment positions, including derivative positions, which the Sponsor believes in combination, should produce returns consistent
with a Fund’s objective.
All open derivative positions at period end are
reflected on each respective Fund’s Schedule of Investments. Certain Funds utilized a varying level of derivative instruments in
conjunction with investment securities in seeking to meet their investment objectives during the period. While the volume of open positions
may vary on a daily basis as each Fund transacts derivatives contracts in order to achieve the appropriate exposure to meet its investment
objective, the volume of these open positions relative to the net assets of each respective Fund at the date of this report is generally
representative of open positions throughout the reporting period.
Following is a description of the derivative instruments
used by the Funds during the reporting period, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.
Futures Contracts
The Funds may enter into futures contracts to gain
exposure to changes in the value of, or as a substitute for investing directly in (or shorting), an underlying benchmark. A futures contract
obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept) the future delivery of a specified quantity and type of asset at a specified
time and place. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical delivery of the
underlying commodity, if applicable, or by making an offsetting sale or purchase of an identical futures contract on the same or linked
exchange before the designated date of delivery, or by cash settlement at expiration of contract.
Upon entering into a futures contract, each Fund
is 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 and/or securities balances with brokers for futures contracts, as disclosed in the
Statements of Financial Condition, and is restricted as to its use. The Funds that enter into futures contracts maintain collateral at
the broker in the form of cash and/or securities. Pursuant to the futures contract, each Fund generally agrees to receive from or pay
to the broker(s) 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 each Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Each Fund will realize a gain or loss upon closing of
a futures transaction.
F- 20
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees,
elements of market risk (specifically exchange rate sensitivity, commodity price risk or equity market volatility 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 each Fund has
in the particular classes of instruments. Additional risks associated with the use of futures contracts are imperfect correlation between
movements in the price of the futures contracts and the market value of the underlying Index or commodity and the possibility of an illiquid
market for a futures contract. With futures contracts, there is minimal but some counterparty risk to the Funds since futures contracts
are exchange-traded and the credit risk resides with the Funds’ clearing broker or clearinghouse itself. Many futures exchanges
and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit
has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for
specified times during the trading day. Futures contracts prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little
or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting a Fund to substantial losses. If
trading is not possible, or if a Fund determines not to close a futures position in anticipation of adverse price movements, the Fund
will be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. The risk the Fund will be unable to close out a futures position will
be minimized by entering into such transactions on a national exchange with an active and liquid secondary market.
Option Contracts
An option is a contract that gives the buyer the
right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specified quantity of a commodity or other instrument at a specific (or strike) price
within a specified period of time, regardless of the market price of that instrument. There are two types of options: calls and puts.
A call option conveys to the option buyer the right to purchase a particular futures contract at a stated price at any time during the
life of the option. A put option conveys to the option buyer the right to sell a particular futures contract at a stated price at any
time during the life of the option. Options written by a Fund may be wholly or partially covered (meaning that the Fund holds an offsetting
position) or uncovered. In the case of the purchase of an option, the risk of loss of an investor’s entire investment (i.e., the
premium paid plus transaction charges) reflects the nature of an option as a wasting asset that may become worthless when the option expires.
Where an option is written or granted (i.e., sold) uncovered, the seller may be liable to pay substantial additional margin, and the risk
of loss is unlimited, as the seller will be obligated to deliver, or take delivery of, an asset at a predetermined price which may, upon
exercise of the option, be significantly different from the market value.
When a Fund writes a call or put, an amount equal
to the premium received is recorded and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Premiums received
from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or closed
are added to the proceeds or offset against amounts paid on the underlying futures, swap or security transaction to determine the realized
gain (loss).
When a Fund purchases an option, the Fund pays
a premium which is included as an asset on the Statement of Financial Condition and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current
value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. The risk associated with purchasing
put and call options is limited to the premium paid. Premiums paid for purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to the
amounts paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying investment transaction to determine the realized gain (loss) when the underlying
transaction is executed.
Certain options transactions may subject the writer
(seller) to unlimited risk of loss in the event of an increase in the price of the contract to be purchased or delivered. The value of
a Fund’s options transactions, if any, will be affected by, among other things, changes in the value of a Fund’s underlying
benchmark relative to the strike price, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual and implied volatility of the Fund’s underlying
benchmark, and the remaining time until the options expire, or any combination thereof. The value of the options should not be expected
to increase or decrease at the same rate as the level of the Fund’s underlying benchmark, which may contribute to tracking error.
Options may be less liquid than certain other securities. A Fund’s ability to trade options will be dependent on the willingness
of counterparties to trade such options with the Fund. In a less liquid market for options, a Fund may have difficulty closing out certain
option positions at desired times and prices. A Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option
positions may expire worthless. Over-the-counter options generally are not assignable except by agreement between the parties concerned,
and no party or purchaser has any obligation to permit such assignments. The over-the-counter market for options is relatively illiquid,
particularly for relatively small transactions. The use of options transactions exposes a Fund to liquidity risk and counterparty credit
risk, and in certain circumstances may expose the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. The Funds may buy and sell options on futures contracts,
which may present even greater volatility and risk of loss.
F- 21
Swap Agreements
The Funds may enter into swap agreements for purposes
of pursuing their investment objectives or as a substitute for investing directly in (or shorting) an underlying Index or to create an
economic hedge against a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts that have traditionally been entered into primarily with institutional
investors in over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets for a specified period, ranging from a day to more than one year. However, the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) provides for significant reforms of the OTC
derivative markets, including a requirement to execute certain swap transactions on a CFTC-regulated market and/or to clear such transactions
through a CFTC-regulated central clearing organization. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns earned
or realized on a particular predetermined investment, instrument or Index in exchange for a fixed or floating rate of return in respect
of a predetermined notional amount. Transaction or commission costs are reflected in the benchmark level at which the transaction is entered
into. The gross returns to be exchanged are calculated with respect to a notional amount and the benchmark returns to which the swap is
linked. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of underlying instruments.
Generally, swap agreements entered into by the
Funds calculate and settle the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis” with a single payment. Consequently,
each Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or
received under the agreement based on the relative values of such obligations (or rights) (the “net amount”). In a typical
swap agreement entered into by UVIX, the would be entitled to settlement payments in the event the level of the benchmark increases and
would be required to make payments to the swap counterparties in the event the level of the benchmark decreases, adjusted for any transaction
costs or trading spreads on the notional amount the Funds may pay. In a typical swap agreement entered into by SVIX, the Fund would be
required to make payments to the swap counterparties in the event the level of the benchmark increases and would be entitled to settlement
payments in the event the level of the benchmark decreases, adjusted for any transaction costs or trading spreads on the notional amount
the Funds may pay.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of each Fund’s
obligations over its entitlements with respect to each OTC swap agreement is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash and/or securities
having an aggregate value at least equal to such accrued excess is maintained for the benefit of the counterparty in a segregated account
by the Funds’ Custodian. The net amount of the excess, if any, of each Fund’s entitlements over its obligations with respect
to each OTC swap agreement is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash and/or securities having an aggregate value at least equal
to such accrued excess is maintained for the benefit of the Fund in a segregated account by a third party custodian. Until a swap agreement
is settled in cash, the gain or loss on the notional amount less any transaction costs or trading spreads payable by each Fund on the
notional amount are recorded as “unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swap agreements” and, when cash is exchanged,
the gain or loss realized is recorded as “realized gains or losses on swap agreements.” Swap agreements are generally valued
at the last settled price of the benchmark referenced asset.
Swap agreements contain various conditions, events
of default, termination events, covenants and representations. The triggering of certain events or the default on certain terms of the
agreement could allow a party to terminate a transaction under the agreement and request immediate payment in an amount equal to the net
positions owed to the party under the agreement. This could cause a Fund to have to enter into a new transaction with the same counterparty,
enter into a transaction with a different counterparty or seek to achieve its investment objective through any number of different investments
or investment techniques.
Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements
of market risk and exposure to loss in excess of the unrealized gain/loss reflected. The notional amounts reflect the extent of the total
investment exposure each Fund has under the swap agreement, which may exceed the NAV of each Fund. Additional risks associated with the
use of swap agreements are imperfect correlations between movements in the notional amount and the price of the underlying reference Index
and the inability of counterparties to perform. Each Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement
in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund will typically enter into swap agreements only with
major global financial institutions. The creditworthiness of each of the firms that is a party to a swap agreement is monitored by the
Sponsor. The Sponsor may use various techniques to minimize credit risk including early termination and payment, using different counterparties,
limiting the net amount due from any individual counterparty and generally requiring collateral to be posted by the counterparty in an
amount approximately equal to that owed to the Funds. Outstanding swap agreements contractually terminate within one month but may be
terminated without penalty by either party at any time. Upon termination, the Fund is obligated to pay or receive the “unrealized
appreciation or depreciation” amount.
F- 22
The Funds, as applicable, collateralize swap agreements
by segregating or designating cash and/or certain securities as indicated on the Statements of Financial Condition or Schedules of Investments.
As noted above, collateral posted in connection with OTC derivative transactions is held for the benefit of the counterparty in a segregated
tri-party account at the Custodian to protect the counterparty against non-payment by the Funds. The collateral held in this account is
restricted as to its use. In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Funds will seek withdrawal of this collateral from the segregated
account and may incur certain costs in exercising its right with respect to the collateral. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise
fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Funds may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery
in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceeding. The Funds may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
The Funds remain subject to credit risk with respect
to the amount they expect to receive from counterparties. However, the Funds have sought to mitigate these risks in connection with OTC
swaps by generally requiring that the counterparties for each Fund agree to post collateral for the benefit of the Fund, marked to market
daily, in an amount approximately equal to what the counterparty owes the Fund, subject to certain minimum thresholds. In the event of
a bankruptcy of a counterparty, such Fund will have direct access to the collateral received from the counterparty, generally as of the
day prior to the bankruptcy, because there is a one day time lag between the Fund’s request for collateral and the delivery of such
collateral. To the extent any such collateral is insufficient, the Funds will be exposed to counterparty risk as described above, including
the possible delays in recovering amounts as a result of bankruptcy proceedings.
The counterparty/credit risk for cleared derivative
transactions is generally lower than for OTC derivatives since generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty
to a cleared derivative contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade
looks only to the clearing organization for performance of financial obligations. In addition, cleared derivative transactions benefit
from daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2022
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments
Fund
Statement of
Financial
Condition
Location
Unrealized
Appreciation
Statement of
Financial
Condition
Location
Unrealized
Depreciation
VIX Futures Contracts
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ 1,156,106
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
( 9,203,522 )
Total Trust
$ ( 8,047,416 )
* Includes cumulative appreciation
(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported
within the Statements of Financial Condition in variation margin receivable/payable.
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the
Statement of Operations
For the Period Ended December 31, 2022
Derivatives Not Accounted for as hedging Instruments
Location of Gain
(Loss) on Derivatives
Recognized in income
Fund
Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
VIX Futures Contracts
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts/ changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contrats
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ 16,573,816
$ 1,156,106
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
( 67,298,870 )
( 9,203,522 )
Total Trust
$ ( 50,725,054 )
$ ( 8,047,416 )
F- 23
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the
Statement of Operations
For the three months ended December 31, 2022
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Each Fund is subject to master netting agreements
or similar arrangements that allow for amounts owed between each Fund and the counterparty to be netted upon an early termination. The
party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting
agreements or similar arrangements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. As described above, the Funds utilize
derivative instruments to achieve their investment objective during the year. The amounts shown in the Statements of Financial Condition
do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements or similar arrangements.
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do
not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statements of Financial Condition.
The following table presents each Fund’s derivatives by investment type and by counterparty net of amounts available for offset
under a master netting agreement and the related collateral received or pledged by the Funds as of December 31, 2022.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2022
Assets
Liabilities
Fund
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts
Offset
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Net
Amounts of
Assets
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts
Offset
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Net
Amounts of
Liabilities
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 187,030
$ -
$ 187,030
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
830,840
-
830,840
-
-
-
Asset (Liability) amounts shown in the table below
represent amounts owed to (by) the Funds for the derivative-related investments at December 31, 2022. These amounts may be collateralized
by cash or financial instruments, segregated for the benefit of the Funds or the counterparties, depending on whether the related contracts
are in an appreciated or depreciated position at period end. Amounts shown in the column labeled “Net Amount” represent the
uncollateralized portions of these amounts at period end. These amounts may be un-collateralized due to timing differences related to
market movements or due to minimum thresholds for collateral movement, as further described above under the caption “Accounting
for Derivative Instruments”.
F- 24
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2022
Fund
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets /
(Liabilities)
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Financial
Instruments for
the Benefit of
(the Funds) /
the
Counterparties
Cash
Collateral for
the Benefit of
(the Funds) /
the
Counterparties
Net
Amount
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ ( 187,030 )
$ -
$ -
$ ( 187,030 )
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
830,840
-
-
830,840
NOTE 4 – AGREEMENTS
Management Fee
SVIX pays the Sponsor a management fee (the “Management
Fee”), monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.35 % per annum of its average daily net assets. UVIX pays the Sponsor
a Management Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.65 % per annum of its average daily net assets. “Average
daily net assets” is calculated by dividing the month-end net assets of each Fund by the number of calendar days in such month.
No other Management Fee is paid by the Funds. The
Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s trading advisory services and the other services provided to the Fund that
the Sponsor pays directly.
Pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement between Sponsor
and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, the Sponsor oversees and pays Milliman FRM (“Commodity Sub-Adviser”) for its services
as Commodity Sub-Adviser. The Commodity Sub-Adviser is paid by the Sponsor an annual sub-advisory fee of 0.25 % based on each Fund’s
average daily net assets (total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities). The commodity sub-advisory fee is waived
for the first 6 months of each Fund’s operations or until a Fund reaches $ 35 million in average daily net assets. The
Funds do not directly pay the Commodity Sub-Adviser.
Non-Recurring Fees and Expenses
Each Fund pays all its non-recurring and unusual
fees and expenses, if any, as determined by the Sponsor. Non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses are fees and expenses that are unexpected
or unusual in nature, such as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other material expenses which are not
currently anticipated obligations of the Funds.
The Administrator, Transfer Agent and Custodian
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business
as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”), an indirect subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, serves as the Fund’s
fund accountant, administrator and transfer agent pursuant to certain fund accounting servicing, fund administration servicing and transfer
agent servicing agreements. U.S. Bank National Association, a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and parent company of Fund Services,
intends to serve as the Fund’s custodian pursuant to a custody agreement.
F- 25
The Marketing Agent
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Marketing
Agent”) serves as the Marketing Agent of the Funds. Its principal duties are: (i) to work with the Transfer Agent to review
and approve orders placed by Authorized Participants and transmitted to the Transfer Agent; (ii) maintain copies of confirmations
of Creation Unit creation and redemption order acceptances; (iii) maintain telephonic, facsimile and/or access to direct computer
communications links with the Transfer Agent; and (iv) review and approve, prior to use, all Trust marketing materials for compliance
with applicable SEC and FINRA advertising rules.
The Marketing Agent retains all marketing materials
separately for the Funds, at their offices located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101.
As compensation for the services it provides, the Marketing Agent receives
a fee from the Funds.
NOTE 5 – OFFERING COSTS
Offering costs will be amortized by the Funds over
a twelve month period on a straight-line basis beginning once the fund commences operations. The Sponsor will not charge its Management
Fee in the first year of operations of a Fund in an amount equal to the offering costs. Normal and expected expenses incurred in connection
with the continuous offering of Shares of a Fund after the commencement of its trading operations will be paid by the Sponsor.
NOTE 6 – CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Each Fund issues and redeems shares from time to
time, but only in one or more Creation Units. A Creation Unit is a block of at least 10,000 Shares of a Fund. Creation Units
may be created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants.
Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Shares
are not redeemable securities. Retail investors, therefore, generally will not be able to purchase or redeem Shares directly from or with
a Fund. Rather, most retail investors will purchase or sell Shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker. Thus, some
of the information contained in these Notes to Financial Statements—such as references to the Transaction Fees imposed on purchases
and redemptions is not relevant to retail investors.
Transaction Fees on Creation and Redemption Transactions
The manner by which Creation Units are purchased
or redeemed is governed by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement and Authorized Participant Procedures Handbook. By placing
a purchase order, an Authorized Participant agrees to: (1) deposit cash with the Custodian; and (2) if permitted by the Sponsor in its
sole discretion, enter into or arrange for an exchange of futures contract for related position or block trade with the relevant fund
whereby the Authorized Participant would also transfer to such Fund a number and type of exchange-traded futures contracts at or near
the closing settlement price for such contracts on the purchase order date.
Authorized Participants may pay a fee up to 0.03 %
of the value of each order they place with each order to create or redeem a Creation Unit in order to compensate the Administrator, the
Custodian and the Transfer Agent of each Fund and its Shares, for services in processing the creation and redemption of Creation Units
and to offset the costs of increasing or decreasing derivative positions, unless the transaction fee is waived or otherwise adjusted by
the Sponsor. The Sponsor provides such Authorized Participant with prompt notice in advance of any such waiver or adjustment of the transaction
fee. Authorized Participants may sell the Shares included in the Creation Units they purchase from the Funds to other investors in the
secondary market.
Transaction Fees for the period ended December 31, 2022:
Fund
Period
Ended
December 31,
2022
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ 105,025
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
178,809
Total Trust
$ 283,834
F- 26
NOTE 7 – FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data is for a Share outstanding throughout
the period ended December 31, 2022:
VS Trust
Financial Highlights
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Period Ended
December 31,
2022 (1)
Period Ended
December 31,
2022 (1)
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
Net investment loss per share (2)
( 0.18 )
( 0.15 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (3)
( 0.19 )
( 9.00 )
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value Resulting from Operations
( 0.37 )
( 9.15 )
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$ 14.63
$ 5.85
Market Value Per Share, at December 31, 2022 (4)
$ 14.66
$ 5.82
Total Return at Net Asset Value (5)
( 2.47 ) %
( 61.00 ) %
Total Return at Market Value (5)
( 2.27 ) %
( 61.20 ) %
Ratios to Average Net Assets: (6)
Expense ratio (7)
2.41 %
2.46 %
Net Investment Loss
( 2.03 ) %
( 1.96 ) %
(1) Both Funds commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
(2) Net investment loss per share represents net investment loss
divided by the daily average shares of beneficial interest outstanding during the period.
(3) Due to timing of capital share transactions, per share amounts
may not compare with amounts appearing elsewhere within these Financial Statements.
(4) Market values are determined at the close of the applicable
primary listing exchange, which may be later than when the Funds’ net asset value is calculated.
(5) Percentages are not annualized for the period ended December
31, 2022.
(6) Percentages are annualized.
(7) The expense ratio would be 2.29% and 2.39% respectively, if
brokerage commissions and futures and futures account fees were excluded.
F- 27
NOTE 8 – RISK
Correlation and Compounding Risk
The Funds do not seek to achieve their stated investment
objective over a period of time greater than a single day (as measured from NAV calculation time to NAV calculation time). The return
of a Fund for a period longer than a single day is the result of its return for each day compounded over the period and usually will differ
in amount and possibly even direction from the inverse (-1x) or two times (2x) the return of the Fund’s benchmark for the period.
A Fund will lose money if its benchmark performance is flat over time, and it is possible for a Fund to lose money over time even if the
performance of its benchmark increases in the case of UVIX (or decreases in the case of SVIX), as a result of daily rebalancing, the benchmark’s
volatility, compounding, and other factors. Compounding is the cumulative effect of applying investment gains and losses and income to
the principal amount invested over time. Gains or losses experienced over a given period will increase or reduce the principal amount
invested from which the subsequent period’s returns are calculated. The effects of compounding will likely cause the performance
of a Fund to differ from the Fund’s stated multiple times the return of its benchmark for the same period. The effect of compounding
becomes more pronounced as benchmark volatility and holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently
depending on the period of time an investment in a Fund is held and the volatility of the benchmark during the holding period of an investment
in the Fund. Longer holding periods, higher benchmark volatility, inverse exposure and greater leverage each affect the impact of compounding
on a Fund’s returns. Daily compounding of a Fund’s investment returns can dramatically and adversely affect its longer-term
performance during periods of high volatility. Volatility may be at least as important to a Fund’s return for a period as the return
of the Fund’s underlying benchmark.
Each Fund uses leverage and should produce daily
returns that are more volatile than that of its benchmark. For example, the daily return of UVIX should be approximately two times as
volatile on a daily basis as is the return of a fund with an objective of matching the same benchmark. The daily return of SVIX is designed
to return the inverse (-1x) of the return that would be expected of a fund with an objective of matching the same benchmark. The
Funds are not appropriate for all investors and present significant risks not applicable to other types of funds. The Funds
use leverage and are riskier than similarly benchmarked exchange-traded funds that do not use leverage. An investor should only consider
an investment in a Fund if he or she understands the consequences of seeking daily leveraged or daily inverse investment results. Shareholders
who invest in the Funds should actively manage and monitor their investments, as frequently as daily.
While the Funds seek to meet their investment objectives,
there is no guarantee they will do so. Factors that may affect a Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective include: (1) the
Sponsor’s ability to purchase and sell Financial Instruments in a manner that correlates to a Fund’s objective; (2) an imperfect
correlation between the performance of Financial Instruments held by a Fund and the performance of the applicable benchmark; (3) bid-ask
spreads on such Financial Instruments; (4) fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs associated with the use of Financial Instruments
and commission costs; (5) holding or trading instruments in a market that has become illiquid or disrupted; (6) a Fund’s Share prices
being rounded to the nearest cent and/or valuation methodology; (7) changes to a benchmark Index that are not disseminated in advance;
(8) the need to conform a Fund’s portfolio holdings to comply with investment restrictions or policies or regulatory or tax law
requirements; (9) early and unanticipated closings of the markets on which the holdings of a Fund trade, resulting in the inability of
the Fund to execute intended portfolio transactions; (10) accounting standards; and (11) differences caused by a Fund obtaining exposure
to only a representative sample of the components of a benchmark, over weighting or under weighting certain components of a benchmark
or obtaining exposure to assets that are not included in a benchmark.
F- 28
A number of factors may affect a Fund’s ability
to achieve a high degree of correlation with its benchmark, and there can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation.
Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation may prevent a Fund from achieving its investment objective. In order to achieve a high
degree of correlation with their underlying benchmarks, the Funds seek to rebalance their portfolios daily to keep exposure consistent
with their investment objectives. Being materially under- or over-exposed to the benchmark may prevent such Funds from achieving a high
degree of correlation with such benchmark. Market disruptions or closure, large amounts of assets into or out of the Funds, regulatory
restrictions, extreme market volatility, and other factors will adversely affect such Funds’ ability to adjust exposure to requisite
levels. The target amount of portfolio exposure is impacted dynamically by the benchmarks’ movements during each day. Other things
being equal, more significant movement in the value of its benchmark up or down will require more significant adjustments to a Fund’s
portfolio. Because of this, it is unlikely that the Funds will be perfectly exposed (i.e., --1x, -2x, as applicable) to its benchmark
at the end of each day, and the likelihood of being materially under- or over-exposed is higher on days when the benchmark levels are
volatile near the close of the trading day.
Each Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio on a
daily basis. The time and manner in which a Fund rebalances its portfolio may vary from day to day depending upon market conditions and
other circumstances at the discretion of the Sponsor. Unlike other funds that do not rebalance their portfolios as frequently, each Fund
may be subject to increased trading costs associated with daily portfolio rebalancing in order to maintain appropriate exposure to the
underlying benchmarks.
Counterparty Risk
Each Fund may use derivatives such as swap agreements
and forward contracts (collectively referred to herein as “derivatives”) in the manner described herein as a means to achieve
their respective investment objectives. The use of derivatives by a Fund exposes the Fund to counterparty risks.
Regulatory Treatment
Derivatives are generally traded in OTC markets
and have only recently become subject to comprehensive regulation in the United States. Cash-settled forwards are generally regulated
as “swaps”, whereas physically settled forwards are generally not subject to regulation (in the case of commodities other
than currencies) or subject to the federal securities laws (in the case of securities). Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act (“Title
VII”) created a regulatory regime for derivatives, with the CFTC responsible for the regulation of swaps and the SEC responsible
for the regulation of “security-based swaps.” The SEC requirements have largely yet to be made effective, but the CFTC requirements
are largely in place. The CFTC requirements have included rules for some of the types of transactions in which the Funds will engage,
including mandatory clearing and exchange trading, reporting, and margin for OTC swaps. Title VII also created new categories of regulated
market participants, such as “swap dealers,” “security-based swap dealers,” “major swap participants,”
and “major security-based swap participants” who are, or will be, subject to significant new capital, registration, recordkeeping,
reporting, disclosure, business conduct and other regulatory requirements. The regulatory requirements under Title VII continue to be
developed and there may be further modifications that could materially and adversely impact the Funds, the markets in which a Fund trades
and the counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions.
As noted, the CFTC rules may not apply to all of
the swap agreements and forward contracts entered into by the Funds. Investors, therefore, may not receive the protection of CFTC regulation
or the statutory scheme of the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) in connection with each Fund’s swap agreements or
forward contracts. The lack of regulation in these markets could expose investors to significant losses under certain circumstances, including
in the event of trading abuses or financial failure by participants.
Counterparty Credit Risk
The Funds will be subject to the credit risk of
the counterparties to the derivatives. In the case of cleared derivatives, the Funds will have credit risk to the clearing corporation
in a similar manner as the Funds would for futures contracts. In the case of OTC derivatives, the Funds will be subject to the credit
risk of the counterparty to the transaction – typically a single bank or financial institution. As a result, a Fund is subject to
increased credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties to OTC derivatives entered into as part of
that Fund’s principal investment strategy. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due
to financial difficulties, a Fund could suffer significant losses on these contracts and the value of an investor’s investment in
a Fund may decline.
The Funds have sought to mitigate these risks by
generally requiring that the counterparties for each Fund agree to post collateral for the benefit of the Fund, marked to market daily,
subject to certain minimum thresholds. However, there are no limitations on the percentage of assets each Fund may invest in swap agreements
or forward contracts with a particular counterparty. To the extent any such collateral is insufficient or there are delays in accessing
the collateral, the Funds will be exposed to counterparty risk as described above, including possible delays in recovering amounts as
a result of bankruptcy proceedings. The Funds typically enter into transactions only with major global financial institutions.
F- 29
OTC derivatives of the type that may be utilized
by the Funds are generally less liquid than futures contracts because they are not traded on an exchange, do not have uniform terms and
conditions, and are generally entered into based upon the creditworthiness of the parties and the availability of credit support, such
as collateral, and in general, are not transferable without the consent of the counterparty. These agreements contain various conditions,
events of default, termination events, covenants and representations. The triggering of certain events or the default on certain terms
of the agreement could allow a party to terminate a transaction under the agreement and request immediate payment in an amount equal to
the net positions owed to the party under the agreement. For example, if the level of the Fund’s benchmark has a dramatic intraday
move that would cause a material decline in the Fund’s NAV, the terms of the swap may permit the counterparty to immediately close
out the transaction with the Fund. In that event, it may not be possible for the Fund to enter into another swap or to invest in other
Financial Instruments necessary to achieve the desired exposure consistent with the Fund’s objective. This, in turn, may prevent
the Fund from achieving its investment objective, particularly if the level of the Fund’s benchmark reverses all or part of its
intraday move by the end of the day.
In addition, cleared derivatives benefit from daily
marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. To the extent the Fund
enters into cleared swap transactions, the Fund will deposit collateral with a FCM in cleared swaps customer accounts, which are required
by CFTC regulations to be separate from its proprietary collateral posted for cleared swaps transactions. Cleared swap customer collateral
is subject to regulations that closely parallel the regulations governing customer segregated funds for futures transactions but provide
certain additional protections to cleared swaps collateral in the event of a clearing broker or clearing broker customer default. For
example, in the event of a default of both the clearing broker and a customer of the clearing broker, a clearing house is only permitted
to access the cleared swaps collateral in the legally separate (but operationally comingled) account of the defaulting cleared swap customer
of the clearing broker, as opposed to the treatment of customer segregated funds, under which the clearing house may access all of the
commingled customer segregated funds of a defaulting clearing broker. Derivatives entered into directly between two counterparties do
not necessarily benefit from such protections, particularly if entered into with an entity that is not registered as a “swap dealer”
with the CFTC. This exposes the Funds to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions
because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing
the Funds to suffer a loss.
The Sponsor regularly reviews the performance of
its counterparties for, among other things, creditworthiness and execution quality. In addition, the Sponsor periodically considers the
addition of new counterparties and the counterparties used by a Fund may change at any time. Each day, the Funds disclose their portfolio
holdings as of the prior Business Day. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings identifies its counterparties, as applicable. This portfolio
holdings information may be accessed through the web on the Sponsor’s website at www.volatilityshares.com.
Each counterparty and/or any of its affiliates
may be an Authorized Participant or shareholder of a Fund, subject to applicable law.
The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives transactions
is generally lower than for OTC derivatives. Once a transaction is cleared, the clearing organization is substituted and is a Fund’s
counterparty on the derivative. The clearing organization guarantees the performance of the other side of the derivative. Nevertheless,
some risk remains, as there is no assurance that the clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to a Fund.
Leverage Risk
The Funds may utilize leverage in seeking to achieve
their respective investment objectives and will lose more money in market environments adverse to their respective daily investment objectives
than funds that do not employ leverage. The use of leveraged and/or inverse leveraged positions increases the risk of total loss of an
investor’s investment, even over periods as short as a single day.
For example, because UVIX includes a two times
(2x) multiplier, a single-day movement in the relevant benchmark approaching 50 % at any point in the day could result in the total
loss or almost total loss of an investor’s investment if that movement is contrary to the investment objective of the Fund in which
an investor has invested, even if such Fund’s benchmark subsequently moves in an opposite direction, eliminating all or a portion
of the movement. This would be the case with downward single-day or intraday movements in the underlying benchmark of a Fund or upward
single-day or intraday movements in the benchmark of a Fund, even if the underlying benchmark maintains a level greater than zero at all
times.
Liquidity Risk
Financial Instruments cannot always be liquidated
at the desired price. It is difficult to execute a trade at a specific price when there is a relatively small volume of buy and sell orders
in a market. A market disruption can also make it difficult to liquidate a position or find a swap or forward contract counterparty at
a reasonable cost. Market illiquidity may cause losses for the Funds. The large size of the positions which the Funds may acquire increases
the risk of illiquidity by both making their positions more difficult to liquidate and increasing the losses incurred while trying to
do so. Any type of disruption or illiquidity will potentially be exacerbated due to the fact that the Funds will typically invest in Financial
Instruments related to one benchmark, which in many cases is highly concentrated.
F- 30
“Contango” and “Backwardation” Risk
The Funds typically hold futures contracts. As
the futures contracts near expiration, they are generally replaced by contracts that have a later expiration. Thus, for example, a contract
purchased and held in November 2019 may specify a January 2020 expiration. As that contract nears expiration, it may be replaced by selling
the January 2020 contract and purchasing the contract expiring in March 2020. This process is referred to as “rolling.” Rolling
may have a positive or negative impact on performance. For example, historically, the prices of certain types of futures contracts have
frequently been higher for contracts with shorter-term expirations than for contracts with longer-term expirations, which is referred
to as “backwardation.” In these circumstances, absent other factors, the sale of the January 2020 contract would take place
at a price that is higher than the price at which the March 2020 contract is purchased, thereby creating a gain in connection with rolling.
While certain types of futures contracts have historically exhibited consistent periods of backwardation, backwardation will likely not
exist in these markets at all times.
Since the introduction of VIX futures contracts,
there have frequently been periods where VIX futures prices reflect higher expected volatility levels further out in time. This can result
in a loss from “rolling” the VIX futures to maintain the constant weighted average maturity of the applicable Fund benchmark.
Losses from exchanging a lower priced VIX future for a higher priced longer-term future in the rolling process could adversely affect
the value of a Fund and, accordingly, decrease the return of a Fund.
Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk
Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes,
fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other severe weather-related phenomena generally, and widespread disease, including pandemics
and epidemics (for example, the novel coronavirus COVID-19), have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets and have
recently led, and may continue to lead, to increased market volatility and significant market losses. Such natural disaster and health
crises could exacerbate political, social, and economic risks previously mentioned, and result in significant breakdowns, delays, shutdowns,
social isolation, and other disruptions to important global, local and regional supply chains affected, with potential corresponding results
on the operating performance of the Funds and their investments. A climate of uncertainty and panic, including the contagion of infectious
viruses or diseases, may adversely affect global, regional, and local economies and reduce the availability of potential investment opportunities,
and increases the difficulty of performing due diligence and modeling market conditions, potentially reducing the accuracy of financial
projections. Under these circumstances, the Funds may have difficulty achieving their investment objectives which may adversely impact
performance. Further, such events can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, significantly disrupt the operations of individual
companies (including, but not limited to, the Funds’ Sponsor and third party service providers), sectors, industries, markets, securities
and commodity exchanges, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the
value of the Funds’ investments. These factors can cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures
and can impact the ability of the Funds to complete redemptions and otherwise affect Fund performance and Fund trading in the secondary
market. A widespread crisis may also affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the current time. How long
such events will last and whether they will continue or recur cannot be predicted. Impacts from these events could have significant impact
on a Fund’s performance, resulting in losses to your investment.
Risk that Current Assumptions and Expectations Could Become Outdated
As a Result of Global Economic Shocks
The onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has
caused significant shocks to global financial markets and economies, with many governments taking extreme actions to slow and contain
the spread of COVID-19. These actions have had, and likely will continue to have, a severe economic impact on global economies as economic
activity in some instances has essentially ceased. Financial markets across the globe are experiencing severe distress at least equal
to what was experienced during the global financial crisis in 2008. In March 2020, U.S. equity markets entered a bear market in the fastest
such move in the history of U.S. financial markets. Contemporaneous with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, oil experienced
shocks to supply and demand, impacting the price and volatility of oil. The global economic shocks being experienced as of the date hereof
may cause the underlying assumptions and expectations of the Funds to become outdated quickly or inaccurate, resulting in significant
losses.
NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent
events existing in the Trust’s and the Funds’ financial statements through the date the financial statements were issued.
On January 11, 2023, the Trust announced a 1-for-5 reverse share split (a “Reverse Split”) of the shares of beneficial interest of 2x
Long VIX Futures ETF (ticker symbol: UVIX). The Reverse Split was effective prior to market open on January 25, 2023, when the fund began
trading at its post-split price. The Reverse Split increased the price per share of the fund with a proportionate decrease in the number
of shares outstanding. Therefore, the Reverse Split did not change the aggregate net asset value of a shareholder’s investment at the
time of the Reverse Split.
For UVIX shareholders who held a quantity of shares that was not an exact multiple of the Reverse Split ratio
(i.e., not a multiple of 5), the Reverse Split resulted in the creation of a fractional share. Post-Reverse Split fractional shares were
made available to be redeemed for cash and sent to the shareholder’s broker of record. This redemption may have caused some shareholders
to realize gains or losses, which could have been a taxable event for those shareholders.
F-31
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.